• Amanda Lewis, married Bob Barker, had 8 children
• Ella Lewis, married Walter McCormick, had 5 children
• Lulu Lewis, married William Miller, had 3 children
• Will Lewis, married Emma Harper, had 8 children
• Clyde Lewis, never married
• Bertha Lewis, married George Whobrey, had 5 children
• Chloe Lewis, married Louis Stapleton, had 15 children
• Tessie Lewis, married Oscer Richerson, had 2 children

He was married to Nellie Grace Mulvey, daughter of John Lionel and Samantha (Gram) Mulvey who was born in Stonefort, Illinois on July 11, 1884. She passed away on July 3, 1962, and is laid to rest near Riverside, CA, alongside their son Bill, and his wife, Marian (Green) Lewis.

Ellis and Nellie were married in Stonefort, Illinois on June 25, 1905 by his father, Robert Lewis. The family Bible shows that his brother, John Lewis, and her sister, Olive Mulvey stood with them as witnesses. Over the next ten years, six children were born to them, at their home in Stonefort.

1. (Alfred) J.R. born 3/6/1906, died 4/8/1908, buried Joyner cemetery
2. Lillian Bessie born 5/4/1907 died 12/31/1989 in San Diego, CA. According to her, she was named Lillian Elizabeth, but her father wrote Lillian Bessie in the family Bible. Her birth was recorded solely in the family Bible, and not recorded in the Illinois birth records where she was born.
3. Harold born 10/1/1908, died 7/12/1920, buried Joyner cemetery
4. Dorothy Olive, born 6/12/1910, died 3/6/1979, buried Bluff cemetery, Springdale, Arkansas. She changed her name to Dorothy Jane.
5. Nellie Grace, born 5/27/1912, died 11/7/1947, buried Thornberry cemetery, Gentry, Arkansas. She was known in the family as Gaye.
6. William B, born 4/30/1914, died 2/3/1992 in Riverside, CA. There will soon be a linked page with more information on William B. and his family

Ellis grew up on the farm near Stonefort, and after completing his schooling there, entered Milton College in Wisconsin. In 1902, he enlisted in the United States Army. His service record can be found In “ US Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914”. He enlisted into service on May 14, 1902 at Jefferson Barracks, MO. He received a “good” service discharge at Fort Leavenworth, with the rank of Pvt. on May 13, 1905.

Immediately following their marriage, Ellis and Nellie made their home on Howell’s farm, just across the road from the SDB Church, and opened a grocery store in Stonefort. But they yearned for the country life, and Ellis’s father had promised to give them some land for a farm, so they chose a spot which lay approximately a half mile due north of Albert’s farm. Much of the land was in timber, which meant clearing must be done for both farming and building a home. Ellis built his own house, barn, and other needed buildings. He purchased large Percheron horses for farming, raised Poland China hogs, and white Leghorn chickens. Throughout his life, Ellis supported his family through farming.

Dollie Martin and Nellie were close friends. Dollie’s mother, Eugena Martin, who was called Aunt Deany, married Rev Robert Lewis in 1910, two years after Minerva Oshel died. After Deany and Robert’s marriage, when Nellie and Ellis had their fourth baby, Dollie came to help. When the fifth baby was due, Ellis asked her to come again to help Nellie, but Dollie had reservations, because it was no easy task to look after a growing family. Dollie and Ira were planning to marry in September, but Ellis encouraged them to marry sooner and come live with them. So Robert Ira Lewis and Dollie Joanna Martin were married on June 3, 1912, by his father, Robert Lewis, at the home of Nellie and Ellis Lewis. Then Dollie became pregnant, and had morning sickness, and was not much interested in housework. So Ira and Dollie asked their parents, Deany and Robert, if they could stay with them for a while, because the house intended for them would not be available until September.

In adulthood, Ellis contracted, what was most likely, tuberculosis. He was ill for several months, suffering bouts of fever, and was confined to a tent outside the house to protect the children from contracting the infection. During this time, he read many of the classics, including the complete works of William Shakespeare, and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, committing long passages to memory. He was always an avid reader, and in this way very well-educated.

Growing up in the Seventh Day Baptist Church, Ellis became interested in the study of the Bible. Eventually, he felt a call to enter the ministry, and began to prepare himself for it. He was licensed to preach in May of 1922 and became pastor of the Stonefort Seventh Day Baptist Church, having been called by that congregation. He remained in that capacity until he was called to the Gentry, Arkansas SDB Church in 1925.

