Our Family Heritage

David and Ann (Beason) Lewis

2011-07-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

David Lewis, the first child of John and Priscilla Brooks Lewis. He was born on Tuesday March 21, 1747 at Guilford County, North Carolina. (David is also listed as being born at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia) He died June 23, 1822, Anderson County, South Carolina. His father John Lewis, born April 11, 1720, Orange Grove, Frederick County, Virginia married his mother Priscilla Brooks who was born January 16, 1725 in Orange- Guilford- Randolph County, North Carolina. The couple established their home also in North Carolina.

David and his 7 brothers and sisters grew up in wilderness of North Carolina during the historical struggles for that time near the township of Franklinville. David was raised on the family farm located near today’s Patterson Grove community just north of Franklinville, NC.

The location of their home is listed in many county locations during this time period of expansion as many county borders were adjusted as people moved into the various territories. In 1771, Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County then Randolph County was formed in 1779 from Guilford County.

David’s childhood might have been very turbulent and as his younger brothers had developed a violent and entitled attitude. The record of troubles with the law for these younger brothers, happened after David and Jacob had married and moved away. The ages of these younger brothers, at that time David marries and leaves for South Carolina, are Stephen 9 years, Richard 7 and John 3. They start getting into trouble in the neighborhood and with the courts four years later.

David Lewis and Ann Beeson met and married in Guilford County, North Carolina. Ann's parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hunter Beeson, were staunch Quakers. The record of the Society of Friends (Quakers) of New Garden, Guilford County, show that Ann Beeson "married out of meeting." This meant that she chose a husband who was not a Quaker, which resulted in her dismissal from fellowship.

David Lewis married Ann Beeson at the age of 20 and she 18, on Saturday, January 30, 1768 in the New Garden, Quaker Church, Guilford Co. North Carolina. She was born May 30, 1749 in Hopewell, Fredrick County, Virginia. As a little girl Ann’s parents moved their family to this town site to establish a new Quaker community in about 1754 when she was 5 years old. This Church site is in present day Greensboro. They grew up about 20 miles apart during this time.

Early stories of Randolph County describe the Lewis’s as tall, broad, muscular and powerful. It must have been a great sorrow for Benjamin Beeson when his daughter Ann chose to marry outside her faith, but he may have known the kind of men of valor the Virginia Lewis’s were in their efforts with the Militia against Indians, and as soldiers in the new nations Revolution. (Lewis’s were a rather famous family in Virginia, having military officers and generals, fighting in the Continental Army for General Washington.) Although Benjamin Beeson may not have fired his weapon at men during the Revolution, he is listed in records as helping in the War for Independence and was granted a war pension. Benjamin had a military discharge in 1776 and listed in DAR records has having helped in Revolutionary War. Maybe he was the spy mentioned in family journals. Who would suspect a Quaker?

David and Ann (Beeson) Lewis had at least thirteen children. Their children were born in Guilford County, North Carolina. After their marriage in 1868 she must have helped soften his soul and calm him during this troubling time.

David served from April 12 1781-2 for the year of enlistment. He is not recorded as having enlisted for further campaigns but enlisted as a private in the 10 regiment of the North Carolina Line,(? in Captain Benjamin Bailey’s Company, Col. Abram Shepherds Regiment.)

Ann would have had 6 children by this time, at their first home location, and the oldest being 13 and the youngest being newborn. During the years after his military service, David and Ann had 5 more children, with the last being born in 1789.

Right after 1789 and the American Revolution ended, territory opened up beyond the Appalachian boundaries. Settlers started pouring into the new frontier and the Lewis family was among them. David and Ann Lewis laid out claims and bought considerable land in Pendleton, Anderson County, South Carolina. They moved their 9 remaining children and property and moved. Here they lived 23 more years. (another note states that “Some time between 1800-1812 they moved from NC to SC”)

Ann’s precise and practical Quaker ways must have rubbed of as the Lewis farms and property were neatly laid out, well organized, and meticulously cared for. The journals of Neriah’s sons tell of these work habits. David’s sons helped their father to clear land, build homes, barns, and buildings so that the family could live well in their new home.

They moved about 200 miles southeast

Ann died December 12, 1812 at the age of 63 at their home in Pendleton District/or now Anderson County, South Carolina and is said to be buried at the Old Stone Church Cemetery but no record of this. David Lewis married Penelope - in 1813 at Anderson County, South Carolina and had two more children by her, before he died on June 23, 1822 at the age of 75.

David Lewis - Revolutionary War Headstone in North Carolina

He was buried on Tuesday, 25 June 1822 at the Old Stone Church, Clemson University, Pickens County, South Carolina. His tombstone is labeled as “David Lewis 10 NC Regiment, Revolutionary War, Mar 21, 1747, Jun 23, 1822.” (This was a Presbyterian Church, built in 1802.) This church is only about 5 miles away from Pendleton City.

