Capitol District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Anna Maria Lane

Soldier of the American Revolution

Photographed By Kevin W., January 3, 2008

1. Anna Maria Lane Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Near the Bell Tower in Capitol Square stood the barracks of the Public Guard. There, from 1801 to 1807, lived John Lane and his wife, Anna Maria Lane, the only documented woman veteran of the Revolutionary War to reside in Virginia. She disguised herself and enlisted with her husband in the Connecticut Continental Line. "In the garb, and with the courage of a soldier, (she) performed extraordinary military services," and was wounded at Germantown, Pa., in 1777. She followed Lane through his subsequent service in the Virginia light dragoons, and then, after the war, to the Public Guard. Granted a pension in 1808, she died on 13 June 1810.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-47.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 13, 1810.

Location. 37° 32.337′ N, 77° 26.132′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Capitol

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

District. Marker is at the intersection of N. 9th Street and E. Franklin Street, on the right when traveling north on N. 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bell Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Mantle (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar Allen Poe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Voices from the Garden (about 300 feet away); Richmond Evacuation Fire (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Voices from the Garden (about 400 feet away); The First National Bank Building (about 400 feet away); Zero Milestone (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Regarding Anna Maria Lane. Anna Marie Lane and her husband, John Lane, were among New England troops under General Israel Putnam who linked up with Washington’s army near Philadelphia after the battle of Brandywine. At the battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777 Anna Maria received a wound that left her lame for life. Whether she cross-dressed and enlisted as a soldier or simply remained in the status of camp follower is not known. She was probably not with her husband who was wounded at Savannah, Georgia. After the war John Lane was a member of the Virginia state guard, used for protecting the state’s arsenals. John,

Photographed By Kevin W., January 3, 2008

2. Anna Maria Lane Marker

The Capitol Square Bell Tower is in the background.

Anna Maria, and their three children received daily military rations. Long after the war Anna Maria petitioned the Virginia government for a pension, stating that she was “very infirm, having been disabled by a severe wound, which she received while fighting as a common soldier … from which she never recovered.” On February 6, 1808 Anna Maria and John Lane both were awarded pensions of $40 annually each for life by the Virginia government. Anna Maria Lane died two years later.

Excerpt from the book The War for Independence and the Transformation of American Society by Harry M Ward.

Additional keywords. Women in the Military

Photographed By Kevin W., January 3, 2008

3. Anna Maria Lane Marker

View looking north on North 9th Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,116 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.