John Lewis I ¹

The details here for John Lewis come from the well-documented Miles Filles in the ESVA Public Library. John was born in 1619 at London, England. Some sources show John Lewis (1619-1697), who came to Accomack Co, VA, was a son of John Lewis & Joan Powell of London, England. The MilesFiles showed this as well up thru version 16.3 (19 Aug 2016). But now it seems with all the John Lewises being born in London during this period, there is no direct proof that the John who came to Accomack Co, VA was a son of John Lewis & Joan Powell. He was baptized on 27 June 1619 at St. Martin's in-the-Fields, London, England.

In 1998 Robert J.C.K. Lewis showed that John Lewis (1619-1697) married Mary Gardner in London in 1632 and that he came to Acc Co, VA by 1636. He cites his earlier work referred to as A Brief History of the Lewis Family of Accomac Co, VA (1619-1971), Washington, DC 1972 and the research of Mark C. Lewis located at the Eastern Shore Public Library at Accomac, VA. However, both of these references show John Lewis of Accomack Co, VA has having only a wife Lucretia, who was by inference Lucretia Pott. The MilesFiles, up thru version 16.3 (19 Aug 2016), was based on Robert Lewis' work. But it now seems unlikely that this John Lewis married first at age 13 and that there was no second wife, and that Lucretia was his only wife and mother of all of his chidren.

John immigrated on 21 August 1635. After examination as to their religion by the Minister of Gravesend, England, Jo. Lewis, age 16, and 57 others were to be transported to Virginia in the THOMAS, Henry Taverner, Master. He was named as a headright on 20 June 1636 at tract N3, Northampton Co, VA. He was shown as John Lewis on a certificate for 100 acres of land granted to John Furbush.

For a number of years John Lewis (A108) was in the employ of John Neale, and after that of Colonel Edmund Scarburgh. He was a contemporary of Richard Hill of A86, across the creek, and at times each of them was an overseer of Colonel Scarburgh, who seemed to hold both in high regard and when they were ready for patents of their own, the colonel perhaps assisted the two friends to take up the lands across the creek from each other.

He married Lucretia Pott circa 1651. According to Whitelaw, John Lewis' wife was named Lucretia, but it has seemed impossible to identify her correctly; Mark C. Lewis, a descendant and the present authority on the Lewis clan, thinks by inference she may have been a Lucretia Pott, who was on the Shore at about the right time to fit that theory. In his will, he mentioned no daughters, but it is almost certain that he had at least one, who at the time may have been dead; she was Mary, first the wife of Isaac Dix (A103) and then the wife of William Groten. There were Dix children, but as they had been well provided for, Lewis may not have thought it necessary to leave them anything.

John Lewis took the oath of allegiance to hereby engage and promise to be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England as it is now established without King or House of Lords on 30 March 1651 at Northampton Co, VA. He was shown as John Lewis.

He married Lucretia Pott circa 1651. According to Whitelaw, John Lewis' wife was named Lucretia, but it has seemed impossible to identify her correctly; Mark C. Lewis, a descendant and the present authority on the Lewis clan, thinks by inference she may have been a Lucretia Pott, who was on the Shore at about the right time to fit that theory. In his will, he mentioned no daughters, but it is almost certain that he had at least one, who at the time may have been dead; she was Mary, first the wife of Isaac Dix (A103) and then the wife of William Groten. There were Dix children, but as they had been well provided for, Lewis may not have thought it necessary to leave them anything.

His age was stated on 20 August 1654 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Jno Lewis, age 35, when he states he had been a servant of Mr. John Neale about 15 or 16 years ago. Because of a debt owed by Neale to merchants of London, his cattle were taken from him and turned over to Col. Edmund Scarburgh. He had since entered the service of Col. Scarburgh as an overseer. He gave a deposition on 30 January 1654/55 at Northampton Co, VA. He was shown as John Lewis, saying that in 1652 he had been overseer of Mr. Scarburgh's servants at Occahannock.

He bought land in 1658 at tract A54, north of Harborton, Accomack Co, VA. George Freshwater sold 300 acres of this tract to John Lewis, saying he had bought it from Mrs. Ann Gardner. Nothing more was found recorded about Lewis and it probably was recovered by Charles Scarburgh as a part of the total 3,050 acres contained in this tract.

