Born as the son of Jonathan Lawrence in New York City, William attended the common schools.
During the War of 1812, Lawrence served in the Fourth Regiment and (commander the American forces at Fort Bowyer), New York State Artillery.
Information from Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army 1789–1903.
He was interred in the family cemetery on the Shore Road, in the Borough of Queens, New York City.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress