Henry Laurens was born on this day (O.S.). in Charles Town, South Carolina, to Jean Laurens and Esther Grasset.

Of Huguenot extraction, Jean Laurens was born in New York City before settling in the Lowcountry. He married Esther, also an American-born Huguenot, in New York City.

He was a saddler by trade but accumulated enough wealth to become a landowner and active member of his religious and social communities.