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"IN THE BEGINNING WAS SILAS LAWRENCE"
Silas Lawrence was married about a mile from the spot where he died,
in the year of 1846. Building and sailing vessels was his chief
occupation. He was a deeply religious man and united first with
the Baptist Church, and later with the Larger Hope Association
having the headquarters in Michigan. Silas, died Feb.16,1908,
his children was Silas Lawrence Jr. who died July 27,1862, and
George A. R. Lawrence who died July 1907, also Joseph
W. Lawrence
died Jan. 22,1922, Lovie Lawrence died Sept.10,1877, Almira Abigail
Lawrence born Aug. 25,1861, Elzadah Lawrence born April 27,1847,
Eugenie Lawrence born 1849, married March 23, 1866 to John W. Kohler.
One of Silas Lawrence's Son George A. R. Lawrence later married
Marthia Rosa Overton, daughter of David Overton and Evelyn Gibson
who was living in Palestine Texas at the time she was born.
George A. R., and Rosa, had sons George A. R. Lawrence Jr. and also
John W. Stewart Lawrence.
My mother was Betty Jean Lawrence and her father was Stewart Lawrence
as he was called.
John William Stewart Lawrence married Jessie Margaret Dickens
daughter of John Hampton Dickens and Carrie M. Cameron.
John Hampton Dickens born Oct. 17,1870 Hurley, Mississippi was
the son of John R. Dickens and Susan R.,.
Silas V. Lawrence was born in bucksport Maine, his father William W.
West also born in Bucksport Maine on February 17, 1802, and died
February 17, 1856, in California.
When Silas left home he was evidently mad at his father and had taken
his mother's maiden name of Lawrence.
Silas Lawrence's mother was Betsy Lawrence, born in Orland Maine on
October 19,1800, Betsy's father who was John Gordon Lawrence,born in
Orland Maine on May 30, 1775, and died Aug.3, 1852, in Dedham Maine,
at the age of seventy-seven. Betsy's mother was Elisabeth Sanders, of
Penobscot Plantation, died later in Bucksport, Maine on June 23,1846,
at the age of seventy-seven.
Silas Lawrence had brothers and sister there names or as followed:
John H., born Dec.16,1825, William H., born Sept.22,1827, Samuel C.,
born November 20,1829, Deborah A., born July 20,1831, Mary E., born
May 20,1833, Catherine C., born Feb.17,1835, Sylvester S., born Dec.
31,1839,he was lost at sea March 3,1854, Rhoda E., born July 20,1843,
Jonah D., born May 18,1845,;he was a sailor, Olive E., born October
14,1846. These were born in Orland Maine, the residence of the family
Mr. William W. West died in California.
Silas Lawrence's wife Nancy Litchfield was born in Greenbrough or
Greensboro Alabama, she died December 12,1890, Mosspoint, Mississippi
at the home of George A. R. Lawrence, who was her son.
I was sent a letter addressed to me from Mary Fleming and husband Tom
from Fairhope Alabama,it was typed just as Silas had written it.
This letter is from Silas Lawrence,telling about his Father-in-law,
Asa Litchfield who died from blood poisoning.(Below is the following)
Mr Thompson,
This will inform you
and yours
of the death of Asa Litchfield. He died last tues., I believe.
I was in Mobile and knew not of it until he was buried. He was
buried in the fish River Burial ground.I saw James Nelson he is in
town he told me that Asa appeared willing to go and that he
thought he should be happy.
It appears that some
two weeks
ago he was roling over a cherry root in the yard at the Gold
place and his hold broke. He fell over it and stuck a splinter
in his foot, thought it not much. went to work Chopping wood
after that and in a day or two it commenced to swell so he was
layed up and brother did every thing in his power for him. Thursday
a week ago, I was there and he was up and about the house. But
I saw that his face seemed to be drawn to one side. I thought
that he had better go see a Doctor as the case seems to be one
that nobody knew anything about. He thought he would and than
the next that I heard was his death. James says that Mother is
purfickly satisfied about him. They say she has not shed a tear
since the breath left his body, but thanks and praises the Lord.
My people was well the
last time I
saw them that has been some ten days.
Yours truly,
Silas Lawrence
Mobile, March 11,1855
P.S. I rote this in case the letter
from Fish
River should be miscarried whitch is
often the case
from that place.
S.L.
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Lovey S. Litchfield, was the mother of Nancy Litchfield, Loveys,
daughter Nancy, is the one that married Silas Lawrence.
