Maj. Lewis Lanier

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA (Soldier). DAR Ancestor # A069095

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Lewis Lanier is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor. NSSAR Ancestor #: P233168 Rank: Major

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Lewis Lanier was born 1753 (some report 1756) in Brunswick County, VA, according to his release August 22, 1774 by his guardian, William Lanier.
Lewis was educated in law and being an ardent Whig, he volunteered in the Virginia Militia, and was soon promoted to Captain, then, Major.
He participated in the Battle of Long Bridge.
He was wounded twice and taken prisoner for nine months.
He was in the boat with George Washington, during the famous Crossing of the Delaware River.
George Washington later presented him with a replacement sword and as friends gave him a set of andirons founded with Washington's bust.
(Per Wikitree, he is 4th cousin to George Washington. See https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Special:Relationship&actio... )

He married Ann Butler on September 21, 1778 in Sussex County, Virginia.
Major Lewis Lanier moved to Georgia during the Summer of 1791 and lived in Savannah, Chatham County, GA.
He moved to Screven County, GA in 1794. Lewis' wife, Ann, died in late 1802 in Screven County.
He married Esther (Butts) Thorne on August 26, 1803.
He had five daughters born before 1790 and two sons and a daughter in Georgia, children of Ann; he had two sons and a daughter by Esther Thorne.
In Georgia, Lewis Lanier was Justice of the Peace of Screven County and in 1796 was a Representative from the Screven County.
In 1798 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention from Screven.
In 1846, his son Thomas Butler Lanier attempted to get a Revolutionary Pension for Esther Thorne Lanier, but
after twelve years it was rejected for lack of evidence and failure to find any record in Washington of his services.

Many of his contemporaries and distinguished men testified for him.
He died February 12, 1839 and is buried beside Ann in the old Family Cemetary in Oliver, Georgia.

http://www.mindspring.com/~wdlanier/SampsonLanier-Jr.html The Lanier Homepage

LifeNotes: Was educated for the law. At age 21, being an avid Whig, he volunteered as Private in the Essex Co, VA Militia. Elected Captain and later promoted to Major. Participated in the Battle of Long Bridge. It is on record that he was wounded twice and taken prisoner for nine months.
It is said he was in the boat with George Washington, his kinsman, during the famous Crossing of the Delaware River. Major Lanier lost his sword during the crossing and was later presented with a replacement by General Washington.

After their marriage, Lewis and Ann first lived in VA, then they moved to Anson Co, NC where he was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons in 1788-9 and in the Senate 1789-90. In 1791, the family moved to Savannah, GA then Screven Co, GA (the part that later became Bulloch Co), where Lewis served in the Georgia Legislature in 1796 and in 1798 was a member of the Constitutional Convention.
During what is termed the "Yazoo fraud", (see the story) when the Georgia legislators owned stock in the land company that tried to defraud Georgia in 1796, Lewis Lanier was the only legislator who did not own stock in the company. He fought against the deeds of his collegues. The name of the town Lanier, GA, is named for him to honor his actions.

After Anne died, Lewis married a widow Esther Butts Thorn; they moved to Eureka. Lewis was a personal friend of the Marquis de LaFayette and when the famous Frenchman toured the Southern states in 1825, Lewis Lanier was invited to a reception in Savannah. However, Lewis was in bad health, by that time, and was unable to attend.

http://www.balcro.com/carol.html

Dr. George Lanier told us that the sword was made into knives.
Lewis Lanier served as private in the Virginia militia and was promoted to captain.
He was taken prisoner and held for nine months on a prison ship.
When released, soldier became acquainted with Gen-cml George Washington,
Washington gave him a sword to replace the one that had been lost and this sword was displayed by family members for decades in Georgia.
Soldier moved to Duplin Co. about 1780 and served as a captain of the Duplin Militia. Soldier moved to Anson Co. by 1790 and on to Screven County GA by 1800. Lewis drew land in the 1832 Cherokee land Lottery as a Revolutionary War Soldier. He died in 1839 in Screven County, Ga. and is buried at the Little Ogeechee Baptist Church Cemetery.
Children by 1st wife:
1-James > cl779,
2-Mary Lanier (1784-1871) md: 1801 Robert McCall (1773-1857),
3-Thomas Butler Lanier, and
4-Elizabeth 1786 who married Charles McCall, > brother to Robert McCall.

