The Lawley family documented in this collection spans four generations of Massachusetts ship builders and designers. Beginning with George F. Lawley, an English shipbuilder who sailed to American in 1851, his son, also George F., his son Frederick D, and ending with his son, the English George's great grandson, George F. Lawley II (1901-). Interwoven within the family history is the story of the family shipyard, George Lawley and Son.

The first George Lawley began his career as an apprentice to Thomas and William Forrest while in England. In 1851 he moved his family to Massachusetts. Family lore states that the steamship passed the yacht AMERICA on her famous Cup voyage and set the family on its road to subsequent Cup victories. After working for Donald McKay, George founded his own shipyard in Scituate, Massachusetts.

Within a few years his son George joined the business and the company name became George Lawley and Son. The yard moved to South Boston. During this period the Lawleys built such vessels as Cup defenders, PURITAN and MAYFLOWER and other well-known yachts, both sail and power.

George's son, Frederick D. Lawley, studied naval architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subsequently joined the company as manager and designer.

In 1901 the Lawleys began working for the United States navy and launched two torpedo boats. In the years to come they would continue the association, especially during the World War I.

In 1908 the George Lawley and Son made its final move to Neponset, Massachusetts where it remained until its demise in 1946. Prior to that however, in 1926, George, Frederick and George II left the company and set up F.D. Lawley in Quincy Massachusetts. George died in 1928, but the Lawley's continued to design and build first class vessels for several years.