Generation No. She never explained why, at the time, she didn't investigate further concerning Lewis's condition or the source of the gunshots. A deer however had been cornered onto the grounds of Locust Hill by the party hounds, and Mrs. Lewis-Marks shot it and turned it into a succulent dinner before the party even returned. ISBN 978-0275990114. It is believed that he committed suicide. (Henley, 2002) She lived there until her death in 1837 with her widowed daughter Jane Meriwether Anderson. The District of Columbia and governors of twenty states sent flags flown over state capital buildings to be carried to Lewis' grave by residents of the states associated with the Lewis and Clark Trail. Lewis, who had not been publicly mourned when he died, was honored on that occasion with his first public memorial service. The exact details of his death have never been learned because the early morning events were not directly witnessed by anyone. Mrs. Grinder, the tavern-keeper's wife, claimed Lewis acted strangely the night before his death. Who was he? That rifle came in handy as well when a hunting party from Locust Hill failed to kill a deer. Privacy Statement 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. Browse Retail Locations . President Thomas Jefferson appointed Lewis and Clark to explore the territory that was acquired in the "Louisiana Purchase". He died in 1862, leaving the home to his children Charles and Mary Anderson. It is known that he visited at least twice. Sucked into the tempest, their canoes pitched and rolled in the thrashing water and thumped over jagged rocks, but the men kept paddling. Lewis had known president Jefferson since he was a boy, "he had grown up on a plantation in virginia a few miles from Monticello, and they had went on to make a relationship working together in the White House." Obviously, Theodesia's pleas fell on deaf ears. He lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia and also owned a plantation in Spotsylvania County, which later became known as Kenmore. Jefferson had mentored Meriwether in his youth and was a friend, as well as appreciative of Meriwether's unique skills. It was like coming back from the moon.. Her daughter and son-in-law put the house for sale on the market at $255,000 in 1982. The last item in the side bar to the left contains links to some that we have identified. There, reflecting on the adventure-loving young man who had mapped the gloomy and savage wilderness which I was just entering alone, Wilson broke down and wept. 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 . Retail Stores ; Book Vault ; Merchandise ; Login; $0.00 (0 Items) View Cart. She claimed to be able to see Lewis through the slit in the door crawling back to his room. Meriwether Lewis was a soldier, public administrator, and famed explorer as co-leader of the Corps of Discovery, commonly referred to as the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Department of Interior granted . Lewis descendants suffer setback in ongoing bid to exhume body In later years a court of inquiry explored whether they could charge the husband of the tavern-keeper with Lewis' death. [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. They came inside and found Lewis on his pallet He had been [shot] in the side and once in the head. If you click the change tab you can see that this is an excellent example of collaboration! In 1801, he was appointed as an aide by President Thomas Jefferson, whom he knew personally through Virginia society in Albemarle County. The group he was with was called the Corps of Discovery. More Replies: Re: Meriwether Lewis/Woodson Connection. 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. Guice believes that bandits roaming the notoriously dangerous Natchez Trace killed Lewis. He and William Clark, born August 1, 1770, accompanied each other on a dangerous expedition. Re: Meriwether Lewis/Woodson C - Genealogy.com About 1725, Jane married Robert Lewis (abt 1704-1765), son of Councilor John Lewis (1669-1725) of Warner Hall and his wife Elizabeth Warner (1672-1719) the daughter . Meriwether Lewis | The Old West Due to her knowledge and hard work, the expedition was a success. About the age of 13 he returned to Virginia and to the household of his uncle Nicholas Lewis, his formal education beginning at this time. 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. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 October 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. Now in his new role, Governor Lewis was soon embroiled in quarrels with his territorial secretary Frederick Bates (1777-1825). His wound hampered him for the rest of the journey. Lewis, who had a better education, possessed a philosophical and speculative outlook and was at home with abstract ideas. (Anderson, 1984) Together, they had nine children. The buffalo robe that he lay on was soaked with blood and Lewis was barely hanging on to life. The Lewis and Clark expedition is often called America's national epic of exploration. Anne Meriwether Lewisfound in 12 treesView all Anne Meriwether Lewisfrom tree Waring Family Tree 2013 Record information. 