born:  1756 in Brunswick County, Virginia
lived in Anson County, North Carolina
died: 12 February 1839 in Screven County, Georgia
Military Service: Revolutionary War, Essex County, Virginia, Militia
Fought in the Battle of Long Bridge
He participated in the Crossing of the Delaware, lost his sword during the crossing and was later presented with a replacement by General Washington.  He was a personal friend of the Marquis de Lafayette.
Member of the North Carolina House of Commons
During the "Yazoo Fraud", when Georgia legislators owned stock in the company that tried to defraud the state, Lanier was the only legislator who did not own stock in the company.  The town of Lanier, Georgia, was named for him to honor his opposition to his fraudulent colleagues.
Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Inferior Court, Greene County, Georgia

Father: Sampson Lanier, Jr.
Mother:  Elizabeth Chamberlain

Spouse:  Ann Butler

Children:
1. Elizabeth Butler Lanier
2. Mary Lanier (m. Robert McCall)
3. Amey Lanier (m. James Johnston, Jr., James Kelley)
4. Thomas Butler Lanier (m. Nancy Rowland Sadler, Elizabeth //, Eugenia Guyton Williamson,            Mary Terry)
5. Sarah Lanier (m. Henry Strickland)
6. James Lanier (m. Isabella Williams, Elizabeth //)

Spouse:  Esther Butts Thorne

1. Capt. Noel Lanier (m. Sarah Ann Tullis)
2. Isaac Lewis Lanier (m. Sarah Hurst, Belinda Whitstone)
3. Elizabeth Clarissa Lanier (m. William Staten Jackson)