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George Washington Lane Research Paper

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George Washington Lane was born to Jonathan and Mary Colley Lane 1806. George was either born in Cherokee or Ogelthorp County Georgia. In 1818 George moved to Limestone County Alabama with his mother Mary Colley Lane. George earned an elementary education after arriving in Alabama. He read law under Judge Daniel Coleman and was admitted to the bar in 1826. George was then elected probate judge of Limestone County, Alabama and then was elected circuit judge, he served that office for sixteen consecutive years. George represented Limestone County on several occasions in the legislature. On October 3, 1834 George Married Martha Nicholas Davis the daughter of Captain Nicholas Davis. George and Martha had 11 children, Robert Wilson Lane, George Gale, Nicholas, Mary, Kate Gaston, Belta Colley, May Fern, Charles Paul, and Hector Davis are the children listed in the 1840 census. Seven of George’s children lived to adulthood. The 1840 census of Limestone County Alabama lists George as head of a household of 48. George owned 44 slaves. George Washington Lane was a highly respected and successful farmer, lawyer and politician at the beginning of the anti-slavery movement. As the anti-slavery movement increased, George is said to have freed all of his slaves soon after the secession debates in Montgomery were held. George was strongly opposed to secession. George was convinced that secession was a mistake, and to let everyone know how he felt, he hung a union flag over his door. Apparently George’s beliefs were well known and had found their way to Washington around April of 1861. At that time it is said that he was appointed Federal Judge of …show more content…

There is a painting of George in my house and in all of my relative’s houses. I am grateful that my grandfather has made the effort to document my family’s history, without that effort I would not have known about

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