Person:James Lewis (88)

Silas Richards Company 1849

Source website is gone EMILY JENNISON HOLMAN AND JAMES LEWIS

One May day in1847, Emily met James Lewis a man 15 Years her senior. It must of been love at first sight, for after a courtship of nine days, she married him on the 9th of May, 1847 in St. Louis, Missouri by Jedediah M. Grant, Grandfather of Heber J. Grant. Some of the Saints were already preparing to leave for the great west, many because of the persecutions they had to endure, and no doubt Emily and James Lewis had their share of these trials. It was under very trying circumstances that their first child, Annie Elizabeth, was born on the 13th of June 1848. She was named for Emily's mother, sister and grandmother. Here in St. Louis 26 Dec 1849, Elizabeth joined her mother, her small part done in the fulfillment of prophecy. As the main body of saints was preparing for the long Emigration west, Emily, her husband James and child cast their lot in the Willard Richards Company. We all know the trials and hardships of that noble band of pioneers. A great trial on the way west was encountered crossing the divide of the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. A terrible blizzard and snowstorm arose and lasted three days. This pioneer company lost 60 head of cattle. As soon as it was feasible they traveled on to the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived the 1st of November 1849, after a long and tiresome journey. James and Emily lived in the Salt Lake Valley for awhile, then in December 1849, a month after their arrival, their second child, Emily, was born and the girls mother not yet 18 years old. President Joseph Young, brother of Brigham Young, ordained James Lewis clerk of all the seventies. He was also elected a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Deseret, in 1849. Emily upheld him and sustained him in all of his duties in the priesthood and in his community advancements. In the fall of 1850, when the Lewis family, with many other faithful pioneer families, were called to open up a Mission in Southern Utah. Emily willingly, put aside any other desires, to fulfill this calling. On the 13th of January 1851, when they arrived at Center Creek, under the able leadership of George A. Smith, cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith, there was a company of 116 men, and 102 wagons. Each wagon had one or more women and children in it. At evening, when camp was made, Emily and her family helped with every thing that needed to be done, even singing the hymns of Zion. The settlement of Parowan, Utah began and this faithful band of saints endured many hardships and privations. Indian troubles were most severe, and the camps and cattle had to be guarded both night and day against attacks. It was under these circumstances of poverty and terrible fear of the Indians that the third child, James Harding Lewis, was born. He was born the 21st of March 1851, and was the 2nd child born in Parowan, Utah. Emily Holman was only 19 years old that March. She was very small in stature, but was very mature for her age and had a heart of gold. It was such pioneer women as our Grandmother Holman, (Emily) that made it possible for these towns in the Southern Utah to come into being and live on. The Saints in Parowan made homes, as soon as possible, and among them was the home of James and Emily Lewis. Emily gave good care to her family of three children and also helped her neighbors in their trials and hardships. The family was in dire poverty. Famine and destruction seemed near, when a faith-promoting event occurred to the Lewis family in Parowan. The main diet of the family had been boiled corn. For days the delicate condition of the young mother, Emily, had cause to feel almost rebellious at the food and conditions in general. Prayers of the faithful husband seemed to go unheard, until one night, many hours after retiring, a loud distinct knock, consisting of three definite taps, came on the door of the Lewis home. "Who is there?" Answered Grandfather Lewis. "I and a sack of flour, for you, brother Lewis." came the reply. "All right, I'll be right up." Grandfather answered. When he opened the door, there stood the sack of flour but no one was in sight and it was never known who brought the flour. The first the Lewis family had eaten for months. Corn bread, boiled corn, and pigweed greens had been their menu. It was a great trial to Emily and especially to James, when in November 1852, he left Parowan with a company of 38 men, to go to the Pacific coast, where they were to disburse and open various foreign Missions. Could there be anything harder to endure than this trial to Emily? She was in poverty, with three small children. Only one week after the departure of her husband, another son, William Staines, was born on the l0th of November 1852. There must have been many faithful women in that small settlement, far from the headquarters of the church, in Salt Lake City, or they would have become discouraged before this event. Parowan was the first town south of Salt Lake City. They were faithful to the vows and covenants they had made when they joined the band of pioneers. A few weeks passed and the money was received from the sale of their outfits at San Bernardino, California. This gave the families of the Missionaries the only money they had, for supplies, for many weeks. It was the Lord's will to test the faith of Emily Lewis and she proved true blue. After returning from this unsuccessful Mission, (To China) Grandfather, James Lewis, was elected to the Legislature in the winter of 1856 and 1857. Grandmother, Emily, was the only one to do the household and outside chores, as the oldest boy was but 5 or 6 years old. James also held office as Probate Judge, in Iron County, for l0 years and during this time Grandmother proved her true worth again. During the remaining time the Lewis family lived in Parowan, 5 other children were born: Joseph Albert, our Grandfather, on the 10th of Sept. 1854. George Frederick Lewis the 8th of July 1856. Ida Francel Lewis the 8th of Feb. 1857. Nathaniel Holman the 26th of Sep. 1859 and Martha Ella, the 17th July 1861. Nathaniel Holman was just a little over a year old when he died, making a total of 9 children, while Grandmother was only 29 years old. The oldest girl, Elizabeth, was 14 years old and was a great help to her mother. Many times she cared for the family while her mother went out among the sick. Like her mother, Elizabeth Downs Holman, Emily was also an excellent nurse. The soft healing touch of her soft hands helped many a fevered brow to be free of pain and eased the terrible pains of rearing a family. In the year 1861 Emily and Grandfather Lewis were called by Brigham Young to "Utah's Dixie" to raise cotton. They traveled by the slow process of team and wagon, the same method by which she had come so many hundreds of miles, from her home in Salem, Mass. The family located in the small town of Harrisburg by a small, sparkling creek, east of St. George, Utah. The house was built of black rocks, as was also the fence. They were plentiful in that locality; in fact the black boulders must be cleared from the land before it could be cultivated. While living in Harrisburg, Grandmother was post-mistress for several years. When the mail carriers came in with a bag of mail she would empty the contents on the floor, sort out that which belonged to Harrisburg Post office, shoo the children back, lock the mail bag and often ask the carrier to stay for dinner. This carrier being no other than William H. Swapp, whose son would someday marry Emily's granddaughter, the author of this story. During their stay in Harrisburg, a matter of ten years, five more children were born to them: Zelpha Smith, the 8th of May 1863. Mary Alice, the 7th of April 1865. Samuel Larcom, the 9th of Jan. 1867. Charles Larcom, the 28th of Feb. 1869 and John Lewis II, March 1871. Nine months later, after John was born, Mary Alice died. There were 14 children in all, 12 grew to maturity.

