In October 1893, the Windsor and Richmond Gazette announced the dissolution of the partnership of William Pickup and William Commons due to the ill-health of Mr Commons. Lasting many years, the collaboration was responsible for the construction and maintenance of many significant public buildings across the Hawkesbury District.
Lawrence Pickup, commonly known as Larry, was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England in March 1852, the son of James and Isabella Pickup. He learnt the building trade from his father and after travelling around the colony for several years, he finally settled in Windsor in December 1874.
The Great Fire of Windsor in 1874 had destroyed much of the town in the vicinity of George and Macquarie Streets and Pickup seized the opportunity to set up his business. By 1878 he was well established and was able to give monetary support to St. Joseph's Convent in Windsor which was opened by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. He later formed the partnership with William Commons.
William Commons was living in the district by 1883. During the serious fire which completely destroyed Boston's Buildings in George Street, Windsor on the corner of George and Kable Streets, in January 1883, Commons was instrumental in saving the house occupied by Mr B Richards. However, he had sustained a serious injury to his spine which was to plague him for the rest of his life. Pye's Chemist Shop was constructed in place of the destroyed buildings.
In June 1883, Pickup and Commons were awarded the tender to erect the Police Station and Lockup at Wilberforce which still stands today. The following year their tender was accepted for additions to the building.
Later in the year, the partnership renovated and refurbished the old Windsor Post and Telegraph Office constructed in 1860 in George Street opposite the intersection with Christie Street for the Windsor Municipal Council Chambers. This building was replaced by a new council chambers on the site in 1934.
Their next major work was the construction of the St. Albans Court and Watch-house in 1892 at a cost of over £1460. This finely constructed sandstone building stands high on the western bank of the Macdonald River on the edge of the town beyond the reach of flood waters.
William Commons died in Parramatta Hospital in December 1914 aged 59 years. His wife Susan (Daley) had predeceased him in December 1897.They were both buried in St Matthew's Anglican Cemetery, Windsor.
After the dissolution of the partnership with Commons, Pickup continued as a builder and contractor in the district. He completed additions to several public schools in the district including Wilberforce and Lower Portland.
Playing an active role in community affairs Pickup was elected an alderman for the Municipal Borough of Windsor in March 1881.
Lawrence Pickup celebrated his 78th birthday in March 1930 and died a few months later in July. His obituary described him as "an honest contractor, whose word was his bond, and his life an open book". He was buried in St Matthew's Anglican Cemetery, Windsor and his wife Annie (Daley) was placed beside him in 1946.