From Gentry, Ellis took missionary trips into the southern states of Texas and Louisiana, visiting families, preaching the Sabbath, and baptizing many. Pastor Beebe accompanied him on some of this denominational work.

Ellis built a beautiful stone barn on the farm at Gentry, and also a small one room stone house in the orchard there, where he used to go to write his sermons.

In 1934, Ira and Dollie moved from Stonefort, Illinois to Gentry, Arkansas, where Ira was to manage the farm, while Ellis continued his missionary work. The families of Ellis and Ira remained close throughout their lives. Several of the Lewis family, including Ira and Dollie, relocated to California in the years following WWII. In the 1950’s, Dollie and Nellie were neighbors in Riverside, California, where they participated in the SDB Church. Their sons, Philip and Bill, raised their families in Riverside, and several grandchildren continue to attend there, at this writing in 2010.

Ellis retired from the ministry in Gentry about 1942, and returned to work on the farm. In 1950, he fell off the roof of the barn and was taken to the hospital at Fayetteville, AR, where he died on June 29, 1950. He is buried in the cemetery at Gentry.

Ellis as a young man

Nellie’s wedding portrait

Ellis and Nellie c. 1940

Thanks to Ellis and Nellie’s granddaughter Dorothy Jane for helping edit this and providing photographs. Thanks to another granddaughter Anne Burns Linklater for providing additional details.

(Robert) Ira Lewis

Robert Ira Lewis was born on the family farm on Sept 24, 1879.  He attended school in Stonefort, IL and the Milton College Academy, Milton Wisconsin.  He entered the Army, and was honorably discharged Jan 5, 1909 from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  He returned to his father’s farm where he worked, and married Joanna (Dollie) Martin on June 3, 1912  Dollie’s mother was Eugenia Gibbs (Deaney) Martin, who later married Rev Robert Lewis, father of Robert Ira Lewis.

Robert Ira and Dollie began agricultural farming, raising hay and grains for livestock feeding.  They had Jersey cattle, hogs and a large flock of white leghorn chickens.  They also did truck farming and gardening.

They later moved to Gentry, Arkansas and then to Riverside, California.

Dollie and Ira in Riverside

Ira died March 15, 1953 and Dollie died May 24, 1980.  They are buried in the Evergreen cemetery in Riverside.

Ira and Dollie had seven sons:

1. Edwin Paul  b Feb 27, 1913 died date unk
2. James Ford b Oct 14, 1914 died date unk
3. Robert Samuel b Sept 16, 1916  died date unk
4. Norman b Mar 14, 1918 died date unk
5. Phillip b Dec 25, 1919 died date unk
6. Alfred b Aug 10, 1921 – d date unknown
7. son b Jan 11, 1923  – is still living,

She received an elementary school education (all that was available at that time), but like many others of her time did much to further educate herself.  She was known as a bright and personable woman, well-liked and respected in the area.

Henrietta married Dr Isaac Kelly (August 3, 1853 – April 7, 1915), a country doctor, who served the area by horseback and by buggy.  She devoted much of her time and energy to the work of her husband.

Henrietta died on April 3, 1906, and is buried in Joyner Cemetery.  Isaac is buried at Joyner cemetery beside Henrietta.

(adapted from Leland Lewis, c 1982)

His mother died when he was about twelve years old.  His father Samuel Howell Lewis, a schoolteacher, then broke up housekeeping, bringing his three sons to Southern Illinois, placed them in good homes near Stonefort.  He kept in touch with his children and gave them a common school education.

Robert came before the people in early manhood as a singing school teacher, and a little later taught common school in the rural districts, teaching winter terms over a period of thirty-four years.

He showed a dedicated preference for rural life, being a practical farmer and stock breeder.  He was converted to the cause of Christ in 1852 and entered actively into the Christian duties.  In that same year he was married to Miss Sarah Joyner (b. December 6, 1833, d. February 16, 1864). Sarah was the daughter of Joshua and Mary McDonald Joyner. They had a daughter Henrietta and son (Joshua Samuel) Howell Lewis who lived to adulthood. Another daughter Florence was born in 1860 and died in 1871. A daughter Mary and son William H died in infancy, and their markers at Joyner Cemetery do not indicate dates.

