Descendants of Lewis ap David of Cardiganshire, Wales

Generation #6

Walden (5John, 4William, 3James, 2James, 1James) Lewis of Jasper Co MS K2VX-45K

There is a yDNA connection between my ancestor, Walden Lewis b. c. 1774 Spotsylvania Co VA and twelve other families. yDNA confirms an exact match (67/67) to some tests. And, there are close (66/67) matches and almost close (65/67) matches. All of theses matches deserve research to determine how the different families are related. [Research]

These test results can be found at the Lewis Surname DNA Project. Additionally, a detailed discussion of the significance of these test results and a comparison of the results for the five Lewis families of northern Virginia can be found at DNA Results.

Walden Lewis of Virginia was born about 1774, probably in Fredericksburg VA. Evidence of Walden's place of birth as Virginia is found with daughter Mary Parker in the 1880 Jasper Co MS Census and in the biography of great-grandson Milton Alexander Lewis (s/o Alexander Lewis s/o Willis Lewis s/o Walden Lewis). Milton Alexander Lewis served in the Mississippi Legislature in 1908, representing Jasper County. The Mississippi Legislative biographical record states, "His paternal ancestors came from Virginia to Georgia in the early part of the last century; his great-grandfather, Walden Lewis, fought in the Indian Wars." Proof is found in an 1809 Georgia State Record which shows Walden Lewis, Gentleman, was appointed as Lieutenant in the Georgia Militia and an 1814 record for a Lieutenant Lewis of the Company of Spies.

Note the plural "ancestors." This would indicate that at least two generations made the arduous trek to Georgia. As first son Willis was born in Georgia, this means that Walden and his father were the trekkers. And, that is what my research indicates.

Family history states that the Lewis Family scattered after the death of their father in 1797. And, family history states that four Lewis boys migrated to Mississippi. Two, Walden and possibly another brother, settled in the vicinity of Wayne County; Taverner and an unknown brother, settled further west.

The first record for Walden is found in the Cherokee Pass Book from Ft. Southwest Point (now Kingston), Tennessee, where he was issued a pass in July of 1802 to assist Hugh Beaty in driving cattle out of the Cherokee Nation and back up to Kingston. Historical records for Roane Co TN state that Hugh Beaty owned and operated a cotton gin and store in Kingston. Evidently, Walden was Hugh's employee. But, how and why did Walden wind up in Tennessee? The simplistic answer would be to state that, by 1802, all Walden had to do was walk down the Great Wagon Road to the Valley Road and then descend the Wilderness Road to Ft. Southwest Point. But, that doesn't answer the question, "Why?"

Having married before migrating to Georgia, Walden and his wife Mary Lewis and four others migrated in October 1802 through the Cherokee Nation to Jackson Co GA en route to Greene Co GA. This was not an easy feat; as the old Unicoi Trail wound down the Tennessee near what is now Chattanooga then up the Hiwassee River through far western North Carolina then down through the Unicoi Gap in the mountains of north Georgia before it descended to a route to the Savannah River. Only a few years later, the army would push through the easily accessible Georgia Road. But when Walden crossed the Great Smoky Mountains from Tennessee to Georgia, it took a sturdy man and an even sturdier women to survive the arduous journey. No matter what it took, Walden and his younger brother, Taverner Lewis, were part of a significant migration pattern which came to be known as "Gone to Georgia."

Geographically, Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi. During the Colonial Period, Georgia also had the smallest population, creating an opportunity for free land. Beginning in 1805, Georgia established a Land Lottery system where residents were allowed to draw lots for free land in the newly opened Indian lands. Heads of households drew one lot for each family member over age 18. And, the Land Lotteries drew immigrants to Georgia, especially from the Carolinas and Virginia. 

