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Private Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear in the War of 1812
Private Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear in the War of 1812
Like his father, Lemuel Spear who fought in the War of Revolution, Lemuel "Samuel" fought in the War of 1812. Lemuel "Samuel" would have been around 35 when he first signed up for the war.
"Samuel" fought in the same regiment as his brother, Jacob Spear under the 39th regiment of the New York militia (Ontario County), under Lieutenant Colonel, Gilbert Howell. Samuel would have been active in the war, as Howell's regiment was an infantry unit that played a vital role in defending the Niagara Frontier.
Samuel is also listed in the 'Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812' and on his index card as a Private.
In the 'Military history of Wayne County, N.Y.: Military register. Wayne County in the Civil War, 1861-1865,' Lemuel Spear is listed as a private alongside his brother, Jacob. In the document both Spear brothers are listed being led by Captain Harvey's Company, listed in the 39th infantry.
There are a recorded 43 soldiers from Palmyra/Macedon who fought in the War of 1812 but the number is probably greater.
Lemuel Spear's War Index War
Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear's Personal Life
Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear's Personal Life
Lemuel Spear of (1777-1836) was often called "Samuel" or "Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear," his father was Lemuel Spear (1747-1809), and his mother, Ruth 'Hayward' Spear (1752-1832). Samuel was born January 29th, 1777 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts and was the oldest of his parents known eight children.
Upon moving to Macedon, where 'Samuel' is listed as an early settler in some records, he married Sarah 'Rogers' Spear and would later have a recorded five children with her (Children are listed below)
In the 'Wayne Sentinel, August 14th, 1835,' issue, Lemuel 'Samuel' is recorded to have been selling a three year old heafer he raised himself that could supply about four quarts of milk a day. (The newspaper clipping is in poor quality and not much more can be read.)
'Wayne Sentinel, August 14th, 1835'
The Pomeroy Sign in front of the property of where Lemuel Spear Sr. and his family first lived in Macedon
Lemuel in Local Politics
Lemuel in Local Politics
In the document, Landmarks of Wayne County, New York, Lemuel Spear is also listed as one of the first grand jurors empaneled in the county during the original split between Ontario County and Wayne on Tuesday, May 4th, 1823. In the document, Town of Palmyra 1817 Minutes, Lemuel is recorded to have been voted to serve as Collector the year ensuing as well as being voted a Constable for the year ensuing.
Lemuel Spear is recorded in a 1817 Town Highway Tax Record, to have worked on the highway. As the document explains, "New York law established a system for maintaining roads which required that each township be divided into road districts and that all men in each district were required to work on the roads."
Further down the document explains, " ....every male living in his district who was twenty-one years or older (a free man) or property owner (a freeholder). Each man devoted at least one day a year to keeping the roads in repair in the district in which he lived. This included clearing brush, stones, and fallen trees; repairing bridges; filling holes; and in the winter clearing paths through the snow."
The land where Lemuel Spear Sr. and his wife and children including Lemuel 'Samuel' was owned by genrations of Spear family for over a century before the land was sold out of the family. A historical marker sign stands to mark the land on which the Spear's log cabin once stood.
Lemuel 'Samuel's' Death
Lemuel 'Samuel's' Death
On Thursday morning of March 25th, 1836, Lemuel "Samuel" died by suicide in the action hanging. He was 59 years old.
It is recorded in 'Harold of Truth' Newspaper from Geneva, N.Y. Issue: April 26th, 1836 that Lemuel had been around a similar tragic event four years prior at a "...protracted meeting [religious revival]..." that effected him with states of "mental derangement." Family would sometimes watch him due to his macabre thoughts. Prior to his death, Lemuel had been in a better place mentally, the news of his death was shocking to his wife and several children he left.
It is recorded that overall, "He [Lemuel] was never, during his life, suspected of being in the least insane..." "...[he] always bore the character of being possessed of strong mind and most excellent judgement."
Inscriptions from tombstones and Bible record list of names in Charles H Johnson Farm Cemetery
'Samuel' would have a similar headstone as Levi Wood
Lemuel 'Samuel's' Headstone?
Lemuel 'Samuel's' Headstone?
'Samuel' does not have a headstone upright in the cemetery, and it has not been found yet during the Old Baptist Cemetery restoration project; nor are there any photos of his headstone. Written on one of the Old Baptist Cemetery lists, Lemuel 'Samuel' Spear's headstone is recorded to have been inscribed, "died March 25, 1836, aged 59 years." There are no headstone pieces found that match his recorded inscription. His burial location is also not known.
Military Headstone for 'Samuel'?
Military Headstone for 'Samuel'?
Due to the knowledge that Lemuel "Samuel" Spear fought in the War of 1812, there are proper records of his service and that he is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery, 'Samuel' is eligible for a military headstone paid for by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. The military headstone would be similar to the military headstone his father has, but a more recent model, such as the military headstone of Levi Wood.
Sarah (Rogers) Spear
Sarah (Rogers) Spear
Sarah (Rogers) Spear was born June 13th, 1783. At the age of 67, she died October 11th 1850 having been a wife and mother of at least five children.
Her headstone is currently broken, with most of it missing and the inscription faded, but what can be read is, "Sarah, wife of Lemuel Spear..." There are plans to restore and erect her headstone in the coming years.
Children of 'Samuel' & Sarah Spear
Children of 'Samuel' & Sarah Spear
Lemuel 'Samuel' and Sarah have a recorded five children. Children are listed in order of birth: Erastus, Mary, Lorenzo, Stephen and Myron.
(Erastus Roger Spear would later go on to be a minister and serve in the Civil War and Stephen P. Spear would fight in the Black Hawk War.)
The following Wood children have findagrave.com accounts (Updated as of 8/11/25)
Rev. Erastus Roger Spear is buried at Geneva Cemetery. Photo added to findagrave.com by M. Jensen Seggerman
Rev. Erastus Roger Spear is buried at Geneva Cemetery. Photo added to findagrave.com by M. Jensen Seggerman
Stephen P. Spear is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery. Photo added by Angela Stutzman. (Edited by Erika Newcombe)
Sources for this page (Sources are not listed in order of usage)
"The Descendants of George Spear who Settled at Braintree, Massachusetts, 1642-1988"'
Inscriptions from tombstones and Bible record list of names in Charles H Johnson Farm
War of 1812 Service Record Index, 1812-1815 New York Spear Lemuel
'Harold of Truth' Newspaper from Geneva, N.Y. Issue: April 26th, 1836
'Wayne Sentinel, August 14th, 1835'
Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : Military register. Wayne County in the Civil War, 1861-1865
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