Nicholası Lanier was born 1544 in Rouen, France, and died January 31, 1610/11 in County Kent, England. He married (1) Unknown. He married (2) Lucreece Bassano February 13, 1570/71 in All Hallows Barking, daughter of Anthony Bassano and Elena De Nazzi.
Nicholas Lanier moved to East Greenwich, County Kent, where he was one of the musicians to the Court until his death about 1612. He was a very wealthy man, having extensive holdings in Blackheath, and the surrounding country; this section was south of the Thames and about five miles east of the London Bridge.
One of the many palaces was here, the Royal Hospital, and many other buildings of early importance. In early 1700 an old house was taken down; it was described as being fitted up for a theater, probably by the Laniers who were musicians and dramatists.
Nicholas Lanier, who was in the Court of King Henry II of France, and also the Court of Queen Elizabeth and King James of England, was the founder of the Lanier family of musicians and the ancestor of the American Laniers.
He married before 1566, Lucreece Bassano, perhaps the daughter of one of the Italian musicians in the Royal Orchestra. They had six sons, all of whom were musicians to the Queen and Kings; there were also four daughters and eight or more grandsons who became members of the Royal Orchestra, making three generations serving the Royal family.
In 1604 Nicholas Lanier, Sr. was named "Musician of the Flutes" and after his death his son Andrea succeeded him "for life".
The will of Nicholas Lanier Gent. was dated January 28, 1611/12, and proved July 1612, Rochester XIX, folia 514. "To Lucreece my wife, all my lands, and goods; to sons John, Alphonse, Innocent, Jerome, Clement, 12 shillings; to Andrea 20 pounds if he does not have my place; my four daughters, three of whom are unmarried, I leave to the discretion of my wife Lucreece, my sole executrix." (LANIER by Louise Ingersoll)
1 Nicolas Lanier 1544- 1/31/1610-1611
+ Lucreece Bassano bef. 1565
2 Jerome Lanier
2 Alphonse Lanier
2 John Lanier
2 Innocent Lanier
2 Clement Lanier
+Hannah Collett- 1653
3 Lionel Lanier
3 Nicholas Lanier
3 William Lanier
3 Lucretia Lanier
3 Charles Lanier
3 Frances Lanier
3 Susanna Lanier
3 Elizabeth Lanier
3 Hannah Lanier Abt 1629 -
3 John Lanier 1631 - Abt 1719
+Lucreece ???
4 John Lanier, Jr.(II) 1655
+Sarah Edwards
3 Robert abt 1642-
+ Rebecca ??? abt 1639-
2 Andrea Lanier
Children of Clement Lanier and Hannah Collett are:
i Hannah³ Lanier, born Abt 1629.
ii. Nicholas Lanier.
iii. Lionel Lanier.
iv. William Lanier, born in England.
v. Frances Lanier.
vi. Elizabeth Lanier.
vii. Susanna Lanier.
viii. Lucretia Lanier.
ix. Charles Lanier.
x. John Lanier, born October 1631 in Lewisburg, England; died Abt 1683 in Prince George County, Virginia.
xi. Robert Lanier, born Abt 1642; died Unknown.
Children of John Lanier and Lucreece ??? are:
i. John4; Lanier, Jr. (II), born 1655 in London, England; died 1719 in Charles City County, Virginia.
ii. Katherine Lanier, born 1655.
Robert³ Lanier (Clement², Nicholası) was born Abt 1642, and died Unknown. He married Rebecca ???.
Notes: Was in the Barbados before 1678. Their sons were the next Lanier immigrants of this line to Virginia.
Children of Robert Lanier and Rebecca ??? are:
i. Lemuel4 Lanier, born Bef 1680.
ii. Clement Lanier, born Bef August 21, 1678.
Children of John Lanier and Sarah Edwards are:
i. Sarah5 Lanier, born 1686 in Charles City County, Virginia; died Abt 1727.
ii. Nicholas Lanier, born 1690 in Charles City County, Virginia; died Bef August 23, 1779.
Children of John Lanier and ??? Sampson are:
i. Robert5 Lanier, born 1678 in Charles City County, Virginia; died March 20, 1743/44 in Tyrell County, North Carolina. He married Pricilla Washington 1727. +
ii. John Lanier, born 1680 in Charles City County, Virginia; died March 4, 1727/28 in Surry County, Virginia.
iii. Sampson Lanier, born 1681; died Abt 1743.