This information found on pages 7--11 in the Lewis Family Histories.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES LEWIS James Lewis, son of James, son of George LIFE AND WORK

George Lewis, who immigrated to America before 1613 from East Greenwich in Kent, England, wife Sarah Jenkins, landed at Plymouth, and in 1640 removed to Barnstable. Died 1663. James Lewis, son of George and Sarah Jenkins, born Sep. 1631, married Sarah Lane 31 Oct. 1655, died 4 Oct. 1713. Ebenezer Lewis, son of James Lewis and Sarah Lane, married Ann Lathrop April 1691, was born 20 Dec. 1666, died 4 Oct. 1713 George Lewis son of Ebenezer Lewis and Ann Lathrop born 5 April 1704 married Sarah Thatcher, 12 Sep. 1737, died 1773. George Lewis, son of George and Sarah Thatcher, married Mary Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis of Barnstable, Mass. James Lewis, son of George and Mary Davis, born 22 Aug. 1770 at Barnstable, Mass. married Hannah Harding, daughter of Samuel Harding of Barnstable, had eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. He was a direct descendant of the first George. He removed with his father's family to the Province of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts, in the year 1784. The country was sparsely settled by the whites that had much trouble with the Indians. Indians killed Lathrop Lewis, brother of my father, while surveyor General of the Province. My grandfather's family took a leading part in the organizing of the state of Maine and subduing the Indians. My father was a farmer and a Methodist Preacher of considerable ability and Prominence. The Lewis family held prominent positions, both civil and religious, in Massachusetts and Maine. My Grandfather settled in the town of Gorham, Maine where he died at the age of 84. My father died at the age of 85, Aug. 20, 1855. My mother died 3 May 1884, aged 73. I was born (James Lewis) in the town of Gorham, Cumberland County, State of Maine, on January 12, 1814, and remained with my parents until I was twenty years of age, I received a common school education. Some of my brothers faired better for an education than myself. Some of my relatives were sea faring people and lived near the coast. Portland, once the capitol of Maine, was nine miles from my father's. I followed the sea for a few years, being of a roving disposition. Not liking the sea, I went west. I Stopped in St. Louis, Missouri in 1840, and found employment with a Broker's office as a clerk. I became acquainted with the persecutions of the Latter Day Saints in Missouri, and their exodus to Illinois. Sympathizing with them in their distress and afflictions, hearing the doctrine taught by them, being the same as taught by Jesus Christ and his apostles for man's salvation, that all men had the right to worship God according to his own conscience. I sought diligently to know the truth. Comparing the principals taught with the Bible. The coming forth of the Gospel which was spoken of by John the Revelator. I cast my lot with the Saints and was baptized at Keokuk, Iowa by Elder Hollister and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and ordained an Elder at the same time by Brother Abraham O. Smoot. This was done in the month of February 1842. I went to Nauvoo and became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other leading men of the Church. In 1843 I traveled with Elder George J. Adams to the Eastern States to gather money for the Church. I was in the state of Maine when the news came of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1844 I returned to St. Louis, Missouri, and found employment with the publishing house of Chat Kiel. I was ordained a Seventy by Augusts Farnham, president of the 29th Quorum, assisted by Brother McAllister of the same Quorum. May 9, Jedediah M. Grant at St. Louis married Miss Emily Jennison Holman to me. She was the daughter of the Widow Holman of Cambridge, Mass. I immigrated to the Salt Lake Valley in Brother Richard's Company and arrived at Center Creek the 13th of Jan. 1851. In our Camp there were 116 men and 102 wagons. President George A. Smith was our president. We had two children, one born in St. Louis, and one in the Salt Lake Valley. The Indians were troublesome; we had to keep camp and cattle guard both night and day. In 1852 I was called on a mission to China with Hosea stout and Chapman Duncan. This was the great trial of my life. In poverty with three helpless children and another was expected any day. I felt my weakness like Sampson shorn of his locks. But my trust was in God, my Heavenly Father. Thirty-five elders were called in the North to Asia, Australia and the Islands, making in our company 38 people to cross the desert south to the coast. We left Parowan the 3rd of November and left Cedar (Cedar City, Utah.) on the 5th, 1852. Bidding good-by to families and friends, leaving them in the hands of God and having the assurance from the Priesthood of safe return. We arrived at San Bernadino, California safe and then sold our outfits as required, sending the same to our families at home. Starting without purse of script, as did the Apostles of Christ, to preach the restoration of the Gospel, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The brethren of San Bernadino paid our passage to San Francisco from where we were to sail to our different places of labor and destinations. A committee was required, which was found to be $5,000.00. Many of our brethren were in the mines on the Sacramento River digging