17912 MERIWETHER LEWIS ST, Ruther Glen, VA 22546 | MLS VACV2003024 There were songs and poems written about him. They dropped the inquiry for lack of evidence or motive. He died on October 11, 1809, at the age of 35, under mysterious circumstances that have been the subject of much speculation and debate. Describe the background of Meriwether Lewis. Wrong username or password. His brother-in-law was George Washington . They had 9 children: Anne Eliza, Meriwether Lewis Anderson and 7 other children. [5], Lewis joined the Army in 1794 and spent six years in the militia, serving during the "Whiskey Rebellion". Meriwether Ball MSc, MA - President/CEO - LinkedIn Famous Connections | The Meriwether Society, Inc. | JMO - j777.org 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. Theres a certain amount of stress to reentering the world. She married William Lewis of Locust Hill; he died in 1779 and she married Captain John Marks six months later. Meriwether Lewis - Historical records and family trees - MyHeritage Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Meriwether Lewis Pedigree Chart | Meriwether Lewis | Ahnentafel No: 1 She married William Lewis of Locust Hill; he died in 1779 and she married Captain John Marks six months later. For many years, Lewis's legacy was overlooked, inaccurately assessed, and even tarnished by his alleged suicide. As a nonprofit, we offer free help to those looking to learn the details of their family story. Though Lewiss mother is said to have believed he was murdered, that idea didnt have much traction until the 1840s, when a commission of Tennesseans set out to honor Lewis by erecting a marker over his grave. After Jane's death in 1845, her son, Dr. Meriwether Lewis Anderson, inherited Locust Hill. Descendants and relatives lived in Virginia and elsewhere. Describe the background of Meriwether Lewis.pdf - 1. The Lewises also won a gallant record in the War of 1812, the Mexican War and in the Confederate States Army. 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. One of these was Parson Matthew Maury, an uncle of Matthew Fontaine Maury. Augustine Warner Sr. - Wikipedia Record information. Ancestors of Meriwether Lewis Generation No. He was also a second cousin once removed of Washington's on his father's side. Many geographic locations are named for Lewis, including counties in six U.S. states have been named in Meriwether Lewis's honor: Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, and Washington. Augustine arrived in Virginia in 1628 at the . Lewis and Clark did follow through with this promise. Library of Congress, http://international.loc.gov/service/mss/mtj/mtj1/028/028_0636_0639.pdf, Letter to Thomas Jefferson, Oct 3, 1803, He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting. In 1793, Lewis graduated from Liberty Hall (now Washington and Lee University). [9] These maladies delayed his arrival in St. Louis to take his position as Governor until a year after being named as such. 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. Supposedly, Theodesia pleaded with Meriwether to decline the journey and marry her, heavily encouraged by her father. Yet his contributions to science, the exploration of the Western U.S., and the lore of great world explorers, are considered incalculable.[3]. Lewis resided in the presidential mansion, and frequently conversed with various prominent figures in politics, the arts and other circles. The details of the case are so sketchy that its like trying to grab a shadow, Holmberg says. She gave the property to her daughter as a wedding gift. A broken column, symbol of a life cut short, marks his grave. The expedition was the first point of Euro-American contact for several Native American tribes; through translators and sign language, Lewis conducted rudimentary ethnographic studies of the peoples he encountered, even as he laid the groundwork for a trade economy to ensure American hegemony over its vast new interior territory. Parson Maury was a son of Charles Goodyear Maury who was Thomas Jefferson's teacher for two years. After the expedition, Lewis served as governor of the Louisiana Territory and as a commander of Fort Pickering in Tennessee. Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis & Clark's Exp. He was never married, but family legend shares that he courted Theodesia Burr, the daughter of Aaron Burr. He kept in touch with his mother and family through long, chatty letters (Anderson, p. 501, Bakeless). The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. A bronze bust of Lewis commissioned for the event was dedicated to the Natchez Trace Parkway for a planned visitor center at the grave site area. Scholars have reconstructed lunar cycles to prove that the innkeepers wife couldnt have seen what she said she saw that moonless night. Meriwether Lewis never married and never had any children. Family tree of Meriwether LEWIS - Geneastar He was related to George Washington by marriage: his first cousin once removed was Fielding Lewis, Washington's brother-in-law. 3 Beds. One of these was Parson Matthew Maury, an uncle of Matthew Fontaine Maury. After his wife's death, Robert Lewis married Elizabeth Thornton, Lucy's mother . During his time in Georgia, Lewis enhanced his skills as a hunter and outdoorsman. Meriwether Lewis Biography - Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline William Lewis and 3. Why I Believe Meriwether Lewis Was Assassinated Even at his early age he was interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. In the predawn hours of October 11, the innkeeper heard gunshots. IE 11 is not supported. (Thornton was the daughter of Francis Thornton and Mary Taliaferro). She said that during dinner Lewis stood and paced about the room talking to himself in the way one would speak to a lawyer. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. Obviously, Theodesia's pleas fell on deaf ears. In the predawn hours of October 11, the innkeeper heard gunshots. South Dakotan says he is descendent of Meriwether Lewis South Dakotan says he is descendent of Meriwether Lewis The Associated Press Jul 13, 2003 0 LOWER BRULE, S.D. The verdict: Suicide. For many years, Lewis' legacy was overlooked, inaccurately assessed, and even tarnished by his alleged suicide. It was also in the Broad River Valley that Lewis first dealt with a native Indian group. He was also a second cousin once removed of Washington's on his father's side. His life and achievements were acknowledged and some in the audience shed tears as the tragedy of his death was noted. Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. She never explained why, at the time, she didn't investigate further concerning Lewis's condition or the source of the gunshots. 2 Baths. 2 2.William Lewis, born 1733; died November 17, 1781.He was the son of 4. [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. [3], The new family soon moved to Georgia and Meriwether spent his time learning outdoorsman skills. There were five colonels in the RevolutionColonel Nicholas, Colonel Fielding, Colonel William, Colonel Charles and Colonel Joeland quite a number of majors and captains. After he retired for the evening, Mrs. Grinder continued to hear him talking to himself. After crossing the Rocky Mountains, the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in the area of present-day Oregon (which lay beyond the nation's new boundaries) in November 1805. 10664People12Records12Sources Meriwether Lewisfound in 40 treesView all Meriwether Lewisfrom tree Railey and Allied Families Record information. Meriwether Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Va., on Aug. 18, 1774. Everyone who knows anything about Meriwether Lewis beyond that he was one half of the famous exploring duo knows that he died a violent death at the age of 35, just three years after the completion of the most successful exploration mission in American history. This page has been accessed 22,092 times. Robert Lewis and 5 . Lewis resided in the presidential mansion, and frequently conversed with various prominent figures in politics, the arts and other circles. Gary Stella. Before he left St. Louis, Lewis had given several associates the power to distribute his possessions in the event of his death; while traveling, he composed a will. The original house burned down but it was rebuilt in the same style as the original. But I dont know if it would change anybodys mind one way or the other.. The land is now the Meriwether Lewis State Park in Tennessee. Meriwether Lewis Gov. Captain Meriwether Lewis - Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail He and Meriwether Lewis set out on the adventure in May of 1804. Meriwether Lewis Achievements - 1168 Words | Cram Lewis never married. In 1801, Meriwether Lewis left the army due to an invitation to serve as Thomas Jefferson's secretary while Jefferson was in office. His father was of Welsh descent and his mother was of . PDF Lewis and Clark Descendant Project Papers It is recorded on the tombstone of Pioneer John that he furnished five sons for the Revolution. He was considered fiercely loyal, disciplined, and flexible, while also prone to being moody, speculative, and melancholic. Meriwether Lewis never married. They dropped the inquiry for lack of evidence or motive. Re: Meriwether Lewis/Woodson Connection By Gary Stella February 06, 2005 at 12:59:36. By some accounts, Lewis arrived at the inn with servants; by others, he arrived alone. Today, the grave site is maintained by the Natchez Trace Parkway. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 - October 11, 1809). In 1795, he joined the regular 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. When his father died in 1779, he inherited his Locust Hill estate. Jefferson selected Captain Meriwether Lewis to lead the proposed expedition, afterward known as the Corps of Discovery. One of these was Parson Matthew Maury, an uncle of Matthew Fontaine Maury. In some versions, Seaman, Lewiss loyal Newfoundland who guarded his master against bears on the long journey West, remained by his grave, refusing to eat or drink. Jefferson commissioned a two year expedition to explore these lands and chose Meriwether Lewis as the leader. Besides being the mother of the famed explorer, she had medical skills and often rode throughout the county to treat the sick. FORUM ARTICLES SEARCH. The group returned to St. Louis in 1806 to start reporting their findings and accomplishments.[7]. At first, Pierre blamed Blackfeet Indians for the injury, but after the Corps found no sign of Indians, he admitted the accident. He was the governor of a huge territory. The expedition started in St. Charles, Missouri. Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. (1809 - 1881) - Genealogy - geni family tree Clark bandaged and treated Lewis's wound, and the Corps continued the long way back to St. Louis. James Waddell, a blind parson, and Parson Matthew Maury. 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. Thomas Meriwether + Ann Minor - Our Family Tree Cookie Settings, Kids Start Forgetting Early Childhood Around Age 7, Archaeologists Discover Wooden Spikes Described by Julius Caesar, 5,000-Year-Old Tavern With Food Still Inside Discovered in Iraq, Artificial Sweetener Tied to Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke, Study Finds, The Surprisingly Scientific Roots of Monkey Bars. President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Governor of Upper Louisiana in 1806. Capt. Meriwether Lewis (1774 - 1809) - Genealogy - geni family tree Mrs. Grinder's testimony is held as a point of contention from both sides of the murder-suicide debate. Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia, in the Lewis family estate in Locust Hill to Lt. William Lewis and Lucy Meriwether Lewis as their first son and second child. After Jane's death in 1845, her son, Dr. Meriwether Lewis Anderson, inherited Locust Hill. Lewis departed St. Louis for the Louisiana Purchasevia the Ohio River in the summer of 1803, gathering supplies, equipment, and personnel along the way. He served until 1801 achieving the rank of captain. 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. But exactly what transpired at a remote inn 200 years ago this Saturday? 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. Our Family Tree: Branch: Ray's Extended Family Tree : View. Historians would hold such details dear, Starrs says: Nobody even knows how tall Meriwether Lewis was. Login to find your connection. Captain Meriwether Lewis was born August 18, 1774, at the Lewis family estate, Locust Hill, in Albemarle County, Va. His family had many decorated soldiers, including his father, William Lewis, who served in the Continental Army as a lieutenant. 7134 John Marshall Mews, Ruther Glen, VA 22546 - Redfin Advertising Notice The Meriwether Lewis Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation will host the event, called Courage UndauntedThe Final Journey., On June 4, 2009, collateral descendants of Lewis launched a Web site aimed at garnering public support for exhumation and scientific study of the explorer's remains to determineonce and for allthe cause of his death. He was the son of Lt. William Lewis of Locust Hill (1733 November 17, 1779), who was of Welsh ancestry, and Lucy Meriwether (February 4, 1752 September 8, 1837), daughter of Thomas Meriwether and Elizabeth Thornton who were both of English ancestry. Meriwether was drawn to army life and at the age of 20, he joined the Virginia Militia to help defeat the Whiskey Rebellion which began in Western Pennsylvania but spread through other western states. Around the time that the expedition commenced, they had arrived at the point in the relationship where Lewis either had to marry Theodesia or find a respectable way to exit the relationship. If the skeleton is his, and intact, they can analyze gunpowder residue to see if he was shot at close range and examine fracture patterns in the skull. Yet even now, precious little is known about the events of October 10, 1809, after Lewis armed with several pistols, a rifle and a tomahawk stopped at a log cabin lodging house known as Grinders Stand. Meriwether Lewis, born August 18, 1774, was an American explorer. Jefferson believed the former, while his family continually maintained the latter. FamilySearch Catalog: Lewis family tree : showing many of the He would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting. 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". He moved with his mother and stepfather Captain John Marks to Georgia in May of 1780. So Richard Ashcraft's mother was a Great aunt to Meriwether Lewis. Home > Forum > Surnames > Woodson. One of his traveling companions, who arrived later, buried him nearby. His party affiliation didn't hurt, either. John Lewis was grandfather to Richard Ashcraft and G-grandfather to Meriwether Lewis. The Cherokee lived in antagonistic proximity to the white settlers, but Lewis seems to have been a champion for them amongst his own people. She later said she saw a wounded Lewis crawling around, begging for water, but was too afraid to help him. 915 Words4 Pages. Some scholars arent so sure that an exhumation will clarify matters. The US Navy Polaris nuclear submarine USS Lewis and Clark was named for him and William Clark. 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. [7], Meriwether needed someone else to help him lead the expedition. The original house burned down but it was rebuilt in the same style as the original. Marshall, Fielding, Merriweather, Daingerfield, Taliaferro and others. Captain Meriwether LewisWilliam Clarks expedition partner on the Corps of Discoverys historic trek to the Pacific, Thomas Jeffersons confidante, governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory and all-around American herowas only 35 when he died of gunshot wounds sustained along a perilous Tennessee trail called Natchez Trace. The Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis - JSTOR Daily 44 in Albemarle, VA between 1796 and 1797. Interestingly, John Guice, one of the most prominent critics of the suicide theory, uses a very different astronaut comparison. During a ceremony on Oct. 7, 2009, marking the 200th anniversary of his death, a bronze bust of Lewis will be dedicated to the Natchez Trace Parkway for a planned visitor center. Meriwether Lewis | American Battlefield Trust Many people in Oregon say they inherited the adventurous spirit of the Lewis and Clark expedition, but third-grader Shaun Stice is a direct descendant. Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) FamilySearch Jane, Meriwether was born on month day 1770, at birth place, to William Lewis and Lucy Lewis. 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. Meriwether Lewis, in addition to being a great explorer and trailblazer, was the Governor of Louisiana. Cookie Policy The US Navy Polaris nuclear submarine USS Lewis and Clark was named for him and William Clark. He is best known for his role as the co-leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a pioneering expedition that explored the western portion of the Louisiana Purchase in 1804-1806. He is honored today by a memorial along the Natchez Trace Parkway. 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.