Lewis Malone Ayer Jr. (November 21, 1821 – March 8, 1895) was a South Carolina politician who served as a Confederate Congressman during the American Civil War.^[1]

This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2024)

Quick Facts Member of the Confederate States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd district, Preceded by ...

Lewis Malone Ayer Jr.
Member of the Confederate States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd district
In office February 18, 1862 – May 10, 1865
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1821-11-21)November 21, 1821 Barnwell, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	March 8, 1895(1895-03-08) (aged 73) Anderson, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Anna Patterson
Alma mater	Harvard University University of Virginia University of South Carolina

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Ayer was born near Barnwell, South Carolina, and educated in the common schools. He attended law school and passed his bar exam. After establishing a successful practice, he served in the state legislature from 1848 until 1856. He married Anna Patterson and raised a family.

An ardent supporter of states rights, Ayer signed the ordinance of secession and represented South Carolina in the Confederate Congress from 1862 until the war's end in 1865. He died in 1895 in Anderson, South Carolina.