David was a farmer and merchant, often making trips to Charleston for goods, one time bringing back a nest of chests for his daughters, one of which is still in existence and in the possession of Mrs. Hale Houts.

David and Ann were the parents of twelve children, all born at the same location in Guilford County, North Carolina. The two oldest are listed born in Rowan County, but remember Guilford County was formed in 1771 out of part of Rowan County and Orange. They were descendants and participants of American colonists who had been a part of the early historical events of America. David was in the 10^th Regt. Line, North Carolina, during the Revolutionary War from April 12, 1781- April 12, 1782.

David Lewis also had 1 brother and his father, who served in the American Revolution. According to the family tradition, there were seventeen uncles, cousins, bothers in the Revolutionary War and their stories of their experiences were exciting especially tales of the soldiers who were spies.

The family members were large in stature. Neriah Jr. was a grandson to David Sr, who was the smallest of Neriah’s sons, stood six feet one inch tall and weighed one hundred and seventy pounds.

1. Isaiah Lewis b. Sep 3, 1769; d. January 25, 1837 - md. Nancy Julian.
2. Priscilla Lewis b. Sep 4, 1770; - md. Thomas Field.
3. Rev. Jacob Lewis b. Mar 14, 1772; d. August 4, 1857 - md. Ailsey Leonard.
4. Joab Lewis b. Dec 23, 1773; - md. Phelba Barton, Katherine Leonard .
5. Catherine Lewis b. abt 1774 - md Joshua Story Jr.
6. Abner Lewis b. Sep 22, 1775.
7. Neriah Lewis b. June 25, 1778; d. Nov. 27, 1843 - md. Mary Moss.
8. Benjamin Lewis b. May 26, 1781.
9. Elizabeth Lewis b. Sep 21, 1783; . October 4, 1840 - md. Micajah Alexander.
10. Cozbi or Cosby Lewis b. July 17, 1785; -md. John Woodall.
11. Tarleton Lewis b. Aug 11, 1787; d, at Cass County, GA - md. Rachel Williams.
12. Hannah Lewis b. Oct 2, 1789; d. July 22 1869 - md. Ezekiel Harlin, Silas Perry

After Ann Beason Lewis died, David married Penelopy. Children born of that union were all born in Anderson County, South Carolina:

1. David Lewis Jr. b. Jan 24, 1814.
2. Rosannah Lewis b. Oct 26, 1815.

Neriah and Mary (Moss) Lewis

2011-07-03T23:49:00.000-07:00

Neriah Lewis Sr, son of David and Ann Beason Lewis, was born June 25, 1778 in Guilford County, North Carolina. He married Mary Moss/Morse, daughter of Samuel Moss and Rachel Julian. She was born October 29, 1775,

Samuel Moss was born on 31 Mar 1739 in Wallingford, New Haven, CT. He died after 1800 while living at his farm at Big Generostee Creek, Anderson County, South Carolina. Rachel Julian Moss his wife was born estimated 1735 in ,Cecil, MD. She died after 1830 in while living at Edgefield Co., South Carolina. This county abuts up against Georgia border and specifically North Augusta is in South Carolina. David tells that “her father was named Samuel Moss, her mother was Rachel, and lived in South Carolina, Pickins County or District.”

They were married March 4, 1800 in Pendleton, Anderson County, SC. After their marriage they returned to lived near his father’s family. Their first six children were born in South Carolina but at the “time of the re-adjustment,” after the Revolutionary war, the government was “under the table” encouraging westward expansion into Indian territories so as to lay claim to the land as part of the growing country.

Neriah’s family moved to Simpson County Kentucky in 1809-10. The children’s ages would range from 10 yrs. to newborn infant at the time of the move. In the western borders of the new country, new land was offered simply by entering a claim for it and large tracts were granted to settlers in payment for their military services. It is unclear if Neriah served in the Kentucky Militia’s during this time, as the War of 1812 was just getting underway and Kentucky men were the predominate soldiers during this war. They also had the most causalities of any other state put together.

This Lewis family was farmers, stockmen, carpenters, and coopers. Neriah’s growing family were good workers and well trained in pioneering. They cleared the trees from their land, built homes, plowed and planted. The brothers helped their father clear land for cultivation and building materials. It is said at 6-8 loads of wood per day. In later years, during the Illinois exodus to Utah, Tarlton and Beason were jokingly called “Saw Mills,” because they were so proficient with their axes.

And along with the early settlers of that time and section, they raised corn and grain from which they made whisky and brandy. They made their liquor barrels from wood they cut from their land. Beeson made wooden tubs, buckets and churns. These were made from cedar wood and bound with brass hoops. They raised tobacco and cured it. The liquor and tobacco were sold or exchanged to supply them with their other needs. These men were also breeders of fine stock and horses, and being men of strength they were able to protect themselves and others from other dangers of that time.

