Circa 1849, Edward Lane was taken in by the Allison family of Stony Point, NY to do household chores and attend classes. Edward was an 13-year-old orphan, and had been admitted into Wards Island (immigration facilities, for indigents, orphans, and the sick) upon arrival in the U.S. from Ireland. This beautiful home still stands in Haverstraw, NY. During the nineteenth century, Haverstraw was the brick capital of the world. Numerous brick yards functioned feverishly to supply demand of bricks for building New York City. Brick yard owner, entrepreneur George Suffern Allison is said to have been one if not the wealthiest citizen of Haverstraw/Stony Point. The home in the picture is the Allison home. This is where Edward spent his youth. Edward Lane I grew up with the Allison’s. The Allison’s were members of the local Presbyterian church. Eventually Edward declared his profession of faith at Haverstraw Presbyterian Church. He would also work at the Allison brickyard. Many years later, as a missionary in Brazil, Edward founded his own small brickyard with a machine donated by the Allison family. Bricks produced at the Lane brickyard were used to build the Campinas International School, Edward’s house, and a seminary.