Walden participated in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery from Greene Co GA, drawing two blanks. Note, to qualify for two draws, Walden had to be married and a resident of Georgia for at least one year. Although failing to qualify for lands in the lottery, Walden and his brother Taverner are found side-by-side in 1809 in Morgan Co GA, living among others who did win the lottery. Did Walden and Taverner move to Georgia to live with their uncle, Alexander Walden, in what would become Morgan Co GA?

Morgan County was split from Baldwin in 1807 and was in fact the western frontier with the Creek Nation. As an extension of the War of 1812, Great Britain fomented unrest among the Creek Indians in the western territories north of British Florida. The subsequent battles between the Creeks and the Americans became known as the Red Stick War where factions of Creek Indians eradicated whites who intruded on Creek lands in what is now Mississippi and Alabama and raided settlements in western Georgia.

There is an 1809 Georgia State Militia record which shows that "Walden Lewis, Gentleman, [was commissioned] a Lieutenant in the 286th Dist. Company of the Militia of this state." A map for Morgan Co GA shows that the 286th District is located north of Godfrey and south of Madison.

Family history states that Walden's first wife died prior to the family migration to Mississippi. There is one published document which shows Walden Lewis of Greene Co GA married Mary Foster in 1811 in Putnam Co GA. Mary "Polly" Moseley Foster was born 1787 in Greene Co GA.

Walden is next found in the 1812, 1813 & 1814 Tax List for Greene Co MS. However, there are no land records. Son Alexander states that he was born in Georgia in 1816. Reasonable conjecture leads to the belief that Walden scouted the new lands in Mississippi before moving his wife and children sometime around 1816.

From the reminiscences of Thomas Woodward of Alabama, we learn that during 1813 white women in western Georgia were taken hostage by the Creeks, among whom was the wife of Benjamin Moseley. On 11/6/1813 Creek Indians massacred settlers in northwest Morgan Co GA. Did the massacre prompt Walden to enlist in the war?

November 6, 1813 there was an attack by Creek Indians on the frontier of Morgan County which cost the lives of several white settlers. Creeks attacked settlers in the western portion of the county, in what is now Hard Labor Creek State Park, northwest of the town of Rutledge. Some ten or eleven people were killed in the attack, which may have been made in conjunction with the Creek alliance with the British in the War of 1812.

    "Morgan County," The New Georgia Encyclopedia, 16 December 2003 <http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp> 16 October 2004.

There is a report to the Governor of Georgia describing the activity of Lt. Lewis in 1814:

Creek Agency
15th. June 1814

Peter Earley
Governor of Georgia

From the peculiarity of the civil war among us, I find it difficult to procure correct and early information from the Red Clubs, and connexion (sic) between them, the Spaniards and British. The enclosed which I deem sufficiently important to send by express is believed here to be substantially true. Lt. Lewis commanding a company of our spies and guides informs Mr. [Christian] Limbaugh, Mr. [Peter] McQueen and Mr. [Josiah] Francis had delivered themselves as prisoners to Colo. Milton. Several hundred of the deluded followers of the prophets have surrendered themselves at our military posts, and are fed by order of Government. The Supplies will be charged to their account, and become matter of arrangement whenever a treaty shall be held.

accept assurances of the respectful regard of your obt Ser Benjamin Hawkins

    Benjamin Hawkins, Personal Correspondence, 15 June 1814 <http://chiron.gsu.edu/cgi-bin/homepage.cgi> 16 October 2004.

Another clue to Walden's service in the Indian War is the naming of descendants in successive generations after General Thomas Pinckney, the overall commander of  American forces in the South. After General Jackson's victories in Georgia and Alabama and with cessation of hostilities, most of western Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi was opened for settlement.

The Walden Lewis Family migrated down the Three-Chopped Way to Greene County, Mississippi, by 1816 and was enumerated in the 1820 Census where Walden's wife is recorded as being over 45 years old. The family moved to Winchester, Wayne County, Mississippi, before 1830 and was enumerated in the 1830 Census. With the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit in 1833, Choctaw Territory was opened for settlement. And in 1834, Walden moved to what would become Jasper County, Mississippi. Walden is last enumerated in the 1840 Census for Jasper County.

