by Bruce Whitaker

Newton Lanning was born in Fairview, Buncombe County, N.C. on December 17, 1847. He was the youngest of 11 children born to James Lanning (1804-1885) and Polly Vaughn (1807-1877).

Newton was raised on his father’s farm on lower Cane Creek near the Taylor Ranch. At the age of 17, Lanning enlisted in the Confederate army on October 9, 1864. He was a private in N.C. Company C, 7th Calvary Regiment. Newton Lanning married Julia Ann Watkins on March 24, 1870. Julia was the daughter of William Watkins and Rebecca McIntyre. She was born on March 27, 1849.

Newton and Julia Ann Lanning had a farm on lower Cane Creek. Newton Lanning was unusual in the fact that he raised sheep. Many families in Fairview had a few sheep for making clothes but Lanning had a rather large herd. Lanning and his children would shear the sheep and wash the wool. They would then card the wool and prepare it to be converted to yarn.

Julia Ann Lanning, their mother, operated the spinning wheel that turned the wool into yarn. She then operated the loom that weaved the yarn into cloth. Julia Ann used Polk berries, black walnut hulls, black berries and other local herbs to dye the wool. She not only made the family’s clothes out of the material but also bed covers, sheets and tablecloths.

Besides being a farmer and raiser of sheep, Newton Lanning was a carpenter and cabinet maker for the Fairview community. He also made furniture at his home. This raised extra money for his family. When Newton Lanning’s children married and left home, he made furniture for each of the children as they began married life.

Julia Ann Watkins Lanning died in 1917. She was buried at Tweeds Chapel Cemetery. Newton Lanning died two years after his wife on April 27, 1919. He died of asthma and acute nephritis. He was also buried at Tweeds Chapel Cemetery.

Newton and Julia Ann Lanning’s 10 Fairview-born Children

1. William Harvey Lanning born January 2, 1871. He married Martha Young (November 5, 1876-October 3, 1950). William died March 12, 1950. He and Martha are buried at Tweeds Chapel.

2. Charles Henry Lanning was born May 31, 1872. He died February 1950. He never married.

3. Sarah Ella Lanning was born April 18, 1874. She married Benjamin Alexander Garran (1873-1943). They are both buried at Tweeds Chapel Cemetery.

4. Addie Sabrinna Lanning was born April 7, 1876. She married Aris M. Merrell (1871-1930). Addie died August 1957.

5. Ida May Lanning was born April 23, 1878. She married Emory A. West. She died in June 1952.

6. Emma Jane Lanning was born February 25, 1880. She married J. S. Haywood. She then married Bartlett Taylor Buckner (August 22, 1868- April 1, 1943). She died June 24, 1955.

7. Lena Anne Lanning was born August 11, 1882. She died November 9, 1974. She never married.

8. James Cornelius Lanning was born in 1884. He married Harriett Elizabeth Brown (1885-March 27, 1972). They are buried at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville.

9. Walter Lee Lanning was born in 1886. He married Emma Townsend Yarborough.

10. Edith Catherine Lanning was born October 28, 1889. She married Emery S. Stroup and then George Parker. She died May 31, 1966.

Local historian Bruce Whitaker documents genealogy in the Fairview area. He can be reached at 628-1089 or brucewhitaker@ bellsouth.net.