gold. A delegation was sent for aid to fill our missions, and in six weeks the amount was gathered. The different missions were forwarded as fast as passage could be found for them. The China Mission was the last, and our passage was $160.00 each. Our first engagement for passage failed, for the vessel could not be insured. Our second effort proved the same. Our third was successful. We obtained passage in a merchant vessel to Hong Kong for $50.00 apiece, saving $110 each. Hong Kong is an island at the mouth of Canton River. After a pleasant passage of 29 days we arrived all well, in a strange land and among strange people. Hong Kong is a great militarily post belonging to the English Government and a barracks for an army of soldiers to be fitted out to any part of China or Japan. At this time there were some two thousand soldiers there. We found a place to board at $5.00 per week. We did not find a cordial welcome. We found the newspaper stories about the Mormons from the United States in full circulation in reading rooms and the Barracks, as well as the opposition of Missionaries of Protestant and Catholic Denominations. Not understanding the language we could not go in to the country because of hatred to foreigners, and the lies of missionaries against our people, which confined us to the island. Our only place for preaching was the public square or soldiers drill and parade ground. We received no welcome from the officers of the garrison or the soldiers. It became necessary for us to leave the country and no opening offered but to ship to San Francisco. After a pleasant passage, report was made to President Young of our labors, which was accepted and were released to return home. I obtained the means and then came home four hundred dollars in debt. (In 1854) In 1855 I was selected Representative to the Legislature in the winter of 1856 and 1857. I held the office of Probate Judge in Iron County for ten years. Sunday April 5th, 1877 Emma Bateman was sealed to me by President Brigham Young, in Salt Lake City. I was called at conference, in St. George, to settle difficulties in the valleys bordering on Nevada. There were many land jumpers who drove the saints from their claims in Meadow Valley and the people were taxed both in Utah and Nevada. Lincoln County claimed taxes from 142 families who were sued by Lincoln County officials. The taxes had been paid to Washington county, Utah. Both counties claimed the taxes as the dividing line had not been ascertained. The cases were taken from the Justice court to the district Court. The judgment was given against Lincoln County. Then appeal was taken to the Supreme Court and the decision of the District affirmed. The jumpers were defeated and the Saints saved their homes. Absent five months. I kept school in Panacha to support my family where I was sent as a Missionary. I received a report from Apostle Erastus Snow, "Well Done". I moved to Kanab, Kane County Utah in 1871, and was elected commissioner for a number of years. Court was held in St. George. I labored in the temple at St. George the winter of 79-80 and 81 and 82. In 1872 I was elected county commissioner of Kane County. Court was held at Toquerville. In 1882 I was called on a mission to San Juan with my family. I was appointed Judge of that country. My son George was the blacksmith for that company which consisted of twenty-five families. The road was made through Potato Valley by way of Escalante and "HOLE IN THE ROCK" which was a jump off of 40 feet of solid rock, which required much blasting before wagons could be let down through the pass. The walls of the Hole were more than a hundred feet high on each side above the roadway. One mile from the top of the hill brought us to the Colorado River. We crossed on the ferryboat provided for that purpose, above the mouth of the San Juan River. The road had been made by the company with great labor and toil of months and was the most rugged I ever traveled. Water was only found in the holes in the rocks deposited in the rainy season and the melting of snow in the spring. Grass was only found in the washes, which were often narrow and the sides steep and rocky. We followed the San Juan River to Bluff City where we stopped for the season. Here I found Elder Silas S. Smith, president of the Stake and Mission which included the San Louis Valley, the gathering place of the Southern Saints. Bluff City was selected as the County seat of the county. I returned to Kanab by way of Potato Valley, expecting to return with my family. Part of which had moved to Arizona. The road by Potato Valley was for single teams. I could not return by that route. I took the route to Arizona by way of St. Johns, expecting to cross the Navajo reservation to Bluff City. Upon arriving at St. Johns I found the Indians hostile by the killing of two Indians. The Indian Missionaries informed me I could not cross the reservation. I reported my situation and was released from my mission by Apostle Erastus Snow. I settled at Taylor, Apache County, Arizona and remained in that county with my children until 1891. In October of that year, I moved to Kanab to make my home with my children who were still living there. In September 8, 1895, I was ordained and set apart as a Patriarch in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and still made my home in Kanab. On the 27th of December 1896, was set apart as first councilor to William Thomas Stewart, President of the High Priests Quorum of the Kanab Stake of Zion.