Walden's health deteriorated after 1840. Unable to speak, Walden reportedly died in about 1843 in Jasper Co MS. After Walden's death, Mary "Polly" is found living in the family home with her son, Simeon Thomas, and family. Mary "Polly" died in 1861; as her date of death was found in a family Bible.

"Hugh Beaty having obtained licence (sic) to trade in the Cherokee Nation & his object being to purchase Cattle he is hereby permitted to take Walden Lewis & George Burns to assist him in driving his stock . . .5th July 1802."
    Janelle Swearingen, "Settlers and Intruders on Cherokee Indian Lands 1801-1816," 1989 <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~janelle/Intruders.htm> 16 October 2004.
Roane Co., TN County Court Minutes, Minute Book A (1801-1805):
"We, the Grand Jury, present Richard Oliver and Walden Lewis for committing an assault and battery on each other."
"Henry Kerr & his wife, Walden Lewis & his wife, John Jones & John Lee have permission to pass thro that part of the Cherokee Nation between this place & Jackson County in the state of Georgia . . . 9 Octo 1802 N.B. The above persons have with them 4 horses."
    Janelle Swearingen, "Settlers and Intruders on Cherokee Indian Lands 1801-1816," 1989 <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~janelle/Intruders.htm> 16 October 2004.
1805 Georgia Land Lottery Persons Entitled to Draws:
John Lewis Senr. (2)
Tavner Lewis (2)
Walden Lewis (2)
Note: A letter dated 2/21/1969 from the Secretary of State of Georgia states that Walden Lewis of Greene Co GA received 2 draws, both blank.
Milledgeville GA [Capital for the State of Georgia]:
Ordered that the Sec'y of State prepare a commission for Walden Lewis, Gentleman, a Lieutenant in the 286th Dist. Company of the Militia of this state.
Consideration $100 paid by Walden Lewis of county and state aforesaid. . .sell unto said Walden Lewis one bay mare, ten head of cattle, and ten hogs. . .Tavner Lewis 20th March 1809.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334
Georgia Archives (1809-1922)for Jasper Co GA
UNIT    CONTENTS                                                 LOCATION
80-141A Davis, Thomas (defendant) vs. Walden Lewis (plaintiff)   4285-10
Males Born After

#

Lewis Females Born After # Lewis
21+   1 Walden 21+   2 Mary "Polly"
Mother?
21- 1795 3 Willis
John Anderson
Alexander
21- 1795 3 Unknown
Cyrethia
Louisa
Males Born After

#

Lewis Females Born After # Lewis
45+   1 Walden 45+   1 Mary "Polly"
25-44 1775 0   25-44 1775 0  
18-25 1795 3 Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
16-25 1795 1 Unknown
16-18 1802 1 Willis
10-15 1805 1 John Anderson 10-15 1805 0  
to 10 1810 2 Alexander
Simeon Thomas
to 10 1810 2 Cyrethia
Louisa
Males Born After

#

Lewis Females Born After # Lewis
100+   0   100+   0  
to 100 1730 0   to 100 1730 0  
to 90 1740 0   to 90 1740 0  
to 80 1750 0   to 80 1750 0  
to 70 1760 0   to 70 1760 0  
to 60 1770 1 Walden to 60 1770 0  
to 50 1780 0   to 50 1780 1 Mary "Polly"
to 40 1790 0   to 40 1790 0  
to 30 1800 1 John Anderson to 30 1800 0  
to 20 1810 0   to 20 1810 1 Louisa
to 15 1815 0   to 15 1815 0  
to 10 1820 2 Alexander
Simeon Thomas
to 10 1820 0  
to 5 1825 1 Zachariah to 5 1825 2 Mary "Polly"
Cynthia Matilda
Males Born After

