George LEAR ¹

  General Notes:

George could be the son of James Lear or John Lear, Jr. There really isn't enough evidence to make a determination. Originally, I had George as a son of James, since I thought all the other Garrard Lears were his sons. However, now that I have moved David Lear over to John Jr., that's no longer true. Without any real evidence to go on (I don't consider Mildred Pamelia Dobson Cosgriff's DAR application to be any evidence at all), I have decided to attach George to John Jr., only because he did name a son John and did not name a son James. Hopefully, some descendant of George and Rebekah will eventually find more convincing evidence, one way or the other.

More information about George Lear and his family can be found in the Research Note for my William Lear, presumed uncle of George.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military Service: 1776-1783, Virginia. ^{3 4 5}

Many service records exist for George Lear in the Revolutionary War, primarily in the 4th Virginia Regiment, which certified his service for a Bounty Grant, but also in the 3rd, 8th and 12 Virginia Regiments. Service records exist as early as Oct 1776 and appear to extend to 1783, well beyond the standard 3 years of service.

2. Will: 1834, Garrard County, Kentucky. ²

Will of George Lair, Deceased
Dated 25 Jun 1834, Proved Jul 1834, Bk G:188

"In the name of God Amen I George Lair of Garrard County and State of Kentucky being weak and infirm in Boddy but I trust of a Sound and disposing mind and memory do make constitute pulblish and order this my last will and testament

1st I will and bequeath to my daughter Anne Lair two hundred dollars in compensation for her services to me during my affliction & a certain roan mare & a muly cow a Secretary Bureau cherry & a bed & furniture the choise of all my beds & furniture & further to have an equal Share of all the remainder of my Estate with all my other children.

2nd I wish all the remainder of my estate both real and personal to be sold & the money to be equally divided between all my children The real and personal estate to be sold on a credit of twelve month & my land to be sold on a credit of one & two years

3rd I wish Mr James Cooke be executor my will & testatment this my last will & testament made & signed this 25 of June 1834"

/s/ George Lair

Witnesses:
Wm Royston
Lyton Royston
Josh__ Whorten

[A subsequent deed dated 20 May 1837 and recorded in Book M:244 between James Cooke, as Executor of the Estate of George Lear, Dec'd, together with the heirs, on the one part, and Thomas Brodeus, of the other part, identified the following heirs of George Lear: John D. Lear; Martha Lear (married to George Simpson); Ann Lear; Polly Lear (married to William Davis); Lucinda Lear (married to James M. Prather); Delpha Lear (married to Philip Prather); Phebe Lear (married to John Nichols); William G. Lear; and Sarah Lear (married to Benjamin Whorten)]

George married Rebekah GARRETT on 22 Nov 1786 in Mercer County, Kentucky.¹ (Rebekah GARRETT died before 1834 in Garrard County, Kentucky ².)