Benjamin and Joannah (Ryons) Lewis

Benjamin married Joannah Ryons on January 27, 1826. To this union were born 6 children; Mary Francis born on Aug. 6, 1827, John Moss born Feb. 16, 1829, William Crawford; born Nov 24, 1830, Martha Ann; born Feb 20, 1833, Sarah Elizabeth; born Apr 3 1835, and; all were born in Simpson Co. Kentucky. Little Rebecca Jane born July 26,1838 at their home near Haun’s Mill in Missouri.

Benjamin was among the ones who yielded his life to the bitter enemies of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early days of the church. Benjamin and Joanna were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in March 1, 1835 by Elders James Emmett and John Dustin. They stood faithfully by through all the early trials and hardships.
Benjamin was made President of the little church branch in Simpson County, Kentucky shortly after he was baptized. He proceeded to introduce his neighbors and family to the gospel. Most were baptized by the same Elders. Eventually 5 Lewis brothers and their families were converted.

In the spring of 1836, Benjamin and his family moved to Macoupin County, Illinois. His brothers John Moss, Tarlton, Beason, and Neriah Jr. were already settling or planning to settle in various little towns in Macoupin Co. Illinois. During this time (1838-1840) Benjamin’s father, mother, and younger sister Elizabeth, also moved near Carlinville, to be with their families. Benjamin’s little family also moved near them.

The saints were gathering to the Far West area so they might build up their Zion, the Lewis’s headed the call. Their skills would be greatly valued in building, assessing projects, and physical power of these men.

In the spring of 1836, Benjamin, Tarlton, and David came a year later traveled with their families to settle and build their homes along Shoal Creek, about 20 miles south of Far West, in Caldwell County, Missouri.

When the mob began shooting at Haun's Mill, many of the women took their children away into the woods. Joannah and her children, who were 11,9,8,5,3, years, 3month infant, survived the night.

They remained in the woods through the night of crying and screams. When she returned to her home at dawn and found Benjamin at the side of their home severely wounded in the chest.
He had received a bullet wound while he was in the blacksmith shop. Despite the terrible condition he was in, he had managed to reach his home, a distance of one hundred rods from the blacksmith’s shop. He was gently assisted into the house and the family did all they could for him. The bullet, which had lodged in his body, was emitted from his mouth, and he died about an hour afterward. He bore a strong testimony of the Gospel and exhorted his family to remain with the general body of the saints.

Benjamin was not buried in the well with the other men killed at that time. The following evening his brother Tarlton and his wife Malinda, went to dig a grave where Benjamin's body might be buried. Tarlton had been badly wounded and was unable to do much digging, so that work fell into the hands of Malinda, Joannah and David.

After wrapping Benjamin's lifeless body in an old coat, they tenderly buried the beloved, husband, father and brother. With courage beyond understanding, Joanna picked up the threads of her life, determined to remain with the body of the Church, that she might raise her children under the influence of the gospel, for which their father had given his life.

Word had been sent to Joanna's family back in Kentucky of the death of her husband. Joanna's sister, Elizabeth and her husband Beeson Lewis were the ones that came down to bring Joannah and the children back to Illinois.

A few months after the death of her husband, her youngest infant child died. There seems to be no account of her life for some time. She did eventually settle in Nauvoo with the Saints as did Tarlton and David’s families. She found peace in serving others, helping the sick and those otherwise in need of help.

During the last year of her life she had a paralytic stroke and was tenderly cared for by her young daughter Martha Ann who was 13 years old. She died February 6, 1846, just as the Saints were being driven from Nauvoo. Thus ended the life of a noble wife and mother who endured hardships for her faith and preferred the blessings of the Gospel to the worldly wealth and comfort. United in death, before the journey of the Saints was ended, we are sure that with Benjamin and Joanna Lewis, "ALL IS WELL"

After her death the children’s Uncle Beeson and Aunt “Betsy” Elizabeth Lewis took the children into their home for care. They were all able to enter the Salt Lake Valley on Sept 19 1847.

Name: Birthdate: Place:

1. Lewis, Mary Frances April 6, 1827 Simpson, KY,
2. Lewis, John Moss February 16, 1829 Simpson, KY,
3. Lewis, William Crawford November 24, 1830 Simpson, KY
4. Lewis, Martha Ann February 20, 1833 Simpson,KY
5. Lewis, Sarah Elizabeth September 5, 1835 Simpson, KY,
6 Lewis Rebecca July 26, 1838 Caldwell, MO,