Old Lewis Farm near Simpson, Kentucky

The current owner still plows around the small graveyard of about 25 headstones--including Labon and Elizabeth Jennings. The Old Lewis Farm is located 4 miles east of Franklin on Brown Road near the intersection with State Highway 100. (As of 2011 Can’t find it on Google maps as area is now industrialized)

An excerpt from the diary of David Lewis, son of Neriah and Mary states, "My father had four hundred acres of beautiful land, about one hundred acres in farm and the remainder of this land was timber land. A large double house (two story) on a public road three miles east of the town of Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky. A beautiful yard surrounded the house, about one acre square, neatly covered with blue grass. Two beautiful mulberry trees and one beautiful cedar tree growing in the south yard. Beautiful cherry trees grew on the cut edge of the yard one rod distance from each other. These mulberry and cherry trees bore splendid fruit. A beautiful orchard on the west joined the yard and in it were most all the varieties of fruit that were common for the country. My father (Neriah) was a large man weighing about 330 pounds and my mother (Mary) was a large woman weighing 240 pounds."

Neriah and Mary provided a very comfortable living for their large family. Though not affiliated with any religion, they were good, honest, and hard working people, which virtues, they passed on to their children and descendants. David says “My mother and father was not professors of religion, nor none of my connections with whom I was acquainted. My father’s mother was turned out of the Quaker Church for marrying my grandfather, who was not a member of the church and she refusing to acknowledge that she was sorry for the deed. My father and mother believed in a universal salvation but belonged to no church. I believe they were both honest, and I know they taught their children to be honest. My father was a farmer and possessed a sufficient substance to make his family comfortable.” Five of their sons and their families did joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints during the 1830’s and later moved west.

The later years of Neriah and Mary were spent in Macoupin County, Illinois as most of their son’s and their families had resettled near Carlinville. Neriah died on Nov 27, 1843 and his wife, Mary, followed in 1844.

Neriah and Mary Moss Lewis had twelve children. The first six were born in Pendleton District, South Carolina and the last six were born in Simpson County, Kentucky - children listed below:

Ann Lewis b. 21 Dec 1800, d. 1876 - md Ellis Wilcox
Martha Lewis b. 6 Mar 1802, d. 3 May 1842 - md Travis Moore
Benjamin Lewis b. 22 Apr 1803, d. 30 Oct 1838 - md Joannah Ryon
Tarlton Lewis b. 18 May 1805, d. 22 Nov 1890 - md Malinda Gimlin
John Moss Lewis b. 19 May 1807, d. Mar 1891 - md Elizabeth Woods
Beason Lewis b. 23 Feb 1809, d. 22 Jan 1888 - md Elizabeth Ryon
Samuel Lewis b. 1 Nov 1810, d. 1882 - md Rebecca Wright
Elizabeth Lewis b. 25 Jun 1812, d. 5 Nov 1843
David Lewis b. 10 Apr 1814, d. 2 Sep 1855 - md Duritha Trail
Neriah Lewis b. 29 Apr 1816, d. 22 Jul 1890 - md Rebecca Hendricks
Hiram Lewis b. 11 Feb 1818, d. 11 Feb 1858 - md Cecellia Harris
Mary M. Lewis b. 25 Nov 1820, d. 1888 - md Jay Blackburn

Benjamin and Joannah (Ryons) Lewis

2011-07-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

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,

Tarleton and Malinda (Gimlin) Lewis

2011-07-03T23:04:00.000-07:00

Tarleton Lewis (1805-1890)

Tarlton Lewis was born May 18, 1805, at Pendleton District, South Carolina. He was the fourth child in a family of twelve born to Neriah and Mary Moss Lewis. When Tarlton was a small boy he was afraid of ghosts. He had to go round up all the cows and bring them in from the meadow. By the time this was done it was generally dark outside. So he told his father he didn't want to go after the cows. “Well”, said his father, “next time you see a ghost I tell you what to do. You pick up a big stick and walk right up to that thing and hit it hard, and you will never be scared again.” Tarlton had always loved and obeyed his father, so one night sure enough he could see a ghost through the big trees as he was in the forest. His first impulse was to run home but then he remembered what his father had told him. So he found a big stick and with trembling hands and knees a shaking, he walked right up to the ghost, and there stood one of the old milk cows with a new little white calf walking around her. It was a lesson Tarlton never forgot, and he never was afraid of ghosts anymore.

In 1809 his parents family moved to Kentucky and here Tarlton grew to young manhood and also fell in love with his future wife, Malinda Gimlin, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Moore Gimlin.