• • • On 29 May 1898, James Lewis, our pioneer forefather, was writing a letter to his relatives in the East to obtain more genealogy. He complained of difficulty in breathing and stepped out onto the porch to improve his situation. He dropped dead there on the porch.

I have his unfinished in my possession ----Eleanor M. Hall, 157 North State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah - May 24, 1965.

PS. The letter Great, Great Grandfather James Lewis was writing before his death is addressed to Charles E. Jordan. He referred to him as Nephew. Found in the LEWISANNA -The Lewis Letter Vol. IX April 1899 the following: "Rev. James Lewis died 20 Aug. 1855 at eighty-five. Married Hannah, daughter of Captain Samuel Harding and lived on the farm at West Gorham, formerly owned by his wife's father. The place is now owned and occupied by his grandson, Charles E. Jordan.

An Excerpt From HISTORY OF GORHAM, MAINE

"Major George Lewis was a soldier in the Revolution. His name appears also among the list of Majors in 1776 and 1777, as Major of the first Regiment. He was a man of great weight and force of Character, decided in all his convictions. He was a very prominent man in the affairs of the town, and in the old Orthodox Church, of which later he was for many years a deacon".

"In Nov. 1781, Major George Lewis, then of Barnstable, purchased from Joseph Otis of Barnstable and Samuel Alleyne of Boston, the hundred acre lot No. 87 and half of the adjoining hundred-acre lot No. 88 in Gorham, by agreement with Samuel Harding, who owned one-half of 88, Mr. Lewis who had the southern half of the lot. April 22, 1782, he purchased of William Irish his fifty acres of No. 80. These last lots made his home farm of ninety-one acres, on which his son, Lathrop, then about eighteen years of age commenced operations, about a year before the family moved into this town. Before the family arrived he had a handsome clearing, and gotten up a house in which to receive his father and mother and a large family of brothers and sister, all younger than himself. In May 1783 the family came from Barnstable and settled permanently. They brought with them, in a schooner to Portland, Maine, all their furniture, a horse, a cow, heifer, and six sheep."

This George Lewis married Mary Davis and they are the parents of James Lewis Senior. His father was also named George Lewis and His mother was Sarah Thatcher of Barnstable, Massachusetts.

A LETTER OF JAMES LEWIS TO HIS FATHER

Copy of a letter written 30 June 1843 by James Lewis of St. Louis, Missouri to his father who lived at Gorham, Maine. Great Grandfather Lewis was an LDS convert of less than a year when he wrote this letter to his father, a very successful Methodist Minister. Great grandfather often told his children and grandchildren of his last visit with his parents when he left them standing in the door. His father was shaking his fist and telling him to never darken their door again. His mother, with her apron to her eyes in an effort to staunch the flow of tears.

Saint Louis, June 30, 1843 My Dear father, Having a few leisure moments I improve them by writing you a few lines tho I have waited sometime to receive an answer from my last letter to you. I returnd to this place a few days ago as witness against the man who has defrauded me of most of the property I have attained since I came to this country and yesterday he was remanded to prison for want of 10,000$ bail and the trial takes place next week after which I shall return up the river and I am not certain which course I shall pursue. times are exceedingly hard and there is nothing doing in this part of the country. As to my health I am quite smart to what I have been the past spring. But I do not enjoy such good health as formerly. Perhaps I may try to visit the Pattison Country sometime this fall if possible as I am quite anxious to visit my friends and particularly my parents. In my last letter to you I stated something regarding my feelings upon the always important subject of our soul's salvation. I wish to say that I have embraced no new fangled religion, but the same Gospel as preached by the Holy Apostles. A like dispensation is committed to the Children of Men again in these last days spoken of by the prophets and apostles, and God has again commanded his servants to go unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature that they may repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey his commandments for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. When John the revelator was upon the Isle of Patmos he saw things which was to take place hereafter in the last days. Another saw an Angel flying through the midsts of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them which was upon the earth, etc, . Now if the same gospel is preached by the churches at the present time with the same ordinances, which was in the church in the days of Peter and John then the true Gospel has been preached and there was no need of the Angel, but if the Gospel covenants had been broken by the Catholic Church and the Doctrines of men been introduced, then 'tis another gospel. And the Apostle says if any man preach any other gospel than we have preached let him be accursed. I have reviewed these things with care and attention for sometime past and have come to the conclusion of adhering to the doctrines of the Bible and not the dogmas of men. I am well aware of the unpopularity of the doctrines of the faith of a sect called "Latter Day Saints" but God begins a work he will accomplish it and 'tis decreed by the scriptures that he will do His work, His miraculous Work, and bring to pass His act, His strange act that the wisdom of the wise shall be confounded, and the understanding of the prudent be hid, and Daniel's vision of the Kingdom which God would set up in the Last days is about to be accomplished for He is rolling it forth with astonishing rapidity. And tis already becoming the enquires of the learned and they are asking as they did in the days of Christ, "What new doctrine is this?" And already all the sectarian churches are arrayed against us. Another cry is delusion, false prophets, so did they in the days of the Savior of the world, but truth will prevail, and God has already commenced to gather his people together from the four quarters of the world to prepare the way for his second coming. I almost see daily fathers discarding their children and mothers also, because they differ from them in point of matters of religion, my mind reverts back to the days of my Lord and Master when these things were the same. When I reflect that the scriptures tells us there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism but we find at present there are many lords, many faiths, and different baptisms, but there is but one way our God will accept of, but one, as He is an unchangeable Being and requires the same obedience to His will in this age of the world as in any other age. I do not wish to argue this question till I see you, if I ever have the privilege in this life. I merely state these things are so, and rest assured the scriptures are of no private interpretation but we must receive it in its most literal sense excepting the figurative expressions and they mostly explain them. I am exceeding anxious to see all my friends and kin if they regard me any less. I want you to write me soon and you can direct to (Nauvoo) the city of the Saints who number about 20,000 and are fast coming in when a few years ago but a few hands occupied the ground. Had I space I would give you a history of the people, just thirteen years ago the church had six members, now 200,000 in different parts of this and European countries. And the stone is gathering and will soon fill the whole earth, but we must suffer persecution in this life, and we are cast out as evil by this generation. Dear parents, think well of this subject and prepare to meet your friends in a celestial glory. Give me your views of this subject when you write. And I'd count you to write and state your feeling towards me in plain that I may know how affairs stand at home. (Nauvoo, Hancock Co, Illinois) I do not think I will write again till I know your mind upon my conduct. As I have fancied you will rather consider I am, as it were buried to all my friends. Some months has past away since I heard from any of my friends in the east. The business of brother Josiaah is settled and very little is left to me for which I paid his debts. You may hear form me again soon, so father,