Also in a book in the Mobile Library is a book named as "List of
Pensioners on the Roll 1883, Volume V., Copyright 1970-Page 221,
Baldwin County, Alabama, is a name of Lovey S. Litchfield of Bay
Minette, with a Monthly rate of $ 8.00, also showing the Date of
the original allowance in November 1878, with the cause for which
pensioned as surv. 1812.
From the paper called the Courier in the Fairhope Library dated
Sept.1,1895,it is typed as written.
Mr. Silas Lawrence was a Fairhope correspondent last summer, writing
then from Liverpool, Fla., and just before the initial party of
Fairhopers left Des Moines in November last wrote setting a date
when he would start overland with a team to meet us here. We had
not heard from him since until we received a card from him this
month saying: "I will always pray for the success of Fairhope.
It was disappointment in getting money that kept me from coming.
Mr. Lawrence wrote us last year that he was familiar with this
Country, having lived in Baldwin County before the war and enlisted
from it in the United States navy. lately looking up with a view
to acquiring is a piece which is shown by the records to have been
entered in 1852 by Silas lawrence, doubtless the same person.
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Silas Lawrence was in the Navy and
was ranking as
Pilot, and did served on the U. S. S. Westfield, He was enter onrolls of the "Westfield" for pay from May 6,1862 to Aug.6,1862
when discharged. Silas Lawrence said in one of the records saying
he received a certificate of discharge from the United States Navy
signed by the commander of the Westfield which was the flag ship
of the Gun Boats, and that he could prove it by his family who
saw it often before it was burned in his House. this letter was
dated May 1,1897.
0n an other pension file dated June 27, 1890, it asides he is
at the age of 71 years and his height is 6 feet with a complexion
as light and hair also light with eyes of blue, according to what
he said he was also wounded in the left foot on Nov.1864,and stayed
at the Hospital at New Port News Virginia, he also said he was paid
for two months pay, he said the pay master paided him by his bed side
Silas said he was discharged from the Navy to Hunt for his family,
he found them and took them to his old Home in Maine, he than went
back and worked as a carpenter to the end of the war. That since leaving the service he resided in the county of Escam.
State of Florida, and in the State of Galveston Texas, and his
occupation has been that of a Master of a small vessel.
Silas Lawrence was building a boat for the Government when a chip
caught the edge of his ship ax giving it a glance and hooked him
on the foot splitting the joint next to the big toe and the joint
in the middle of the foot going through length ways splitting bone,
the marrow was in the boot both joints is stiff offend it had healed
up and it raised and brook and several pieces of bone came out.
He said, I went to work two soon and took cold in it. He was discharged at New Orleans about July 15, 1862, from the gun
boat the "Westfield".
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One other thing was found in Silas Lawrence's Pension File was
the following:
This is to certify that we the undersigned citizens of De Soto
Co. State of Florida have known Silas Lawrence the bearer from five
to ten years. He is a shipcarpenter and boat builder by trade has
been master of vessels on the Gulf Coast. We have known him in those years as an independent preacher of the
Gospel as he understands it. Hoping that the Lord Jesus Christ will
in the ages to come, destroy the Devil and all his works, and
bring all man kind to holiness and happiness. World without end,
Amen.
For this faith he has suffered much. But still he preaches and has
the good will of many people.
We know his Christian Character to be without reproach in our County
and we believe he will do all the good he can where ever he goes.
Signatures as followed:
Charle H. Taylor
Mrs. N.H. De Coster
Mrs. Ostrom
C. M. Denham
Mrs. M. Denham
Mrs. Ida De Coster
W.S. Barley
Mrs. W. S. Barley
J. S. Gibson
James A. Youmans
Miss. Dollie Youmans
W. R. Polk
Mrs. W. R. Polk
Mrs. Sumner Johnson
J. M. De Coster
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At the Fairhope library on microfilm is the paper called the
FairHope Courier, information on the Lawrence's can be found such-
like the following:
FAIRHOPE NEWS AND PERSONALS
Sept.15,1894
"If you come to Mobile Bay we will try to join you as soon as possi-
ble," writes Rev. Silas Lawrence of Liverpool, Florida.
October 15, 1899
Captain Silas Lawrence is with us again, having driven through
last week, from Pensacola, Florida, where he has been visiting a
daughter, He is looking well for a man of his years, and has taken
up his abode again in his cabin on the beach.
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The Grandfather of Silas Lawrence on his mother's side was John
Gordon Lawrence born May 30, 1775, Orland Maine, he died Aug.3,1852,
age 77 years, 3 months, 5 days.