#

Lewis Females Born After # Lewis
100+ 0 100+ 0
to 100 1740 0 to 100 1740 0
to 90 1750 0 to 90 1750 0
to 80 1760 0 to 80 1760 0
to 70 1770 1 Walden to 70 1770 0
to 60 1780 0 to 60 1780 1 Mary "Polly"
to 50 1790 0 to 50 1790 0
to 40 1800 0 to 40 1800 0
to 30 1810 0 to 30 1810 1 Unknown
to 20 1820 3 Unknown
Simeon Thomas
Zachariah
to 20 1820 0
to 15 1825 0 to 15 1825 2 Mary "Polly"
Cynthia Matilda
to 10 1830 0 to 10 1830 0
to 5 1835 0 to 5 1835 0

Walden Lewis Probate

"The Eastern Clarion, Paulding, Jasper County, Mississippi, S.R. Adams, Editor, Jan 20, 1855, Vol. XVIII, No. 19, page 3, column 7, Item 3.

JASPER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI:

To - Polly Lewis, widow of Walden Lewis, Sr. deceased; Willis Lewis, John Lewis; Alexander Lewis; Simeon Lewis; Zachariah Lewis; Louisa Parker and William Parker her husband; Polly Parker and Addison Parker her husband; Ipsabeth Davis [dau. of Cyrethia, dec.] and Larkin Davis her husband; Polly Davis [dau. of Cyrethia, dec.] and Alexander Davis her husband and John J. Williams, guardian ad litem of Willis, Matilda Jane, Carey, Barbara and John Williams, minor heirs of Cyrethia Williams, deceased, formerly Lewis and all other persons interested in the lands, tenements and hereditaments of Walden Lewis, Sr. -

You are cited to be and appear before the Hon. Probate Court of Jasper County at the courthouse thereof on the 3rd Monday of March next then and there to answer the petition of Matilda Parker and Jacob B. Parker her husband, heirs and distributees of Walden Lewis, Sr. deceased, for the sale of certain lands, tenements and hereditaments of said deceased, described in said petition as follows, to wit: Southeast quarter of NW-1/4; NE-1/4 of SW-1/4 and NW-1/4 of SE- /14, sect. 8, Township 3, Range 13E sit and lying in Jasper Co., Miss. "subject to the widower's dower," and be show cause if any they can why the same should not be sold and further to do and suffer such other things as shall be considered and ordered by the Court aforesaid in the premises.

Witness the Hon. Geo. W. Ryan, Judge of the Probate Court of said county 3rd Monday of Jan. 1855. Given under my hand and seal of office and issued 17th day of January 1855."

    Children with Mary Lewis

Research Note: The sons of Walden Lewis were enumerated in order of birth in the 1855 Jasper Co MS probate order. And, three Lewis girls married three Parker boys.

    1. Willis Lewis (Ancestor of Bobbie Ned Lewis)

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST              AGE Sex Occup. BIRTH
=========================================================
28  29  Lewis Willis             40  M   Farmer  Georgia
              Sarah              28  F           Miss 
              John H.            22  M   Laborer Miss
              Alexander          18  M           Miss
              Milly              13  F           Miss
              Demarius            5  F           Miss
              Mary Elizabeth      3  F           Miss 
              Willis N.B.G.W.J.P  2  M           Miss
1860 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST        AGE Sex Occup. BIRTH
================================================
407 411 Lewis Willis, Sr.  60  M   Farmer  Miss
              Sarah        35  F           Miss 
              John H.      33  M   Farmer  Miss
              Alexander    28  M   Student Miss
              Delilah      17  F           Miss
              Mary         15  F           Miss 
              Willis, Jr.  14  M           Miss
              Benj.        10  M           Miss
              Boyd          8  M           Miss
              Thomas        6  M           Miss
              Quitman       4  M           Miss
1870 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST        AGE Sex Occup. BIRTH
=================================================
        Lewis Sarah        44  F          MS
              Willis       21  M          MS
              Bolivar      19  M          MS
              Benjamin     17  M          MS
              Ranover      15  M          MS
              Anthony      13  M          MS
              Milton        9  M          MS
              Simeon        6  M          MS     