His age was stated in October 1661 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Jno Lewis, age 40. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1663. There was a Jno. Lewis with 5 tithes and a John Lewis with 5 tithes. Jno. Lewis was listed near Henry Bishop & Richard Kellam and John Lewis was listed near Richard Hill. They may have been the same person.

He patented land on 23 February 1663 at tract A108, north side Hunting Creek, Accomack Co, VA. Patent to John Lewis for 1,000 acres for transporting 20 persons extending down the north side of Hunting Creek from A107 to the bay; in future transactions it was not possible to account for the full 1,000 acres, exept by including the marsh land attached, which was not the general practice in issuing patents. The 20 persons included Tho. Ryle, Jno Rhodes, Jno Creamer, Eliz. Doughty, Tho. Smith, Jno. Willis, Jno. Browne, Edw. Ward, Robt. Yallop, Gartrad Morkey, Clemt. Onely, Wm. Clavator, Susan Berry, Edw. Steward, Peter Baxton, Paul Lambert, Ann Fourd, Jno. Spillman, James Cooke & Maurice Peane.

He was presented in court on 17 December 1663 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Jno. Lewis on a list of persons to be summoned to the next court by the sheriff. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1664. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 8 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1665. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 6 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1666. He was shown as Jno. Lewis "gone." Edw. Smith, Timo. Coe and Mr. Pitts were also shown as "gone."

He served on a jury on 16 October 1666 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as Jno. Lewis. He was also on another jury on 17 Oct 1666.

He was granted a certificate for land on 17 October 1666 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that John Lewis was granted a certificate for 500 acres of land for transporting 10 persons into the colony. He patented land in 1666 at A105, south of Parksley, Accomack Co, VA. It contained 500 acres. It may have been taken out by John Lewis of A108 for his son John, but apparently he had never seated the land, and in 1673 the patent was reissued to Arthur Frame as having been deserted by Leiws.

He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1667. He was shown as John Lewis with 4 tithes. He served on a jury on 16 January 1666/67 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as John Lewis. John was named as an appraiser of an estate on 28 May 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. Upon the petition of Laurance Robinson, the following men were appointed to appraise the estate of Alphanso Ball: Mr. Wm. Custis, Geo. Truet, Jno. Lewis and Timothy Coe. They were to meet at Robinson's house 11 June, and then be sworn before Capt. Hill.

He served on a jury on 28 May 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. Ordered that several persons be prosecuted at the next court because the following grand jurymen failed to appear and give presentments: John Lewis. He served on a jury on 15 July 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. The following grand jurymen were presented for not attending court; they alleged that it was not a willful act, but out of ignorance. They were discharged, but paid court costs: John Lewis. He was named in a summons to appear in court on 16 December 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. The grand jury presented the following persons and ordered them summoned to the next court: Thomas Riley and Sara Webb, servants to John Lewis.

He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1668. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 4 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1669. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 5 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1670. He was shown as John Lewis with 3 tithes.

On 17 Mar 1669/70 in Accomack Court, Thomas Foster, servant to John Lewis, was judged to be 16 years old. He was to serve till age 24, then to receive corn and clothes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1671. He was shown as John Lewis with 5 tithes. He was named in a deposition on 17 May 1672 at Accomack Co, VA. Deposition of Joshua Smith aged about 25 years: He lived at the house of Jno. Lewis, where Clavatah's corn was stored; he never saw nor heard that Wm. Benstone came for the corn, which Clavata claimed he sold to Benstone. Sworne before Edmund Bowman and John Michaell on 16 May 1672, by Joshua Smith.