Children by 2nd wife:
5-Clarissa 1804, who married 1824 William Jackson,
6-Isaac Lanier 1806 who married Sarah Hurst,
7-Sarah Lanier 1808 who married Henry Strickland,
8-Amy Lanier who married (1) James Johnson and (2) - Kelly, and
9-Noel Lanier (1811-1890) m. Sarah Tullis (1824-1902),

Major LEWIS LANIER, was the first Senator from Screven Co. GA in early 1800's.
His son Isaac Lanier was a large planta-tion owner near Oliver, GA.

This Lewis Lanier ended his career as a Major according to the DAR. Also, according to the "Lanier" book by Louise Ingersoll, Lewis is the eighth and youngest child of Sampson Lanier, Jr. His first wife was Ann Butler and his second wife after Ann's death was Esther Butts Thorne." I am his descendent through Esther Butts Thorne. He was originally buried beside Ann, but not in Oliver, Georgia. Many years ago, one of his descendants - a doctor, moved him to the Little Ogeechee Baptist Church where he is buried today. I saw the newspaper article from a Sylvania Newspaper (can't re-member the name) that discussed this event because the doctor wanted him to be in the old Fanuly Cemetery in Oliver since Oliver is where his land grant was located.
His small grave marker simply states: "Lewis Lanier GA. MIL. Rev. War". As you enter the cemetery, his marker is to the right and next to a tall marker planted by his grandson, Dr. Augustus Butler Lanier, which was placed there in "memory to his three wives" - that is Dr. Lanier's wives - He actually had four wives. If my memory serves me right, Lewis Lanier is buried between Dr. Augustus Butler Lanier and his sons, Noel Lanier and Isaac Lewis Lanier who is the father of Augustus. An interesting note, Dr. Butler delivered my father, Augustus Evans Lanier, over 87 years ago. Dad still remembered him at the time of his death in March 2001.

donadunn@aristotle.net, http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/LANIER/2005-11/113190...

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Lewis Lanier was born 1753 in Brunswick County, VA, according to his release August 22, 1774 by his guardian, William Lanier. Lewis was educated in law and being an ardent Whig, he volunteered in the Virginia Militia, as a Private and was soon promoted to Captain, then, Major. He participated in the Battle of Long Bridge. He was wounded twice and taken prisoner for nine months. He was in the boat with George Washington, during the famous Crossing of the Delaware River. George Washington later presented him with a replacement sword and his friends gave him a set of andirons founded with Washington's bust.

He married Ann Butler on September 21, 1778 in Sussex County, VA.

Major Lewis Lanier moved his family to Georgia during the Summer of 1791 and lived in Savannah, Chatham Co, GA. He moved to Screven Co, GA in 1794.

Lewis' wife, Ann, died in late 1802 in Screven Co, GA. He then married Esther (Butts) Thorne on August 26, 1803. With wife Ann he had five daughters born before 1790 and two sons and a daughter in Georgia. He had two sons and a daughter by wife Esther Thorne.

In Georgia, Lewis Lanier was Justice of the Peace of Screven County and in 1796 was a Representative from that County. In 1798 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention from Screven. He was also one of the earliest members of the House of Representatives from Bulloch Co, GA.

In 1846 his son Thomas Butler Lanier attempted to get a Revolutionary Pension for Esther Thorne Lanier, but after twelve years it was rejected for lack of evidence and failure to find any record in Washington, DC of his services. Many of his contemporaries and distinguished men testified for him to no avail.

Lewis Lanier died February 12, 1839 and is buried beside Ann in the old family cemetery in Oliver, Georgia.

During the stirring times of the Revolutionary war, Major Lewis Lanier acused General Butler of south Carolina of cowardice in battle, and fought a duel with him, in which both were wounded. While r eturning home, Major Lanier spent the night at General Butler's home, not knowing that he was accepting the hospitality of his recent combatant. The meeting between these two at Butler's breakfast t able the next morning, brought about their friendship, and Major Lanier afterwards fell in love and married General Butler's daughter, Ann.

Major Lanier owned a 627-acre plantation. On these expansive acres, upon which much of Oliver, Georgia now stands, five generation sof his descendants have distinguished themselves as educations, l awyers, physicians and dentists.

Major Lanier was a personal friend of the Marquis de LaFayette, and was invited to a reception tendered LaFayette in Savannah, Georgia, but his feeble health did not allow him to make the trip.

When 21 years of age, being an ardent Whig, he volunteered as private in the Essex County, Virginia Militia, was elected captain and afterwards promoted to Major. He was in the Battle of Long Bridge . During his service, he was wounded in the arm and leg and was captured and confined for nine months." (Official record from the Revolutionary War Section of the Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C .).

