John Lane (1765/70-1850/60) and Mary --- of Marion Co, SC

John Lane was born ca 1765/70 (per census records, excluding the 1850 census). The 1850 census lists him as age "90" which puts his birth at ca 1759/60, however, this makes him only 10 years younger than his father, and only 8 years younger than his mother, neither of which works. However, an analysis of his other census records reveals that he was more likely born between 1765 and 1770. (probably closer to 1770). Both the 1830 and 1840 census has him born ca 1760/70 (ages 60-69, and 70-79, respectively). Combine this with the 1810 census entry of age 26-44 (born ca 1765/84) and it works out to ca 1765/70. This works with all his census entries except the 1850. In 1790 he was age 16+ (born before 1774), in 1800 age 26-44 (born 1755/74), in 1810 age 26-44 (1765/84), in 1820 he was age 45+ (born before 1775), and 1830 age 60-69 (1760/70) and 1840 age 70-79 (1760/70).

I suspect he was born in that part of old Georgetown District that is now Marion County, SC.

John Lane is a proven son of Osborne Lane and Hepsabeth Crawford, and was named as such by Sellers in his book, and also named as a son in Osborne Lane's probate records.

Presumably, John Lane grew up in the Buck Swamp area (near present day Latta in the Dillon - Marion County border area), but he seems to have moved down into present Georgetown County at some point before 1790, perhaps that is where his wife's family was from, or perhaps there were Lane relatives there (or both could be true). (Or this John in Georgetown is a different John, which is possible).

John Lane married Mary --- sometime before 1790. She was born ca 1774/75 in Georgetown Dist, SC. Though whether in present Georgetown, or the part that became Marion, I can't tell. I have no information on what her maiden name might have been.

John Lane appeared to have far more than just the one son Sellers mentioned, but none of the others are known. They may have all died before reaching maturity, or perhaps they all left the area, and were not remembered by Sellers.

As mentioned previously, John Lane moved into present Georgetown County sometime before 1790, though whether before his marriage or afterwards can not yet be determined. I don't know what region of Georgetown they were in. (Unfortunately, a large portion of early Georgetown County records were lost during the Civil War).

John Lane was listed on the 1790 census in Georgetown District in Prince Frederick Parish. His father was in neighboring Prince George Parish. Present Marion and Georgetown Counties were included in both parishes, though I don't know where the boundary line ran exactly. The 1790 census was alphabetical, so I can't determine who John Lane's neighbors were. However, there were two other Lanes listed there in 1790 (in Prince Frederick Parish), both apparent widows: Hannah Lane and Rebecca Lane. I don't know if they were closely related to the Osborne Lane family or not, nor if they lived anywhere near John Lane in 1790. Note that John Lane had 4 "free persons of color" with him in 1790. I don't know who this folks might have been, whether former slaves, or other free persons who were not considered "white" (by the census taker, anyway).

Back in 1785 each district (as in Georgetown District) was divided into "counties" which had no government, but were used mainly for geographical division purposes. Georgetown was divided into Liberty County (present Marion, Dillon and part of Florence), Kingston (present Horry), Williamsburg (present Williamsburg and Florence) and Winyaw (present Georgetown). In 1798 Liberty County was separated from Georgetown District, and became Marion District (effective in 1800), but the other 3 counties remained part of Georgetown District for a time.

For the 1800 census, John Lane was listed in Georgetown District, in Winyaw County (present Georgetown County). He was next door to Peter Lane (1774/84), perhaps a nephew or more likely a cousin. John's brother Thomas Lane was just a few houses away, but on the following page. An older woman was residing with John Lane. If this is my Uncle John Lane, then this is not his mother with him (as she was home with her husband in 1800) so probably his mother-in-law or some other relative (an Aunt perhaps, or a grandmother).

