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. A reenactment of Lewis' entry into Grinder's Stand was an official concluding event of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Mrs. Grinder, the tavern-keeper's wife, claimed Lewis acted strangely the night before his death. Please note: The ancestor reports on this website have been compiled from thousands of different sources, many over 100 years old. Geni requires JavaScript! He was related to George Washington by marriage: his first cousin once removed was Fielding Lewis, Washington's brother-in-law. At thirteen, he was sent back to Virginia for education by private tutors. Captain Meriwether Lewis was President Thomas Jefferson's chosen leader for the Corps of Discovery Expedition into the expansive territory of Louisiana, acquired from France in 1803. 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. The Lewis family of Virginia is one of the most distinguished families in the State. However, the subsequent inhabitants of the home have made so many changes that the structure does not really resemble the original house. A monument erected in 1848 now stands in his honor near the place the tavern occupied, and is under the care of the National Parks Service.[11]. Greenwood Publishing Group. William Clark is known for his expedition to explore and discover the land west of the Mississippi River, the land that the United States brought from the French in 1803. Why is this image showing up as a background image ? The U.S. Army was also present through the 101st Airborne Infantry Band and its Army chaplain. 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. 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 . Lewis and Clark descendants and family members, along with representatives of St. Louis Lodge . 2 2.William Lewis, born 1733; died November 17, 1781.He was the son of 4. One of these was Parson Matthew Maury, an uncle of Matthew Fontaine Maury. Library of Congress, https://memory.loc.gov/service/mss/mtj/mtj1/029/029_0175_0184.pdf. Hundreds of people have traced their family ties to members of the Corps of Discovery, two centuries after the historic journey. He and Meriwether Lewis set out on the adventure in May of 1804. 1. 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. The death of Meriwether Lewis in the fall of 1809 has long been a subject shrouded in mystery and controversy. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. Due to his shy personality, Lewis never married. Supposedly, Theodesia pleaded with Meriwether to decline the journey and marry her, heavily encouraged by her father. Reenactors who participated in the official bicentennial marched to Lewis' grave in period uniform accompanied by drum and fife. 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. Theres a certain amount of stress to reentering the world. Username and password are case sensitive. After returning from the expedition, Lewis received a reward of 1,600 acres of land. [2] His party affiliation didn't hurt, either. 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 would often venture out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter with only his dogs to go hunting. For many years, Lewis' legacy was overlooked, inaccurately assessed, and even tarnished by his alleged suicide. Black powder pistols have been test-fired, forgeries claimed and mitochondrial DNA extracted from living relatives. He also initially made arrangements to publish the Corp of Discovery journals but for some unknown reason never hired an editor or provided any text for the promised publications. Lewis suggested that 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. Generally sharing leadership responsibilities with William Clark, although technically the leader, Lewis led the expedition safely across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and back, with the loss of just one man, Charles Floyd, who died of apparent appendicitis. Lewis was a good administrator, but due to quarreling local political leaders, approval of trading licenses, land grant politics, Indian depredations, 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. 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. Family & Relationships; Fiction; Games; Gardening; Health & Fitness; History; See Full Categories List. [2] Their other children included Jane Meriwether (Lewis) Anderson (1770-1845), Reuben Lewis, and Lucinda Lewis (1772-) (who died as an infant). He served until 1801 achieving the rank of captain. After returning from the expedition, Lewis received a reward of 1,600 acres of land. His position was to protect the western lands from encroachers which was not favorable to the rush of settlers looking to open new lands for settlements. Why was he chosen to lead the expedition? He was the son of William Lewis, of Welsh ancestry, and Lucy Meriwether, of English ancestry. Garrett Lewis Minor: 14 MAR 1744 -- 8 MAY 1799: Mary Overton . Upon the Corps successful return, Jefferson appointed Lewis governor of the Louisiana Territory and granted him a reward of 1500 acres. After returning from the expedition, Lewis's life had the potential to become that of a politician and stateman, and in 1807 President Jefferson appointed him as Governor of the Louisiana Territory. Why Did Meriwether Lewis Die. (Henley, 2002) She lived there until her death in 1837 with her widowed daughter Jane Meriwether Anderson. The expedition started in St. Charles, Missouri. Now in his new role, Governor Lewis was soon embroiled in quarrels with his territorial secretary Frederick Bates (1777-1825). Clark graciously accepted, having remembered his time spent with Meriwether during their previous Army service.[5]. PORTSMOUTH, Va - Puller Chronicles Volume 1, Second Edition, by Meriwether Ball, is a fascinating look at LtGen Lewis B. Puller's family and faith which made him an American and Marine Corps icon. Gen. Lucian King Truscott, Jr.; married a Meriwether descendant. The original house burned down but it was rebuilt in the same style as the original. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Missouri governor and corps of discovery expedition leader, William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame. In 1793, Lewis graduated from Liberty Hall (now Washington and Lee University). In 1793, Lewis graduated from Liberty Hall (now Washington and Lee University), joined the Virginia militia, and in 1794 he was sent as part of a detachment involved in putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. You try to reach out but you can never get a hold of it. Even minor features of the story fluctuate. She claimed to be able to see Lewis through the slit in the door crawling back to his room. Lewis, who had not been publicly mourned when he died, was honored on that occasion with his first public memorial service. She never explained why, at the time, she didn't investigate further concerning Lewis's condition or the source of the gunshots. However, those closest to Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and William Clark, fully accepted the reports of suicide. The Certificate says Shaun is related to Sgt. 