I Remain Your Son, James Lewis

Give my respects to all the family and friends and our people in Portland, I may see them soon, farewell until I see you all.

Affectionately your son, James. Direct to Nauvoo, Illinois.EMILY JENNISON HOLMAN AND JAMES LEWIS

    One May day in1847, Emily met James Lewis a man 15 Years her senior.  It must of been love at first sight, for after a courtship of nine days, she married him on the 9th of May, 1847 in St. Louis, Missouri by Jedediah M. Grant, Grandfather of Heber J. Grant.
    Some of the Saints were already preparing to leave for the great west, many because of the persecutions they had to endure, and no doubt Emily and James Lewis had their share of these trials.  It was under very trying circumstances that their first child, Annie Elizabeth, was born on the 13th of June 1848.  She was named for Emily's mother, sister and grandmother. Here in St. Louis 26 Dec 1849, Elizabeth joined her mother, her small part done in the fulfillment of prophecy.
    As the main body of saints was preparing for the long Emigration west, Emily, her husband James and child cast their lot in the Willard Richards Company. We all know the trials and hardships of that noble band of pioneers.
    A great trial on the way west was encountered crossing the divide of the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.  A terrible blizzard and snowstorm arose and lasted three days.  This pioneer company lost 60 head of cattle. As soon as it was feasible they traveled on to the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived the 1st of November 1849, after a long and tiresome journey.  James and Emily lived in the Salt Lake Valley for awhile, then in December 1849, a month after their arrival, their second child, Emily, was born and the girls mother not yet 18 years old.
    President Joseph Young, brother of Brigham Young, ordained James Lewis clerk of all the seventies. He was also elected a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Deseret, in 1849.  Emily upheld him and sustained him in all of his duties in the priesthood and in his community advancements.  In the fall of 1850, when the Lewis family, with many other faithful pioneer families, were called to open up a Mission in Southern Utah. Emily willingly, put aside any other desires, to fulfill this calling.  On the 13th of January 1851, when they arrived at Center Creek, under the able leadership of George A. Smith, cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith, there was a company of 116 men, and 102 wagons. Each wagon had one or more women and children in it.  At evening, when camp was made, Emily and her family helped with every thing that needed to be done, even singing the hymns of Zion.  The settlement of Parowan, Utah began and this faithful band of saints endured many hardships and privations.  Indian troubles were most severe, and the camps and cattle had to be guarded both night and day against attacks.  It was under these circumstances of poverty and terrible fear of the Indians that the third child, James Harding Lewis, was born. He was born the 21st of March 1851, and was the 2nd child born in Parowan, Utah.  Emily Holman was only 19 years old that March. She was very small in stature, but was very mature for her age and had a heart of gold. It was such pioneer women as our Grandmother Holman, (Emily) that made it possible for these towns in the Southern Utah to come into being and live on.
    The Saints in Parowan made homes, as soon as possible, and among them was the home of James and Emily Lewis. Emily gave good care to her family of three children and also helped her neighbors in their trials and hardships.  The family was in dire poverty. Famine and destruction seemed near, when a faith-promoting event occurred to the Lewis family in Parowan. The main diet of the family had been boiled corn. For days the delicate condition of the young mother, Emily, had cause to feel almost rebellious at the food and conditions in general.  Prayers of the faithful husband seemed to go unheard, until one night, many hours after retiring, a loud distinct knock, consisting of three definite taps, came on the door of the Lewis home.  "Who is there?"  Answered Grandfather Lewis. "I and a sack of flour, for you, brother Lewis." came the reply.  "All right, I'll be right up."  Grandfather answered.
    When he opened the door, there stood the sack of flour but no one was in sight and it was never known who brought the flour. The first the Lewis family had eaten for months. Corn bread, boiled corn, and pigweed greens had been their menu.
    It was a great trial to Emily and especially to James, when in November 1852, he left Parowan with a company of 38 men, to go to the Pacific coast, where they were to disburse and open various foreign Missions.  Could there be anything harder to endure than this trial to Emily?  She was in poverty, with three small children. Only one week after the departure of her husband, another son, William Staines, was born on the l0th of November 1852.  There must have been many faithful women in that small settlement, far from the headquarters of the church, in Salt Lake City, or they would have become discouraged before this event. Parowan was the first town south of Salt Lake City.  They were faithful to the vows and covenants they had made when they joined the band of pioneers.  A few weeks passed and the money was received from the sale of their outfits at San Bernardino, California. This gave the families of the Missionaries the only money they had, for supplies, for many weeks.  It was the Lord's will to test the faith of Emily Lewis and she proved true blue.
    After returning from this unsuccessful Mission, (To China) Grandfather, James Lewis, was elected to the Legislature in the winter of 1856 and 1857.  Grandmother, Emily, was the only one to do the household and outside chores, as the oldest boy was but 5 or 6 years old.  James also held office as Probate Judge, in Iron County, for l0 years and during this time Grandmother proved her true worth again.  During the remaining time the Lewis family lived in Parowan, 5 other children were born: Joseph Albert, our Grandfather, on the 10th of Sept. 1854. George Frederick Lewis the 8th of July 1856. Ida Francel Lewis the 8th of Feb. 1857. Nathaniel Holman the 26th of Sep. 1859 and Martha Ella, the 17th July 1861. Nathaniel Holman was just a little over a year old when he died, making a total of 9 children, while Grandmother was only 29 years old.
    The oldest girl, Elizabeth, was 14 years old and was a great help to her mother. Many times she cared for the family while her mother went out among the sick. Like her mother, Elizabeth Downs Holman, Emily was also an excellent nurse.  The soft healing touch of her soft hands helped many a fevered brow to be free of pain and eased the terrible pains of rearing a family.
    In the year 1861 Emily and Grandfather Lewis were called by Brigham Young to "Utah's Dixie" to raise cotton.  They traveled by the slow process of team and wagon, the same method by which she had come so many hundreds of miles, from her home in Salem, Mass.  The family located in the small town of Harrisburg by a small, sparkling creek, east of St. George, Utah.  The house was built of black rocks, as was also the fence. They were plentiful in that locality; in fact the black boulders must be cleared from the land before it could be cultivated.  While living in Harrisburg, Grandmother was post-mistress for several years.  When the mail carriers came in with a bag of mail she would empty the contents on the floor, sort out that which belonged to Harrisburg Post office, shoo the children back, lock the mail bag and often ask the carrier to stay for dinner.  This carrier being no other than William H. Swapp, whose son would someday marry Emily's granddaughter, the author of this story.  During their stay in Harrisburg, a matter of ten years, five more children were born to them:  Zelpha Smith, the 8th of May 1863.  Mary Alice, the 7th of April 1865. Samuel Larcom, the 9th of Jan. 1867. Charles Larcom, the 28th of Feb. 1869 and John Lewis II,  March 1871. Nine months later, after John was born, Mary Alice died.  There were 14 children in all, 12 grew to maturity.