He was ordained a minister of the gospel by a General Baptist Presbytery at the Little Saline Church, in Saline County, IL, October 23, 1858, remaining with this denomination for thirteen years, serving various churches as pastor and assisting in evangelistic meetings, severing his relations with the General Baptists when a Seventh Day Baptist church was organized at Stonefort.  He took active interest in the politics of our country, both local and national, and filled various county and township offices.  It was his habit to meet the political issues without compromise.  In the presidential campaign in 1856 it was very unpopular in southern Illinois to express anti-slavery sentiment, the weight of public opinion being with the South.  At that time, although endangering his life, he in a public debate, condemned human slavery and was one of only seven men of Johnson County who cast votes for the Republican nominee, John C. Freemont.  Again in 1860 he was with the minority of only seven in his precinct who cast votes for Abraham Lincoln.

At the opening of the Civil War he volunteered for service in the Federal Army, enlisting with the 31^st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Company B; was appointed first sergeant August 10, 1861; commissioned second lieutenant February 26, 1862.  He participated in the battles of Belmont and Donelson, receiving promotion to first lieutenant September 3, 1862 for meritorious service at Fort Donelson.

Owing to factional strife in his company and failing health of his wife Sarah Joyner, he resigned and left the service of the army March 27, 1863.  His wife died February 17, 1864.  He was married to Miss Minerva Oshel, April 7, 1866, living with her until her death, February 11, 1908. Minerva was the daughter of Dorothy Farthing Oshel and Oshel. It was through her that the Farthing and Lewis families were connected. Their children were Jennie Lewis Kelley, John Henry Lewis, (Seth) Albert Lewis, Oliver Lewis and his twin Oscar who died in infancy, Cora June Lewis Green, (Robert) Ira Lewis, and Ellis Raymond Lewis.

Robert and Minerva Oshel Lewis

Minerva Oshel Lewis, 2nd wife of Robert Lewis

He was married a third time to Eugena Martin on January 31, 1909.  She was known as “Aunt Deany”

Here is a photo of Robert’s 80th birthday celebration.

The Stone Fort Seventh Day Baptist Church was organized March 5, 1871 by Elder M. B. Kelly, a pioneer Seventh Day Baptist of Southern Illinois, assisted by Elder James Bailey.  Elder Robert Lewis entered it at its formation and was at that time formally recognized by the church as an Ordained Seventh Day Baptist minister.  He lived on the farm less than two miles from the church, retaining his home in the church community from its organization until his death, making him a resident minister of the church for more than forty-seven years.  He often supplied the pulpit when the church had another pastor, and was the regularly elected pastor many terms of one year.  He maintained other preaching points near-by and assisted in the organization and pulpit supply of the churches of Bethel and Aenon.  His mental and physical forces were wonderfully preserved, permitting him to continue preaching until eighty-four years of age and to attend the meetings of the church and assist in the services for a year later.

Sources of information on Robert Lewis include:

1850 Census, Pope County, IL

1870 Census, Saline County, IL

1880 Census, Saline County, IL

Obituary, Seventh Day Baptist publication “The Sabbath Recorder” p. 603

Robert’s Illinois Death Certificate

Tombstone Photo in Joyner Cemetery, Stonefort, IL

Our family oral tradition is that Samuel Howell Lewis and his first wife Henrietta Mabrey had four sons – James, Samuel, Hardin and Ansell, and that these four sons preceded Samuel Howell Lewis to Illinois.  Based on recent DNA testing, it appears we have located a descendant of son Samuel.  The DNA match is to a man whose ancestor is a Samuel Lewis, born in 1824, and lived in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois.  Our DNA genetic markers indicate a very high probability of a common ancestor at this generation.

Following the death of Henrietta Mabrey, Samuel Howell Lewis remarried to a Jane Darnell.  They had three sons, Benjamin Darnell Lewis, Robert Lewis and William Baugh Lewis.  A daughter, Ann Lewis, died in childhood.

SAMUEL HOWELL LEWIS  (b. March 12, 1796 in Mecklenberg County, VA, d. Nov 28, 1867 Johnson Co, IL ) married Henrietta Mabrey July 4, 1818 in Warren Co, NC , later married Jane Darnell, mother of Benjamin Darnell, Robert and William Baugh.

Samuel Howell Lewis was born March 12, 1796 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.  He was the second child and the oldest son of Robert Lewis (Robert of Mecklenburg) and Anna Bugg Lewis.