Children of Sarah Lanier and George Brewer are:
i. William6 Brewer, born Abt 1706.
ii. Oliver Brewer, born Abt 1708.
iii. Henry Brewer, born Abt 1710.
iv. Nathaniel Brewer, born Abt 1712.
v. Sarah Brewer, born Abt 1714.
vi. Lanier Brewer, born Abt 1716.
vii. George Brewer, Jr., born Abt 1718.
viii. Nicholas Brewer, born Abt 1720.
ix. John Brewer, born Abt 1724.
x. Howell Brewer, born Abt 1722.
Nicholas5 Lanier (John4, John³, Clement², Nicholaı) was born 1690 in Charles City County, Virginia, and died Bef August 23, 1779. He married Mary Shepherd 1713.
Children of Nicholas Lanier and Mary Shepherd are:
i. John6 Lanier, born Abt 1715.
ii. Nicholas Shepherd Lanier, born 1717.
iii. William Lanier, born Abt 1720.
iv. Thomas Lanier, born 1722.
v. Lewis Lanier, born Abt 1725.
vi. Sarah Lanier, born Aft 1725.
John5 Lanier (John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born 1680 in Charles City County, Virginia, and died March 4, 1727/28 in Surry County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Bird 1703 in Surry County, Virginia, daughter of Thomas Bird and Mary ???.
Notes: Named second in the will of his father, John Lanier, and presumed to be the second son. John Lanier died between April 4, 1720 and March 4, 1728; on the latter date Elizabeth Lanier, without the signature of her husband, sells land inherited from her father to her sister Tabitha and her husband Richard Jones. The Court Order Books and Guardianship records for that period are missing. No will is available. Only four children have been found: Bird Thomas, Lemuel, Robert, and Benjamin.
Before August 15, 1730, the widow Elizabeth Lanier had married Thomas Clare(y) for on that date "Thomas Clare of Southwark Parish and Elizabeth, his wife, deed land to Robert Lanier, son of said Elizabeth, and in default of any heirs of Robert Lanier, to descend to his brother Benjamin Lanier".
The land described in this deed is similar to that in the will of John Lanier, son of Robert Lanier; "up the Branch that is called the Old Well, to a White Oak, to a corner tree in the line of Col Henry Harrison's, and back to the beginning of the great branch aforesaid". These two tracts were undoubtedly Deeds of Gift to Robert and John from their father, John Lanier, and explains why they received only a few shillings in his will.
Children of John Lanier and Elizabeth Bird are:
i. Bird Thomas6 Lanier, born 1703 in Surry County, Virginia; died Abt 1788 in Duplin County , North Carolina.
ii. Lemuel Lanier, born Abt 1707 in Surry County, Virginia.
iii. Robert Lanier, born Abt 1709 in Surry County, Virginia.
iv. Benjamin Lanier, born Abt 1711 in Surry County, Virginia.
Sampson5 Lanier (John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born 1681, and died Abt 1743. He married Elizabeth Washington.
Notes: Third son of John Lanier, Jr. born Charles City County 1682 (by deposition made in Surry Co. March 21, 1738), first appears in contemporary records as a "Tithable" in the upper end of Surry County above Stony Run in 1701. He married about 1706 in Surry, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Washington, and granddaughter of John Washington of Surry County.
Children of Sampson Lanier and Elizabeth Washington are:
i. Thomas6 Lanier, born Abt 1707 in Surry County; died Abt October 1745 in Brunswick County, Virginia.
ii. Arthur Lanier, born Abt 1709 in Surry County, Virginia; died Abt 1725.
iii. Sampson Lanier, Jr., born Abt 1712 in Surry County, Virginia; died September 1757 in Anson County, Georgia.
iv. Richard Lanier, born 1715.
v. Elizabeth Lanier, born Abt 1719.
vi. Lemuel Lanier, born 1722 in Surry County, Virginia.
vii. James Lanier, born Aft November 11, 1724 in Pitt County, North Carolina.
Notes: Bird Thomas Lanier married Mary (possibly Madison). They were in Brunswick County, Virginia before 1723; his first deed was 1739, but he may have had a patent earlier. On January 2, 1747, he received a land warrant of 312 acres on the south side of Great Creek, and on January 12, 1747, he received another trant of 374 acres on Allen's Creek. On September 8, 1747, Bird Thomas was still living in Brunswick County, though part of it had become Lunnenburg. In 1748 he was neither in the Poll list of Brunswick or the Tithables of Lunnenburg, but in the latter he was represented by an agent, Zachariah Baker. From the Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, Vol 5, p 321, Council 14 June 1750: "Richard Blalock having entered a Caveat against Bird Thomas Lanier and his wife for 400 acres lying on the east side of Butcher's Creek in Brunswick or Lunenburg, the Sheriff having returned that the Defendant lives in North Carolina, Ordered that the Plaintiff have a patent for the said Land".