He married Malinda Gimlin on March 29 1828 at Simpson Co. KY and had their first two children there. In 1833 this little family moved to Macoupin Co. Illinois. They became the parents of eight children.

Tarlton and Malinda were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by Tarlton's brother, Benjamin on Jul 25, 1836 while they were living in Macoupin Co. Illinois. In 1836 the saints were gathering in Missouri due to persecutions in Kirtland and Independence areas. Tarlton, Benjamin, and David’s families were among about 75 families that located along the banks of Shoal Creek, Fairview Township, Caldwell Co. Mo. Jacob Haun owned a working mill along this waterway and about 30 families had settling at the mill and blacksmiths shop area.

On Sunday Oct 28, a large group of Mormon families from the region gathered at the mill to decide their course of action. They could leave for the protection of Far West as the Prophet had counseled, or to stay and defend their property as Jacob Haun counseled. The settlers decided to organize a defensive force and plan in case of attack. They would have a small group of armed men stationed as lookouts about the mill region to defend their families from any further attacks. They had already suffered losses of property, grain, stock, household equipment and now had been threatened with house burning and killing. That same evening, Sunday, one of the militia groups sent a representative who did negotiated a truce with the settlers.

Monday the 29th and most of Tuesday the 30th passed without incident until early evening about 4:00pm. The children were playing and sporting on the other side of Shoal Creek, the mothers were engaged in domestic activities and the fathers stood guard in the mill and at other properties. The sun shone clear and low in the sky. A large company of armed militia men mostly from Livingston County approached on horses and began firing about one hundred rifles upon anyone, women, men, or children.

One woman was picking up wood chips when the mob started shooting at her. She dropped the chips and ran towards the house to shield herself from the bullets. She fell to the ground and hid behind a big sawed log. She lay there while the mob filled the log with bullets. These demons were bragging among themselves that they had killed another Mormon.

The Mormon men having few weapons to defend themselves, as they were surrendered most of them for the truce agreement, were compelled to run in all directions, some hiding behind trees, or in buildings or wherever they could find shelter. Most ran into the blacksmith shop. Unfortunately, the building was a particularly vulnerable structure as the widely-spaced logs made it easy for the attackers to fire inside. The shop became a deathtrap, since the militia gave no quarter, firing about one hundred rifle and musket shots into the building.

After the initial attack, several of those who had been wounded or had surrendered were shot dead. Members of the militia entered the shop and found ten-year-old Sardius Smith hiding under the blacksmith's bellows. William Reynolds put his musket against the boy's skull and blew off the top of his head. Reynolds later explained, "Nits will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a Mormon."

Seventy-eight year old Thomas McBride surrendered his musket to militiaman Jacob Rogers, who then shot McBride and hacked his body apart with a corn knife. Several other bodies were mutilated or clothing stolen, while many women were assaulted. Houses were robbed, wagons, tents and clothing were stolen, and horses and livestock were driven off, leaving the surviving women and children destitute.

By the end of the skirmish at least seventeen Mormons were dead: Thirteen more had been injured, including a woman and nine-year-old child. A non-Mormon sympathizer was also killed. Three of the 250 militiamen were wounded, but none fatally. Tarlton was shot in the shoulder and Benjamin was shot in the chest, fatally, and David was a walking target taking numerous shots, putting 5 bullet holes in his clothing but not a mark on his skin.

The fifty-five men known by name to be involved were never prosecuted. The militia involved in the massacre was led by Colonel William Jennings, Sheriff of Caldwell County. At the time of the attack it consisted of 240 men from Daviess, Livingston, Ray, Carroll, and Chariton counties and included prominent men such as Charles Ashby of the Missouri state legislature and Thomas O. Byron, Clerk of Livingston County.

Although the massacre took place a few days after Missouri's governor, Lilburn Boggs, issued his infamous Extermination Order, most historians have now concluded that the militia unit had neither the time nor the opportunity to have received news of the order.

Tarlton's wife, Malinda, said that on that awful night, the floor of her house was so covered with dead, dying, or wounded men that it was difficult to get among them to attend to their needs. Tarlton was shot in the shoulder and carried the shot the rest of his life. Tarlton made it home and Benjamin reached his house before his strength gave out. Joannah tended her husband before he died.

That morning, those in the blacksmith shop and elsewhere were gathered and tended to. They found eight already dead, some expiring, and the mutilated body of old brother McBride, who after he was shot dead, was hacked to pieces. As the attackers were still in the woods taking shots at the living and dead, digging graves for the dead exposed them to further danger. Those strong enough gathered up the bullet pierced and maimed bodies of their friends and put them into a recently dug well. It was about 12 feet deep and still dry. They could be buried and out of the reach of further abuse.

