Chapter 9 – Councilor John Lewis b. Nov 30, 1669 d. 1725 Warner Hall m. Elizabeth Warner 1690
Major John and Isabella’s son John (Nov 30, 1669 – Nov 14, 1725) married Elizabeth Warner in 1690. John and Elizabeth lived at Chemokins, the family farm he inherited from his father. John was a “Vestryman” at St Peter’s Parish, meaning he had both lay religious duties as well as governmental duties carried out through the church. John and Elizabeth’s children is the subject of much speculation. Elizabeth’s gravestone says she had 14 children before she died. There are only 8 children of hers that have been documented.according to the book, Adventurers of Purse and Person by Fredrick Dorman. The children that lived to adulthood were:
* Mildred Lewis 1691–1733
* John Lewis 1694–1754
* Charles Lewis Dar A069786 1696–1779
* Robert Lewis Sr. 1704–1765
* Isabella Lewis1706–1742
* Elizabeth Lewis 1708–1753
* Mary Lewis1709–1748
and “possibly” Ann Lewis 1712–
In 1701/02, when Elizabeth’s brothers died without children, Elizabeth inherited her family estate, Warner Hall, as she was the oldest daughter. John and Elizabeth packed up and moved from Chemokins in New Kent County to Warner Hall in Gloucester County.
Their third son Robert (my ancestor) was their first child born at Warner Hall. The original main home burned in the mid-1800s, but some structures there are original. Warner Hall remained in the Lewis family through 1830. Warner Hall and 600 acres remain intact, the land was never sub-divided. Today Warner Hall is a Bed and Breakfast.
In addition to inheriting Warner Hall, John filled his late father-in-law’s position as “Councilor”, one of 12 men in Colonial Virginia who served in the Governor’s Council and administered the colony. He is referred to as Councilor John to differentiate him from the many Johns who came before and after him.
Both Councilor John and Elizabeth are buried at the historic cemetery at Warner Hall. Their Lewis descendants lived here longer than any family, until the last of the family sold it in 1830.
Councilor John Lewis – Family Notes
Councilor John Lewis owned significant land, and married into one of the most prominent Virginia families when he married Elizabeth Warner. We’ll examine some of her family background, as her ancestors are also our ancestors.
Nicholas Martiau was born in France in 1591, was educated as a military engineer in England, and was naturalized as an Englishman by royal decree. In May 11, 1620 he left England on the Francis Bonaventure and arrived in Virginia that June. He was among the individuals listed in the first census of Virginia, which was taken in 1624. As his descendant, you are eligible for membership in the First Families of Virginia, a society of descendants of those people whose arrival predated that initial census.
As a military engineer, Nicholas Martiau was placed in charge of military fortifications and designed Fort Yorktown. His descendants are entitled to join two organizations. “First Families of Virginia” is one, and we are eligible because our ancestor arrived before the first census was taken. The second society is the “Grand Dames of Virginia”, a group of women whose ancestry dates to early colonial Virginia. Nicholas is the earliest emigrant ancestor of George Washington, Robert E Lee and of course us.
Nicholas Martiau married the widow Jane Berkely in 1625, and their first child was a daughter Elizabeth. He also had daughters Mary (married John Scarsbrook) and Sarah (married Captain William Fuller). Nicholas received a large track of land that is present-day Yorktown, Virginia, where he died in 1657.
Colonel George Reade was born in England on October 25, 1608 into a very prominent and well-documented English family. He immigrated to Virginia in 1637, was active in colonial politics, and became the secretary of the Virginia Colony. In 1641 he married Elizabeth Martiau, when she would have been a young girl of around 15. He was a public servant, becoming Secretary of the Virginia Colony, and was probably the acting Governor when Governor Harvey was recalled to England in 1638 and 1639. Following his retirement, he was a representative in the assembly and then was a member of the Governor’s Council for 18 years preceding his death.
Col George Reade and Elizabeth Martiau Reade had at least eight children, the oldest being their daughter Mildred, who married Col Augustine Warner, Junior.
Colonel Augustine Warner, Senior, was born November 28, 1610 and immigrated to Virginia as early as 1628 but before 1642. His coat of arms is of the Welsh family Warner. He is believed to have acquired the land where he built Warner Hall in 1635. He married a woman named Mary whose maiden name is not known. They had a son Augustine Warner Junior and a daughter Sarah.
Colonel Augustine Warner Senior’s daughter Sarah married Lawrence Townley and is the great-great-great grandmother of General Robert E. Lee.
Augustine Warner, Junior, also known as Speaker Warner, inherited Warner Hall when his father died. He was Speaker of the Assembly / Burgess, and later was elevated to one of 12 members of the Governor’s Council. He married Mildred Reade, daughter of Col George Reade and granddaughter of Nicholas Martiau. They had three sons and three daughters. Their three sons died without children, so Warner Hall transferred to their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Councilor John Lewis.
Elizabeth’s younger sister Mildred Warner married Lawrence Washington. Their son Augustine Washington was the father of George Washington
Elizabeth’s youngest sister Mary Warner married John Smith and is the 7x great-grandmother of Elizabeth, Queen of England and 8x great-grandmother of Charles, Prince of Wales.