He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1674. He was shown as John Lewis with 3 tithes on Mr. Jno. Wise's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1675. He was shown as Jno. Lewis Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Rich. Hill's List. He was named in a statement that was recorded in court records on 18 April 1676 at Accomack Co, VA. Jno. Lewis' servant named Jno. Allsop acknowledged that he agreed to serve for six years if Lewis would buy him. This was recorded at the request of Lewis. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1677. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1678. He was shown as Jno. Lewis Sr. with 4 tithes on Maj. Bowman's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1679. He was shown as Jno. Lewis Sr. with 4 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1680. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1681. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1682. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1683. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 4 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1684. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1685. He was shown as John Lewis, Sr. with 3 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1686. He was shown as John Lewis, Sr. with 4 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1687. He was shown as Jno. Lewis with 5 tithes on Capt. Hill's List. (NOTE: Since there was no separate list for John Lewis Sr. & John Lewis Jr. on Capt. Hill's List as in prior years, perhaps the two households were combined.)

John witnessed a will on 28 October 1687 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that Thomas Crippen, John Lewis & William Dennison witnessed the will of Isaac Dix, wife Mary. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1688. He was shown as John Lewis, Sr. with 4 tithes on Capt. Hill's List.

John witnessed a will on 26 March 1688 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that Nicholas Hill, John Lewis & Richard Grinnolds witnessed the will of Capt. Richard Hill of Hunting Creek. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1689. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr. with " - " tithes on Maj. Bowman

51
Will*15 August 1690He made a will on 15 August 1690 at Accomack Co, VA. In his will John Lewis Sr., of Hunting Creek, gave son John Lewis plantation on Hunting Creek for life then to his two sons, William & John Lewis. To son Robert Lewis land on Hunting Creek. To son Richard Lewis land on Hunting Creek. To 3 sons John, Robert & Richard marsh land. To wife Lucresia. Richard Drummond Ex'r. Witt: Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Nich: Hill, Richard Hill, John Drummond. He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1691. He was shown as John Lewis with 3 tithes on Mr. Robinson's List. (NOTE: Since Capt. Rich. Hill, with 5 tithes, was also on this list, evidently this was his List in prior years.) He was on the list of tithables at Accomack Co, VA, in 1692. He was shown as Jno. Lewis, Sr., with 4 tithes on Mr. Edmd Custis' List.

In his will of 23 Dec 1694 in Accomack County, Roger Ternall, wife Ann, named William Willett, Richard Hill, John Lewis & Larance Rily to guard & protect my children in their minority.

John died on 3 March 1696/97 at Accomack Co, VA. The will was recorded in 1697, but there was no order of probate. John's will was presented in Court on 6 April 1697 at Accomack Co, VA. Lucretia Lewis (widow of John Lewis, Sr.) presented Lewis' will to the court. Robert Lewis, one of the sons of John Lewis, Sr., was granted administration. Capt. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Nicholas Hill, Capt. Richard Hill and John Drumond had witnessed the will. John Drumond "being present in court did declare after the manner of the Quakers in ye presence of God that he writ the said will and saw the same sealed & delivered and published as the act & deed of the testator." Mr. Nicholas Hill had died since witnessing the will, but the court compared handwriting and proved his signature. However, since Capt. Danl. of St. Thomas Jenifer "is now out of ye country" full probate could not be made. "The said will being very much impaired & torn, the said Lucretia Lewis & Robt. Lewis prayed that the said will might be put on record."

He left land in 1697 at Accomack Co, VA. John Lewis (wife Lucresia) bequeathed his land as follows: to his son Robert, the east end next to A107; to his son John, land west of Robert; this was only a life interest to John, as after his death it was to go to his sons William and John, and in a later division between them, William received the eastern part next to his uncle Robert: and to his son Richard, the balance of the upland at the west end. The marsh land was left to the sons jointly. He was named in a deposition on 9 December 1697 at Accomack Co, VA. Deposition of Robert Lewis, Richard Lewis and Elizabeth, widow of John Lewis Jr., that they were the only living issue of John Lewis Sr. John was mentioned when a guardian was named on 5 January 1697/98 at Accomack Co, VA. The orphan Ann Ternan was allowed to choose as her guardian her brother-in-law Richard Hill, who was also given charge over her estate. At Hill's request, Edward Brotherton replaced John Lewis (deceased) as one of the men appointed to divide the estate of Roger Ternan according to the true intent of Ternan's will.

John married Lucretia Pott about 1651 in Accomack Co., VA. (Lucretia Pott was born about 1630 in England.)