William Lewis

Post Content -

Here lies the body of William Lewis who departed this life January the 28th 1763 Aged 40 years. Also Ann his daughter died in 1755 Aged 15 Months and George his son died 1763 Aged 5 years.

 

Age - Age 21-40

Section -

ID - 39
Birth -1723
Death -1763

Gender - Male

Veteran -

Data -

William Lewis of Spotsylvania Co VA descends from the Lewis family of Abernant Bychan, Wales. Among the families, they intermarried with were the Branhams, Colsons, Richards, and Herndons. [Herndon Family Page].

William Lewis of Fredericksburg VA was born in 1723, probably in Essex Co VA. William married Sarah Branham b. c. 1724 Richmond Co VA in about 1745. Evidence for their marriage comes from Sarah’s will which was witnessed by her brother, Daniel Branham, and her brother-in-law, Benjamin Burbridge.

William and Sarah migrated to Spotsylvania Co VA in about 1746. William lived probably east of Fredericksburg toward the Caroline County boundary and leased lots 14 & 15 in town. (Note in the annotated map of Fredericksburg which is believed to have been completed c. 1740, Lot 14 belonged to J. Branham and Lot 15 belonged to R. Spotswood.) And, William was reportedly issued a tavern license from 1749 to 1755. Did William run a tavern or inn on these two lots in Fredericksburg?

William left a will in 1763, naming his children and is buried at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg VA.

Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800,
p. 58:

£50 William Lewis, admr. of John Lewis, decd, with Benjamin Davis, sec. Mch 6, 1749.

Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800,
p. 194:

June 8, 1753. John Tayloe of Richmond Co., Esqr., to William Lewis of Spts. Co. Deed of Lease. Lots 14 and 15, in the
town of Fredericksburg. £15 curr. yearly. Witnesses, Anthony Strother, Ralph McFarlane, Ann Farley. July 4, 1753.

Spotsylvania County Minute Book, 1755-1765:

Thos. Burbridge appointed overseer of the road from Corbin’s bridge to the Rapa. Road above Edw. Herndon’s, his gang Viz. his own; Col. Corbin’s qtr. where Fra. Cammock is overseer; Mathew Lewis;Wm. Lewis’s planta.; Nichs. Hawkins; John Gordon; Widow
Burbridge; Mr. John Smith’s qtr; & Wm. Ellis’s tithes. [MB p. 7]

Spotsylvania Co VA Bond Book B, p. 202:

Feb. 20, 1756. William Waller of Spts. Co. to William Lewis of Fredericksburg . Deed of Lease. House and lots in Fredksbg. £15 curr. yearly. Jos. Brock, Wm. Carr, Wm. Wood. Mar. 3, 1756.

Spotsylvania Co VA Bond Book B, p. 202:

John Tayloe of Richmond Co., Esqr., releases to William Lewis of Fredksbg, Lots 14 and 15 in Fredksbg. £15 curr.
yearly. Dated, April 14, 1756. Fielding Lewis, Antho. Strother, Wm. Waller, Jos. Jones, Edwd. Pendleton. June 1, 1756.

WALLER, WILLIAM, Gentl. Spotsylvania Co., d. Oct. 22, 1756, p. May 6, 1760: son, John Waller, land in Spotsylvania, given to me by my deceased father’s will, John Waller, Gentl., also land adjoining that of my brother Benjamin, and Zachary Lewis, also land which I bought of Ambrose Foster, and my lots of land adjoining the town of
Fredericksburg, now in the possession of my tenant William Lewis.

Caroline Co VA Court Order Book, p. 234:

12 Nov. 1756: Case of John Mitchell Ag. William Carr, Gent. Ordered that John Mitchell pay William Lewis 289 lbs Tobo.
for 4 days attendance and coming and going 3 times 21 miles. . .Sarah Lewis201 lbs tobo. for 3 days attendance and
coming and going 3 times 33 miles as an evidence or him against Carr.

£100. William LEWIS, guard. to Elizabeth LONG, orph. of Samuel LONG, with Thomas HAYDON, sec. Dec. 7, 1756.

Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800p.60: £300. James SPARKS, admr. of James SPARKS, decd., with William LEWIS and Bland BALLARD, sec. Aug. 2, 1758.

Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800,
p. 217:

Nov. 3, 1760. Anthony Strother of King George Co. Gent., and Mary, his wife, to William Lewis of Fredksbg. £300 curr.
Lots 35 & 36, in town of Fredksbg. Witnesses, William Smith, William Brock, Edward. Herndon. Nov. 4, 1760.


Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800:


£3000. Susannah CARR, guard. to Charles Brooks CARR, Agnes Brooks CARR, Walter Chiles CARR, Phebe CARR, Thos. CARR, orphs. of Wm. CARR, gentl., with Anthony FOSTER, John HOLLODAY and Wm. LEWIS, sec. Nov. 6, 1760.

Spotsylvania County Will Book D
(1761-1772) page 61:

LEWIS, William
, Fredericksburg, d. Jan 17, 1763, p. July 4, 1763.

Ex. Wife, Sarah LEWIS; Charles YATES; Joseph BROCK; Edward HERNDON. Leg. son, James LEWIS, the lot which I purchased
from Anthony STROTHER; sons, John, William, Benjamin and George; wife, Sarah LEWIS.

Wit. [GEN] Hugh MERCER, Wm. KNOX, William HARTWELL.

Spotsylvania Co VA Deed Book G:

April 18, 1771. James Lewis and Elizabeth, his wife, of Spotsylvania Co, and Sarah Lewis, being the widow of William Lewis (the latter being mother and father of James) to Jacob Whitley of Fredericksburg. Whereas Sarah Lewis is entitled to 1/3 part of two lots for life as a tenant in dower and the inheritance of sd 1/3
expectant on the death of sd Sarah by sd James as well as the other 2/3rds, James and Sarah have both agreed to sell lots 35, 36 in Fredericksburg, purchased by sd William Lewis, father of sd James, of Anthony Strother. Wit: Joseph Brock, Robert Chew, John Herndon, Daniel Branham, and James Cunningham.

Spotsylvania County Records 1721-1800,
p. 27:


Lewis, Sarah,

Spotsylvania Co. d. Oct. 28, 1771.

Leg. daughter Elizabeth Richards; grandson James Lewis; granddaughter Sarah Richards, daughter Elizabeth Richards, grandchildren William and Sarah Richards, son and daughter of Winifred Richards.

Wit. Daniel Branham, Benjamin Burbridge.

Sources

[1] Article on Lewis

Notes