Genealogical and Family History
of the
STATE OF MAINE

Volume III

Compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A. M., Litt. D.

LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
New York
1909.

[Please see Index page for full citation.]

[Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou]

[Many families included in these genealogical records had their beginnings in Massachusetts.]

LEWIS The name of Lewis was formerly Lewes and originated in the county of Kent, England. It has been stated by some authorities that George Lewes, of Barnstable, the emigrant ancestor of the Bridgton Lewises, was the father of the George Lewis who was of Casco in 1640, but this has been proved erroneous by Mr. Savage, and they were probably not related to each other. The Goodman George Lewes, Senior, and Goodman George Lewes, Junior, of Scituate, Massachusetts, mentioned by the Rev. John Lothrop, were undoubtedly father and son. Goodman George, Senior, wrote his name Lewes, and his descendants retained that form of spelling until about the year 1700, since which time the present orthography has been in general use. Many men of marked ability have brought honor and distinction to the name in America. (I) George Lewes, of East Greenwich, in Kent, was a clothier and probably followed his trade in London before coming to New England. It is quite probably that he was a member of Mr. Lothrop's church in London at the time of its disruption in 1632, and he evidently emigrated shortly afterward as he was in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1633, and two years later he rejoined his former pastor in Scituate, where he was admitted a freeman in 1636-37. His home in Scituate was located on Kent street, the residents of which were mostly from that county in the mother country and known as "the men of Kent." In 1639 he sold his property in order to remove with Mr. Lothrop and the other church members to Barnstable, and in common with the rest he received land grants in the latter place. He served as surveyor of highways in 1648 and 1650, rendered jury duty in 1649 and was constable in 1651. He was an honest man and a sincere Christian, whose chief desire was to live in peace with his fellowmen, to avoid actions at law and to yield rather than contend with his neighbors. He died in Barnstable in 1662 or 1663. His first wife, whom he married in England about 1626, was Sarah Jenkins, a sister of Edward Jenkins, who was subsequently a resident of Scituate. She accompanied him to America and died in Barnstable. The maiden surname of his second wife is unknown, but her given name was Mary, and she was living in 1670. He was the father of eight children, five of whom were probably born in England. Their names were: Mary Thomas George James Edward John Ephraim Sarah These children are not given in the order of their birth.) (II) Lieutenant James, son of George and Sarah (Jenkins) Lewes, was born in England in 1631. Although compelled to work hard from daylight to dark he nevertheless found the means of gratifying a desire for the acquisition of knowledge by devoting the long winter evenings to study under the direction of the pastor, and at his majority he was well prepared for the business of life. Like his father he was both honest and industrious, but unlike his progenitor he possessed the faculty of acquiring property and he became wealthy. He was made a freeman in 1658; rendered the customary jury service; was for many years an officer in the local militia company and probably served in King Philip's war; was a selectman for the years 1679-81-89-90; but did not unite with the church until 1699, when he was sixty-eight years old. He died October 4, 1713. His will was dated May 8, 1713, and proved October 17 of that year. October 31, 1655, he married Sarah, daughter of George Lane, of Hingham. Their children, all born in Barnstable were: John Samuel Sarah James Ebenezer George Joseph Susannah Mary Hannah (III) Ebenezer, fourth son and fifth child of Lieutenant James and Sarah (Lane) Lewes, was born in Barnstable, December 20, 1666. He acquired both wealth and prominence; was one of the most able business men of Barnstable in his day; held various town offices and was judge of the court of common pleas. The date of his death does not appear in the records at hand. In 1691 he married Anna, daughter of Hon. Barnabas Lothrop, and on February 28, 1728, he married for his second wife Rebecca Sturgis, of Yarmouth. The latter died April 10, 1734, aged sixty-five years. His children, all of his first union, were: Sarah Susannah ,br> James Ebenezer Hannah Lothrop George Nathaniel John David Abigail (IV) George (2), fourth son and seventh child of Ebenezer and Anna (Lothrop) Lewes, was born in Barnstable, April 5, 1704. He occupied the homestead and was an industrious and