Henry Lawton (1811-1896) & Elizabeth Newton (1812-1853)
Pioneers of Faith, Family, and Endurance on the Early American Frontier
Henry Lawton was born on February 20, 1811, in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, New York, the son of Josiah T. Lawton and Betsey Bradley. His ancestors traced back to Wales, and his great-grandfather had been a Quaker preacher in Rhode Island. Growing up in St. Lawrence County, Henry lived the rugged, hard-working life of a farmer’s son, and by the 1830 census he was still residing in Fowler, St. Lawrence County, with his parents.
On March 9, 1832, at just 21 years of age, Henry married Elizabeth Newton in Fowler, St. Lawrence County. Their marriage was officiated by Rev. Nathan Crary (or McCrary), a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry and Elizabeth soon began a family, though their first child, Silas W. Lawton, born in 1833, sadly died in infancy.
Their home, however, was soon filled with children. Betsey A. Lawton was born in 1834, followed by Sarah Almira Lawton on February 13, 1837, Alma Elizabeth Lawton on June 17, 1839, and Lucinda L. Lawton on September 19, 1841. By the 1840 census, the family was still living in Fowler, close to a William Newton—possibly Elizabeth’s father—suggesting her family ties remained nearby.
The Lawtons continued to grow. Albert H. Lawton was born on November 20, 1844, followed closely by Lyman Pearly Lawton on April 11, 1845, in St. Lawrence County. Another son, Silas Wright Lawton, was born in 1848, and their youngest, Charles Bradley Lawton, arrived on June 24, 1850. By the time of the 1850 census, taken on July 23, Henry and Elizabeth were living in DeKalb, St. Lawrence County, New York, with their eight surviving children.
Not long afterward, Henry and Elizabeth moved westward with their family to Michigan, part of the wave of settlers seeking new farmland and opportunity. Tragedy, however, soon struck. On February 11, 1853, Elizabeth died in Coopersville, Ottawa County, Michigan, leaving Henry a widower with a large family to care for. She was only about 41 years old at the time of her death.
Henry remained in Michigan, later remarrying in 1856 to Sarah A. Merrick, with whom he had three more children. But Elizabeth was his first partner in life, the mother of nine children, and the one who had shared with him the trials of frontier farming and the journey from New York to Michigan.
Henry lived on for many years, enduring the hardships of pioneer life but always known for his honesty and integrity. He died on February 8, 1896, at his home in Coopersville, Polkton Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, from catarrh and consumption. He was buried in Coopersville Cemetery, where his story closed after 85 years of life that spanned from the forests of upstate New York to the farmland of western Michigan.
Elizabeth’s life had been shorter, but her legacy was enduring—through the many children she bore and raised with Henry, and through the memory of her as one of the early settlers whose sacrifices shaped the family’s future.
Detailed Timeline
Henry Lawton
Birth: 20 FEB 1811 Gouveneur, St. Lawrence Co, New York
Occupation: Farmer
1830 Census: Fowler, St. Lawrence Co, New York
Note: Living with parents, Josiah and Betsey Lawton.
1st Marriage: 09 MAR 1832 Fowler, St. Lawrence County, New York
To: Elizabeth Newton
Note: Married by Rev. Nathan Crary/McCrary, minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fowler, St. Lawrence Co, New York
Birth of Son: 1833
Name: Silas W. Lawton
Note: Died as an infant
Birth of Daughter: 1834
Name: Betsey A. Lawton
Place: St. Lawrence Co, New York
Birth of Daughter: 13 FEB 1837
Name: Sarah Almira Lawton
Birth of Daughter: 17 JUN 1839
Name: Alma Elizabeth. Lawton
1840 Census: Fowler, St. Lawrence Co, New York
Detail: Males: 1 (20-30)
Females: 2 (<5); 1 (5-10); 1 (20-30)
Important: Living two doors down from a William Newton (possible father of his wife).