Samuel’s father died when Samuel was 10.  At the age of 16 Samuel Howell left his home and his large portion of the family inheritance as oldest son, and never returned.  He set out for a new life moving southward and then westward. (same year as War of 1812)

Samuel was married at least twice.  On July 4, 1818 he married Henrietta Mabrey in Warren County, NC.  Warren County is just across the state line from Mecklenberg County, Virginia.  Oral tradition is that Samuel and Henrietta had four sons: James, Samuel, Hardin and Ansell, and that all four sons moved to Illinois before their father moved there.  It is believed that at least one went to Arkansas and one to Missouri. 

Recently, contact was made with a descendant of a Samuel Charles W. Lewis, born August 18, 1824 in Virginia to a Samuel H. Lewis and his wife Henrietta. He moved to the St Louis area. The names. location and dates align with our Samuel H and Henrietta Lewis, so it is likely that this is the second son of Samuel Howell Lewis. Unfortunately, his direct male line died out in 1905, so DNA testing is not an option to test the relationship.

Marriage Bond of Samuel and Henrietta

After Henrietta died, Samuel married Jane Darnell, mother of Ben, Robert and Will.  Family tradition has a daughter Ann Lewis born in 1830 and would have died before 1845..  Jane Darnell Lewis died, probably in Kentucky.  Following her death, Samuel moved to Illinois.  Samuel is listed in the 1840 census in Calloway County, KY and Jane died in 1844 or 1845.

Samuel moved to Pope County Illinois about 1845, bringing with him his three youngest sons, Benjamin, Robert and William.

Samuel said he grew up on the Virginia plantation of his father Robert.  Since his father had slaves, his duties were mostly of an unimportant nature.  He remembered well how the slave cabins sprang up on the land.  He did not care for the idea of slavery, and decided to run away from home at about age 16 and migrate Westward.  He never returned home.  He first entered South Carolina, and from there into Tennessee where he lived for several years.  He later moved through Kentucky before coming to Illinois.

Samuel Howell Lewis – Family Notes

Sources of information on Samuel Howell Lewis include:

Marriage Records, Warren County, NC

Census 1840 Calloway County, KY

Pioneer Lewis Families, M.C. Cook, c. 1984, p.225-6

Listing of Joyner Cemetery

Tombstone Photos

Lewis Genealogy, Leland Lester Lewis, 1982 p. 20-21

Robert of Mecklenberg (born 1764)

ROBERT LEWIS of Mecklenberg (b. 1764 Albermarle Co, VA, d. 19 Oct 1806 Mecklenberg Co., VA ) m. Ann Bugg Nov 10, 1788

Robert Lewis (Robert of Mecklenburg), born in 1764 in Albermarle County, Virginia and his wife Anna Bugg.  He was a son of Robert Lewis of Granville and (Mary) Franics Lewis.  Robert and Anna were married November 10, 1788 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.  Anna was the daughter of Capt. Anselm Bugg (Son of Sam and Sarah Bacon).  Anna had a daughter Anna by her first marriage ????? to xx .  Robert and Ann had children xyz. Elizabeth Bugg Lewis, Samuel Howell Lewis, James Merryweather Lewis, Ann Bugg Lewis and Robert Lewis .

Sources of information on Robert Lewis, (Robert of Mecklenburg), husband of Anna Bugg, include:

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Marriage Bond

Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Will Book 6, p. 16, Oct 1806 Will of Robert naming his children

Pioneer Lewis Families, M.C. Cook, c. 1984, p.225-6 has probate record of Robert with widow Ann living, April 1816

Will Book 6, page 16  “In the name of God Amen.  I, Robert Lewis, of Mecklenburg County and late of Virginia do make, constitute and affirm this to be my last will and testament.  1^st I desire that so much of my estate as will be sufficient to satisfy all my Just Debts be sold and the moneys arising from the same converted to the above purpose.  2ndly I give to my beloved wife Ann Lewis, the whole of my household and kitchen furniture also one sixth of the residue from my estate consisting of all my negroes and their increase ?? during her natural life but at her death all the said negroes and their increase to return to all my children equally, to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever except one negro girl named Amy with her increase I give to my wife Ann Lewis forever.  The other five sixths of my estate including my negroes ?? with all their increase I give to all My Children equally as above alluded to (???) Elizabeth Bugg Lewis, Samuel Howell Lewis, James Henry Merryweather Lewis, Ann Bugg Lewis, Robert Lewis, to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever.  As witness My hand and Seal this 19^th October 1806