This information found on pages 7--11 in the Lewis Family Histories.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES LEWIS James Lewis, son of James, son of George LIFE AND WORK

George Lewis, who immigrated to America before 1613 from East Greenwich in Kent, England, wife Sarah Jenkins, landed at Plymouth, and in 1640 removed to Barnstable. Died 1663. James Lewis, son of George and Sarah Jenkins, born Sep. 1631, married Sarah Lane 31 Oct. 1655, died 4 Oct. 1713. Ebenezer Lewis, son of James Lewis and Sarah Lane, married Ann Lathrop April 1691, was born 20 Dec. 1666, died 4 Oct. 1713 George Lewis son of Ebenezer Lewis and Ann Lathrop born 5 April 1704 married Sarah Thatcher, 12 Sep. 1737, died 1773. George Lewis, son of George and Sarah Thatcher, married Mary Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis of Barnstable, Mass. James Lewis, son of George and Mary Davis, born 22 Aug. 1770 at Barnstable, Mass. married Hannah Harding, daughter of Samuel Harding of Barnstable, had eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. He was a direct descendant of the first George. He removed with his father's family to the Province of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts, in the year 1784. The country was sparsely settled by the whites that had much trouble with the Indians. Indians killed Lathrop Lewis, brother of my father, while surveyor General of the Province. My grandfather's family took a leading part in the organizing of the state of Maine and subduing the Indians. My father was a farmer and a Methodist Preacher of considerable ability and Prominence. The Lewis family held prominent positions, both civil and religious, in Massachusetts and Maine. My Grandfather settled in the town of Gorham, Maine where he died at the age of 84. My father died at the age of 85, Aug. 20, 1855. My mother died 3 May 1884, aged 73. I was born (James Lewis) in the town of Gorham, Cumberland County, State of Maine, on January 12, 1814, and remained with my parents until I was twenty years of age, I received a common school education. Some of my brothers faired better for an education than myself. Some of my relatives were sea faring people and lived near the coast. Portland, once the capitol of Maine, was nine miles from my father's. I followed the sea for a few years, being of a roving disposition. Not liking the sea, I went west. I Stopped in St. Louis, Missouri in 1840, and found employment with a Broker's office as a clerk. I became acquainted with the persecutions of the Latter Day Saints in Missouri, and their exodus to Illinois. Sympathizing with them in their distress and afflictions, hearing the doctrine taught by them, being the same as taught by Jesus Christ and his apostles for man's salvation, that all men had the right to worship God according to his own conscience. I sought diligently to know the truth. Comparing the principals taught with the Bible. The coming forth of the Gospel which was spoken of by John the Revelator. I cast my lot with the Saints and was baptized at Keokuk, Iowa by Elder Hollister and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and ordained an Elder at the same time by Brother Abraham O. Smoot. This was done in the month of February 1842. I went to Nauvoo and became acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith and other leading men of the Church. In 1843 I traveled with Elder George J. Adams to the Eastern States to gather money for the Church. I was in the state of Maine when the news came of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. In 1844 I returned to St. Louis, Missouri, and found employment with the publishing house of Chat Kiel. I was ordained a Seventy by Augusts Farnham, president of the 29th Quorum, assisted by Brother McAllister of the same Quorum. May 9, Jedediah M. Grant at St. Louis married Miss Emily Jennison Holman to me. She was the daughter of the Widow Holman of Cambridge, Mass. I immigrated to the Salt Lake Valley in Brother Richard's Company and arrived at Center Creek the 13th of Jan. 1851. In our Camp there were 116 men and 102 wagons. President George A. Smith was our president. We had two children, one born in St. Louis, and one in the Salt Lake Valley. The Indians were troublesome; we had to keep camp and cattle guard both night and day. In 1852 I was called on a mission to China with Hosea stout and Chapman Duncan. This was the great trial of my life. In poverty with three helpless children and another was expected any day. I felt my weakness like Sampson shorn of his locks. But my trust was in God, my Heavenly Father. Thirty-five elders were called in the North to Asia, Australia and the Islands, making in our company 38 people to cross the desert south to the coast. We left Parowan the 3rd of November and left Cedar (Cedar City, Utah.) on the 5th, 1852. Bidding good-by to families and friends, leaving them in the hands of God and having the assurance from the Priesthood of safe return. We arrived at San Bernadino, California safe and then sold our outfits as required, sending the same to our families at home. Starting without purse of script, as did the Apostles of Christ, to preach the restoration of the Gospel, through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The brethren of San Bernadino paid our passage to San Francisco from where we were to sail to our different places of labor and destinations. A committee was required, which was found to be $5,000.00. Many of our brethren were in the mines on the Sacramento