useful citizen who refrained from participating in public affairs. Being contemporary with his Uncle George, he is designated in the Barnstable town records as George Lewes, Junior, and he died about the year 1757. His will, which was dated July 19, of that year, disposed of property inventoried at two hundred and eighty-four pounds. September 12, 1737, he married Sarah Thacher, of Yarmouth, and her death occurred April 30, 1762. Their children were: "Annah," Thankful (who died in infancy) John Thankful Sarah Temperance (who also died in infancy) George Temperance (who died aged about seven months) Josiah Temperance Susannah James (V) Major George (3) Lewis, second son and seventh child of George (2) and Sarah (Thacher) Lewes, was born in Barnstable, April 9, 1741. He was one of the most distinguished members of the family, acquiring prominence both in civil and military life, and he settled in Gorham, Maine, where his death occurred July 24, 1819. Mehitable Colonel Lothrop Sarah "Annah" James Ansel George Daniel David Mary Robert Abigail (the last two of whom were twins) Colonel Lothrop Lewis was a prominent resident of Gorham; a surveyor of recognized ability and at one time state land agent. Abigail married Captain William Prentiss and became the mother of the distinguished American lawyer and orator, Sargent S. Prentiss; also of Rev. George Lewis Prentiss, D. D., the eminent theologian. (VI) Major George (4), fourth son and seventh child of Major George (3) and Mary (Davis) Lewis, was born in Barnstable March 28, 1775. Locating in Bridgton, Maine, he turned his attention to agriculture and became one of the prominent farmers of that locality. For many years he was connected with the militia and held the rank of major. His death occurred in Bridgton, September 19, 1857. He married Ruthy Lincoln, and their children were: Ruth Lincoln Royal Harriet Tabitha Lothrop Jerusha Sarah (VII) Lothrop, third son and sixth child of Major George (4) and Ruthy (Lincoln) Lewis, was born in Bridgton, September 4, 1805. He was reared and educated in his native town, where in early manhood he engaged in tilling the soil, and the active period of his life was devoted to that calling. During the anti-slavery agitation he earnestly supported the cause of Abolition, and in 1847 represented his district in the lower branch of the state legislature. He also supported with vigor the cause of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors and belonged to the Sons of Temperance. He was very active in religious work and a leading member of the Congregational church at Bridgton Center. He died in that town, October 25, 1879. December 25, 1832, he married Mary Jones, of Waterford. She became the mother of five children: Caroline Peabody Mary Elizabeth George Lothrop Lincoln Edward Lyman (VIII) Rev. George, D. D. (5), third child and eldest son of Lothrop and Mary (Jones) Lewis, was born in Bridgton, January 21, 1839. From the North Bridgton Academy he entered Bowdoin College, receiving his bachelor's degree and later entering the Bangor Theological Seminary, was graduated in 1865. He was ordained a Congregational minister the same year and installed pastor of a church in Bedford, Massachusetts, but owing to impaired health was later obliged to suspend his labors and seek a warmer climate. After spending some time in Florida with beneficial results he resumed pastoral work in Jersey City, remaining there three years, and from 1874 to the present time he has been located in South Berwick. Bowdoin College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1904. In politics he is a Republican. On November 28, 1865, Dr. Lewis was united in marriage with Katharine B., daughter of Colonel Hugh D. and Elizabeth (Lewis) McLellan, of Gorham. The McLellans are of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and are said to be the descendants of Sir Hugh McLellan, of Argyleshire, Scotland. They took refuge in the North of Ireland during the seventeenth century. The Gorham family was founded in America by Hugh and Elizabeth McLellan, of county Antrim, Ireland, who came from Londonderry to Boston in 1733, and proceeding to Maine they settled as pioneers in Gorham. Their children were: William, born in Ireland. Abigail Mary Alexander Cary Jane Martha Thomas Martha Dr. George and Katharine B. (McLellan) Lewis are the parents of three sons: Hugh McLellan, born October 26, 1868; Philip Prescott, September 26, 1870, and George Lothrop, June 10, 1878. All were fitted for college at the South Berwick Academy. Hugh M., who is a graduate of the University of Maine, is married and resides in Brunswick, Maine. Philip P. is a graduate of the Maine Medical school of Bowdoin College, and is now a physician in Gorham. George L., a graduate of Bowdoin, is now librarian of the Westfield (Mass.) Atheneum.