Historic Cemetery there – Councilor John, Elizabeth, her parents buried there.
Children include: John, Charles (of the Byrd), Robert (Robert of Belvoir)
Councilor John and Elizabeth’s oldest son John II inherited Warner Hall. John II’s oldest son, Warner Lewis, inherited Warner Hall. John II’s third son, Fielding Lewis, was a great patriot in the revolution supplying many of the cannons to the General Washington’s army, married George Washington’s sister Betty and had his residence at Kenmore. The Kenmore estate is well preserved today, and is open to the public to visit.
There are many Vestry meeting notes in New Kent Parish mentioning Councilor John, and some of the meetings were held at his home Chemokens. Another prominent vestyman was Captain Nicholas Meriwether, whose daughter Jane married Councilor John’s third son Robert.
Warner Hall in 2006
Sorely Notes:
Speaker Warner married Mildred Reade. Their daughter Elizabeth was born 1672 at Chesake in Glocester County, before Speaker Warner moved to Warner Hall in 1674.
Speaker Warner died June 19, 1681 at age 39. A portrait of Speaker Warner hung in the library of William and Mary college in 1935.
Mildred Reade Warner died 1694. One son pre-deceased her. Two other sons died after her and did not have children, so Warner Hall reverted to eldest daughter Elizabeth upon death of last son.
What are the names of the rest of John Lewis and Elizabeth Warrens children?
I have seen writings on the internet with variations on other children, but do not mention any of the various names on my site because there are no church or public records of any other children. Without source documents, I am hesitant to speculate on the authenticity of any other children.
Elizabeth’s Grave Marker Reads:
Here Lyeth Interred see Body of Elizabeth Lewis
The daughter of Col Augustine Warner and Mildred, his wife
And late wife of John Lewis Esq.
She was born at Chesake the 24th of November, 1672, Aged 47 years 2 months and 12 days,
And was a Tender Mother of 14 children.
She departed this life the 5th day of February 1719-20
Although another source I have read stated that there were 3 sons and 6 daughters who lived to adulthood, so there may have been 5 other children who died young. I have only found a little documentation that provides names of 3 daughters, but not the other 3 who supposedly lived to adulthood.
Col. Charles Lewis Sr, b 1696,
Col John Lewis, b 1700,
Col Robert Lewis, b 1704,
Catherine Lewis, Elizabeth Lewis, another Elizabeth Lewis, Isabella Lewis, Mary Lewis (My ancestor) b 1709, William Lewis b 1710, Anne Lewis, and Susanna Lewis.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cbtroots/lewis.htm#id402
Hi Michael. You just supplied me with info on William Lewis who is said to be father of Jeremiah Lewis b1762 m Rachel Beacham. I saw somewhere else there was a Willoughby Lewis and so I thought maybe that was him. It seems unusual that such a prominent family’s children wouldn’t be documented. Perhaps records were destroyed in a fire?
I couldn’t see your link to more info. Would you mind sending that to me?
Thanks, Cousin!
Cindi Kalin Johnson
Cindi,
My name is John Rushing. I am a “Johnson” on both paternal and maternal sides of my family. But, Johnson connected to John Lewis, ancestor, through my father’s side back to a gg grandmother in the mid 1800 in middle Tennessee. Does that connection exist with your “Johnson” side?
I am seeking confirmation on whether Councillor John and Elizabeth Warner Lewis had a daughter Elizabeth Letitia, born 1687, died 1756, who married a man named John Martin. If anyone can confirm this, I would be greatly appreciative. Elizabeth Letitia and her husband John Martin (1683-1756) might be my maternal 7th great grandparents if this is the case. Their daughter Mary (1709-1796) married Jeremiah White (1695-1776). I would love to know whether this Elizabeth Letitia Lewis is indeed the daughter of Councillor John and Elizabeth Warner Lewis. Thank you.
Sally,
Unfortunately, I have no record of a daughter Elizabeth Leticia.
Good luck in your search.
Mark
Letitia Elizabeth Lewis
1687–1716
BIRTH 1687 • King William County, Virginia, United States
DEATH 1716 • Albemarle, Virginia, United States
was my 6th great grandmother she was the daughter of
john Lewis
BIRTH 1635
DEATH 1710 • Middlesex, Virginia, United States
and
Isabella Miller
BIRTH 24 AUG 1640 • New Kent Co, VA, USA
DEATH 09 FEB 1703 • Warner Hall, Gloucester, Virginia, USA
Letica married
John Martin
1685–1756
BIRTH 1685 • King William, King William, Virginia, United States
DEATH 25 MAR 1756 • Caroline, King William, Virginia, United States,
My data also suggests:
Letitia Elizabeth Lewis
1687–1716 . . . or 1756 ???
BIRTH 1687 • King William County, Virginia, United States
DEATH 1716 • Albemarle, Virginia, United States – 0r
bef 25 Mar 1756 King William County, Virginia
was my 7th great grandmother. She was the daughter of
Major John Lewis II, Emigrant & Isabella Yard Miller
She married Colonel John Abram Martin, Sr., son of James Abraham Martin & Rebecca Bell.