In this wanton slaughter 17 were killed and 13 wounded. Although Tarlton was badly wounded he helped his wife Malinda Gimlin, dig a grave for Benjamin as he died after the others. Malinda, Joannah, and Tarlton dug a shallow grave, wrapped his body in his coat and buried his body. He was the only one buried independent of the others.

There was one Isaac Laney, who was shot in the abdomen. He was so badly wounded that his intestines were falling out. Malinda tore off her own kitchen apron and bound it about his abdomen to keep them in place. They managed to get Mr. Laney to the Lewis home before the mobs returned. Malinda saw the militiamen coming and had Tarlton hide under the house as these fiends were going house to house shooting the injured and looting what they felt for.

The mob searched the house and upon seeing Mr. Laney, decided to not waste another bullet on him as he was near dead. They left never knowing the whereabouts of Tarlton. After they were gone Malinda wondered what she would disinfect the wound with. She knelt down by her husband's bed and prayed to the Lord to show her the way; what to do next. As she finished praying she opened her eyes and noticed the white ashes on the hearth. It seemed the answer to her prayer had come, and she gathered up the white ashes and soaked them in water.

This water she used to bathe the wounds of both men. For weeks she nursed them back to health. Yes, Mr. Laney recovered and came to Utah with the saints as history relates.

Tarlton Lewis recovered although he carried the imbedded bullet in his shoulder as a mark of this event. Despite this shocking tragedy, the two surviving brothers never lost their faith in the principles of the Gospel.

Having been expelled from Missouri, Tarlton and his family (consisting of his wife and three children aged 10, 8, and 3years old), moved first to Quincy, Illinois, then in October 1839 to Commerce (later called Nauvoo). When he arrived in he was quickly put to work. He was ordained a High Priest and Bishop of the Nauvoo 4^th ward, by the Prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith in October 1839 and served in this capacity from 1839 until their expulsion from Nauvoo.

He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nauvoo Legion, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois on 1 May 1841.

Tarlton Lewis had great love and respect for the Prophet Joseph Smith. On June 5, 1841, Tarlton and several other men “started from the Nauvoo landing, in a skiff in order to overtake me and rescue me, if necessary.” When the group arrives at Quincy, they find that Joseph has been taken back to Nauvoo in the company of two officers.

Tarlton’s skills with wood were utilized during the construction of the Nauvoo Temple. He spent nine months at one time getting out timber from the Black River country near Minnesota, and floated the lumber down the river to be used for the erection of the Nauvoo Temple. While he was home he had charge of the cranes used for hoisting materials for erecting the temple. As the Temple neared completion he and eight other men helped Brigham Young hoist the last stone and secure it in place.

He was also a very skilled cabinet maker and carpenter, and made useful household furniture to comfort the people. In 1842, his value of cattle: $20, other property: $30, total personal property: $50.

In 1844 Malinda had another daughter to add to their family.

At the age of 40, Tarlton Lewis received his endowment on Wednesday, 17 December 1845 in the Nauvoo Temple, and on the 17th of Dec 1845 and were sealed in this Temple for time and all eternity 6 Feb 1846.

The Lewis family traveled west to help prepare for the trek to the “Rocky Mountains”. They settled in Winter Quarters. On the 26th of June, 1846, the Mormon Battalion was organized. Samuel their eldest son, being only 16 years of age, signed up and served in Company "C". What feelings Tarlton must have had as he considered his young son being shot at, possibly being hit with a bullet, and enduring the sounds of pain and sorrow, he heard and felt at Haun’s Mill. This proved a terrible blow to his Tarlton. They say it was at this time that his hair turned white almost over night, being 41 years old.

The winter of 1846 was spent at Winter Quarters where the saints suffered much from the cold and for want of food. A new baby was born during this winter Tarlton Jr. Dec 1846. One situation of sorrow was that one cold day Malinda went to get water from the river. Their young son, Edward, tagged along behind her with his little brass bucket. There was a hole chopped in the ice of the Missouri River for the purpose of supplying the camp with water. As the mother returned with her two buckets, she thought Edward was right behind her. Turning she found he was not anywhere in sight. She hurriedly returned to the hole and all that she could find was the little brass bucket he had carried, sitting on the ice. It was supposed that he slipped into the hole and was carried downstream. He was 6 year old. The family never quite recovered from this incident.

During the winter, planning for the emigration of the saints west proceeded fervently. It was decided that there would be a scout company made up of men who would build the trail, bridges, and establish the settlement in their final home. Tarlton was chosen to be in this small group.

Leaving his family camped in a covered wagon at Winter Quarters, Tarlton Lewis came with Brigham young as one of the original Vanguard Pioneers to Utah .

On April 4, 1847 on the Elk Horn River, Nebraska: The first two pioneers to leave Winter Quarters are Tarlton Lewis and Stephen H. Goddard. They arrived on the east bank of the Elk Horn River and began to build rafts that would be used to ferry the pioneer wagons across.