Sold 283 acres in Brunswick Co., Virginia, on April 4, 1745 to Richard Russell for 45 pounds. This was a part of a larger tract granted to John Spell by Letters of Patern bearing the date of December 28, 1736. " Acknowledged in court 4 April 1745 by Bird Thomas Lanier and Mary Lanier, wife of said Bird Thomas Lanier, appeared and voluntarily relinquished her right of dower." (Deed Book 3, page 6)
Children of Bird Lanier and Mary Madison are:
i. Bird7 Lanier, born Abt 1727.
ii. Lemuel Lanier, born Abt 1729 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died 1770 in Duplin County , North Carolina.
iii. John Lanier, born Abt 1731 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died Aft 1790.
iv. Benjamin Lanier, born December 14, 1732 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died August 2, 1817 in Screven County, Georgia.
v. Frederick Lanier, born Abt 1745.
vi. Jesse Lanier, born Abt 1749.
vii. Elizabeth Lanier, born Abt 1751.
viii. Robert Lanier, born 1754.
ix. Sarah Lanier, born December 8, 1756.
x. Nicholas Lanier, born January 5, 1760
.
xi. Allen Lanier, born Abt 1763.
Lemuel6 Lanier (John5, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born Abt 1707 in Surry County, Virginia. He married Hannah Peters 1732 in Surry County, Virginia, daughter of Thomas Peters.
Notes: Lived in Surry County, Virginia, until early 1750, when he joined his brother Bird Thomas Lanier in Duplin County, North Carolina. He married in Surry County in 1732 Hannah, daughter of Thomas Peters. On July 15, 1735 Thomas Peters made a Deed of Gift of 200 acres of land to Lemuel Lanier and Hannah "my daughter", and their infant son Thomas Lanier, who was just nine days old.
Children of Lemuel Lanier and Hannah Peters are:
i. Thomas7 Lanier, born July 6, 1733; died June 1787.
ii. Elizabeth Lanier, born January 10, 1734/35 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia. She married ? Mills in Duplin County , North Carolina.
iii. John Lanier, born Bef October 28, 1738 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia; died Abt 1809 in Bulloch County,Georgia.
iv. Lemuel Lanier, born April 12, 1741 in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia; died in Screven County, Georgia.
v. Benjamin Lanier, born Bef May 31, 1744 in Albermarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia.
vi. Mary Lanier, born 1750.
Benjamin6 Lanier (John5, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born Abt 1711 in Surry County, Virginia. He married (1) Elizabeth Warren 1737, daughter of Allen Warren and Ann Hart. He married (2) Lucy Pennington November 26, 1776 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He married (3) Martha Wilkinson April 28, 1783 in Brunswick County, Virginia.
Notes: Benjamin moved to Brunswick County, Virginia, soon after his marriage to Elizabeth and bought many acres of land, which later became Lunenburg Co. and in 1764 fell into the new county of Mecklenburg. During the Revolution (October 10, 1778 in Brunswick County) Benjamin Lanier and his son Robert were among the many who signed the Oath of Allegiance. Benjamin Lanier bave money and supplies to aid the Revolution, and his descendants are eligible for membership in the D. A. R.
His will was dated September 14, 1790, and signed himself Benjamin B. Lanier, no doubt to distinguish himself from Benjamin, son of Thomas Lanier living is Sussex County and a young Benjamin, son of Lemuel Lanier living in Henry County. The will was probated in Mecklenburg County December 12, 1796. Children as named in his will, except Elizabeth, deceased, but did name her children John, Lucy, Lemuel, Frederick, Benjamin, Jesse, Robert, Sarah, Nicholas, and Allen; Ezekiel, Rebecca, and Jincy Redding.
Elizabeth, his wife, mother of all his children, died about 1775; Benjamin's second wife, Lucy, the widow of Moses Pennington. The marriage contract was dated november 26, 1776, Brunswick County, Virginia. Lucy died December or January 1781-82. His third wife was to Ann, widow of Martin Wilkinson, on April 28, 1783, Brunswick County. His will was dated September 14, 1790, and signed Benjamin B. Lanier, no doubt to distinguish himself from Benjamin, son of Thomas Lanier living in Sussex County; and a young Benjamin, son of Lemuel Lanier living in Henry County. The will was probated in Mecklenburg County, December 12, 1796. Children as named in his will, except Elizabeth, deceased were John, Lucy, Lemuel, Frederick, Benjamin, Jesse, Robert, Sarah, Nicholas, and Allen. His will did provide for Elizabeth's children.