I am a descendant of their son, Capt. Abraham “Abram” Martin (7 Feb 1715 – 6 Sep 1771) who married Elizabeth Markham Marshall (DAR Patriot) who had 8 sons, 7 of whom served in the
Revolution, and one daughter – Letitia Mellie Martin (note the name Letitia). I descend through their daughter.
See also:
http://www.ahgp.org/women/elizabeth_marshall_martin_1725_1770.html
http://colonialancestors.com/revolutionary/women.htm
Find A Grave Memorial # 88681072
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88681072/elizabeth-martin
Can you tell me where you found the documentation for this family? I descend from Letitia Elizabeth Lewis (7th GGmother) and I am having difficulty finding appropriate documentation for her. Many people try to attribute her, as a child, to Councilor John Lewis (1669-1725) & Elizabeth Warner (1672-1719/20). But I find that difficult to accept as Elizabeth Warner would have been only 15 at that time.
I also have John Lewis II, Emigrant (abt 1653) B. 15 Dec 1633 Brecknock, Monmouthshire, Wales (well documented) – d. 21 Aug 1689.
Also need info on Elizabeth Letitia, born 1687, died 1756, who married a man named John Martin. I am descended from her.
Letecia Lewis was not the daughter of John and Elizabeth, she was born before they were married,
THE documented CHILDREN OF ELIZABETH WARNER AND JOHN LEWIS (my 7th great grandparents WERE AS FOLLOWS:
John Lewis IV
1694–1754
m. Frances Fielding
1701–1731
BIRTH 1701 • King and Queen, Virginia, United States
DEATH 27 OCT 1731 • Warner Hall, Gloucester Co, Virginia, USA
Charles Lewis Col. of the Byrd dar A069786
1696–1779 . Mary Howell b, 1700 (my ancestors)
Robert Lewis Sr.
1704–1765
m. Jane Meriweather
1708–1757
BIRTH 1708(05)(02) • Clover Fields, New Kent, Virginia
DEATH 1 SEPTEMBER 1757 • Warner Hall, Gloucester, Virginia, United States (Belvoir, Albemarle County, Virginia)
Isabella Lewis
1706–1742
m. thomas clayton
1701–1739
BIRTH 1701 • Fulham, Greater London, England
DEATH 17 OCTOBER 1739 • Gloucester County, Virginia, USA
elizabeth lewis
1708–1753
m. as 1st wife John Kennon Bolling Jr
1700–1757
BIRTH 20 JAN 1700 • Cobbs, Chesterfield, Virginia, USA
DEATH 6 SEP 1757 • Petersburg, Chesterfield, Virginia, United States
Mary lewis
1709–1748
married as his 2nd wife Robert Throckmorton
1692–1770
BIRTH 1692 • VA
DEATH 20 AUG 1770 • Ware, Gloucester, Virginia, United State
Can you provide me with the documented proof of children of John & Elizabeth Lewis. Specifically Mary Lewis (1709 – 1748) that married Robert Throckmorton. Trying to confirm them as my wife’s ancestors,6th GGP.
I have an eldest son: John of Warner Hall, b. 1702 – d 1754 . . . this was the eldest son and he inherited Warner Hall.
Colonel John ‘Councilor’ Lewis is my 9th great grandfather. My mother Mary, daughter of Arthur Foor, son of Eva Foor, daughter of Luella Ingram, daughter of William Henry Harrison Rush, son of David Rush, son of Jeremiah Rush, son of Michael Rush Sr., son of Private Peter Rush Sr., son of Elizabeth Rush was daughter of Colonel John Councilor Lewis.
Wrong again.
https://www.geni.com/people/Colonel-John-Councillor-Lewis/6000000000862321787?through=6000000000185860912
In my family, I keep running across a Hopkins Howell who married a Mary Lewis. Their daughter married a Horne. Any info on that?
I am needing confirmation of David Lewis 1694 – 1754, son of Col. John Lewis 1669 – 1725 and Elizabeth Warner 1672 – 1720. I have conflicting information and really need documented sources to finally confirm or deny this family relation. Thank you!
Wrong again. They did not have a son aged david
Wendy, If possible, would you be so kind as to verify the following: Col.John Lewis (1669–17250 m. the heir to Warner Hall in Gloucester, Elizabeth Warner (1672–1720)? I am trying to trace an Elizabeth Rose Lewis (1696–1762) whom I believe was the first wife of my 4th ggrandfather James Mathew Seay Sr (1697–1757) King William County. I have see James’ wife named Elizabeth Rose Warner. There is such a conglomeration of Lewises and Warners.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sally Seay Smith
My genealogy keeps pointing me to Ann Lewis, who married Richard Robert Lowry/Lowrie. But until I can prove it on paper instead of by blood no one will accept it. I have several Lowery/Lowry cousins who also have Ann, daughter of John and Elizabeth of Warner Hall, as a dna ancestor. We need a family bible or something…