John's wife Elizabeth Sanders who died June 23,1846,age 77 years.
both is buried in the Moulton Cemetery in Bucksport Hancock County,
Maine ( Near Moulton's Hill-Near Dedham Line ).
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Written by Silas Lawrence, to his daughter Almire Abigail McKinney
about the death of her brother George A. R. Lawrence.
Some words couldn't be read, so a blank line was placed in the space.
Also had it not been for Louse, my sister this letter wouldn't been able to be retyped.
(Typed from the original letter as best as we could, the following is a recopy. )
Fairhope Ala July 14th 1907
My Darling A. A.
This will inform you that your brother George departed his life
Thursday the 11th about 11 O'Clock P.M. ( July the
11th ) He
had been in a decline for over 5 years-but suffered awfuly the
last 6 months.
The last weak he had to take so much morfen that he was seceles
most of the time-never give out til the day before. He died-when all
at once he brightened up-seemed like himself again Called all his
family around his bed made an able prayer for them from that to the
end. I hardly think he knew any one.
Rose takes it awful hard so does all the family. I hope it will do the
boyes good I think it will. George seems quite changed He is find
able young man for 19. Has been getting $2.50 a day at plastering.
They own their house two stories with 7 rooms quite well furnished.
They have cow-and about $50 in cash with the 2 boys at work I feel
shure they will get along fine. Eva was at his bedside night and day
til the end came----she gives to the World's Hope-Her
father fell
greatly in love with its teaching before he died. And_________________-clinging to the HOPE of the
coming of
the lord and the final salvation of all mankind from sin. See 1st con 3rd
chapter from 11th to 16 verse.
Oh I do hope and pray you will write the letter to brother G. W.
Paton an his father J. H. Paton either one will do. Please don't put it
off. I feel god will bless you in doing so. And we will all pray for the
ones whos name is left behind-_________ will come
and_________
will be known.
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Now let me draw your attention back to Nancy Litchfield, daughter
of Lovey S. Nelson and M. Asa Litchfield, Nancy, was married to
Silas Lawrence May 25, 1946, in Baldwin County Ala. one of there
children was George A. R. Lawrence. Nancy Litchfield died in Moss-
Point Mississippi, a death notice was place in the Mosspoint,
Mississippi newspaper in 1890, it reads as followed:
IN MEMORIAL
Mrs. Nancy Lawrence was born in Greensboronoh, Ala. May 3, 1828.
Died at the residence of her son Capt. G. A. R. Lawrence, MossPoint
Mississippi December 12,1890.
She gave her heart to God at the early age of 15 years and united
with with the M. E. Church at Point Clear, Ala. and during various
experiences of life by a constant walk and conversation, adorned
the gospel which she professed.
She was patient and gentle in her last sickness and bore her
sufferage with Christian fortitude. And when the end came she
passed into the spirit land as peacefully and sweetly as a baby
falls asleep at its Mother's breast.
Futher note her parents lived in a large two story home in the
spot where Thomson Hospital stands.
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"BIOGRAPHY OF JOSEPH WASHINGTON LAWRENCE"
"CAPTAIN JOE LAWRENCE AND HIS FOUR SONS WERE MASTER
CRAFTSMEN" BROTHER JOSEPH WASHINGTON LAWRENCE ANDGEORGE A. R. LAWRENCE WERE BALDWIN COUNTY NATIVES, BORN NEAR WHERE FAIRHOPE IS NOW LACATED,SONS OF A MIGRANT FROM NEW ENGLAND. BOTH WERE CALLED "CAPTAIN" FOR- MASTERY OF SAILING VESSELS IN THE LATER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY. BOTH CAPTAIN JOSEPH AND CAPTAIN GEORGE MOVED AWAY FROM THIS AREA AS YOUNG MEN, AND LIVED WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE GULF COAST FROM FLORIDA TO SOUTH TEXAS. NEWS OF THE SINGLE TAX COLONY AND ITS UNIQUE LAND LEASE PROGRAM- BROUGHT GEORGE LAWRENCE BACK TO FAIRHOPE TO ESTABLISH A HOME FOR HIS FAMILY AND TO BE A PART OF THE COLONY ORGANIZATION AS A LESSEE AND AS A MEMBER. CAPTAIN JOSEPH LAWRENCE,MEANWHILE,HAD MOVED FARTHER WEST,AND THE YEAR 1900 FOUND HIM IN THE GALVESTON BAY AREA OF TEXAS WHERE HE OWNED AND OPERATED A SAILING SCHOONER,ENGAGED CHIEFLY IN HAULING FIRE WOOD TO THE CITY ON GALVESTON ISLAND. THE DISASTROUS HURRICANE WHICH STRUCK GALVESTON WITH ITS
FULL FORCE IN 1900 TOOK MANY LIVES AND NEARLY DESTROYED THE
CITY. IT WAS REPORTED THAT CAPTAIN JOE LAWRENCE HAD THE ONLY
BOAT LEFT AFLOAT ON GALVESTON BAY AFTER THE STORM.SOON THEREAFTER,CAPTAIN JOE RETURNED TO BALDWIN COUNTY AND ESTABLISHED A HOME WITH HIS FAMILY IN FAIRHOPE,WHERE THE LAWRENCES WERE RECOGNIZED AS MASTER CRAFTSMEN, IN THE ARTS OF WOODWORKING AND TIMBER CONSTRUCTION. CAPTAIN JOSEPH,AN EXPERIENCED SHIP CARPENTER,WAS ENGAGED BY THE-
COLONY PEOPLE TO BUILD THE FIRST
STEAMER,"FAIRHOPE",WHICH HE BUILT ON BEACH WITH HELP OF HIS ELDEST SON,GEORGE,AND SON-IN-LAW ROBERT CAIN. THIS VESSEL,THOUGH STOUTLY BUILT OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED
LUMBER AND TIMBER,WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE AFTER ONLY A SHORT PERIOD OF SERVICE.
