No. 2885 George Frederick Lawley , photograph fro Men of Progress
No. 5121 Frederick D. Lawley, photo from unknown yachting publication, ca. 1940
From Men of Progress. One Thousand Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Leaders in Business and Professional Life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Boston, 1896), 892.
George Frederick Lawley, of Boston, was born in London, England, December 4, 1848, son of George and Martha (Ainge) Lawley. His parents came to America in 1851, when he was a child of three, and estab¬lished their home in East Boston. He was educated in the Boston public schools, mostly in the Chapman School, and afterward took a business course in the Boston Commercial College. At the age of fourteen he began work as a boy and clerk in a grocery store in East Boston, and there remained for four years. In 1866, the family removing to the town of Scituate, he engaged with his father in boat-building, constructing mostly fishing-boats, though occasionally building larger vessels. They continued in Scituate till 1874, when their works were removed to South Boston Point by invitation of members of the Boston Yacht Club, of which the elder Lawley was a member. Here they have since been established, steadily increasing their business and fame. In the autumn of 1890, the firm was transformed into a corporation, under the title of the George Lawley & Son Corporation, with George F. as president, his father then retiring. Among the famous craft which the Lawleys built prior to their incorporation were the sloop yacht “Puri¬tan,” defender of the America cup against the “Genesta” in 1885 ; the famous ” Mayflower,” which defeated the “Galatea” in 1886; the schooner yacht “Merlin” ; and they finished the “Volunteer,” which was successful in defeat¬ing the “Thistle” in 1887. Since the foundation of the corporation they have built the “Jubilee,” the steam yacht “Alcedo.” the “Alcex,” the “Aquilo,” and numerous other well-known yachts. Mr. Lawley is a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, of the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, of the Adelphi Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of the Boston Yacht Club. He was married February 14, 1872, to Miss Hannah A. Damon, of Scituate. They have one son : Frederick D. Lawley.