Birth of Daughter: 19 SEP 1841
Name: Lucinda L. Lawton
Note: Picture is of 3 of Henry Lawton’s Daughters_Alma (L), Lucinda (Ctr) and Sarah (R)
Birth of Son: 20 NOV 1844
Name: Albert H. Lawton
Note: This photo was in Stowell and Minnie Lawton’s album and is thought to be Albert.
Birth of Son: 11 APR 1845
Name: Lyman Pearly. Lawton
Place: St. Lawrence Co, New York
Birth of Son: 1848
Name: Silas Wright Lawton
Birth of Son: 24 JUN 1850
Name: Charles Bradley Lawton
Note: Picture is Charles with wife Addie
1850 Census: 23 JUL 1850
Place: Dekalb, St. Lawrence, New York, USA
Note: Wife, Elizabeth, and eight children are living in household.
2nd Marriage: 26 MAY 1856 to Sarah A. Merrick
Place: Ottawa Co, Michigan
Birth of Son: APR 1857
Name: George A. Lawton
Birth of Daughter: 17 APR 1859
Name: Susan Adell Lawton
Place: Polkton Twp, Ottawa Co, Michigan
1860 Census: 14 JUN 1860
Place: Polkton Twp, Ottawa Co, Michigan
Note: Wife, Sarah, five children from previous marriage, and two of her children from a previous marriage are living in household.
1870 Census: 22 JUL 1870
Place: Polkton Twp, Ottawa Co, Michigan
Note: Wife, Sarah, three children from previous marriage, one of her children from a previous marriage, and a joint child are living in household.
1880 Census: 07 JUN 1880
Place: Polkton Twp, Ottawa Co, Michigan
Note: Wife, Sarah, and two children are living in his household.
Note: Taken from an affidavit written by Henry Lawton June 20, 1890: “My family in 1862 consisted of seven children including two children that belonged to my wife when I married her. W. F. Turner age 8 years and Catherine age 12y. And my own children were Albert H. Lawton 18 years old. Silas age 15 Charles 12 years. George 4 year and Susan 2 year old.”
Death: 08 FEB 1896
Place: at his home, Coopersville, Polkton Twp, Ottawa Co, Michigan
Note: Died of Catarrak & Consumption
Burial: Coopersville Cemetery, Ottawa Co, Michigan.
Obituary: 06 MAR 1896
Place: “The Observer”, Coopersville, Michigan
Note: Henry Lawton was born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, New York, February 20, 1811. He died at his home in Coopersville, February 8, 1896. Mr. Lawton’s ancestors came from Wales, and his great grandfather was a Quaker preacher in Rhode Island. His father, Josiah T. Lawton, was born December 5, 1785, in Rhode Island, and was married to Betsey Bradley in Gouverneur, New York, November 26, 1809. By this union there were born eight children, six boys and two girls. Four of the boys are still living.
Henry Lawton was married to Elizabeth Newton, March 9, 1832. To them were born nine children, five boys and four girls. Silas W. died in infancy. Betsy, wife of Albert Randall, died in March, 1857. Sarah A., wife of Joseph Brown. Alma E., wife of R. S. McLain. Lucinda L., widow of James Peterson. Albert H., who died in the army December 8, 1862. Lyman P., Silas W. and Charles B. He moved with his family to Michigan about the year 1850, and three years later his wife died. He then settled on his farm near Dennison, and on May 26, 1856, was married to Sarah Merrick. To this union there were born three children, George A., Susie, wife of C. O. Smith, and Malvin R.
Mr. Lawton was one of the old settlers here and endured the hardships of pioneer life. He was always respected for his honesty and integrity of character. The funeral services were held in the F. M. Church, Elder J. C. Mead officiating. Text, Rom. 8:18.
Click here to see parents: Josiah T. Lawton and Elizabeth Bradley
Elizabeth Newton
Birth: ABT 1812 New York
Death: 11 FEB 1853 Coopersville, Ottawa Co, Michigan
parents are unknown. Possibly William Newton (see 1840 census above).
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