Robert Lewis (Seal)

Witness

Samuel Bugg

Allen Moss Bilbo

At about held (?) for Mecklenburg County the 13 day of July 1807 This will was proved by the oaths of Samuel Bugg and Allen Moss Bilbo witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded, and there being no executor therein named On the motion of Ann Lewis who made oath thereto and together with  Samuel Bugg and Grief  Green her (???) entered into and acknowledged their (???) in the penalty of Twenty Thousand Dollars (?) as the law directs.  Certificate was granted her for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Robert Lewis decs’d with his said new will annexed in due form.  Signed”

Robert of Mecklenberg – Family Notes

Meriweather Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a first cousin to Robert of Mecklenberg.  Their fathers William of Locust Hill and Robert of Granville were brothers.

Sources:

“Lewis Patriarchs of Early Virginia and Maryland,” by Robert Lewis. Third Edition published in 1998 by Heritage Books, Inc. 1540E Pointer Ridge Place, Bowie, MD 20716. (1-800-398-7709). Used with permission of the author.

The Welsh Lineage of John Lewis (1592 – 1657) Emigrant to Gloucester, VA, Grace McLean Moses, McLean Virginia, c 1984, 1992, 2005

Chapter 11 – Robert Lewis of Granville (born 1738/39)

Colonel ROBERT LEWIS of Granville (b. 1738/9 in Hanover Co, VA, m. Sept 3, 1760 d. Nov 7, 1780 in Granville Co, NC) and (Mary) Francis Lewis (b. Aug 1, 1744 d. ca. 1791 ) (first cousins).  Referred to as “Col Robert Lewis” and “Colonel of the Granville militia”.  Delegate from Granville to the Constitutional Convention which met in Halifax, North Carolina on November 12, 1776.  Recognized by the D.A.R. as a revolutionary patriot.

Robert (Robert of Granville) (b. 1738/9 in Hanover Co, VA, m. Sept 3, 1760 d. )  and (Mary) Francis Lewis (b. Aug 1, 1744 d. ) (first cousins).  Robert of Granville was born 1738/9 in Hanover County, Virginia.  His first cousin (Mary) Francis Lewis (daughter of Charles Lewis and Mary Howell) was born August 1, 1744 in Goochland County, Virginia.  (Mary) Francis Lewis was a daughter of Charles Lewis (b. 10.13.1696 ) and Mary Howell.  Charles Lewis and Mary Howell Lewis occupied the Byrd (Bird) Plantation, and are said to have had 10 children.

Robert and (Mary) Francis Lewis were married September 3, 1760.  To them were born:

1. James Lewis, c. 1761, VA, married Susanna Anderson (DAR #96987)
2. William Lewis, c. 1762, VA, died by August 1792, Orange County, NC
3. Robert (Robert of Mecklenburg) Lewis, 1764, VA, married Ann Bugg Nov 10, 1788
4. Howell Lewis, c. 1765, VA
5. Frances (Fannie) Lewis, date unknown, married Dr. John Paine
6. Charles D. Lewis, b. 1773, VA, d. Dec 27, 1817 Sumner County, TN.  Married Ann (Nancy) Smith, April 15, 1793.  Children: Charles, Frances, Mary, Ann (Nancy), Martha, Jane Meriwether, Robert Henry b. May 20, 1811, Howell d. relatively young
7. Joseph (?) Lewis, c. 1775, married Elizabeth Walker (DAR #248328)
8. Jane Meriwether Lewis, b. July 31, 1776, Granville County, NC,d. July 22, 1843 in Rutherford County, TN. Married 1) Paine 2) Dr. Swepson Sims
9. Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, c1788, Granville County, NC,  Married 1) Elizabeth Sutherland, 2) Harriet W. Grimes
10. John (?) Lewis, married Rebecca Latiner Posey (DAR #42795)

Robert Lewis (Robert of Granville), husband of (Mary) Francis Lewis, served as a Delegate from Granville to the Constitutional Convention which met at Halifax, North Carolina, on November 12, 1776.  On February 3, 1778, Robert Lewis Esq. produced a Commission as “Colonel of the Granville Militia”.  In the abstract of wills and estate records, he is referred to as Colonel Robert Lewis.