Thomas Lewis (Virginia)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lewis was an Irish
-American
surveyor, lawyer, and a pioneer of early Virginia
. He was a signatory to the Fairfax Resolves
preceding the American War for Independence, and after the conflict, contributed to the settlement of western Virginia in an area that would one day become part of West Virginia
.
, Ireland
on April 27, 1718. His father immigrated to Philadelphia
in 1728; then brought his family, including Thomas and his brothers Andrew
and William, over in 1730. In the summer of 1732 the Lewis family moved to western frontier, following the Shenandoah River
south into Virginia and finally settled near the headwaters of the south fork in what was then Spotsylvania County
. The family established a farm and built a stone house for defense against the Indians
.
Robert Beverley
's son, Col. William Beverley, a wealthy planter and merchant from Essex County
in Virginia, had been granted, in 1736, more than 118,000 acres (478 km²) by The Crown
(in what would become August County
). This effectively made the Lewis family squatters on Beverley's new land grant. Lewis corrected this in 1739 by purchasing 2,000 acres (8 km²) along Lewis Creek (about a mile (2 km) east of what is now Staunton, Virginia
) from Beverley. He named his new home "Bellefonte".
Lewis was considered an ardent student as a young man (partly as a result of his being very nearsighted). Later, he learned surveying and read law. As early as 1739 he began acquiring land of his own to the south and west of Beverley's Manor in what is today Rockingham
and Bath
counties.
Lewis married Jane Strother (from Stafford County
) on January 26, 1749, and moved north to what would later become Rockingham County. The couple built a plantation they called "Lynnwood" near Port Republic
. They raised thirteen children. One son, Thomas Lewis, Jr.
, served in the U.S. Congress.
had authorized the creation of Augusta County in 1738, but it was seven years before the population had grown enough to justify organizing the county. Lewis became one of the first county judges (commissioners) when the county was formed in 1745. Shortly afterward, in 1746, Lewis and Peter Jefferson
surveyed part of the boundaries of Lord Fairfax's
15,000,000 acre (61,000 km²) land grant (see the Fairfax Line
). Lewis kept detailed journals of several surveying expeditions, which provide a historical view of early Virginia. In 1746 he laid out the first Staunton town plat for William Beverley.
Lewis held a number of local offices, and was surveyor of Augusta County for many years.
In the early days of the American Revolution, a provisional government
replaced the Burgesses. Lewis attended in 1775 as a delegate for Augusta County. (His brother, Andrew, was a delegate for Botetourt County
.) When the new state government was created in 1776, Lewis was elected to the state's House of Delegates
.
In 1778, Lewis journeyed to Pittsburgh
with a group that negotiated a treaty
with the Delaware Indians
, guaranteeing their neutrality for the rest of the war. He was one of the commissioners appointed to negotiate a resolution in 1779 with Pennsylvania
over the two states' western-border dispute. In 1788, Lewis was a delegate for Rockingham County (created from northern Augusta County in 1777) to the Virginia convention
which ratified the U.S. Constitution
.
.
Lewis died at Lynnwood in 1790. He had become one of the largest property owners in the county. On December 19, 1794, the Virginia General Assembly passed an act which established the town of Point Pleasant
at the mouth of the Kanawha River
(in present-day Mason County, West Virginia
) on Lewis' property.
Lewis is buried beside Jane in the Lewis Family burial ground in Rockingham County.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
surveyor, lawyer, and a pioneer of early Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. He was a signatory to the Fairfax Resolves
Fairfax Resolves
The Fairfax Resolves was a set of resolutions adopted by a committee in Fairfax County in the colony of Virginia on July 18, 1774, in the early stages of the American Revolution. Written primarily by George Mason, the resolutions rejected the British Parliament's claim of supreme authority over the...
preceding the American War for Independence, and after the conflict, contributed to the settlement of western Virginia in an area that would one day become part of West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
Early life
Lewis was born to John (1678–1762) and Margaret Lynn Lewis (1693–1773) in County DonegalCounty Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on April 27, 1718. His father immigrated to Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
in 1728; then brought his family, including Thomas and his brothers Andrew
Andrew Lewis (soldier)
Andrew Lewis was an American pioneer, surveyor, and soldier from Virginia. He served as a colonel of militia during the French and Indian War, and as a brigadier general in the American Revolutionary War...
and William, over in 1730. In the summer of 1732 the Lewis family moved to western frontier, following the Shenandoah River
Shenandoah River
The Shenandoah River is a tributary of the Potomac River, long with two forks approximately long each, in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia...
south into Virginia and finally settled near the headwaters of the south fork in what was then Spotsylvania County
Spotsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 90,395 people, 31,308 households, and 24,639 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 people per square mile . There were 33,329 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile...
. The family established a farm and built a stone house for defense against the Indians
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
.
Robert Beverley
Robert Beverley, Jr.
Robert Beverley, Jr. was an important historian of early colonial Virginia. He was born in Jamestown and died in King and Queen County, Virginia...
's son, Col. William Beverley, a wealthy planter and merchant from Essex County
Essex County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,989 people, 3,995 households, and 2,740 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 4,926 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile...
in Virginia, had been granted, in 1736, more than 118,000 acres (478 km²) by The Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
(in what would become August County
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
). This effectively made the Lewis family squatters on Beverley's new land grant. Lewis corrected this in 1739 by purchasing 2,000 acres (8 km²) along Lewis Creek (about a mile (2 km) east of what is now Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
) from Beverley. He named his new home "Bellefonte".