Major Lanier lost his sword while crossing the Delaware with General George Washington, and was presented with another by Washington, who was his kinsman (second cousin once removed of George Washing ton) and commander. This prized sword hung over the mantle of Captain Noel Lanier's home at Oliver, Georgia, but was later destroyed.

From the Family Page of Laura Buckmaster, FTM. downloaded 8/7/2002.

Owned a 627-acre plantation. On these expansive acres, upon which
much of Oliver, Georgia now stands, five generations of his descendants have distinguished themselves as educators, lawyers, physicians and dentists. Roots Web

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Birth: 1756 Death: 1839

Thank you for the following information from contributor Ann Parkinson:

Captain Lewis Lanier b. 1756 d. 1839 Enlisted as a soldier in Essex Co., VA. He was later taken prisoner and held for 9 months on a British vessel. He drew land in the 1832 GA Cherokee Land Lottery as a Revolutionary War Soldier and resident of Screven County. Buried Little Ogeechee Baptist Church Cemetery, Oliver, GA Source: GA Revolutionary War Soldiers' Graves compiled by H. Ross Arnold, Jr and H. Clifton Burnham Vol 2 Laurens-Worth Counties and General Index page 592

Spouses:

1. Esther Butts Thorn Lanier (1775 - 1855)*
2. Anna Eliza Butler Lanier (1760 - 1802)*

Children:

1. Mary Lanier McCall (1784 - 1871)*
2. Lewis Lanier (1787 - 1870)*
3. Amy Lanier - Johnson Kelly (1789 - 1854)*
4. Isaac Lewis Lanier (1806 - 1885)*
5. Isaac Lewis Lanier (1806 - 1885)*
6. Noel Lanier (1811 - 1890)*

• Calculated relationship

Inscription: Maj. Lewis Lanier Ga. Mil. Rev. War

Burial: Little Ogeechee Baptist Church Cemetery Oliver Screven County Georgia, USA
Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]
Created by: jrpv Record added: Mar 01, 2008 Find A Grave Memorial# 24970033

