Stephen C. Lane (1794/1800-1840/50) and Elizabeth --- of Marion and Barnwell Co, SC and Montgomery Co, AL and Fayette Co, TX

Special thanks to David Rankin who helped me piece this family together. He was searching for his Lane ancestors and had them traced back to a widow Elizabeth Lane who was in Fayette Co, TX in 1850 with children born in SC and AL. Using his research and mine, we determined that Elizabeth was most likely the widow of Stephen C. Lane of Montgomery Co, AL and formerly of Marion Dist, SC. We have not found direct proof of this, but it all adds up. More data included below.

Stephen C. Lane was born ca 1794/1800 in that part of old Georgetown District that is now Marion County, SC, probably in the Buck Swamp region.

Stephen C. 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 as an heir.

W. W. Sellers said very little about Stephen C. Lane. Other than stating he was a son of old Osborne Lane, he said "and Stephen went to Georgia in the long past". No other data was given by Sellers. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, page 395, by W. W. Sellers, Esq)

Although Sellers stated that Stephen Lane went to Georgia, it appears that he actually went to Barnwell Dist, SC for awhile, then moved to Montgomery Co, Alabama where he remained. I don't know if he lived in Georgia at all.

Stephen Lane appears to have been home with his parents for the 1800 census, listed in the age "under 10" category (born ca 1790/1800). He still seems to have been at home for the 1810 census, listed in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1794/1800).

On 16 Sep 1816, Stephen C. Lane witnessed the Will of his Uncle James Crawford (1749) in Marion Dist, SC. (Probate Roll # 162, published in "Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume One", page 125, by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985).

It was around this timeframe (1816-1820) that Stephen C. Lane married and moved to Barnwell Dist, SC, though I don't know which he did first.

Stephen C. Lane married Elizabeth --- in the 1810/1820 timeframe, though whether in Marion or Barnwell District is unknown. I don't know Elizabeth's maiden name. She was born ca 1797/98 in SC.

Stephen C. Lane was listed on the 1820 census in Barnwell Dist, SC. This census was listed alternately in natural order and alphabetical order, and unfortunately, the "L" section was alphabetical, and all the Lanes listed together, therefore, I can't determine who the neighbors were. Brothers Osborne, Robert and Joseph Lane were also listed there.

Stephen and family left Barnwell Dist, SC and moved to Montgomery Co, Alabama. They were there before ca 1827 (based on birth place of children).

Stephen C. Lane was listed on the 1830 census in Montgomery Co, AL. He was the only Lane in the county, but there were some other Marion County families listed there also, perhaps related. ** Unfortunately, I don't have the enumerations from this census record yet.

Stephen C. Lane was listed on the 1840 census in Montgomery Co, AL. He was still the only Lane household there. ** I don't have the enumerations from this census record yet.

Stephen C. Lane must have died in the 1840/50 timeframe in Montgomery Co, AL, as he was not found on the 1850 census.

Until studying David Rankin's research, I did not know what had become of Stephen Lanes family. David had found widow Elizabeth Lane on the 1850 census in Fayette Co, TX with several children still at home. This record indicates that the family moved to Texas in the mid 1840's. I don't know if they moved before or after the death of Stephen C. Lane. If before, then Stephen may have died in Texas, instead of back in Alabama. Although this 1850 census record only gives her first initial, other records in the county (located by David) show her to be "Elizabeth". They were listed just two houses from her married apparent son George W. Lane.

I'll take a moment here to explain why we think that widow Elizabeth and family are the family of Stephen C. Lane. There are several strong pieces of circumstantial evidence. First of all she was born in SC as was her oldest known son George (born in SC ca 1820). Her younger children were born in AL (1827 through 1840). These dates and places coincide with the known states of residence for Stephen C. Lane. George W. Lane, supposed son of Elizabeth, named one of his sons "Stephen". George W. Lane married Caroline Hodge in 1840 in Montgomery Co, AL the same county where Stephen lived in 1840, and was the only Lane family listed there for the 1840 census. George and Caroline also named a son "Crawford Lane", which is probably after George's grandmother Crawford (wife of Osborne Lane). The other key piece of the puzzle is the Frank Pounsey (actually should be "Pouncy") who was with Elizabeth in 1850. There is a marriage record in Montgomery Co, AL for Anthony A. Pouncy and Martha A. Lane dated 1838. Frank Pouncy was born in 1840 in Alabama. This says to me that he was a grandson of Elizabeth, and since we have not been able to find his parents in 1850, they probably had died, leaving him an orphan.

All of the above is strong evidence (to me anyway) that the Lanes of Fayette Co, TX are the family of Stephen C. Lane.

Children

Stephen C. Lane and Elizabeth had at least 7 children, possibly more. Five of them were still at home for the 1850 census. 2 others are proven based on strong circumstantial evidence.

Martha A. Lane was born ca 1810/20 in SC, probably in Barnwell District, though possibly in Marion District. She was apparently with her parents for the 1820 census, age "under 10" (born ca 1810/20). I suppose she was still at home in 1830, but I don't have that census listing yet.

On or about 4 Jul 1838, Martha A. Lane married Anthony A. Pouncy in Montgomery Co, AL. He was born ca 1810/20. He could have had ancestry from Marion County, SC also, for there were Pouncy's in Marion, though I don't actually know if he was from there.

