Descendants of Lewis ap David of Cardiganshire, Wales

Generation #4

Note: Information on the Lewis Family before Walden Lewis b. c. 1774 in Virginia comes from assumptions based on multiple sources. Therefore, the information on this page is not reliable for genealogical purposes. A detailed discussion of the many connections can be found at Lewis Family Research.

James "the Steward" (3James, 2James, 1Edmund) Lewis of Spotsylvania Co VA

Research Notes:
This branch of the greater James Lewis family of Caroline and the John Lewis family of Spotsylvania descend from separate branches of the Willis family.
-This branch descends from James Lewis who married Ann Willis, the daughter of Henry and Mildred Warner Washington Willis of Fredericksburg VA.
-Henry Willis was the son of Francis and Sarah Lewis Willis.
-John Lewis of Spotsylvania wed Mary Sparks. Mary was the daughter of James Sparks, Jr. and Sarah Willis.
-Sarah Wills was the daughter of Francis Willis and Lady Anne Rich.
-Francis was the brother of Henry Willis and the son of Francis and Sarah Lewis Willis.
-Therefore, the Christian name Willis is found in both Lewis families.

James Lewis was born in about 1730 in Caroline Co VA. And in about 1750, James married Ann. We know of Ann from the 1776 deed from Gen. Alexander Spotswood to "James Lewis, Ann, his wife, and Willis Lewis, his son." According to an exceptionally credited source, Ann was the daughter of Henry Willis of Fredericksburg. So, the corrected record should read: "In about 1750 in Spotsylvania Co VA, James Lewis married Ann Willis b. 1/30/1736 in Spotsylvania Co VA. Ann was the daughter of Henry Willis and Mildred Warner Washington."

The first record for James "the Steward" is the the 1762 Caroline Co probate for his father, James. Does this mark his migration up from Caroline to Fredericksburg? In 4/1770 James purchased acreage from William Fitzhugh adjacent to Alexander Spotswood.

This James was the Steward of the Spotswood Plantation; as cited in the 2/1776 record. In this position, he witnessed documents for the Spotswood estate. And, James leased property from Gen. Alexander Spotswood in 1776. In the 1776 lease, James, his wife Ann, and son Willis are listed. As son Willis would have been had to have been of an age of majority to be listed in the lease, this James, the Steward, would have had to have been born about 1730 and married before 1755.

Unfortunately, Ann died by 1785. And in about 1785, James married the much younger Hannah Ballard b. 1765 in Virginia. James wrote his will on 6/12/1790 and died before 9/7/1790 when this will was probated. Of particular note is the fact that James lists his 11 children in this will.

Immediately following James' death, Hannah married Clement Montague b. 12/29/1723 Middlesex Co. There was more than a forty-year difference in age. And, Clement died shortly after their marriage.

Without comment on Ethics or Morality, we let the evidence speak for itself.
-Hannah b. 1765 married James Lewis b. c. 1730:: 35 year difference
-Hannah b. 1765 married Clement Montague b. 1723:: 42 year difference
-That's just how things were.
Caroline Co VA Court Order Book, p. 342:
13 Aug 1762. Petition: Judith, John and James Lewis, Executors of the last will and testament of James Lewis, Ag. James Parish. Judgement for 2 lbs current money.
Richmond Co VA Deed Book 1, p. 32:
Deed. 28 Sept 1692. John Glendening of Richmond Co "and Ann his wife one of the Daughters and co heirs of Geo Mott late of Rappa County dec'd and one of the nieces and co-heirs of John Mott late of the aforesaid County of Rappa dec'd" to William Fitzhugh of Stafford Co. for 16000 lb tobo 1248 acres, etc. Land adjs main branch of Muddy Creek. Mr. Wm Thorton's line and Mr. Whitehead's line.
Signed John Glendenning, Ann x Glendening. 
Wit: Alexr Doniphan, John x Ames. Rec 5 Oct 1692

Spotsylvania Co VA Deed Book G, p. 280:
April 10, 1770. From Wm. Fitzhugh of Stafford Co., Esq. and Ann, his wife to James Lewis of Spts. Co.120 curr. 290 acres in St. Georges Parish, Spts. Co.
Wit: B. Johnson, Phillip Somerby, Jon. Brock, Jos. Brock. Rec. 6/4/1770.