On April 16, 1847, Tarlton was asked to be Captain over fifty people. He took charge of the ox teams and also took his turn at the various duties along the trail. This vanguard company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 21, 1847.

“Under the direction of Bishop Tarlton Lewis, the brethren of the valley continued their labors on houses which were being created in the stockades known as Pioneer Square, now Pioneer Park.” Andrew Jensen’s note: These adobe houses were built in the interest of future immigrants as the following people were expected to arrive from the east within the next month.

Monday 9, August: He left with Brigham Young and about half of the original vanguard party, to go back to Winter Quarters with supplies to meet the following immigrant trains. In early winter of 1847 they reached Winter Quarters and found his family just as he had left them. After spending the winter of 1847-48 with his family, he crossed the plains. (Had Samuel returned from Battalion duty to help with the immigration of his family?)

When he arrived he was asked to act as first Bishop of Salt Lake City, which position he held until the saints were organized into five wards. When Salt Lake City was divided in February, 1849, into 19 wards, he was chosen as 1^st counselor to Bishop Edward Hunter of the 13th ward for the next 9 month.

Late in the winter of 1850-51 he was called to assist in locating a settlement in Little Salt Lake Valley. He was, accompanying George A. Smith to Iron County, where they settled in Parowan, Utah. This was the beginning of settlements in Southern Utah.

From the diary of George A. Smith we read “Sunday, Dec 15, 1850, Bishop Tarlton Lewis assisted by the brethren, made a large campfire in the center of the corral. By request a general meeting was opened by singing and the prayer was given by Bishop Tarlton Lewis. A call was made for the Bishops to come forward and answer to their names. This took place on the Provo River.
Monday morning, Jan 20, 1851, (at Parowan), Bishop Lewis and nine other men started up the canyon to cut timber for a new meeting house.

Tuesday February 18, 1851, Bishop Lewis and three other men commenced framing the mill.

Friday, May 16, 1851, Tarlton Lewis appointed 2nd Alderman on the City Council.”

Saturday May 24, 1851 Tarlton Lewis and Brimhall took a walk to Red Break and took their spades. With them made an excavation into a mound. They found an adobe wall and some human bones and timbers.

Monday June 16, 1851 Brother Lewis went south to examine the possibility of bringing water out of the Red breaks to water our fields he reported rather unfavorable. Then he, Joel H Johnson and W. H. Sams examined Summit Creek, but that was also no good.

Friday June 27 1851, Brothers Lewis, Grobe and Elmer went out to meet their families and returned with them in the evening.”

Malinda Lewis had another baby boy about a year later, on June 17, 1852, while he was gone again on another expedition. They named him Ephraim Lewis. Bishop Tarlton was later made Bishop of that Parowan also.

Tarlton was a real Pioneer, always helping to find new towns, making reservoirs, clearing new land and encouraging people to build and build well. He was always lived on the frontier and was a colorful figure in early days of southern Utah. It is said Tarlton gave away more than he kept for himself. This family was dearly loved by all their neighbors. He was often referred to as The Grand Old Man.

In September 5, 1855 Tarlton had to bury his younger brother David, as he had died in service to the Indian Mission and as an accumulating effect of deteriorating health.

In 1856 he married David’s widow, Elizabeth Carson Lewis. She was 22 years old at the time and had with two small daughters, ages 3 and 2 and David had also traded for two Indian children to save them from slavery. Elizabeth was able to learn their Indian language and raised these children to adulthood. She married her brother-in-law with the idea that he would take care of her.

Here is a statement made by Tarlton Lewis at a meeting being held in Southern Utah, before the Mountain Meadow Massacre on Sept. 5-11 1857, It shows the general feelings and fears of the saints at this time of the “Mormon War” year, when United States Soldiers were marching through Salt Lake City just months prior. Elder Pratt had been killed in Arkansas in June and feelings of persecution and fears were rekindled.

At the meeting Bishop Lewis reviewed the remarks of the previous speaker, who was Lot Smith. Tarlton then said: “All good and for good, all the scenes that Brother Lot has recounted, I shared in Missouri. My brother was killed in Missouri and I am alive to avenge his blood, when the Lord wills.

The second time I heard a Mormon preach, he declared holding up a Book of Mormon, that this is a record of the Red Men, and of Gods' dealings with their forefathers. That one day we should carry this book to the Indians and we are now living among them to carry this work to them. We must treat them like children to quite their savage ways. Shall we have no opportunities? We shall! No conquest without a struggle. No victory without a fight. Be diligent and faithful and patient and the Lord will reward you when you have been proved. Ephraim is the battle ax of the Lord. May we not have been sent to learn how to use this ax with skill?” (the original of this journal is in the archives of the LDS Church)

This was a very sad time for the saints after this attack.

