The following is a history report on the Lewis family (my Mother's maiden name). There are notes throughout indicating proof of facts stated. In some cases I have the actual documents; however, where I do not have the documents in my possession, I tried to reference where those documents are located. Only my direct lineage is shown; although, I do have some information on other Lewis branches, as well as more detailed information on my own line. I did not include this information here simply because of space constraints.
This is not about the famous Lewis lines, most notably those who fought under General George Washington, one who married his sister, or those who were connected to the Merriweather family. But I concur with Daniel R. Long, author of 'John Lewis' - The Lost Pioneer and a Lewis descendant (my Lewises), when he said, "I am very proud to have descended from such staunch, persevering people who had the courage and tenacity to endure the countless hardships and privations of their westward migration to the Louisiana Territory (Missouri) and later to California."
A special THANK YOU goes to Daniel R. Long's ancestors for providing me with the book mentioned above, from which most of my early Lewis generation is taken, and to Ginger and Angus Lewis (my cousin) for putting me on the right trail to the book. If you see a name that you would like to know more about or read something you question, please contact me. I hope you enjoy reading about the Lewis Family name and their pioneering spirit.
First Generation - John (I) Lewis
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Death Date: 1697
Death Place: Northumberland County, Virginia
Spouse: Mary Garner
Children: John (II)
William
James
Mary
Elizabeth
Second Generation - John (II) Lewis
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Birth Date: 30 Sep 1683
Birth Place: Northumberland County, Virginia
Death Date: May 1735
Death Place: Northumberland County, Virginia
Spouse: Elizabeth Christopher
Marriage Date: 1717
Marriage Place: St. Stephen's Parish, Virginia
Children: John (III)
William
John (III) Lewis - Third Generation
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Birth Date: 1714
Birth Place: Northumberland County, Virginia
Death Date: 13 Jan 1746
Death Place: Northumberland County, Virginia
Spouse: Mary Foushee
Birth Date: 19 Aug 1719
Spouse Father: Captain John Foushee
Spouse Mother: Elizabeth Dawson
Marriage Date: 1736
Marriage Place: Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia
Children: Betty
John (IV)
William
Ann
Samuel
John (IV) Lewis - Fourth Generation
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Birth Date: 1783
Birth Place: Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia
Death Date: Feb 1802
Death Place: Henderson County, Kentucky
Notes:
John IV's mother married Samuel Eskridge upon his father's death. There are no birth records for John IV; however it is speculated that he was 8 years old when his father died, as he first acquired property on December 1, 1759. At that time his stepfather, Samuel Eskridge, "delivers all the plantation formerly belonging to John Lewis (III) deceased - adjoining lands of ...... also three slaves he bought from William Hughlett's wife's (John IV's step-grandparents were William and Mary Lewis Hughlett) third of John Lewis (III) deceased estate ......" This transaction was witnessed by his uncle, William Lewis, and Lindsay Opie and recorded in court on December 3, 1759.
Spouse: Hannah Harding
Marriage: 1760
Marriage Place: Northumberland County, Kentucky
Children: John (V)
Sarah
Mottrom
Samuel Harding
John (V) Lewis - Fifth Generation
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Birth Date: 1760/1761
Birth Place: Cherry Point, Northumberland County, Virginia
Death Date: 1825
Notes:
Married to Elizabeth Harvey, circa 1783 in Virginia - then married to Frances Mathews Watters on August 6, 1818 (divorced January 1825). In the 'Centennial History of Missouri, VII, page 340, it states, "John Lewis is said to have been the first English speaking farmer to settle the Missouri bottom. He brought his wife and six children across the Mississippi from Illinois in 1795 in a wagon perched upon a specially build raft. His farm was near Bonhomme Creek. Later he operated a ferry across the Missouri, manufactured salt, and built a water-powered mill on Creve Coeur Lake. His sons all fought in the war of 1812."
Spouse: Elizabeth Harvey
Marriage Date: 1783
Marriage Place: Virginia
Children: Milton
Sarah Griffin
Lindsey
John (V-4)
Elizabeth
Martrom
Samuel
Mary (Polly)
George Harvey
Notes:
Sarah Griffin Lewis, second child of John (V) married Daniel Morgan Boone (seventh son of Daniel and Rebecca Bryan Boone) in St. Charles, Missouri. They had twelve children ... from "The Life and Times of Daniel Boone."
John (V-4) Lewis - Sixth Generation
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Birth Date: 4 Jul 1792
Birth Place: Harrison County, Kentucky
Death Date: 15 Oct 1848
Death Place: St. Louis County, Missouri
Notes:
John Lewis (V-4) was born in Kentucky and about 4 1/2 years old when his family arrived in St. Louis on January 5, 1797. He was raised on a farm but when very young, he left his father's home and operated a steam ferry on the Mississippi River at St. Louis. He stayed with his family until he was 17 years old and then joined the "Government Rangers" in 1810 and remained with them fighting Indians in the Missouri River country until the age of 21 (1814). John (V-4) was first married to Sara Jordan by whom he had two children. He second married Nancy Mann Curry (my lineage) by whom he had 14 children, five of which died in infancy.
Spouse: Nancy Mann Curry
Death Date: 1863
Death Place: St. Louis County, Missouri
Spouse Father: James Curry
Marriage Date: 1822
Children: Marion Monroe
William A.
Alexander Curry
Samuel Fletcher
John Boone
Martha (Mattie)
Phoebe Sophronia F.
Sarah (Sally)
Celissa (Lisa)
