Josiah T. and Betsy (Bradley) Lawton are the beginning point for this study, they being the earliest Lawtons coming from St. Lawrence County, New York and settling in Ottawa County, Michigan. We will deliniate the numerous descendants of this couple, with each child being assigned a chapter in order of their birth.

First, however, a brief explanation of the origins of the Lawtons is required. The Lawtons were a long line of noble Englishmen whose name probably came from the residence of the same name in Cheshire, England. In about 1500 the spelling of the name was changed from its original Lauton. More can be learned about early Lawton legend, the Lawton coat-of-arms, as well as the restoration of the Lawton Hall at http://www.realm.lawton.net/

The first Lawton immigrants to America were brothers, George and Thomas Lawton, who signed a compact of loyalty in Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1639. Our Josiah is descended from Thomas, through two of his children, Daniel, and Ann who married Giles Slocum.

Our Josiah T. Lawton was the youngest of six children of Thomas and Anna (Richmond) Lawton, and was born 5 December 1785 in Rhode Island, presumably in Exeter. The Richmond family is also from noble, English lineage (see http://www.richmondancestry.org/). Josiah’s siblings in birth order were: Stephen, Edward, Richmond, Lewis, and Sarah "Sally". There was also possibly a brother named Cyrus, but this has not been proven. Josiah remained in Rhode Island until about the age of 15, when he moved with his family to Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York. At about age 21 he moved to St. Lawrence County, New York. In his younger days he was a millwright and mechanic, and later took up farming. At the age of 24, on 26 November 1809 in Gouverneur, New York, Josiah married Betsy Bradley. Betsy was born 12 Mar 1786. Some researchers have given her place of birth as Connecticut, but the 1850 census shows New York. Very little is known about her or her family, but it has been suggested that her father was named Daniel Bradley. No proof of this has been found. Josiah served in the War of 1812 in the New York Militia--Benedict's Regiment and Nellis' 1st Regiment. After his war service, Josiah and Betsy helped begin the new settlement of Fowler, New York, which at that time was called Little York. They were one of thirteen couples who started the original Baptist Church there on January 30, 1822. At first, services were held in the schoolhouse, and a church was built at Fullerville in 1835. This was the first religious organization in the town. While living in Fowler, Daniel and Betsy had eight children.

Josiah and Betsey and their family came to Polkton Twp. shortly after it had become a township in 1845. They settled in a log cabin on 120 acres of wild and wooded land, thick with pine and hemlock, where the present high school is located. At that time there were only six families in the community and no roads. In 1847 Josiah and son Albert built the first frame house in what was later to be called Coopersville. His occupation in 1850 was listed as millwright, so perhaps by that time they had built a mill as well. In 1852 Josiah was voted overseer of the poor in Polkton Twp. In 1858 Benjamin Cooper gave part of his land to build the railroad between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven and Muskegon, so in January 1859 the area was named Coopersville. It was incorporated as a village in 1871. More information about the history of Coopersville can be found in "Chronicles of Coopersville" by James and Lillian Budzynski or "Polkton Township 1845-1995". Both publications are available at either the Coopersville Historical Society or Budzynski Photography on Main Street in Coopersville. Josiah’s children all lived within a few miles of Coopersville except for Daniel, who was a minister in New York and Tennessee. Josiah and Betsey’s fifth child, Salley, was born in 1822 and died 7 March 1827 in Fowler before the family came to Ottawa County. No more circumstances of her death and burial are known at this time. After Josiah and son, Albert’s death, the Lawton house was moved from its original location to River Street.

Betsy Bradley Lawton passed away 16 August 1857, and was one of the first people to be buried in the Coopersville Cemetery. After Betsy died, Josiah lived with his son, Albert, at the original Lawton homestead. Josiah died 18 May 1863 and was laid to rest beside his wife.

Other children of Josiah and Betsy, all born in St. Lawrence County, New York, who are to be delineated in this book are:

1. Henry Lawton born 20 February 1811.

2. Rev. Daniel B. Lawton born 10 April 1814.

3. Harvey Seaver Lawton born 13 April 1817.

4. Perley Lawton born 24 August 1818.

5. Salley Lawton born 1822, died 27 March 1827 at Fowler, NY

5. Mary Ann Lawton born 26 April 1825.

6. Albert Lawton born 2 April 1828.

7. Lewis Lawton born 4 January 1832.