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. His father became a Revolutionary War officer and died when Meriwether was 5. He withdrew from public circles for several months, staying with his mother in Albemarle County, where he was probably treated by her and his physician [sic] brother Reuben. (Dary, p. 80) By March 1808, he had arrived in St. Louis to assume his duties as governor of the Louisiana Territory. Meriwether Lewis' Immediate Family and their Descendents Lucy Meriwether was born at Cloverfields on February 4, 1752. As a member of Virginian high society, the Lewis family could claim ties to both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. 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. 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. It is known that he visited at least twice. She observed his face to flush as if it had come on him in a fit. Have you taken a DNA test? We could do the DNA to find out the color of his hair.. )," and his mother's name as "Winona. Allrightsreserved. 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. At some point in the night she heard multiple gunshots, and what she believed was someone asking for help. Describe the background of Meriwether Lewis. Robert Lewis and 5 . That night, Mrs. Grinder, the innkeepers wife, heard several shots. Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny. The alpine plant Lewisia (family Portulacaceae), popular in rock gardens, is named after Lewis, as is Lewis's Woodpecker. They settled along the Broad River in the Goosepond Community within the Broad River Valley in Wilkes County (now Oglethorpe County). Captain Meriwether LewisWilliam Clark's expedition partner on the Corps of Discovery's historic trek to the Pacific, Thomas Jefferson's confidante, governor of the Upper Louisiana Territory. Augustine Warner, Sr. (September 28th 1611 - December 24th, [1] 1674), was an English planter and politician. Lewis was nominated and recommended to serve as the first Master of the proposed Lodge, which was warranted as Lodge No. Anne Meriwether Lewisfound in 12 treesView all Anne Meriwether Lewisfrom tree Waring Family Tree 2013 Record information. The second oldest . (2006). For one thing, with mitochondrial DNA samples hes already taken from several of Lewis female descendants, scientists can confirm that the body really is Lewiss (corpses were not uncommon on the Natchez Trace). He died on October 11, 1809, at the age of 35, under mysterious circumstances that have been the subject of much speculation and debate. On the way, he stopped at an inn called Grinder's Stand, about 70 miles (110 km) from Nashville, Tennessee on the Natchez Trace on October 10, 1809. There were songs and poems written about him. He was the second child and first son of William Lewis (abt.1738-1779) and Lucy Meriwether (1752-1837). Death of Capt. Even at his early age he was interested in natural history, which would develop into a lifelong passion. They dropped the inquiry for lack of evidence or motive. 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.) (Lay, 2002). At first, Pierre blamed Blackfeet Indians for the injury, but after the Corps found no sign of Indians, he admitted the accident. He married Amanda Cosby on 15 December 1827. . [3], Meriwether's father, who served in the Continental Army, died from pneumonia after his horse fell into an icy stream in 1779. 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. Interestingly, John Guice, one of the most prominent critics of the suicide theory, uses a very different astronaut comparison. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 - October 11, 1809). The US Navy Polaris nuclear submarine USS Lewis and Clark was named for him and William Clark. This profile is managed by the Virginia Project. In the course of the journey, Lewis observed, collected, and described hundreds of plants and animal species previously unknown to science. 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. At the time of his death Lewiss depressive tendencies were compounded by other problems: he was having financial troubles and likely suffered from alcoholism and other illnesses, possibly syphilis or malaria, the latter of which was known to cause bouts of dementia. In later years a court of inquiry explored whether they could charge the tavern-keeper with Lewis' death. 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. 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. 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. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition. 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. Lewis and Clark were accompanied on most of the trip by a young Shoshone woman named Sacagawea. Not so, says Sandra Hargrove, a member of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Descendant Certificate Project. Jane Brereton , Richard Cotton, Blanche de BRIENNE , Guillaume de FIENNES, Isabel PERT , Robert CONYERS. []http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriwether_Lewis Wikipedia article on Meriwether Lewis]. Parson Maury was a son of Charles Goodyear Maury who was Thomas Jefferson's teacher for two years. 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. Lewis was a Freemason, initiated, passed and raised in Door To Virtue Lodge No. He was never married, but family legend shares that he courted Theodesia Burr, the daughter of Aaron Burr. The progenitor of a prominent colonial family, and great-great grandfather of President George Washington, he was born in Norwich, Norfolk, the son of Thomas Warner and Elizabeth Sotherton. Meriwether Lewis (August 18, 1774 - October 11, 1809) was an American explorer, soldier, politician, 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 . (Davis, 1951)
And now Lewis, the consummate adventurer, suddenly found himself stuck in a desk job. William Lewis and 3. After his father died of pneumonia in November 1779, he moved with his mother and stepfather Captain John Marks to Georgia. Whether Lewis death was suicide, as was widely believed, or murder, as contended by his family, is still an open question. On April 1, 1801, he was appointed as an aide by President Thomas Jefferson, whom he knew personally through Virginia society in Albemarle County. She started the Locust Hill Graveyard in 1810, probably on the hopes that she could have Meriwether's body re-interred there from Tennessee, and because her son-in-law Edmund Anderson and a neighbor died that year and needed to be buried. More Replies: Re: Meriwether Lewis/Woodson Connection. A day use campground at Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, north of Helena, Meriwether Picnic site. Due to her knowledge and hard work, the expedition was a success. American explorer, best known as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. An American icon, Lewis was also a human being, and the expedition was the pinnacle of Lewiss life, Newman says. 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. She never explained why, at the time, she didn't investigate further concerning Lewis's condition or the source of the gunshots. Viva tuos (I died young: but thou, O Good Republic, live out my years for me with better fortune.) As governor, Meriwether was traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with officials when he died in 1809. No completely satisfactory explanation for his death has ever been found. 915 Words4 Pages.
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