The History of Joel Lane

Joel Lane was one of five sons born to Joseph and Patience Lane. Joel was born in 1739, in Bertie County, North Carolina. There is no record of what Joel looked like. However, there is a record of his life and his accomplishments. He is often referred to as the "Father of Raleigh" because he was so active in bringing about what is now the capital of North Carolina.

Joel led a long life as a public official. His first role as a public official came in 1761, when he was made the sheriff of Halifax county. He served in this position off and on, until 1765.

On December 9, 1762, Joel married Martha Hinton, daughter of Colonel John Hinton. Together they had three sons, Henry, William, and James.

In 1768, Joel and his family moved to what is now Wake county. At the time of their move there were only seventy-six families living in Wake county, which was formed by taking land from Johnston, Cumberland, and Orange counties.

Joel Lane was elected to serve in the 1770 session of the General Assembly where he proposed legislation that would prohibit using bright lights to confuse deer when hunting them at night. He also proposed legislation that would conserve fishing habitats.

On December 17, 1770, Lane proposed that the new county which was being formed be named Wake in honor of Governor Tryon's wife, Margaret Wake Tryon. The name was accepted in a bill which was adopted on January 5, 1771.

Joel's wife, Martha Hinton, died on September 9, 1771. In 1772, Joel married Martha's younger sister, Mary Hinton. Together, Joel and Mary had nine children, Nancy, John, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, Thomas, Dorothy, Joel, and Grizelle.

The current house which stands today was built in 1773 and remodeled in 1790.

From 1772 until 1774, Joel was the Register of Deeds for Wake county. Joel also served as a representative at the 3rd Provincial Congress in Hillsborough on August 20, 1775.

During the Revolutionary War, Joel was elected to be a salt distributer. This was an important job because salt was very valuable since it was used to preserve meats.

In 1782, Joel was elected to the General Assembly. In 1789 Joel represented Wake county at the Convention in Fayetteville where he helped ratify the North Carolina Constitution and charter the University of North Carolina.

In 1792, Raleigh became a town. The land that Raleigh was built on was once owned by Joel Lane. The General Assembly convened in Raleigh for the first time in 1794. Joel Lane died on March 29, 1795.

When Joel died, he owned over 6,820 acres. Mary Hinton Lane, Joel's wife, died five days after Joel.

Joel and Mary were buried in the family cemetery. It is unknown whether Joel's grave was unmarked or destroyed. In 1973, graves which were thought to those of Joel Lane and his family were excavated and interred in the Raleigh City Cemetery.

Sources:

Cross, Jerry L. Chameleon on the Crabtree: The Story of Joel Lane, 2001.

Haywood, M.D. Joel Lane: Pioneer and Patriot, 1952.