Note: It is entirely possible that this John Lane in Georgetown in 1800 is not the same person as John Lane son of Osborne Lane, though if that were true, where was John Lane, son of Osborne in 1790 and 1800?. There was a John Lane, born 1757, with a brother Thomas Lane, born 1764, who were sons of James Lane and Ursula Henning. It is possible that this John and Thomas in 1800 Georgetown were actually these two men, and not my Uncles John and Thomas from Marion. However, I can't say with any certainty one way or the other, but pending proof (either way), I'm going to lay claim to the John and Thomas of 1800 Georgetown as my bunch, and not the sons of James Lane.

John Lane and family joined his parents in Marion District before 1810. He was not listed on the 1809 voter list, so perhaps he wasn't there yet by 1809, or maybe he just didn't vote.

John Lane was listed on the 1810 census in Marion District, SC. He was listed next to Enos Tart and William Owens. He had no slaves, so if the 1800 census entry in Georgetown was the same John, he had done something with 7 slaves between 1800 and 1810.

John Lane was not listed on either the 1811 or 1814 tax list, so he apparently had no real property at that time.

John Lane was listed on the 1820 census in Marion District. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't determine who his neighbors were.

John Lane was not listed on the 1824 tax list for Marion District, so apparently he had no real property.

In September 1829, several Lanes were dismissed by letter from the Catfish Church in order to "build up" the Antioch Church. Those listed included John Lane, Mary Lane, Frances Lane, Mary Lane Jr and Martha Lane. Perhaps these last three were daughters of John and Mary. No proof that they were though.

John Lane was listed on the 1830 census in Marion Dist, SC. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't determine who his neighbors were.

John Lane was listed on the 1840 census in Marion Dist, SC. He was next door to John Deer, and just a few households from W. W. Sellers, author of the much quoted "A History of Marion County".

John Lane and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion District. They were next door to son John G. Lane and near several other Lanes.

It seems that both John Lane and wife Mary died in the 1850/60 timeframe. I did not find either of them on the 1860 census. Their daughter Mahala was residing with her brother John G. Lane in 1860, so that seems to confirm they had died.

I found no equity, probate or Will records for John or Mary. Since they owned no Real Estate or slaves, there probably wasn't any formal probate required.

Children

John and Mary Lane had three known children, one mentioned by Sellers, and two more with them for the 1850 census. However, earlier census records, going back to 1790 show a much larger family. Unfortunately, none of the other children are yet known.

Unknown Son (1774/90). John Lane had an apparent son this age with him for the 1790 census (age under 16, born ca 1774/90), but he was gone by 1800, so possibly married or dead by then.

There was a Peter Lane (1774/84) living next to John for the 1800 census. That could be this same person, though he would be too old to be a son of John Lane's wife Mary (born 1775). If these two listings for John in Georgetown (1790 and 1800) are not the same people as John and Mary of Marion, then perhaps this Peter does belong to John (but not the John of Marion).

Unknown Son (1784/90). John Lane had an apparent son this age with him for the 1790 census (age under 16, born ca 1774/90), and with him still in 1800 (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), but he was gone by 1810, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1784/90). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1790 census (no ages given for females, so born "before 1790"), and with him still in 1800 (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), but she was gone by 1810, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1790/1800). John Lane had an apparent son this age with him for the 1800 census (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), but he was gone by 1810, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1800 census (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), and still home in 1810 (age 10-15, born ca 1794/1800), but she was gone by 1820, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1800/10). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1810 census (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10), but she was gone by 1820, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1800/04). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1810 census (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10), and still home in 1820 (age 16-25, born ca 1794/1804), but she was gone by 1830, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1800/04). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1810 census (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10), and still home in 1820 (age 16-25, born ca 1794/1804), and still apparently home in 1830 (age 20-29, born ca 1800/10), but she was gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then.

Mahala Lane was born ca 1809/10 (per 1850 census) or ca 1811/12 (per 1860 census) in Marion Dist, SC. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1810 census (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10), and still home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10), and still home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15) but gone by 1840. She didn't marry, so she was probably just residing somewhere else in 1840, perhaps with a sibling.