William [Fitzhugh] had begun construction of Chatham by 1768 and in 1769 he began to sell off parcels of the Motts patent [George Mott and Eliz Prigg] to pay for his new home. Within the year, William had made 27 sales and had disposed of more than 9000 acres.

    Forgotten Companions, Paula S. Felder, pp. 119 & 202.

William Fitzhugh "sold 9,000 acres of land in Spotsylvania County to finance the building of another home, this on the banks of the Rappahannock River. They named the house Chatham. . . ."

    William Fitzhugh, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial, <http://www.nps.gov/frsp/fitzchm.htm> 24 April 2011.
Spotsylvania Co VA Deed Book J:
Feby. 15, 1776. Alexander Spotswood, Esqr., to James Lewis. Lease. 100 acres, etc. "Sd. James Lewis, Ann, his wife, and Willis Lewis, his son," etc. 600 lbs. tob. Wit. Jno. Craig. Benja. Burbridge, Allen Wiley, James Lewis, Smyth Tandy. Rec. June 20, 1776.
Spotsylvania Co VA Deed Book J, p. 328:
Febr. 15, 1776. Alexander Spotswood , Esq of New Port, Spots. Co., to James Lewis (present Steward of the sd Spotswood), po. of atto. [POA].
Wit: Chas Washington, Willm. Smith, Michael Robinson, Mar 21, 1777.
Spotsylvania Co VA Deed Book B, p. 338:
Novr. 9, 1778. Geo. Wilson of Spts. Co. and Ann, his wife, to James Lewis. £390 curr. 130 a. in St. Geo. Par., Spts. Co., purchased of Wm. Fitzhugh, Esqr., etc.
No witnesses. Novr. 19, 1778.
WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.
Virginia Herald and Fredericksburg Advertiser:
1790 Sept. 22nd. Clement Montague, aged 70, to Mrs. Hannah Lewis, widow of James Lewis, deceased, aged 25 years.
Spotsylvania Co VA Will Book E (1772-1798), p. 47:
MONTAGUE, CLEMENT, St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania Co., d. Oct. 28, 1791, Executors Bond dated Dec. 6, 1791. Wit. Thomas Waller, John Wiglesworth, John Waller. Ex. sons Thomas and Clement Montague.
Leg. wife Hannah Montague; sons Thomas and Clement; daughter Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Carpenter, and all her children she had by James Trigg, except her son William Trigg; daughter Isabel, wife of James Ballard; daughter Sarah, wife of Charles Whiting; the children of my daughter Susanna Duerson, wife of Joseph Duerson.
Spotsylvania Co VA Record, (Crozier, p. 454):
June 7, 1792. Alexander Spotswood and Elizabeth, his wife, to Hannah Montague £77 & 10s. 310a. in Spots. Co.  etc.
Wit: Thomas Towles, Edward Herndon, Jr., Daniel Grennon,, Jr., Jas. Lewis, Edward Herndon.

    Children

Research Notes:
-Ages of the children are estimates but relative per the records available.
-Son Willis may have been the firstborn; as he is recorded with his parents in the 2/1776 Spotsylvania Land Record.

    1. Willis Lewis b. c. 1750 Spotsylvania Co VA

    2. William Lewis b. c. 1752 Spotsylvania Co VA

    3. Tomesone Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    4. Elizabeth Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    5. Mary Ann Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    6. Judith Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    7. Clarissa Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    8. James Lewis  c. 1768 Spotsylvania Co VA

    9. Ann Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.

    10. Rebecca Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.
Spotsylvania Co VA Will Book B, p. 80.
£500 James Lewis, guard, to Rebecca Lewis and Charles Lewis, orphs. of James Lewis, with John Herndon, sec. Sept. 7, 1790

    11. Charles Lewis

WILL BOOK E (1772-1798) page 993:
LEWIS, James, Spotsylvania Co., d. after June 12, 1790, Executors Bond dated Sept. 7, 1790.
Wit. G. BELL, Benjamin BALLARD.
Ex. wife Hannah LEWIS, John WRIGHT, Sr.
Leg. wife Hannah; daughter Betsey LEWIS; sons James, Willis, Charles and William LEWIS; daughters Becky, Clary and Ann LEWIS; daughter Mary Ann HALBERT; dau Judith NEWTON; daughter Tomesone CLAXTON.
Spotsylvania Co VA Will Book B, p. 80.
£500 James Lewis, guard, to Rebecca Lewis and Charles Lewis, orphs. of James Lewis, with John Herndon, sec. Sept. 7, 1790

Generation #5

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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