Individual Details

Married Mary Jane Townsent.

1850 Census: Fabius Twp, Knox Co, MO, Hh 12
James Lear, 49, Merchant, b. KY
Jancy, 44, b. KY
Martha A. 18
Eliza F. 16
Zachariah, 38, clerk, b. KY
Zachariah, 3

1860 Census. Fabius, Knox, MO, Newark P.O., Hh 1234
Za. Lair, age 47, Merchant, b. KY
Mary, 23, b. Maryland
Thos. 4, John 2, James 9 months

1880 Census. Fabius, Knox< Mo, Hh 152
Zachariah Lear, age 67, b. KY
Mary E., 45, wife, b. Penn.
James M., 20, son. Z. Ambrose, 18, son. Hattie M. 14, dau. Loma S., 9, dau. All b. MO

FindAGrave.com has a picture of the stone of
Mary E. Towsen
wife of
Zachariah Lear
Sept 1833 Mar 1905
Newark Cemetery, Knox County, MO.

Mr. Z. Lear, formerly a resident of this county, but now of Knox County, recently visited Palmyra, and on his return gave the " Edina Democrat" some reminiscences. While in Palmyra, Mr. Lear walked out to the cemetery where lie the remains of his father and mother. His mother died January7, 1865, in the 88th year of her age, and his father in 1833, 13 years after his removal to this state. His parents first settled near what is now known as Barclay's Station, in 1820, which was then a wild country, inhabited by Indians and wild beasts. They removed to this county from Bourbon County, KY, and were compelled to undergo many hardships, as is generally the case with all early settlers. There was but one horse mill north of Salt River at the time of their arrival, and they were obliged to beat their corn in a wooden motar, made for the purpose. However, they lived and prospered and thought they were getting along admirably. Mr. Lear says that at the time of his mother's death she left 15 children, 78 grandchildren, 169 great grand-chidren and 7 great great grandchildren 228 in all. "Truly a mother of Israel" Hannibal Clipper, June 1876
Picture of tombstone included with the story. Very worn and hard to read. Reads wife of TM Lear died Jan 7, 1885, in the 88th year of her age. She was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia and had born unto her 15 children, 97 grandchildren, 169 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren
Other side of the stone is TM Lear who died in 1833.

Birth	1812	Kentucky
Death	1 Jan 1886	Newark, Knox County, Missouri

Father	Thomas More Lear (1769 - 1833)
Mother	Mary "Polly" Fagan (1777 - 1865)
Sibling	William Branson Lear (1794 - 1862)
Sibling	Nancy Lear (1796 - 1874)
Sibling	Elizabeth "Betsy" Lear (1797 - 1825)
Sibling	John More Lear (1799 - 1847)
Sibling	James Lear (1801 - 1852)
Sibling	Fanny Lear (1804 - 1833)
Sibling	Susannah "Susan" Lear (1806 - 1884)
Sibling	Lavina Lear (1808 - 1877)
Sibling	Thomas T. Lear (1815 - 1880)
Sibling	Jesse M. Lear (1816 - 1865)
Sibling	Oliver Hazard Perry Lear (1818 - 1876)
Sibling	Mary Lear (1821 - 1832)