    2. John Anderson Lewis, Sr. (Ancestor of Deon Thornton/Anita Cantrell/Barbara Lewis)

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
FN  LAST  FIRST            AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
==========================================================
26  27  Lewis John Sr.     46  M   Farmer  Georgia
              Mary         45  F           South Carolina
              Jacob W.     19  F   Laborer Miss 
              Willis       15  M           Miss 
              Lydia Ann    13  F           Miss 
              Henry H.     10  M           Miss
              Simeon        8  M           Miss
Clarke Co MS Deed Book J, p 121:
5/13/1867 Deed of Trust from John A. Lewis to Overstreet.
Clarke Co MS Deed Book K, p 142:
12/11/1869 Deed of Trust from John A. Lewis..
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 Walden LEWIS   Self   M   Male   W   58   MS   Farming   GA   SC 
 Melinda LEWIS   Wife   M   Female   W   57   MS   House Keeping   GA   SC 
 J. A. LEWIS   Father   W   Male   W   80   GA      ---   --- 
 Wallace F. LEWIS   Son   S   Male   W   15   MS   Field Hand   MS   MS 
 L. A. THOMAS   Niece   S   Female   W   16   MS   At Home   MS   MS 

    3. Cyrethia Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST            AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
=============================================================
 1   1  Williams John          50  M   Farmer  Virginia
                 Phidena       42  F           New Hampshire
                 Willis H.     16  M   Laborer Mississippi
                 Matilda Jane  14  F           Mississippi
                 Cary E.       13  F           Mississippi
                 Barbara W.    10  F           Mississippi

    Children with Mary "Polly" Moseley

    4. Louisa Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST   FIRST             AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
=========================================================
47  50  Parker William           42  M   Farmer  Georgia
               Louisa            37  F           Georgia
               Lucretia          14  F           Miss
               Elizabeth         12  F           Miss
               William           10  M           Miss
               Jacob              8  M           Miss
               Benjamin Franklin  3  M           Miss
               Polly              1  F           Miss
1860 Federal Census: Trinity County, Texas
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST         AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
======================================================
282 282  Parker William       53  M   Farmer  Georgia
                Louisa        45  F           Miss
                Lucretia      24  F           Miss
                Elizabeth     22  F           Miss
                William       19  M           Miss
                Jacob         18  M           Miss
                Benjamin      14  M           Miss
                Polly         11  F           Miss
                Ellen          9  F           Miss
                John B.        7  M           Miss
                Amanda A.      2  F           Texas
1870 Federal Census: Trinity County, Texas
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST         AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
======================================================
282 282  Parker William       63  M   Farmer  Georgia
                Louisa        57  F           Miss
                Benjamin      22  M           Miss
                Ellen         16  F           Miss
                John          14  M           Miss
                Amanda        11  F           Texas

    5. Alexander Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST        AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
===================================================
27  28  Lewis Alexander    34  M           Georgia
              Harriet      30  F           Alabama
              Walden       14  M           Miss
              Simeon       11  M           Miss
              Willis        9  M           Miss
              Sarah         7  F           Miss
              Alexander     5  M           Miss
              John          4  M           Miss
1870 Federal Census: Robertson County, Texas
HN  FN  LAST  FIRST        AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
===================================================
321 392 Lewis Alax         54  M           Georgia
              Harriet      48  F           Ala
              Baldwin      29  M           Miss
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 H. A. JACKSON   Self   M   Male   W   27   TX   Farmer   ---   --- 
 Louisa JACKSON   Wife   M   Female   W   21   TX   Keeping House   MS   MS 
 Fanny A. JACKSON   Dau   S   Female   W   10M   TX      TX   TX 
 Harriett LEWIS   Mother   W   Female   W   61   MS   Knitting   GA   SC 
 Walter LEWIS   BroL   S   Male   W   44   MS   Farm Hand   MS   MS 

