Jane Meriwether Lewis (March 31, 1770 - March 13, 1845) The daughter of William Lewis and Lucy Meriwether Lewis, Jane was born on March 31, 1770 and died March 13, 1845. Patrick Gass, a carpenter and architect of wooden forts, and one of the 33 members of the Corps of Discovery. Lewis was a poor administrator, often quarreling with local political leaders and failing to keep in touch with his superiors in Washington. Lucy Meriwether was born at Cloverfields on February 4, 1752. The exact details of his death have never been learned because the early morning events were not directly witnessed by anyone. He died in 1862, leaving the home to his children Charles and Mary Anderson. Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in the present-day community of Ivy. While modern historians generally accept his death as a suicide, there is some debate. Gen. Lucian King Truscott, Jr.; married a Meriwether descendant. Conflicting information from sources indicate he was either rather ill (speculation runs from alcoholism to syphilis or possible psychological issues) or had trouble with hypochondria, and visited his mother in hopes of some care. According to K. Edward Lay, a professor in the Architecture School at the University of Virginia, the present-day structure was probably built around 1900, perhaps incorporating a stone chimney from 1825. When Clark and Jefferson were informed of Lewis' death, both accepted it as suicide, but his family contended it was murder. At home in Albemarle County, he pursued his studies with Dr. Charles Everitt, a physician, and then Rev. Although he died without legitimate heirs, he does have the putative DNA model haplotype for his paternal ancestors' lineage, which was that of the Warner Hall. In 1795 he joined the U.S. Army, as a Lieutenant, where he served until 1801, at one point in the detachment of William Clark, who would later become his companion in the Corps of Discovery. Virginia gentleman: Born in 1774, in Albemarle County, Virginia, Meriwether Lewis was the first child of Lucy Meriwether and William Lewis. The journey from St. Louis to the Pacific and back again, lasting from May 1804 to September 1806, is of . Descendents of the family point to this legend as a reason why Meriwether men take a long time to get married. Geographic names that honor him include Lewis County, Tennessee; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Lewiston, Idaho; Lewis County, Washington; the U.S. Army fort Fort Lewis, Washington, the home of the US Army 1st Corps (I Corps), and especially Lewis and Clark County, Montana, the home of the capital city, Helena. She even scared away a crowd of rowdy British soldiers during the time that she lived at Locust Hill, her husband's family's home, with a rifle. Their oldest, Jane Meriwether married Colonel Robert Lewis; they became Meriwether Lewis' paternal great-grandparents. A day use campground at Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, north of Helena, Meriwether Picnic site. 111 on September 16, 1808. Meriwether Lewis died on his way to Washington, DC in October, 1809. Capt. Though the Corps of Discovery had traversed thousands of miles of wilderness with few casualties, Lewis and Clark did not find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific, the missions primary goal; the system of trading posts that theyd established began to fall apart before the explorers returned home. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774-October 11, 1809) was a soldier, an explorer, and a personal secretary to Thomas Jefferson. [4] Six months later, his mother married another Army officer, Captain John Marks (abt.1750-1800), who managed a 1,000 acre plantation about 10 miles from Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. In 1801, Meriwether Lewis left the army due to an invitation to serve as Thomas Jefferson's secretary while Jefferson was in office. Your Privacy Rights People who think the Lewis and Clark expedition was a family affair research through birth, death and marriage certificates, census, probate and Bible records, wills, deeds, diaries and old letters. Abigail Tucker As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story. Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Meriwether Lewis, John Ordway, George Shannon, John Shields, Peter Weiser, Peter Willard, and Joseph Whitehouse. Whether Lewis death was suicide, as was widely believed, or murder, as contended by his family, is still an open question. Robert Lewis and 5 . After he excused himself from dinner, he went to his bedroom. Lewis never married. Clark descendant Peyton "Bud" Clark, Lewis collateral descendants Howell Bowen and Tom McSwain, and Stephen Ambrose's daughter Stephanie Ambrose Tubbs spoke. That rifle came in handy as well when a hunting party from Locust Hill failed to kill a deer. When Clark and Jefferson were informed of Lewis' death, both accepted it as suicide, but his family contended it was murder. After he retired for the evening, Mrs. Grinder continued to hear him talking to himself. William Lewis and 3. Family & Relationships; Fiction; Games; Gardening; Health & Fitness; History; See Full Categories List. FamousKin.com cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy and reliability of these sources. In her will, she was careful to address the dispersion of the books among her offspring; appraisers valued the total collection at the modern equivalent of several hundred dollars. (Henley, 2002) She lived there until her death in 1837 with her widowed daughter Jane Meriwether Anderson. He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting. 2 2.William Lewis, born 1733; died November 17, 1781.He was the son of 4. The National Park Service has reversed a previous decision allowing Meriwether Lewis' body to be exhumed in an attempt to determining how he died. Explorer and U.S. Army officer, Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) has been saluted as America's foremost explorer. Besides being the mother of the famed . These are fantastic!!! For many years, Lewis' legacy was overlooked, inaccurately assessed, and even tarnished by his alleged suicide. $252,000 Last Sold Price. I am so glad you like it. But in addition to his role as a famed explorer, he was a young plantation owner, a committed military man, a controversial politician, and a confidant of President Jefferson. And now Lewis, the consummate adventurer, suddenly found himself stuck in a desk job. {Benson}) They settled in the Goose Pond community in the Broad River area of northeast Georgia, where the boys enjoyed plentiful hunting and fishing. Whether Lewis committed suicide or was murdered remains a mystery to this day. . Gary Stella. After Jane's death in 1845, her son, Dr. Meriwether Lewis Anderson, inherited Locust Hill. His deathby a gunshot wound to the head and another to the abdomenis a mystery. Hundreds of people have traced their family ties to members of the Corps of Discovery, two centuries after the historic journey. She returned to Albemarle for good, and Locust Hill became her property after Meriwether's mysterious death in 1809. Supposedly, Theodesia pleaded with Meriwether to decline the journey and marry her, heavily encouraged by her father. In the predawn hours of October 11, the innkeeper heard gunshots. On August 11, 1806, near the end of the expedition, Lewis was shot in the left thigh by Pierre Cruzatte, a near-blind man under his command, while both were hunting for elk. Some scholars arent so sure that an exhumation will clarify matters. She married William Lewis of Locust Hill; he died in 1779 and she married Captain John Marks six months later. The original house burned down but it was rebuilt in the same style as the original. Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, to Captain William Lewis (1712 1781) who was of Welsh ancestry, and Lucy Meriwether (1751 1837). In 1801, he was appointed as an aide by President Thomas Jefferson, whom he knew personally through Virginia society in Albemarle County. Their mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase, establish trade and sovereignty over the natives near the Missouri River, and claim the Pacific Northwest and Oregon Country for the United States before European nations. Nicholas Lewis, who inherited "The Farm" from his grandfather Nicholas Meriwether, married Lucy's first cousin, Mary Walker, daughter of Dr. Thomas Walker and Lucy's aunt, Mildred Thornton Of the remaining nine children, six of them married other Lewises. 3 Beds. (Lay, 2002). 15th cousin 6 times removed via Bartholomew de Badlesmere, 13th cousin 6 times removed via Katherine Pabenham, 13th cousin 7 times removed via Sir Reynold de Grey, 11th cousin 6 times removed via Sir Henry Percy, 12th cousin 6 times removed via Sir Reynold Grey, 16th cousin 5 times removed via Margaret of France, 15th cousin 5 times removed via Sir Robert de Holland, 14th cousin 7 times removed via Sir Maurice de Berkeley, 12th cousin 5 times removed via Sir Humphrey Stafford, 12th cousin 5 times removed via Sir Reynold Grey, 13th cousin 6 times removed via Sir Richard FitzAlan, 10th cousin 7 times removed via Sir Lionel de Welles, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Henry I, King of England, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Muitchertach O'Toole, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Enna MacMurrough, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Sir Robert de Beaumont, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Richard Fitzgilbert, 10th cousin 2 times removed via Sir Reynold Grey, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Simon I de St. Liz, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Robert FitzHamon, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Ranulf de Briquessart, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Ralph de Gael, 17th cousin 1 time removed via Alan of Galloway, 20th cousin 1 time removed via Walter of Salisbury, 20th cousin 1 time removed via William Talvas III. Thomas Meriwether, b.24 APR 1763, St James Northam Parish, Goochland Co, VA, son of Nicholas Meriwether + Margaret Douglas; + Ann Minor, b.abt 1771, Louisa Co, VA . He was also related to Robert E Lee and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, among others. Reenactors who participated in the official bicentennial marched to Lewis' grave in period uniform accompanied by drum and fife. The Tennessee State Commission charged with locating the grave and erecting the monument wrote in its official report that it was likely Lewis died at the hands of an assassin. These sources are attached to each ancestor so that you can personally judge their reliability. According to K. Edward Lay, a professor in the Architecture School at the University of Virginia, the present-day structure was probably built around 1900, perhaps incorporating a stone chimney from 1825. He had so much to live for, says Guice, professor emeritus of history at The University of Southern Mississippi and the editor ofBy His Own Hand? Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer and military officer born on August 18, 1774, in Virginia. She is reported to have notable culinary and intellectual skills as well. After returning from the expedition, Lewis received a reward of 1,600 acres of land. Due to her knowledge and hard work, the expedition was a success. The Certificate says Shaun is related to Sgt. In June 1803, Jefferson provided Lewis with basic objectives for the mission, focusing on the exploration of the Missouri river and any related streams which might provide access to the Pacific Ocean. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31. - Meriwether Lewis was an honorable man before taking on his role as a significant explorer.-Before fame, he spent his childhood in Georgia hunting and spending most of his time outdoors. 44 in Albemarle, VA, between 1796 and 1797. In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson acquired from France's Napoleon Bonaparte territory that became known as the Louisiana Purchase. [2] Their other children included Jane Meriwether (Lewis) Anderson (1770-1845), Reuben Lewis, and Lucinda Lewis (1772-) (who died as an infant). p. 108. The relationship between Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea and her family was an example of respect between the two groups. The alpine plant Lewisia (family Portulacaceae), popular in rock gardens, is named after Lewis, as is Lewis's Woodpecker. Mrs. Grinder's testimony is held as a point of contention from both sides of the murder-suicide debate. Black powder pistols have been test-fired, forgeries claimed and mitochondrial DNA extracted from living relatives. Thirty-nine years later, in 1848, an effort was launched to locate Lewis's grave and provide a proper memorial. On August 2, 1808, Lewis and several of his acquaintances submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in which they requested a dispensation to establish a lodge in St. Louis. Allrightsreserved. But due to quarreling with local political leaders, approval of trading licenses, land grant politics, Indian depredations, excessive drinking and a slow-moving mail system, it appeared that Lewis was a poor administrator who failed to keep in touch with his superiors in Washington. When Jefferson began to formulate and to plan for an expedition across the continent, he chose Lewis to lead the expedition. Some of the most recognized names in American history are direct descendants of Warner Hall's founder, Augustine Warner - George Washington, the first president of the United States, Robert E. Lee, the most famous Civil War General and Captain Meriwether Lewis, renowned American explorer of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Her family is said to be descendents of Sir Roland Crawford, the grandfather of Sir William Wallace (the subject of Mel Gibson's 1994 epic movie Braveheart.) The last item in the side bar to the left contains links to some that we have identified. After returning from the expedition, Lewis received a reward of 1,400 acres (5.7 km) of land. He moved with his family to Georgia when he was ten. At the end of his life he was a horrible drunk, terribly depressed, who could never even finish his [expedition] journals, says Paul Douglas Newman, a professor of history who teaches Lewis and Clark and The Early American Republic at the University of Pittsburgh. The men of the family from the time when they first settled in the colony, about the middle of the seventeenth century, have been men of action and distinction; they have won for themselves the most remarkable record as soldiers. Mrs. Grinder, the tavern-keeper's wife, claimed Lewis acted strangely the night before his death. discoveries. Sucked into the tempest, their canoes pitched and rolled in the thrashing water and thumped over jagged rocks, but the men kept paddling. A day use campground at Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, north of Helena, Meriwether Picnic site. The Lewis family of Virginia is one of the most distinguished families in the State. He served until 1801 achieving the rank of captain. There are many more. In later years a court of inquiry explored whether they could charge the tavern-keeper with Lewis' death. Lewis was introverted and moody while Clark was extroverted, even-tempered and gregarious. William Lewis and 3. The Lewises also won a