Anthony Pouncy was listed on the 1840 census in Montgomery Co, AL. I don't have the enumerations yet, but David Rankin told me that both husband and wife were in the 20's (age 20-29, or born ca 1810/20). They were not on the same page as Stephen C. Lane.

I did not find the Pouncy family in 1850 in Alabama. Since their apparent son Frank Pouncy (born ca 1840) was with his grandmother in Texas, that may indicate that his parents had died before 1850.

George W. Lane was born ca 1819/20 in SC, probably in Barnwell District, though possibly in Marion District. He was apparently with his parents for the 1820 census, age "under 10" (born ca 1810/20). I suppose he was still at home in 1830, but I don't have those census listings yet.

On 24 Feb 1840, George W. Lane obtained a marriage bond to marry Caroline L. Hodge in Montgomery Co, AL. She was born ca 1820 in SC. I don't know who her parents were. The 1840 census shows five Hodge listings in Montgomery Co, AL (Benjamin, Elias, Elizabeth, Jeremiah and John Hodge). One of these was probably Caroline's family, or all were possibly related.

Their marriage date (February) predates the 1840 census (taken in June), so I would have expected to find George W. Lane listed on the 1840 census, but I didn't, at least not in Montgomery County. He could have been at home with his parents still, or with his in-laws that year. There was a George W. Lane in Limestone Co, AL in 1840, though I don't know if it is the same person or not.

George W. Lane and family were in Texas by ca 1844. They were listed on the 1850 census in Fayette Co, TX two houses from his widowed mother.

Bryant Lane was born ca 1826/27 in Montgomery Co, AL. He was probably home with his parents for the 1830 and 1840 census (I don't have those records yet). He was with his widowed mother for the 1850 census.

Benjamin Lane was born ca 1828/29 in Montgomery Co, AL. He was probably home with his parents for the 1830 and 1840 census (I don't have those records yet). He was with his widowed mother for the 1850 census.

I have no data on him more recent than 1850. David Rankin's research shows Benjamin in Leon Co, TX in 1875.

Caroline N. Lane was born ca 1831/32 in Montgomery Co, AL. She was probably home with her parents for the 1840 census (I don't have those records yet). She was with her widowed mother for the 1850 census.

I have no data on her more recent than 1850. David's research shows her married Hanniah Luther Rankin on 7 Apr 1852 in Fayette Co, TX.

Frances Lane was born ca 1834/35 in Montgomery Co, AL. She was probably home with her parents for the 1840 census (I don't have those records yet). She was with her widowed mother for the 1850 census.

Matilda Lane was born ca 1836/37 in Montgomery Co, AL. She was probably home with her parents for the 1840 census (I don't have those records yet). She was with her widowed mother for the 1850 census.

Researcher List

1. Stephen C¹ Lane , born 1794/1800 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC); died 1840/50 in Montgomery Co, AL, son of Osborne Lane and Hepsabeth Crawford . He married in 1810/20 in Barnwell Dist, SC Elizabeth (---) , born 1797/98 in SC; died aft 1850 in Fayette Co, TX.

Children of Stephen C Lane and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

+ 2 i Martha A² Lane , born 1810/20 in Barnwell Dist, SC. She married Anthony A Pouncy .

+ 3 ii George W² Lane , born 1819/20 in Barnwell Dist, SC. He married Caroline L Hodge .

4 iii Bryant² Lane , born 1826/27 in Montgomery Co, AL.

5 iv Benjamin² Lane , born 1828/29 in Montgomery Co, AL; died aft 1875 in Leon Co, TX.

+ 6 v Caroline N² Lane , born 1831/32 in Montgomery Co, AL. She married Hanniah Luther Rankin .

7 vi Frances² Lane , born 1834/35 in Montgomery Co, AL.

8 vii Matilda² Lane , born 1836/37 in Montgomery Co, AL.

Generation 2

2. Martha A² Lane (Stephen C¹), born 1810/20 in Barnwell Dist, SC. She married on 4 Jul 1838 in Montgomery Co, AL Anthony A Pouncy , born 1810/20.

Children of Martha A Lane and Anthony A Pouncy were as follows:

9 i Frank³ Pouncy , born 1839/40 in Montgomery Co, AL; died aft 1875 in Leon Co, TX.

3. George W² Lane (Stephen C¹), born 1819/20 in Barnwell Dist, SC. He married on 24 Feb 1840 in Montgomery Co, AL Caroline L Hodge , born 1819/20 in SC.

Children of George W Lane and Caroline L Hodge were as follows:

10 i Crawford³ Lane , born 1839/40 in Montgomery Co, AL.

11 ii Martin³ Lane , born 1841/42 in Montgomery Co, AL.

12 iii Isaac³ Lane , born 1843/44 in Fayette Co, TX.

13 iv Stephen³ Lane , born 1846/47 in Fayette Co, TX.

6. Caroline N² Lane (Stephen C¹), born 1831/32 in Montgomery Co, AL. She married on 7 Apr 1852 in Fayette Co, TX Hanniah Luther Rankin .

Children of Caroline N Lane and Hanniah Luther Rankin were as follows:

14 i Thadeus³ Rankin .

15 ii Luther Pat³ Rankin , born 20 Apr 1853 in Fayette Co, TX; died 23 Sep 1926.

16 iii Theophilus M³ Rankin .

17 iv William³ Rankin , born 22 Nov 1860 in Fayette Co, TX; died 10 Oct 1940.