Lewis was considered an ardent student as a young man (partly as a result of his being very nearsighted). Later, he learned surveying and read law. As early as 1739 he began acquiring land of his own to the south and west of Beverley's Manor in what is today Rockingham
Rockingham County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 67,725 people, 25,355 households, and 18,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 27,328 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
and Bath
Bath County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...
counties.
Lewis married Jane Strother (from Stafford County
Stafford County, Virginia
Stafford County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a U.S. state, and just across the Rappahannock River from the City of Fredericksburg. As of the 2000 census, the population was 92,446, increasing to 128,961 in 2010.. Its county seat is Stafford. In 2006, and again in 2009,...
) on January 26, 1749, and moved north to what would later become Rockingham County. The couple built a plantation they called "Lynnwood" near Port Republic
Port Republic, Virginia
Port Republic is an unincorporated community in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. The Battle of Port Republic occurred there in the American Civil War.-History:...
. They raised thirteen children. One son, Thomas Lewis, Jr.
Thomas Lewis, Jr.
Thomas Lewis, Jr. January 26, 1760–1847) was an American politician from Rockingham County, Virginia. He represented Virginia in the U.S. House in 1803 and 1804.Thomas Jr...
, served in the U.S. Congress.
Early career
The Virginia burgessesHouse of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
had authorized the creation of Augusta County in 1738, but it was seven years before the population had grown enough to justify organizing the county. Lewis became one of the first county judges (commissioners) when the county was formed in 1745. Shortly afterward, in 1746, Lewis and Peter Jefferson
Peter Jefferson
Peter Jefferson was the father of American President Thomas Jefferson . A surveyor and cartographer, his Fry-Jefferson Map of 1751 accurately depicted the Allegheny Mountains for the first time and showed the route of "The Great Road from the Yadkin River thro Virginia to Philadelphia distant 455...
surveyed part of the boundaries of Lord Fairfax's
Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron was the son of Thomas Fairfax, 5th Lord Fairfax of Cameron and of Catherine, daughter of Thomas Culpeper, 2nd Baron Culpeper of Thoresway....
15,000,000 acre (61,000 km²) land grant (see the Fairfax Line
Fairfax Line
The Fairfax Line was a surveyor's line run in 1746 to establish the limits of the "Northern Neck land grant" in colonial Virginia....
). Lewis kept detailed journals of several surveying expeditions, which provide a historical view of early Virginia. In 1746 he laid out the first Staunton town plat for William Beverley.
Lewis held a number of local offices, and was surveyor of Augusta County for many years.
Political career
His father had served in the House of Burgesses, and Lewis followed suit. He was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1765, representing Augusta County.In the early days of the American Revolution, a provisional government
Virginia Conventions
The Virginia Conventions were a series of five political meetings in the Colony of Virginia during the American Revolution. Because the House of Burgesses had been dissolved in 1774 by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore, the conventions served as a revolutionary provisional government until the...
replaced the Burgesses. Lewis attended in 1775 as a delegate for Augusta County. (His brother, Andrew, was a delegate for Botetourt County
Botetourt County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,496 people, 11,700 households, and 9,114 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile . There were 12,571 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
.) When the new state government was created in 1776, Lewis was elected to the state's House of Delegates
House of Delegates
The House of Delegates is the name given to the lower house of the legislature in three U.S. states – Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.House of Delegates may also refer to:...
.
In 1778, Lewis journeyed to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
with a group that negotiated a treaty
Treaty of Fort Pitt (1778)
The Treaty of Fort Pitt — also known as the Treaty With the Delawares, the Delaware Treaty, or the Fourth Treaty of Pittsburgh, — was signed on September 17, 1778 and was the first written treaty between the new United States of America and any American Indians—the Lenape in this case...
with the Delaware Indians
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
, guaranteeing their neutrality for the rest of the war. He was one of the commissioners appointed to negotiate a resolution in 1779 with Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
over the two states' western-border dispute. In 1788, Lewis was a delegate for Rockingham County (created from northern Augusta County in 1777) to the Virginia convention
Virginia Ratifying Convention
The Virginia Ratifying Convention was a convention of 168 delegates from Virginia who met in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution, which had been drafted at the Philadelphia Convention the previous year.The Convention met and deliberated from June 2 through June 27 in Richmond...
which ratified the U.S. Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
.
Later life and death
When the Kanawha County court was established, Lewis was designated one of the twelve officers of that court, which met for the first time on October 5, 1789, at the house of George Clendenin in CharlestonCharleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
.
Lewis died at Lynnwood in 1790. He had become one of the largest property owners in the county. On December 19, 1794, the Virginia General Assembly passed an act which established the town of Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Point Pleasant is a city in Mason County, West Virginia, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. The population was 4,637 at the 2000 census...
at the mouth of the Kanawha River
Kanawha River
The Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 97 mi long, in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The largest inland waterway in West Virginia, it has formed a significant industrial region of the state since the middle of the 19th century.It is formed at the town of Gauley...
(in present-day Mason County, West Virginia
Mason County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,957 people, 10,587 households, and 7,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 12,056 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
) on Lewis' property.
Lewis is buried beside Jane in the Lewis Family burial ground in Rockingham County.
Works
- The Fairfax Line: Thomas Lewis's Journal of 1746; Footnotes and index by John Wayland, Newmarket, VirginiaNewmarket, VirginiaNewmarket, Virginia may refer to:* New Market, Virginia* Newmarket, Newport News, Virginia, a neighborhood of Newport News...
: The Henkel Press (1925 reprint edition).