gallant record in the War of 1812, the Mexican War and in the Confederate States Army. Descendants of Slaveholder . The murder advocates point to five conflicting testimonies as evidence that her testimony is fabricated and the suicide advocates point to her testimony as proof of suicide. Anyone closer than 14 degrees from Meriwether Lewis? In 1807, Jefferson appointed him governor of the Louisiana Territory; he settled in St. Louis. He and Clark had finished their expedition three years earlier; Lewis, who was by then a governor of the large swath of land that constituted the Upper Louisiana Territory, was on his way to Washington, D.C. to settle financial matters. He attempted marriage but never followed through, and started drinking excessively, which negatively affected his relationship with Jefferson. Both President Jefferson and Meriwether showed support in adding William Clark to the group, the president offering Lewis and Clark both a permanent rank of Captain as part of his proposal. In 1807, Jefferson appointed him governor of the Louisiana Territory; he settled in St. Louis. Among the families are direct descendants of William Clark and collateral descendants of Meriwether Lewis. She returned to Albemarle for good, and Locust Hill became her property after Meriwether's mysterious death in 1809. Here his heavy drinking persisted.[6]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriwether_Lewis. HOHENWALD, Tenn.Meriwether Lewis conquered rivers, mountains and bears leading the Lewis and Clark Expedition across 8,000 miles of wilderness from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He was also related to Robert E. Lee and Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, among others. She never explained why, at the time, she didn't investigate further concerning Lewis's condition or the source of the gunshots. Leave a message for others who see this profile. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Generation Meriwether Lewis After the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was made, Jefferson initiated an exploration of the newly purchased land and the territory beyond the "great rock mountains" in the West. By the age of eight, he was already showing the characteristics of courage and resourcefulness that stood him in good stead when he later commanded Jeffersons great expedition to explore the Missouri and Columbian Rivers from 1804 to 1806. Lewis and Clark descendants and family members, along with representatives of St. Louis Lodge . He was the second child and first son of William Lewis (abt.1738-1779) and Lucy Meriwether (1752-1837). Theres a certain amount of stress to reentering the world. http://rs5.loc.gov/service/mss/mtj/mtj1/028/028_0177_0182.pdf, http://international.loc.gov/service/mss/mtj/mtj1/028/028_0636_0639.pdf, https://memory.loc.gov/service/mss/mtj/mtj1/029/029_0175_0184.pdf. What were his experiences? Lucy Meriwether gave birth to Jane Meriwether Anderson, Meriwether Lewis, Lucinda Lewis (who died in childhood) and Dr. Reuben Lewis while married to William Lewis and John Marks and Mary Garland Marks while married to Captain John Marks. Despite warnings that they would all be drowned, the men of the Lewis and Clark expedition paddled toward the ferocious rapids. When theres so much uncertainty and doubt, we must have more evidence. . [5] On August 2, 1808, Lewis and several of his acquaintances submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in which they requested a dispensation to establish a lodge in St. Louis. An American icon, Lewis was also a human being, and the expedition was the pinnacle of Lewiss life, Newman says. After resigning from his post at Mount Vernon for financial reasons, Lewis managed his own land holdings in Virginia until he passed away in 1822. Meriwether moved to Georgia with his mother and her second husband, Capt. [7], Meriwether needed someone else to help him lead the expedition. People cant just call and say, Im a descendant, she said. He was related to George Washington by marriage: his first cousin once removed was Fielding Lewis, Washington's brother-in-law. Parson Maury was a son of Charles Goodyear Maury who was Thomas Jefferson's teacher for two years. They said I could buy it at any store, Shaun said. He was also a second cousin once removed of Washington's on his father's side. Lewis never married he killed himself in 1809, three years after the expedition ended . On the mission it was how do we stay alive and collect information? Then suddenly youre heroes. He died of gunshot wounds in what was a murder. Although he died without legitimate heirs, he does have the putative DNA model haplotype for his paternal ancestor's lineage, which was that of the Warner Hall. Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Just one grandparent can lead you to many [7], At the time, Meriwether Lewis was described as a lean man of six feet in stature. One visit to Georgia occurred in the summer of 1789 but Meriwether returned to his schooling in the fall. [2] Originally, he was to provide information on the politics of the United States Army, which had seen an influx of Federalist officers as a result of John Adams's "midnight appointments." Clark graciously accepted, having remembered his time spent with Meriwether during their previous Army service.