Chapter 8 – Major John Lewis

John was the older of two sons who came to Virginia in 1653 with John the Emigrant. He was born in Abergavenny, and baptized Dec 15, 1633 (Register of St Teilo church, Moses p.25)

He obtained his first land grant in 1655, after turning 21.  When Major William Lewis died, he willed the Chemokins estate to John.  John was a Vestryman of St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent County.

St Peter's Parish exterior, 2007

St. Peter's Parish Church from Balcony

He was also a Major in the New Kent County Militia (hence his identifier of Major John).  New Kent is the county and parish where Chemokins is located.

In one court record, Major John Lewis is mentioned as a surveyor. (Sorely, p27)

He married Isabella Miller, daughter of James Miller the Elder of York County, and they had sons John and Edward.

Major John Lewis – Family notes:

Major John’s wife Isabella had a brother named James (the Younger), who died without heirs.  In his will, he left his entire estate to his sister, with reversion to her sons John and Edward.

Isabella’s gravestone is in the small cemetery where Emigrant John is also buried.  This would indicate she died before Major John, and he had her buried in his family cemetery and ordered a stone for her.  Major John’s tombstone has never been discovered, and the exact date of his death is unknown.  No probate of his will, if he had one, has been found.