Lawrence Sangston collection

Lawrence Sangston was born near Oxford in Talbot County, Maryland on August 23, 1814 to Mary Stevens (1775-1834) and Tamerlane Davis Sangston (1767-1835). In early life he worked in the mechanical department of the old and long established hardware house of Richard Norris. Later, he became a partner in the dry goods house of Sangston & Co., of which his brother James was a senior member. At a later period he was often called upon to adjust accounts or to act as arbitrator or referee in mercantile disputes.

Sangston married Elizabeth Catherine Jefferies (1813-1881) in 1837, and together they had at least six children. In the 1860 census, his children are listed as Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susan, Fannie, and Florence.

On April 24, 1861, Sangston was elected on the States's rights ticket in Baltimore City to the extra session of the Maryland Legislature. Due to his strong Confederate sympathies, he was arrested by order of Major-General Dix and placed in custody at Fort McHenry on the 13th day of September, 1861. Sangston was arrested at the same time as the Mayor of Baltimore, George William Brown, as well as Severn Teackle Wallis, Henry May, members of Congress, and fourteen other prominent citizens. He was transferred to Fort Monroe, Fort Lafayette and lastly to Fort Warren. This arrest was made as a measure of military precaution on account of the known sympathy of Sangston and the other men with the rebels and to prevent the "accomplishment of the treasonable purposes which a party of conspirations in the Legislature with whom he was associated were contemplating and to guard against any insurrection or disturbance growing out of their machinations." Sangston was released on parole on December 26, 1861, on the condition that he return to Fort Warren in 30 days. On January 29, 1863, General Dix extended his parole without limitations.

After the war, Lawrence Sangston was active in the association for the relief of the South. It was largely through his efforts that the funds were raised, and agricultural implements, seed, and other things furnished which were necessary to revive industry in the desolated portions of Virginia, North Caroline, and elsewhere. In his later years, he was interested in the South Carolina phosphate discoveries. At the time of his death he was the president of the Maryland Fertilizing Company. Sangston was a founding member of Arcana Lodge No. 110, and later Maryland Lodge No. 120, the latter of which he was elected Treasurer.

Sangston died at his residence in Baltimore on November 7, 1876. His funeral took place at Grace Episcopal Church, and he was interned at Greenmount Cemetery.