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Pension application of Lewis Lanier R6153 fn93NC[VA]
Transcribed by Will Graves 4/3/10
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.]
State of Georgia Screven1
On this the 5th day of October 1843 personally appeared in open Court before the court of Ordinary and Inferior Court now sitting, Thomas B. Lanier, a resident of Screven County, State of Georgia, aged fifty-four years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832. County
That this declarant is the son of Lewis Lanier, a soldier of the revolution, who, this Declarant has heard and believes first entered into the service of the United States, as a volunteer from the County of Essex and State of Virginia, about the year A.D. 1777 -- though this Declarant does not positively know at what period, his father, the said Lewis Lanier, entered the Revolutionary Army. This declarant dates the commencement of his father's service about the period of his father's first intermarriage with Nancy Butler, deceased, the daughter of General Thomas Butler, of Essex County Virginia; and Declarant's father it appears from reports, served for a considerable time as a volunteer under the said General Thomas Butler of Essex County, Virginia. But the said Lewis Lanier had served for a time under (viz. Declarant has heard) General Thomas Butler, prior to the marriage of this declarant's father with his mother, Nancy Butler. For which reason this Declarant dates the commencement of his father's service in the year 1777, or at furthest, in the beginning of the year 1778. This declarant has been informed by the members of his family, that his father served, as a volunteer and in the militia, for and during the term and period of 5 years, and this service was done and performed by the said Lewis Lanier, in the states of Virginia and North Carolina between the year 1778 and 1783. This Declarant has heard that his father served both as a private and an officer; he thinks he was elected Capt. of a Volunteer Company in the state of Virginia; he has heard the report in his family that his father held a higher military office and that of Capt.; but inasmuch as the said Lewis Lanier, after marriage and service in the State of Virginia, migrated to, and settled in the state of North Carolina where he likewise served as a volunteer or in the militia, declarant cannot say, or express his belief, whether his father was a major in Virginia or North Carolina. The said Lewis Lanier in his lifetime spoke often of his military adventures, but declarant recollects but few of the narratives detailed by his father. He mentioned Tankard's wharf -- he appears to have fought in a battle somewhere (in Virginia, declarant believes) called the Long Bridge or Long's bridge. The said Lewis Lanier is stated to have been present when Norfolk or some other city of Virginia was burnt; he was present and saw Ferdyce or Fordyce [Charles Fordyce] or some such name, a British officer when he fell in battle. The said Lewis Lanier also referred to having been
1 This is spelled "Scriven" throughout most of the documents in this file.
captured by the British, and confined for 9 months as a prisoner on board the enemy's vessels. A short time previous to this imprisonment on the enemy's ships his leg had been broken by a swivel shot, and suffered great pain during the first weeks of his imprisonment. He made frequent mention of being four miles below Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis surrendered: he was stationed there to prevent the junction of a reinforcement of British Troops with the Army of Cornwallis. He spoke of having been wounded in the arm, which remained stiff until his death. He spoke of being pursued by the British, and of swimming James River, and of being fired upon by four British officers while crossing that River. The said Lewis Lanier often spoke of Washington and Lafayette and General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene] and Col. Morgan; and he was personally acquainted with life yet, and intimately, with General George Washington with whom he claimed family relationship, and who presented the said Lewis Lanier with a sword, which he lost in a scuffle with some of the enemy while crossing a river. He often alluded to his acquaintance with one Gordorn [?], a revolutionary soldier, whom he met at intervals in the course of the war: he likewise spoke of being in a battle somewhere highland Scotch were taken prisoners by him and his men, and some 2 or 3 of those Scotch, who were captured by the said Lewis Lanier and his party, were accidentally drowned while crossing a stream.
Declarant's father in his lifetime had both a Commission and a Discharge, which, as Declarant has been informed, were placed in the hands of a man named Allen, in order to obtain a pension. Allen, or the man who had the Commission and discharge under a promise to obtain a pension for the said Lewis Lanier, died; and inquiry was made of Allen's brother, who stated that he could not find the Commission or Discharge among any of the papers or effects of his deceased brother; and this declarant concludes that his father's Commission and Discharge have either been sent by the said Allen to Washington City, or that they are otherwise lost. However, Declarant is quiet certain that his father, the said Lewis Lanier, never drew any pension in his lifetime -- nor placed on any pension Roll. The said Lewis Lanier, after his military service and marriage in Essex County, Virginia (which marriage is duly of record in the old Family Bible of declarant's father) removed to North Carolina where he also served as a volunteer or in the militia of that state in the very is campaigns of North and South Carolina. He was for several years a member of the legislature of North Carolina. Afterwards (deponent thinks about 54 years ago) his father removed to Greene County Georgia next to St. Mary's next to Screven, then to Jefferson County next to Bullock County, Georgia; and lastly to Screven County Georgia. He founded and aided in laying out the town of Louisville, in which state he was one of the framers of the Constitution of Georgia, as will more fully appear by a reference to his name subscribed thereto; and the town of Lanier in the County of Macon, in the State aforesaid, was named after, and in honor of Deponent's father. The said Lewis Lanier also served as a member of the Legislature of Georgia for upwards of 24 years, for the most part, as a member from Screven County, said State; which facts declarant mentions in order to establish the other fact of the notoriety of those Revolutionary services and reward of which, subsequent honors and promotions were bestowed on the said Lewis Lanier. Other or additional proof, then the imperfect reminiscences of this Declaration, and the affidavit of a revolutionary soldier, hereto annexed, and the certificate of the Comptroller of public Accounts of North Carolina, cannot be had or obtained, because not in the declarant's reach or power. This imperfect Declaration, the accompanying affidavit of a witness who saw deponent's father in service, and the record evidence from North Carolina is all the evidence that can be obtained concerning Lewis Lanier.
After his removal to Georgia about the year 1790 or 92 -- Lewis Lanier married Esther Thorn, about the year 1803, 1804 or 1805. He has now living eight children, namely Thomas B., Noel, James, Isaac Hill Lanier, and Amy Kelly, Elizabeth McCall, Sarah Strickland and Mary McCall; and his leaving widow, Esther Lanier. The date of his birth is not known; but from the best sources of information it was probably in the year 1756. He died on the 12th of February A.D. 1839, about in the 83rd year of his age.
This Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity, except the present, unless requested or required otherwise by the pension office) and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll or Agency of any State whatever.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
S/ T. B. Lanier
[fn p. 55: North Carolina's Comptroller's certificate dated February 19, 1847 showing payments to Lewis Lanier.]
[fn p. 58]
State of Georgia Screven County: Personally appeared before me Lewis Lewis a justice of the peace in and for said Screven County Benjamin Taylor2
Sworn to and subscribed this 25th of August 1846 before me a revolutionary soldier, who after being duly sworn says that he was well acquainted with Lewis Lanier during most of the war. Deponent testifies that said Lanier was wounded in the arm, which he had to carry in a slain, and in this State he met him several times, and believes that he served throughout most of the war. Deponent does not remember whether said Lewis Lanier had any office, but saw him frequently when he was a private, and is certain that he was wounded. Deponent afterwards saw him in Screven County Georgia, and testifies that he is the same Lewis Lanier who deponent often met and saw in the Army -- served through the war.
S/ Lewis Lewis, JP S/ Benjamin Taylor, X his mark

