Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-06-05


Sebastian d. Lawrence. New Lon
dons wealthiest resident. who died
last week. was the last representative
of the old-time whaling merchants.
who in those good old days We read
about and have no wish for
their return, owned and fitted full
rugged ships and smaller craft for the
whale fishery and prospered. The
Lawrences, father or son, we're in the
whaling business nearly a century ago,
for Sebastian Lawrence attained the
age of Sc. and his father was in the
business before marriage.
BY reason ,of having been in this
once thriving industry. the last menu
her of the Lawrence family, in COM
mon with the other whaling mer-
chants. owing to the frequency OF
sailor yarns telling of hardships en-
dured on voyages and being discharg-
ed without pay but being presented
with few dollars as a. sort of rid
dance, became unpopular with the
great majority of the townspeople.
Then his method of business. his in
dependence in relation to renting Of
his real estate, and his strict adher-
enee to his -one-sided business policy
of exacting his pound of flesh" did
not tend to make him popular with the
people.
These were general impressions of
ting man but those who really knew
the gentleman, who seemed to be con-
tent with the pleasure of his own
companionship, knew that he was not
the kind of a man that the general
public pictured. For, as matter Of
fact, he was possessed of a goods share
of the milk of human kindness and
was ever ready in an unostentatious
but substantial way to aid his less for
tunate fellow men.
He was generally considered penu-
rious and all for self, but the writer
knows of instances where Mr.. Law
/ renee has assisted some who were
| staggering under burdens of business
| troubles and aided in charitable work
| for the deserving poor. In one single
| instance Mr.. Lawrence made sub
| scription for a charitable movement
| which was larger than made by sew
enty-five other citizens. some wealthy
all combined; but he imposed secrecy
and gave his subscription on condition
/ that his name should not be publish
| ed with the other contributors and
suggesting that the amount be d.
vided into several small sums and
that he be credited in the list L
Sympathizer. or Cash, or fictitious ini-
tials. a
When democrats in New Londor
were democrats in more than name
Mr.. Lawrence was always among the
most liberal of contributors for party
election purposes, yet he never as
PRED. or would never accept public
ONCE.
An enduring evidence Of his sener'
osity is the fine soldiers and sailors
monument, and the monument in hon
or of the volunteer firemen, surmount
ed by life-size granite statue il
memory of his friend, Frederick L
Allen, the most popular New LondoI
mon of his time. After these gifts
there came an almost unanimous de
mand for him to honor his native cit.
by accepting the mayoralty. When il
recognition of public sentiment a 10
cal newspaper suggested the matter
Mr.. Lawrence Immediately wrote
brief letter of appreciation and declaF
ed II would be a favor to him II hi
name was not mentioned again 70
the mavoralty or any other publ
Office, Thus. as time Went on an
Mr.. Lawrence became known to tn
present generation, the trarition
handed down from the past genera
ton concerning the gentleman wer
obliterated.
Many years ago, twenty five an
more, the editor of a local newspa
| per used TO stray lar from his pau
} TO make personal attack on Mr. Law
renee. and never let an opportunit
pass to write his Lawrence editorial
with a pen dipped in gall. This wa
| demonstrated when the Lawrenc
bark Trinity was wrecked on Hurd
, Island. and published statement
connected with that affair have neve
been corrected in Mr.. Lawrence
! life. so the present seems to be
] opportune time.
When the Trinity was wrecked IN
, | Iawrences had no vessel in port
send to the rescue, or soon thereat
, forwards the schooner Charles Col
: gate. whose remains are now rottin
. in WinthroD's Cove. the last of Ne
. London's feet, of sailing vessels. al
rived from a whaling voyage. and
Mas decided to fit her out as rescu
vessel. Immediately the local pape
in a loaded editorial told of the Law
rences' intention to send the old col
, fin Colgate. out in the direction {
] Hurd's Island to drown. or cast adrif
E another crew of sturdy whalemei
But the Iawrences had become accus
4 toned to attacks of that charact'
= and continued in the plan of rescue.
The COLGATE was hauled out on II
marine railways on Fort Neck, to |
$ overhauled and put in shape for II
relief voyage TO Hurd's Island. IT
= writer, then a reporter on a loo
: TRANSFORMATION to their new cam
!. | which is located on the farm former