IT WAS A CRITICAL LOSS TO FAIRHOPE BECAUSE THE BOAT HAD BEEN
DESIGNED AND BUILT SPECIFICALLY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
AFTER THE FIRE,AN IRON HULLED WORK BOAT WAS ACQUIRED AND
- CONVERTED INTO A PASSENGER AND MAIL BOAT FOR SERVICE TO
MOBILE. THE ENTIRE SUPERSTRUCTURE AND ALL CABINET AND FINISH
WOODWORK WAS DONE BY GEORGE AND JOSEPH E. (EUGENE) LAWRENCE,THE TWO ELDEST SONS OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH. THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THESE TWO BROTHERS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE HERE IN FAIRHOPE.
REGRETTABLY, THIS SECOND BOAT,KNOWN AS THE "IRON HULL
STEAMER FAIRHOPE" ALSO BURNED. EVEN THOUGH HER MASTER AND CREW WERE --EXPERIENCED IN THE HANDLING AND CARE OF BOATS.
UPON RETURNING TO THIS AREA AND SETTLING IN FAIRHOPE IN
1900, THE CAPTAIN JOSEPH LAWRENCE FAMILY WAS MADE UP OF MR.
LAWRENCE AND WIFE, LOUISA MATILDA TAYLOR,WITH THERE DAUGHTERS,LAURA L.,ROSELLA,AND FLORIDA ESTELLA, AND FOUR SONS GEORGE WILLIAM,EUGENE,JOHN EDWARD, AND LLOYD WILSON ALL FOUR SONS WHOM WERE EXCEPTIONALLY SKILLFULL WITH WOODWORKING AND CARPENTRY TOOLS.
TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN CARPENTRY AND JOINERY,IT WAS A
GENUINE PLEASURE TO WATCH ANY OF THESE MEN AT WORK BECAUSE OF THEIR SPECIAL ABILITIES IN HANDLING THEIR TOOLS,AND DOING SO IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE COMPLETE EASE. UPON WATCHING THEM,ONE MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT WOODWORKING WAS A PLEASURE MORE THAN A TASK.
AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED,NOT ALL OF CAPTAIN JOE'S GRANDSONS
HAVE FOLLOWED THE CARPENTRY TRADE,BUT THERE GENERATIONS HAVE WORKED AND LIVED IN FAIRHOPE AND HAVE BEEN A CREDIT TO THE NAME AND MEMORY OF THE FAMILY COULD EVER BE JUSTLY ACCUSED OF OVERCHARGING FOR HIS TIME NOR OF DOING SHODDY WORK OR QUITTING A JOB BEFORE ITS COMPLETION.
SINCE THERE WERE NO SUITABLE DEEP WATER STREAMS ON THE
EASTERN SHORE OF MOBILE BAY,THE SITE HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED AS A
BOATBUILDING HAVEN,AND IN CONSEQUENCE THE LAWRENCES ENGAGED IN HOME BUILDING WORK AND IN OTHER CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES THAT WERE AVAILABLE. HOUSE MOVING AND RENOVATION WAS A SPECIALTY OF CAPTAIN JOSEPH AND ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GENERALLY TOOK PART IN ANY MAJOR CONSTRUCTION IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE LAWRENCES WERE USUALLY IN CHARGE OF WHARF WORK AND
BRIDGE BUILDING,SUCH AS THE SPANS OVER STACKS GULLY ON BAY VIEW STREET AND THE COLONIAL INN BRIDGE AT MOBILE AVENUE IN THOSE DAYS TIMBER FOR SUCH BRIDGES WAS AVAILABLE BUT THERE WAS NO MACHINERY FOR HAULING EARTH TO FILL THE RAVINES.
EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO COMMERCIAL BOAT BUILDING ACTIVITY IN FAIRHOPE,THE YOUNGEST SON,LLOYD,BEING LESS SERIOUS THAN THE OTHERS, NEVER ABANDONED HIS INTEREST IN BOATS AND CONTINUED TO BUILD THEM AS PLAYTHINGS. HIS YACHT "BILLIE" A SINGLE SCREW,32 FOOTER,WAS PERFECTLY FINISHED FOR ALL WEATHER CRUISING ON MOBILE BAY.
IN ADDITION TO BEING A DILIGENT AND CONSCIENTIOUS WORKMAN,CAPTAIN JOSEPH WAS ALSO A GOOD CHRISTIAN AND WAS ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS OF THE ORIGINAL BAPTIST CHURCH IN FAIRHOPE,TO WHICH HE CONTRIBUTED AS LIBERALLY AS HE COULD.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANGES IN CONSTRUCTION METHODS IN
RECENT YEARS BUT THERE WILL NEVER BE A TIME WHEN FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ARTISTRY WILL BE REPLACED BY COMPUTERS.
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The following information was taken from the Fairhope Courier,
which is on microfilm at the Fairhope Library.
JULY 15,1898
Captain Lawrence made the run to Mobile with the "Minnie L."
one morning recently in just two hours.
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JULY 15,1898
The handsome schooner Alexander M. Lawrence of New York, with
Captain Smith and family aboard, has been anchored just off
Montrose for several weeks. One beautiful moonlight evening in
June,a party of twenty or more Fairhopers, by the kindness of
Captain Lawrence, sailed up in the Minnie L. to make a friendly
call. Captain Smith had just given his decks a coat of fresh paint,
so could not invite us aboard; but we anchored alongside and
serenaded them with our Fairhope orchestra. The Lawrence is a
schooner 100 feet long and 21 feet beam running in the fruit trade
between British Honduras and Mobile; but she does not care to
venture out into the gulf, while the war is on.
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MARCH 15,1900
Lawrence Tilson, former first mate of the "Minnie L." is now
working in Mobile, sorting and marking barrel staves for export
shipment. He is doing well, but still thinks there is no place
quite as nice as Fairhope.
MARCH 15,1900
Captain Lawrence has put up a little building, beside his gate
on Fairhope Avenue, which we understand Mr. Bernhardt will occupy
as a barber shop and also do general repairing for the community.
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MAY 1,1900
Lawrence Tilson--Captain Lawrence's quondam "mate" is said to
be steward on board the handsome tug "Le Baron" of Mobile.
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JANUARY 15,1902
Captain Joseph Lawrence's family enjoyed a visit last week from
Mrs. Lijah Gilbert, and Jno. Gilbert wife and children, of Bay-
Minette. Mrs. Gilbert Sr. is a sister of Mrs. Lawrence.
They came down from Bay Minette overland.
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JUNE 1,1903
Captain Joseph Lawrence was struck on the head by a falling piece
of scantling (which is a small beam or piece of timber) while
working on the new Mershon Bros.' store building making a scalp
wound which required several stitches to close, but was at work
again the next day.
JULY 15,1903
George Cain son-in-law of Captain Joseph Washington Lawrence, is
at Fairhope again and acting as a deck hand on the steamer.
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"BIOGRAPHY OF BETSY LAWRENCE"
Rebecca (Betsy) Lawrence born Oct. 19, 1800, in Orland Maine, and was married to William W. West March 3, 1821. Betsy's Father was John Gordon Lawrence born May 30, 1775, in Orland Maine, John was the son of Abel Lawrence and Phebe Farr.
Betsy Lawrence's husband William W. West died Feb. 17, 1856, and is buried in California.
Silas V. Lawrence was Betsy Lawrence and William West's first child who was born May 16, 1822, It was told by Mary Fleming of Fairhope,
and William F. Lawrence of Theodore, that Silas was evidently mad at his father and had taken his mothers maiden name LAWRENCE.
It was also explain that they believed that the middle name ( V. ) stood for Vernoice,but it has not been established for certain but only a belief on their part; who knows maybe their right.
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