Thank you for the following information from contributor Ann Parkinson:

Captain Lewis Lanier b. 1756 d. 1839
Enlisted as a soldier in Essex Co., VA. He was later taken prisoner and held for 9 months on a British vessel. He drew land in the 1832 GA Cherokee Land Lottery as a Revolutionary War Soldier and resident of Screven County. Buried Little Ogeechee Baptist Church Cemetery, Oliver, GA
Source: GA Revolutionary War Soldiers' Graves compiled by H. Ross Arnold, Jr and H. Clifton Burnham Vol 2 Laurens-Worth Counties and General Index page 592

'The History of Screven County, Georgia' Dixon Hollingsworth, Editor
Copyright Curtis Media Corp. 1989 page 207
ISBN 0-88108-136-6
Biography of Lanier Family
Lewis Lanier, youngest child of Sampson Lanier, Jr , was born in 1753 and married Ann Butler of Sussex County, VA. He moved to Savannah, GA in 1791 where he lived until 1794. He then moved to Screven County, GA where his wife Ann died in 1802. He married the second time in August 1803 to Esther Butts Thorne and she died in 1855. Lewis was Justice of the Peace in Screven County. In 1798 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention from Screven County.
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The last child listed for Lewis Lanier is Clarissa Lanier Jackson, my wife's 4th G-Grandmother.

From: Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia - Volume 3 - Page 108
https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0806302194
Howard H. McCall, ‎Ettie Tidwell McCall - 2010
LEWIS LANIER, b. Va., 1756; d, Screven Co., Ga., 1839. Enlisted Essex Co., Va. as a private, was promoted to Captain. Was taken prisoner and held for nine months on a British vessel. (His son, Thomas B. Lanier, applied for pension of Lewis Lanier, 1846. BENJAMIN TAYLOR of Screven Co., Ga., in the application stated that he knew him and had served with him as a Rev. Sol. of Va.) He married. (1) Sept. 21, 1788, ANN BUTLER (dau. of THOMAS BUTLER, Rev. Sol. of Va.); (2) Ga., 1803, Esther (called Hester) Thorn (1775-1855). Will of Lewis Lanier recorded Screven Co.

Children by (1) wife;
1. James.
2. Thomas Butler.
3. Mary (called Polly), mar. Robert McCall (son of CHARLES McCALL, Rev. Sol. of S.C. and Ga., and g-son of FRANCIS McCALL, Rev. Sol. of N.C.)
4. Elizabeth, mar. Charles McCall (brother of Robert McCall).

Children by (2) wife:
1. Noel (1811-1890), mar. 1839, Sarah Tullis.
2. Isaac (1806-1890), mar. Sarah Hurst.
3. Sarah, mar. Henry Strickland.
4. Amy, mar. (1) James Johnson; (2)

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Kelly.
5. Clarissa, mar. William S. Jackson.
Contributor: Jim Goodrich (47495705)* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 1 2023, 14:56:22 UTC

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https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/2853556?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a226...
Thomas B Lanier
in the Georgia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1742-1992

Name Thomas B Lanier
Gender Male
Relationship Son
Item Description Wills, Vol 2b, 1810-1902
Others Listed (Name) Relationship
Lewis Lanier
Esther Lanier
Wife
Landy
Enslaved Person
Adam
Enslaved Person
Sarah
Enslaved Person
Berry
Enslaved Person
Peter
Enslaved Person
Rose
Enslaved Person
Hannah
Enslaved Person
Sarah
Enslaved Person
Ginne
Enslaved Person
Violot
Enslaved Person
Anny
Enslaved Person
Kiddy
Enslaved Person
Noel Lanier
Son
Thomas B Lanier Son
James Lanier
Son
Isaac Lanier
Son
Sarah Strickland
Daughter
Henry Strickland
Son-in-law
Polly McCall
Daughter
Robert McCall
Son-in-law
Betcy B McCall
Daughter
Anny Kelly
Daughter
Wm Gaekson
Son-in-law
Clarisa Gaekson
Daughter

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