River digging gold. A delegation was sent for aid to fill our missions, and in six weeks the amount was gathered. The different missions were forwarded as fast as passage could be found for them. The China Mission was the last, and our passage was $160.00 each. Our first engagement for passage failed, for the vessel could not be insured. Our second effort proved the same. Our third was successful. We obtained passage in a merchant vessel to Hong Kong for $50.00 apiece, saving $110 each. Hong Kong is an island at the mouth of Canton River. After a pleasant passage of 29 days we arrived all well, in a strange land and among strange people. Hong Kong is a great militarily post belonging to the English Government and a barracks for an army of soldiers to be fitted out to any part of China or Japan. At this time there were some two thousand soldiers there. We found a place to board at $5.00 per week. We did not find a cordial welcome. We found the newspaper stories about the Mormons from the United States in full circulation in reading rooms and the Barracks, as well as the opposition of Missionaries of Protestant and Catholic Denominations. Not understanding the language we could not go in to the country because of hatred to foreigners, and the lies of missionaries against our people, which confined us to the island. Our only place for preaching was the public square or soldiers drill and parade ground. We received no welcome from the officers of the garrison or the soldiers. It became necessary for us to leave the country and no opening offered but to ship to San Francisco. After a pleasant passage, report was made to President Young of our labors, which was accepted and were released to return home. I obtained the means and then came home four hundred dollars in debt. (In 1854) In 1855 I was selected Representative to the Legislature in the winter of 1856 and 1857. I held the office of Probate Judge in Iron County for ten years. Sunday April 5th, 1877 Emma Bateman was sealed to me by President Brigham Young, in Salt Lake City. I was called at conference, in St. George, to settle difficulties in the valleys bordering on Nevada. There were many land jumpers who drove the saints from their claims in Meadow Valley and the people were taxed both in Utah and Nevada. Lincoln County claimed taxes from 142 families who were sued by Lincoln County officials. The taxes had been paid to Washington county, Utah. Both counties claimed the taxes as the dividing line had not been ascertained. The cases were taken from the Justice court to the district Court. The judgment was given against Lincoln County. Then appeal was taken to the Supreme Court and the decision of the District affirmed. The jumpers were defeated and the Saints saved their homes. Absent five months. I kept school in Panacha to support my family where I was sent as a Missionary. I received a report from Apostle Erastus Snow, "Well Done". I moved to Kanab, Kane County Utah in 1871, and was elected commissioner for a number of years. Court was held in St. George. I labored in the temple at St. George the winter of 79-80 and 81 and 82. In 1872 I was elected county commissioner of Kane County. Court was held at Toquerville. In 1882 I was called on a mission to San Juan with my family. I was appointed Judge of that country. My son George was the blacksmith for that company which consisted of twenty-five families. The road was made through Potato Valley by way of Escalante and "HOLE IN THE ROCK" which was a jump off of 40 feet of solid rock, which required much blasting before wagons could be let down through the pass. The walls of the Hole were more than a hundred feet high on each side above the roadway. One mile from the top of the hill brought us to the Colorado River. We crossed on the ferryboat provided for that purpose, above the mouth of the San Juan River. The road had been made by the company with great labor and toil of months and was the most rugged I ever traveled. Water was only found in the holes in the rocks deposited in the rainy season and the melting of snow in the spring. Grass was only found in the washes, which were often narrow and the sides steep and rocky. We followed the San Juan River to Bluff City where we stopped for the season. Here I found Elder Silas S. Smith, president of the Stake and Mission which included the San Louis Valley, the gathering place of the Southern Saints. Bluff City was selected as the County seat of the county. I returned to Kanab by way of Potato Valley, expecting to return with my family. Part of which had moved to Arizona. The road by Potato Valley was for single teams. I could not return by that route. I took the route to Arizona by way of St. Johns, expecting to cross the Navajo reservation to Bluff City. Upon arriving at St. Johns I found the Indians hostile by the killing of two Indians. The Indian Missionaries informed me I could not cross the reservation. I reported my situation and was released from my mission by Apostle Erastus Snow. I settled at Taylor, Apache County, Arizona and remained in that county with my children until 1891. In October of that year, I moved to Kanab to make my home with my children who were still living there. In September 8, 1895, I was ordained and set apart as a Patriarch in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and still made my home in Kanab. On the 27th of December 1896, was set apart as first councilor to William Thomas Stewart, President of the High Priests Quorum of the Kanab Stake of Zion.