In 1858, Tarlton Lewis, Isaac Grundy, Jesse N. Smith and William Barton were sent to explore Beaver Valley. While working in this territory they discovered rich deposits of lead and iron in the mountains. Specimens were taken to Brigham Young and caused quite a bit of excitement. Several men went upon the mountain and were able to get lead so rich that they melted and separated the lead over a pine fire.

These men were ordered to open the mines and lay out a town site. Being obedient to the Prophet, in 1959 Tarlton and Malinda left to establish this settlement. They left Elizabeth and Jane and their families behind in Parowan. Elizabeth had 6 children as Tarlton had two sons with her, William born Feb 1, 1858 and Benjamin Lewis was born after Tarlton had left. He was born Feb 1860. There are numerous descendants from these boys, also who have lived and raised their families in Circleville, Piute County, Utah.

With the arrival of the first families in Minersville, the Lincoln Mine was opened and a company formed. Tarlton was made Bishop over the mining settlement and his wife Malinda Lewis, the first Relief Society President. They lived in Minersville presumably for about 14 years.

Elizabeth Craig, a friend of the Lewis family used to relate this story. She said that when they moved to the same neighborhood that the Lewis family lived in they didn't have much to eat. They were very poor and worked all day on the old house they were moving into. It was full of cracks. The windows were broken and the house was not much good. It was cold and they had worked very hard all day without a bite to eat.

When evening came they were wondering what they could eat to ease their hunger pangs, when a knock came to their door. Upon opening it, Brother Lewis and his wife walked in with a basket full of food; a huge beef roast, a pot of beans and a loaf of hot bread, with a bowl of fresh butter. They all sat down to the best tasting food they had ever eaten. She thought Tarlton Lewis was the best man she had ever known. They lived close to them for years. She said the Lewis' had a good comfortable home, lots of milk cows, chickens and other farm animals.

Tarlton kept his place so clean of weeds that he had to go to his neighbors to get weeds to feed his pigs. He was a big man and had a big tummy, which made it hard for him to stoop, so he got down on his hands and knees to pull the weeds out of his garden. She said she believed that he gave away more food to the needy than he kept for himself and family.

Near the end of his life He and several of his children’s families and many others moved to Joseph City, often called Joe Town. Here they lived the United Order for a few years and then moved to Richfield, Sevier County.

Tarlton held the position of Bishop in Richfield for slightly more than a year before his health forced him to resign. The many sufferings he had endured along with the saints had begun to show on him and he was then a man of 73 years. He had been Bishop in most every community he lived in. Although he was a very large man, he was always very active and hard working and all of his life was spent in the service and building up of Zion.

Tarlton died at the ranch home of his son Beason on Fish Creek, near Teasdale, Wayne County, Utah on 22, Nov 1890. He was buried in Teasdale Cemetery.

Malinda was a small woman as were all the Gimlins; they were a small tribe, I guess. She only weighed about 100 lbs. and when she stood beside Tarlton, with him sitting down, she and him were about the same height. That her posterity of today may get some idea of her looks, she was a very thin and tiny woman with beautiful dark hair and eyes. What she lacked in size, she made up in sweetness and energy. She was one of the kindest persons that ever lived and ever on the lookout for ways to help those in need. It seemed that she knew just when her neighbors needed her help the most and would appear on the scene at the right time to do the most good. This attribute gained for her many lasting friends. Even after she passed away those incidents of her helpfulness were told and retold to her posterity by those who knew her personally. Thus her memory will live forever and be revealed by each generation of her family as they come along. Malinda died at Richfield, Utah, 5th June 1894 and was buried there.

Children of Tarleton and Malinda:

1. Lewis, Samuel - Born: October 27, 1829 at Simpson Co., KY, USA

2. Lewis, Mary - Sept. 10, 1831 at Simpson Co., KY, USA

3. Lewis, Beason - February 19, 1836 at Carlinsville, Macoupin IL,

4. Lewis, Edward Partridge - January 3, 1840 at Nauvoo, Hancock, IL,

5. Lewis, Malinda - January 30, 1844 at Nauvoo, Hancock, IL,

6. Lewis, Tarlton Jr. - Dec. 23, 1846 at Winter Quarters, Douglas, NE,

7. Lewis, Martha Gimlin - July 10, 1849 at Salt Lake City, UT,

8. Lewis, Ephraim - July 17, 1852 at Parowan, Iron, UT,

Second Marriage:

Spouse: Carson, Elizabeth, Divorced (first Husband was David Lewis)

Children:
1. Lewis, William
2. Lewis, Benjamin

Third Marriage:
Spouse: Pearce, Jane/divorced

Children:
1. Lewis, Joseph P.
2. Lewis, Adelbert

Samuel Lewis

2011-07-03T22:52:00.001-07:00

Samuel LEWIS (Battalion boy) Tarletons Oldest Son

Samuel Lewis (1829-1911)

Birth: Date: October 27, 1829 Place: Simpson County, KY, USA
Parents: Father: Lewis, Tarlton Mother: Gimlin, Malinda,
Death: Date: August 31, 1911 Place: Phoenix, Maricopa, AZ, USA
Burial Date: September 7, 1911 Buried: Graham County, AZ, USA
Marriage Information: Spouse: Huntsman, Sarah Jane
Date: January 1, 1854 Place: Parowan, Iron, UT, USA
Baptism Date: Fall 1837 Place: Caldwell County, MO,
Endowment October 13, 1852 Endowment House.
Vocations: Stone Cutter

Samuel Lewis, the oldest son of Tarlton Lewis and Malinda Gimlin Lewis.

Tarlton Lewis moved with his family from Kentucky to Macoupin County after their first girl, Mary, was the baby, and in 1836 Tarlton was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by his brother, Benjamin Lewis. He became one of the great builders of the city of Nauvoo, where the family located. Before they located there, they settled at a place called Haun's Mill where they went through the terrible massacre which is written in the lives of Samuel's father and uncle's histories.

Samuel remembered well “the bullets flying around my head like peas”. He wondered why he escaped. He might have ran to the woods with as many as could escape and stayed in the forest until morning.

Anyway, Samuel came out whole and well and went with his parents to Commerce, Illinois, later Nauvoo, where his father worked on the great temple from start to finish. Although Samuel was only 11 years old, he commenced cutting stone for the Nauvoo Temple. Tarlton had a good home in Nauvoo, but after all the mobbing and terrible killings and whippings they endured, they prepared to leave.

They were asked not to retaliate when whipped, as that would give their enemies a reason to do more, but to take their punishment with trust in the Lord, and after the Temple had been dedicated, they, with many more Mormons, received their baptisms, endowments, and sealings.

Samuel left the beautiful city with his parents and camped with them on the prairies of Council Bluffs (so one account records) they endured hardships in the cold. The next morning, after they crossed the river, Tarlton and his son, Samuel crossed back and went through the temple, climbing stairs and looking over the city and taking a last look at the dear home and Temple. It is said; several men went there the next day, were caught and beaten by the mobs. The terrible beatings, burnings, whippings, and attacks on women can't be realized by us after all these years, only those who experienced it can appreciate the freedom they found in the west a long time later.
It was while the Lewis family was camped in Winter Quarters that Samuel volunteered to enlist in the Mormon Battalion, under the command of Corp. St. George Cook, for the United States Government. Samuel was too young for such a career and he signed up as 18 years and he wouldn't be 18 years old until 1947. He signed up July 16, 1846, so he lacked more than three months of being 17 when he enlisted. It is said his father was so worried about it that his hair turned gray almost overnight. They were asking for men from 18-45. It was such a blow to these Saints to sacrifice so much after being driven from all they had in the world and in such hard circumstances. Why should they go fight for their country when their country had denounced them? This was supposed to be a free country and thousands of people from Europe had sailed for America for religious liberty and found it, but these poor Mormons; what was their future? It looked very black. Still they loved their government, and would fight for it and even with the awful state of existence they volunteered.

Samuel marched off on a trip that was worse than what he had just experienced. Brigham Young promised the men, if they obeyed orders and lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as they had been taught, keeping out of bad company and say their prayers, they would not have to fire a gun and would come home safely. So there were 500 men volunteered, leaving their families to the mercy of heaven and earth and themselves, and they suffered much, but the trek across the plains began and we find that in another history.

Samuel marched with his company to Fort Leaven worth, where he was equipped with equipment and a sword. (The sword was passed down the family) He marched on in his company ( Company C) with James B. Brown in command, 90 in each company. It was a company of noble men, according to his history and most all the Mormon men obeyed orders and went through all the sorrows and hardships of that long march.

After serving a year he was discharged at Los Angeles, July 16, 1847, and arrived in the "Valley" in December, 1847. He became a resident of Great Salt Lake City during that winter and in the spring of 1848, went back east with the first mail to President Young at Winter Quarters.

He worked on the Nauvoo Temple, until the walls were completed, on the St. George Temple for about 18 months, on the Salt Lake Temple 14 months, and on the Manti Temple four months, being a stone cutter by trade.

He went to Parowan in 1851 with his father and family and acted as first counselor to his father (Bishop Tarlton Lewis) in Parowan where he was married Jan. 1854.

He went to Arizona in 1880, and was one of the first settlers in Pima. He helped to build John W. Young's factory at Moan Coppy, located at Thatcher, Arizona, about 1888 or 1889. In 1897 he moved to Colonia Juárez briefly . He died Aug 31, 1911 in Thatcher, AZ.