Connecticut western news., 1875-04-30
Biographical History of. Cana nm.

At your request venture to give from few brief notes. some historical incidents of Canaan. Hollister's history informs us Canaan was sold at auction in New Lon don in l738, and the same year q settlement was made in the town by Messrs. Isaac Lawrence, John Franklin. and others" From the Lawrence family history we learn that Capt. Isaac Lawrence was born at Groton, Mass, in 17O4. and removed with his parents in l7O7 to Plainfeld, Ct., where he afterwards married, and in 173s removed with his family to Canaan, CT what was then called ''the new or western country" He started with an sx team, his family and goods in cart. The country was entirely new, and heavily timbered so he was obliged to cut his road and bridge the streams. He was nine days in making the journey, passing as he did through the towns of Norfolk and New Marlboro. He arrived in the town of Canaan the second of June 173S. He encamped the first night under an oak tree which stood near where the present sash and blind factory now stands. Here hole was dug in tho bank and temporary shelter of boards to cover them answered as a house, which they oc- cupisd until the following spring, when house was erected on lot adjoining near fine spring of water. The first home of the Lawrence family is thus commemorated in verse by one of the surviving members
 Their wanderings oer. they shelter took
 Beneath . sturdy oak
 And, To ere night house was built
 Beside the murmuriRg brook"
 While making the journey through the wilderness, one morning it was found light snow had fallen during the night, and bear track was discovered near the wagon in which they slept. The children were very much frightened at this, but the fa- ther said God protected them.
 In 1751, or about twelve years after the first house was built, Capt. Lawrence erect cd what is now known as the Lawrence Tavern House," now a memorial building. In 1851 centennial meeting was held in this building of the Lawrence family, there being at that time upwards of 300 living descendants of this pioneer family. ln the house above mentioned stands weaver's loom made from the body of the oak tree under which the family first found shelter and other heir-looms.
 Capt. Isaac Lawrence was large man. of fine physique, intelligent, industrious and of excellent character. Though 8 farmer by occupation, he also worked at the carpenters trade. He superiAtended the framing of the first church built in the town of North Canaan. He was daring man, as the following incident shows. It Is said when the frame of the meeting house was raised, and after the rafters were all set, he took square and broad axe in his hand and walked up one rafter and down the other.
 He was also man of great strength. It is said when the frame of the Lawrence tavern house was raised, he threw . shovel of dirt from the cellar over the plate, q distance of about 25 feet. He held many town offices; was a representative to the general assembly of the colony in l765 He owned at one time about twenty slaves, but they were all manumitted before his death It is related that when Lord Gordon and the Earl of Morris visited the colonies to ascertsin their ability and resources for tax ation. they were entertained by Capt. Lawrence, and Lord Gordon questioned the slaves about their condition. One of them replied: "Yes. Massa, we have victuals enough, clothes enough and work enough. |"
 While the history credits Lawrence as tue first settler, there is a tradition that some ten years before, three Dutch families