1864 Photographer L. Law: Samuel Lawrence Law, Little Falls, New York

#579 Martha Schuyler:

On reverse: "Marthey Schuyler" (or Marthy Schulyer) is handwritten in old period pencil script on reverse. "Marthey" is an affectionate nickname for Martha. She appears to be about 18-20 years old. Photo type: Original Vintage Victorian CDV size matted Tintype Photograph in decorative paper sleeve, circa 1860’s. Photographer: stamped as L. Law, Main Street, Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York. (known to be photographer Lawrence Law: Samuel Lawrence Law, known as Lawrence Law was born c. 1832 in Manchester, Lancashire, England to Samuel Lawrence Law Sr., a cotton spinner and his wife Sarah Booth, a spinster, who he married in 1829. Lawrence came to America in 1851, at approx age 20, aboard the ship Tuscarora into Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is listed in the 1860 census living with the John Firth family: Margaret Firth, Jabez Firth and Elizabeth Firth, whose occupation was a weaver in Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York. John Firth was born in England and most likely a family member or a close family friend from the same area of England)

Found in Public Genealogy Records:
We have enjoyed doing extensive research on this old signed photograph and it's English connections and story. Interestingly, a Martha Law is also listed as residing in the Firth household above, born in England and about the same approximate age as Lawrence Law. She disappears off the census after that. Was she a sister? a family member? his first wife? did she marry? did she die? We do not know. Do you? Any help or correction appreciated, email Debra here.

Lawrence was then married in Fayetteville, Onondaga, NY to Sarah Amelia Eastman, born in 1839 in Onondaga County, New York.
They had 2 children:
Floyd Lewis Law or Floyd Louis Law, born 1861
Eva Eastman Law, born 1864

Lawrence Law is listed in the U.S. City Directories Syracuse NY 1864 at 92 Marcellus Street, Syracuse, New York as a Photographer, specifically a Daguerreian Artist. Sarah died just a year after Eva was born, and in 1870, Lawrence appears to have headed west with his children, now living in Knoxville, Knox County, Illinois with his next wife, Eunice C. Law or Eunice Law. His children Floyd Louis Law and Eva Eastman Law]are with him.

Lawrence Law's occupation is  listed as a weaver in Illinois, and we can find no record of any further photography work. We do not know his original connection to Little Falls,  Herkimer County, New York when he took this photo, although there are Law ancestors there, as well as in Syracuse.

His daughter Eva Law, also known as Eva Eastman Law Norton Harrison married George Norton of Los Angeles, California.

We also found records that his parents had another son Baptised on 6 Mar 1853 at St Paul, Royton, Lancashire, England named Henry Edward Law (the son of Samuel Lawrence Law & Sarah Booth) The area is listed as Haggate. This would be Lawrence Law's half brother, with 20 years between them.

We cannot find Lawrence Law's death or whereabouts after living in Illinois, nor why he might have gone to that area. We do see a photographer in Little Falls later in the 19th century as Law & Baum. We believe this to be photographer Asa C. Baum, but cannot find who his partner named Law was. We'd love more info on this mystery!

Source: EASTMAN FAMILY OF AMERICA: Marriage: Aug. 15, 1860: Samuel Lawrence Law (Photographer, Daguerreotype artist) to Sarah A. Eastman, daughter of David Eastman (1811-1885) & Olive Brown Eastman (originally of Canada) Sarah Amelia Law, born in Manlius NY, Oct. 23, 1839 and died March 23, 1865, married in Fayetteville, New York to Lawrence Law.

     Of course, we wonder if this photo is the elusive Martha Law he is seen living with in Syracuse / Marcellus NY in the 1860 census with the English John Firth family. We have done as much work as possible on this early daguerreian photographer, but would love more info. This old tintype photo was found in Schoharie, Schoharie County New York. Identified tintypes are uncommon, and this is a beautiful piece. We hope to hear from you on this mystery, email Debra here.

Size: 2.5 x 4 inches
       Note: Hello from ~debra. I have spent years collecting over 10,000 ID’d lost family photos & paper from US flea markets & antique shops. I do the best gen research I can, but am always open to corrections. This is an original antique item, not a reprint. A new high quality rigid sleeve is included for extra protection, especially during shipping. You may buy a piece alone, or large intimate 300 dpi scans of the front and back sent immediately via email, or both. Please search carefully, as they are often found together and many may be related. I also invite you to join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. Thank you, enjoy! ~Debra Clifford (contact info on top bar)