Children of Benjamin Lanier and Elizabeth Warren are:
i. John7 Lanier, born 1738; died 1816-1820.
ii. Nicholas Lanier.
iii. Jesse Lanier.
iv. Robert Lanier.
v. Lucy Lanier.
vi. Sarah Lanier.
vii. Elizabeth Lanier.
Thomas6 Lanier (Sampson5, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born Abt 1707 in Surry County, and died Abt October 1745 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He married Ann Maclin 1728, daughter of William Maclin.
Children of Thomas Lanier and Ann Maclin are:
i. Jacob7 Lanier, born 1729.
ii. William Lanier, born 1731.
iii. Drury Lanier, born Abt 1740.
iv. Benjamin Lanier, born Abt 1742.
v. Thomas Lanier, born May 1746.
Sampson6 Lanier, Jr. (Sampson5;, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born Abt 1712 in Surry County, Virginia, and died September 1757 in Anson County, Georgia. He married Elizabeth Chamberlain Abt 1740, daughter of Samuel Chamberlain.
Children of Sampson Lanier and Elizabeth Chamberlain are:
i. Burwell7 Lanier, born August 1741 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died January 1812 in Anson County, North Carolina.
ii. Buckner Lanier, born 1742 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died November 1811 in Sussex County, Virginia.
iii. Martha Lanier, born Abt 1740.
iv. Rebecca Lanier, born December 6, 1744 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died July 4, 1818 in Greene County, Georgia. She married Walton Harris 1760.
v. Winifred Lanier, born 1747.
vi. Ann (Nancy) Lanier, born Abt 1749.
vii. Agnes Lanier, born Abt 1750.
viii. Lewis Lanier, born 1753; died February 12, 1839 in Oliver, Georgia. He married (1) Esther Butts Thorne. He married (2) Ann Butler September 21, 1778 in Sussex County, Virginia.
Lemuel6 Lanier (Sampson5, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born 1722 in Surry County, Virginia. He married (1) Elizabeth ???. He married (2) Molly Peebles Bef 1740 in Brunswick County, Virginia, daughter of Jehu Peebles and Mary ???.
Notes: Lemuel was the sixth child; he moved with his parents to Brunswick County, Virginia before 1740. He married about 1746 and three children were born of this union. His wife died berore1761 and he was married again to Elizabeth (???). She survived him by forty-five years; Elizabeth married a second time to Lieutenant John France, a Revolutionary Soldier. Lemuel Lanier bought land in the newly formed county of Pittsylvania, and in 1777 that section became Henry County.
Children of Lemuel Lanier and Elizabeth ??? are:
i. Washington7 Lanier, born 1762 in Brunswick County, Virginia; died 1829 in Overton County, Tennessee. He married (1) Sarah ???. He married (2) Elizabeth Hicks 1784 in Henry County, Virginia.
ii. Nancy Lanier, born September 12, 1766; died 1854 in Overton County, Tennessee. She married James Armstrong January 1782 in Henry County, Virginia.
iii. Benjamin Lanier, born 1776 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died 1870 in McClean County, Tennessee or Illinois. He married (1) Unknown Bef 1805. He married (2) Elizabeth ?? 1806 in Henry County, Virginia.
Children of Lemuel Lanier and Molly Peebles are:
i. David7 Lanier, born 1747; died 1806.
ii. Molly Lanier, born Abt 1750.
iii. Sally Lanier, born 1753.
James6 Lanier (Sampson5, John4, John³, Clement², Nicholası) was born Aft November 11, 1724 in Pitt County, North Carolina. He married Mary Cooke 1746 in Brunswick County, Virginia, daughter of Henry Cooke.
Children of James Lanier and Mary Cooke are:
i. Henry7 Lanier, born October 3, 1747; died Bef 1765.
ii. Nathan Lanier, born November 15, 1749.
iii. Lydia Lanier, born February 7, 1753.
iv. Abbie Lanier, born March 29, 1754.
v. Isom Lanier, born October 22, 1756.
vi. James Lanier, born February 2, 1759.
vii. Cynthia Lanier, born October 18, 1761.
viii. Mary Lanier, born June 23, 1764.
ix. Henry Lanier II, born 1765; died February 1821 in Greene County, Georgia.
x. Lucretia Lanier, born August 28, 1769.
xi. Sampson Lanier, born November 3, 1770 in Pitt County, North Carolina; died January 31, 1823.