[5]. In 1807, Jefferson appointed him governor of the Louisiana Territory; he settled in St. Louis. []http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriwether_Lewis Wikipedia article on Meriwether Lewis]. (804) 448-4664. On October 10, 1809 he stopped at an inn on the Natchez Trace called Grinder's Stand, about 70 miles (110 km) from Nashville, Tennessee. In 1803 Congress appropriated funds for the Expedition, and Lewis was commissioned as its leader. His friends assumed it was suicide. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark, whose mission was to explore the territory of the Louisiana Purchase. Lucy Meriwether gave birth to Jane Meriwether Anderson, Meriwether Lewis, Lucinda Lewis (who died in childhood) and Dr. Reuben Lewis while married to William Lewis and John Marks and Mary Garland Marks while married to Captain John Marks. Lewis picked William Clark as his second-in-command. He commissioned this the Corps of Discovery Expedition . We could do the DNA to find out the color of his hair.. Lewis concluded the expedition would benefit from a co-commander and, with Jefferson's consent, offered the assignment to his friend and former commanding officer, William Clark. Because of bureaucratic delays in the U.S. Army, Clark officially only held the rank of Second Lieutenant at the time, but Lewis concealed this from expedition members and shared the leadership of the expedition, always referring to Clark as "Captain".[4]. View entire list of famous kin for Meriwether Lewis. However Lewis died, his death had a considerable effect on the young country. It is always preferable to locate primary records where possible. - If the inscription on the. Thomas Jefferson recruited Lewis as his secretary-aide that same year and he soon became involved in the planning of the Corps of Discovery expedition across the Louisana Purchase. This page has been accessed 22,092 times. Two hundred years later, debate continues over whether the famous explorer committed suicide or was murdered. It was in Georgia that he met Eric Parker, who was the first to introduce him to the idea of traveling. John Marks, along with his brother Reuben, in 1784. Clark was more pragmatic and practical. 10664People12Records12Sources Meriwether Lewisfound in 40 treesView all Meriwether Lewisfrom tree Railey and Allied Families Record information. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Jane, Meriwether was born on month day 1770, at birth place, to William Lewis and Lucy Lewis. Lewis, who had a better education, possessed a philosophical and speculative outlook and was at home with abstract ideas. Why was he chosen to lead the expedition? . On August 11, 1806, near the end of the expedition, Lewis was shot in the left thigh by Pierre Cruzatte, a near-blind man under his command, while both were hunting for elk. Thanks so much for sharing! FORUM ARTICLES SEARCH. American politician, Explorer - 19th century, American explorer, soldier, and 2nd Governor of Louisiana Territory, Born on August 18, 1774 in Ivy, Colony Of Virginia, USA , United States, Died on October 11, 1809 in Hohenwald, Tennessee, USA, This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: Meriwether LEWIS (1774), Copyright Wikipdia authors - This article is under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. On September 3, 1809, Lewis set out for Washington D.C. where he hoped to resolve issues regarding the denied payment of drafts he had drawn against the War Department while serving as the first American governor of the Louisiana Territory. [3] Son of Lt. William Lewis and Lucy Lewis Activists take issue with Sacagawea's posture: she crouches behind Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, a positioning some say is demeaning for depicting the appearance of subservience. He is honored today by a memorial along the Natchez Trace Parkway. 1. (Thornton was the daughter of Francis Thornton and Mary Taliaferro). It is recorded on the tombstone of Pioneer John that he furnished five sons for the Revolution. On April 1, 1801, he was appointed as an aide by President Thomas Jefferson, whom he knew personally through Virginia society in Albemarle County. But, in early October 1809, Meriwether Lewis was found shot in the head in a room of an inn on the old Natchez Trace near present-day Hohenwald, Tennessee. She married William Lewis of Locust Hill; he died in 1779 and she married Captain John Marks six months later. The trip had many perilous moments for Meriwether; who managed to survive falls, gun shot wounds, and accidental poisoning. Now Lewiss descendants and some scholars are campaigning to exhume his body, which is buried on national parkland not far from Hohenwald, Tenn. This controversy has existed since his death, says Tom McSwain, Lewiss great-great-great-great nephew who helped start a Web site, Solve the Mystery, that lays out family members point of view.
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