I did not find Mahala in 1870 or later census records. She must have died or married after 1860, or moved away somewhere.

Unknown Daughter (1810/15). John Lane had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but she was gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1815/20). John Lane had an apparent son this age with him for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), but he was gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then.

I have two suspects that fit here, but I don't know if either of these were sons of John Lane, but they are otherwise unconnected, and their ages match: Benjamin Lane (c1819/20) and William C. Lane (c1819/20) both fit, though I'm leaning toward William as the more likely suspect (he is the same William that Sellers mistakenly thought was a son of old Osborne).

John G. Lane was born ca 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC. Sellers mentioned that he was a son of old John Lane. Other than that, I have no direct proof that he is John's son, but it does seem likely. John G. Lane was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), and still home in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20).

John G. Lane married Mary --- ca 1840/42 in Marion Dist, SC. Sellers said his wife might be a Miss Johnson, but they way he said it made it unsure. However, she could very easily be a "Johnson". She was born ca 1824/25 in SC (per most records, but the 1860 census shows "NC" for her). She could be the same Mary Johnson who was my aunt, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Johnson. But keep in mind, I'm just speculating here. I have no hard evidence to back this up, nor any strong circumstantial evidence. My only rationale for this thought is that these families were neighbors, and my Mary Johnson was born in this same general timeframe, and it is unknown who she married.

Another thought is that Mary was a "Biggs". My reasoning for this is that in 1870, Rebecca Biggs age 70 was with the family (no relationships given in that census). She was born in NC, and so was Mary (at least per the 1860 census), and of course they named their oldest daughter "Rebecca", so that would make a lot of sense.

John G. and Mary and family were listed on the 1850 census, next door to his parents.

They were in Marion District for the 1860 census also. John's sister Mahala was residing with them this year.

They were in Moody Township for the 1870 census. All of their children were gone by 1870, and not found elsewhere. I don't know if they all died or what.

Rebecca Biggs, age 70 was living with them, listed as a housekeeper. I don't know if she was related or not. However, back in 1860, she was living next door to the Lanes, and that census gave her birth place as "NC", and also gave Mary's birth place as "NC". This suggests something, that perhaps she is Mary's mother, though at the very least, she could be an Aunt.

John and Mary were listed on the 1880 census in Marion Co, SC in Moody Township. Rebecca Biggs from 1870 was no longer with them, nor elsewhere in Marion, so she must have died before 1880.

John G. Lane died sometime after 1880. Sellers said he had been dead a long time by the time of his book (published in 1902). I did not find John on the 1900 census, so it would seem that Sellers was correct.

I didn't find Mary on the 1900 census either, so she probably died or remarried in the 1880/1900 timeframe.

Sarah Lane was born ca 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC. Sarah was apparently not born yet for the 1820 census, but she did seem to be home with her parents for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25).

She was at home for the 1850 census, listed as age 30 (same age her brother John was that year, but I don't think they were twins).

I did not find Sarah on the 1860 or later census records. I don't know if she died, or married someone.

Researcher List

1. John¹ Lane , born 1765/70 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC, son of Osborne Lane and Hepsabeth Crawford . He married bef 1790 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC) Mary (---) , born 1774/75 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of John Lane and Mary (---) were as follows:

2 i Mahaley² Lane , born 1809/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1860.

+ 3 ii John G² Lane , born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1880/1900 in Marion Co, SC. He married Mary Johnson .

4 iii Sarah² Lane , born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC.

Generation 2

3. John G² Lane (John¹), born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1880/1900 in Marion Co, SC. He married in 1840/42 in Marion Dist, SC Mary Johnson , born 1824/25 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1880/1900 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of John G Lane and Mary Johnson were as follows:

5 i Rebecca A³ Lane , born 1842/43 in Marion Dist, SC.

6 ii Greg³ Lane , born 1853/54 in Marion Dist, SC.

7 iii Chapman³ Lane , born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC.