Cayuta Lake Exploration Samuel was the first Lawrence to see and explore the Cayuta Lake area in Tioga County, New York. He was accompanied by Judge Phineas Catlin, a locally prominent man. They camped along the lake shore. In the fall of 1814, Samuel and his brother Joseph traveled from New York City to Cayuta Lake, following a route that took them northward from Hoboken to Montgomery, across the Delaware River at Cohocton, through the "beech woods" to Great Bend on the Susquehanna, and up the Owego, Catatunk, and Cayuta Creeks through the Dutch Settlement to Johnson's Settlement. The journey took approximately two weeks. They remained at the lake until their homes were ready for occupancy.

Public Offices and Career Samuel was appointed judge of the Marine Court of New York City and served in several public roles including member of the New York State Assembly (New York County) in 1811, and Clerk of New York County from 1811 to 1812. He moved to an estate on the margin of Cayuta Lake in 1814. He was a presidential elector in 1816, voting for James Monroe and Daniel D. Tompkins, and returned to the State Assembly in 1820–1821. Samuel was elected as an Adams–Clay Democratic–Republican to the 18th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1823, to March 3, 1825.

Cayuta Lake Residences Samuel and his brother Joseph built their houses in close proximity at Cayuta Lake. The house of Joseph, known as the Lake House, has remained largely unchanged. Samuel’s house was altered and enlarged, becoming the Fontainebleau Inn, set well off the road with a long driveway leading to the front entrance.