    6. Simeon Thomas Lewis b. 1820 Greene County, Mississippi

    7. Mary "Polly" Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST    FIRST          AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
=====================================================
45  48  Parker  Addison        30  M   Farmer  Miss
                Mary           25  F           Miss
                L B Abbington   6  M           Miss
                Walden          4  M           Miss
                Elizabeth       2  F           Miss
        Duprest Lucinda        10  F           Miss
1850 Federal Census: Wayne County, Mississippi
FN   LAST    FIRST            AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
====================================================
270  Parker  Addison          40  M           Miss
             Polly            34  F           "
             L. B.            14  M           "
             Baldwin (Walden) 12  M           "
             Elizabeth        11  F           "
             May               9  F           "
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 Mary PARKER    W  Female  W  54  MS  Keeping House  VA  
 A G PARKER  (G) Son    Male  W  20  MS  Farm Labor  MS  MS
 W(alden) L PARKER    W  Male  W  32  MS  Farmer  MS  MS
 E E PARKER  Dau    Female  W  5  MS    MS  MS
 L B PARKER      Male  W  33  MS  Farmer  MS  MS
 Caroline Parker  Wife    Female  W  38  MS      
 Theodoria PARKER      Female  W  12  MS      
 Mary PARKER      Female  W  8  MS      
 Addison PARKER      Female  W  4  MS      
 Polly PARKER      Female  W  2  MS      

    8. Zachariah Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Newton County, Mississippi
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST      AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
=================================================
173 173  Lewis  Zachariah  22  M   Farmer  Miss
                Emily      22  F           Miss
                John        2  M           Miss
1860 Federal Census: Newton County, Mississippi
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST      AGE  Sex Occup.  BIRTH
==================================================
162 171  Lewis  Zachariah  22   M   Farmer  Miss
                Emley      22   F           Miss
                John       12   M           Miss
                Leona      10   F           Miss
                Willis      6   M           Miss
                Amanda     4/12 F           Miss
Zachariah Lewis (First_Last)
Regiment Name 20 Mississippi Infantry
Side Confederate
Company  I
Soldier's Rank_In  Private
Soldier's Rank_Out  Private
Alternate Name  
Confederate Mound
Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago IL
1911 Dedication Plaque Lewis, Zachariah
Co I, 20th Miss Infantry

    9. Cynthia Matilda Lewis

1850 Federal Census: Jasper County, Mississippi
HN  FN  LAST   FIRST        AGE Sex Occup.  BIRTH
==================================================
553 576 Parker Jacob B.     31  M   Farmer  Miss
               Matilda      22  F           Miss
               Amarillus     5  F           Miss
               Candice       3  F           Miss
               Christian     1  M           Miss
1860 Federal Census: Trinity County, Texas
HN  FN  LAST   FIRST      AGE Sex Occup.       BIRTH
=====================================================
        Parker Jacob B.   42  M   Stock Keeper Miss
               Matilda    32  F                Miss
               Amarilda   13  F                Miss
               Candis     12  F                Miss
               Christian  10  M                Miss
               Mary L.     8  F                Miss
               Walden      6  M                Miss
               Sarah E.    2  F                TX
1870 Federal Census: Trinity County, Texas
HN  FN  LAST   FIRST      AGE Sex Occup.       BIRTH
=====================================================
282 282 Parker Matilda    37  F                Miss
               Sallie     11  M                TX
               James       9  F                TX
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
 Harrison HANKINS   Self   M   Male   W   55   MS   Farms   ---   --- 
 Matilda HANKINS   Wife   M   Female   W   49   MS   Keep House   ---   GA 
 Sarah PARKER   SDau   S   Female   W   21   TX      MS   MS 

Generation #7

Caveat

This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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