The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-27
The Origin of the Name Laurens, and a
Biography OF Its NnmpSake.

SieaIeeI Vi SICaG men, F1enry Lau-
rens, a brave Revolutionary pa
triot. Mr.. Laurens was born in
Charleston, i'll 1924, His ahces-
tors were French Protestant re-
iugees, who had lett France soon
after the repeal Of the cdict Of
| Nant2.
They first settled in New York,
but afterwards moved to Carolina
he vas designed for merchant
and made u successful one. He was
always prompt and punctual, nos
only III business, but in other mat
tcrs. This made him very popu-
lar among the business people.
Henry LnurCns was lover Of
justice. lie once persuaded u slave
to give an unwilling consent to
receive the smallpox by inocula-
ton Tor some experiment; the
slave died III consequence'To COM
tort the slave III his dying mo-
ments assurance were given him
that his children would be oman
clpated. This was done.
In his religion he was strict and
exemplary He was familiar with
tho Blblo and firmly believed it's
doctrines. lie often repeated
parts suitable to the present occa-
SION, lie was also strict about his
chlldren reading and studying this
BOOK.
Having accumulated large
fortune Tar suspassing what was
then common in America and hav-
ing recently lost his wife, he with
drew from business and went to
England to over see the educa-
ton Of his sons. Very soon after
tins the quarrel began which led
to the Revolution. tie was one of
me thlrty-nlne Americans, who,
III lfi4, petltloned Parliament not
TO pass the Boston port bill.
lie eNorted all of his mental
powers to prevent the war but
hndlhg thatnothlng less than dis
graceful submission on the part of
inc Colonies would prevent blood
shed, he return 'd to Carolina to
takc part III the defence OF his na-
VlVe country
offers were made him to get
nm to remain In England, but as
a true Carollnlan he rejected all
these with naughty pride. TO one
man, VINO was trying to persuade
MN the sure ruin of all his busi-
ness would be the result of his
SIDING with tho Americans, he re-
plied: II go resolved still to labor
Tor peace, determined i'll the last
event to stand or fall with my
country.
on leaving England he assured
his many trends that America
would never submit to the claims
OF Parllament, and on his arrival
at charleston, III December, 1774,
ne told ms American friends that
England would not yield to their
demands and he was sure that war
was inevitable. His information
was nuch relied on during the
year l'7o when Carolina was max
ing ntr aGiehSes. Ills leaving Eng
iano at TINS Crisis to join his fell
10" couhtrymen, IN their struggle
lor lnoepchdchce, caused him to
rise higner III their esteem and
MANY oinces OF great Importance
were conferred upon hlm and
WAich ne served to the satlsiac-
uoh Oh all. +" hen the provlncla
congress met ut Charleston on
'"l'0 ls0' ! 'o; Couhcll OF safety
M"5 appointed president OF this
Douy Oh March 24th, l776,when
,oo"'ll Carollila declared herself. q
noo iioo ahu iiloepehdeht state, the
rIovlhclai Congress voted thcm-
serves as the General Assembly,
ana henry Laurens was chosen
president. IN December l776, he
resigned ms seat IN Congress and
received the thanks OF all.
IN 1hr year lf'9, ne was ap-
! pointed united States Minister to
'iol'aid ana was given full
power TO transact al business of
In'S country there. On his way to
iioliailo - ne was captured by the
n'lCIsh ana made a prisoner in
one tower OF London "on susplc-
ION oi treason. ms was accom-