Albert Laing came from a Scottish family of considerable means. His family was in the textile business. They had a store on lower Broadway in New York City and a home nearby. We are able to deduce from the journal Laing kept that he and his family did not really get along. Sometime between 1836 and 1862, Laing moved to Stratford, CT. He bought a house and some land, which eventually increased to ten acres on the river south of town. His lifestyle changed from textiles to "gentleman farmer", as all ten acres were put to the plow to grow produce, which was sold as far away as New York.

Albert Laing did the most to establish the Stratford School look. He carved his decoys from two pieces of wood. After hollowing them out he would then fit the two halves toether with wite lead and copper nails; a Laing innovation. Looking at Laing's decoys one sees the skill, imagination and artistry of this innovator. The gentleman carver set the stage on which all future Stratford Carvers performed.