• • • On 29 May 1898, James Lewis, our pioneer forefather, was writing a letter to his relatives in the East to obtain more genealogy. He complained of difficulty in breathing and stepped out onto the porch to improve his situation. He dropped dead there on the porch.

I have his unfinished in my possession ----Eleanor M. Hall, 157 North State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah - May 24, 1965.

PS. The letter Great, Great Grandfather James Lewis was writing before his death is addressed to Charles E. Jordan. He referred to him as Nephew. Found in the LEWISANNA -The Lewis Letter Vol. IX April 1899 the following: "Rev. James Lewis died 20 Aug. 1855 at eighty-five. Married Hannah, daughter of Captain Samuel Harding and lived on the farm at West Gorham, formerly owned by his wife's father. The place is now owned and occupied by his grandson, Charles E. Jordan.

An Excerpt From HISTORY OF GORHAM, MAINE

"Major George Lewis was a soldier in the Revolution. His name appears also among the list of Majors in 1776 and 1777, as Major of the first Regiment. He was a man of great weight and force of Character, decided in all his convictions. He was a very prominent man in the affairs of the town, and in the old Orthodox Church, of which later he was for many years a deacon".

"In Nov. 1781, Major George Lewis, then of Barnstable, purchased from Joseph Otis of Barnstable and Samuel Alleyne of Boston, the hundred acre lot No. 87 and half of the adjoining hundred-acre lot No. 88 in Gorham, by agreement with Samuel Harding, who owned one-half of 88, Mr. Lewis who had the southern half of the lot. April 22, 1782, he purchased of William Irish his fifty acres of No. 80. These last lots made his home farm of ninety-one acres, on which his son, Lathrop, then about eighteen years of age commenced operations, about a year before the family moved into this town. Before the family arrived he had a handsome clearing, and gotten up a house in which to receive his father and mother and a large family of brothers and sister, all younger than himself. In May 1783 the family came from Barnstable and settled permanently. They brought with them, in a schooner to Portland, Maine, all their furniture, a horse, a cow, heifer, and six sheep."

This George Lewis married Mary Davis and they are the parents of James Lewis Senior. His father was also named George Lewis and His mother was Sarah Thatcher of Barnstable, Massachusetts.

A LETTER OF JAMES LEWIS TO HIS FATHER

Copy of a letter written 30 June 1843 by James Lewis of St. Louis, Missouri to his father who lived at Gorham, Maine. Great Grandfather Lewis was an LDS convert of less than a year when he wrote this letter to his father, a very successful Methodist Minister. Great grandfather often told his children and grandchildren of his last visit with his parents when he left them standing in the door. His father was shaking his fist and telling him to never darken their door again. His mother, with her apron to her eyes in an effort to staunch the flow of tears.

Saint Louis, June 30, 1843 My Dear father, Having a few leisure moments I improve them by writing you a few lines tho I have waited sometime to receive an answer from my last letter to you. I returnd to this place a few days ago as witness against the man who has defrauded me of most of the property I have attained since I came to this country and yesterday he was remanded to prison for want of 10,000$ bail and the trial takes place next week after which I shall return up the river and I am not certain which course I shall pursue. times are exceedingly hard and there is nothing doing in this part of the country. As to my health I am quite smart to what I have been the past spring. But I do not enjoy such good health as formerly. Perhaps I may try to visit the Pattison Country sometime this fall if possible as I am quite anxious to visit my friends and particularly my parents. In my last letter to you I stated something regarding my feelings upon the always important subject of our soul's salvation. I wish to say that I have embraced no new fangled religion, but the same Gospel as preached by the Holy Apostles. A like dispensation is committed to the Children of Men again in these last days spoken of by the prophets and apostles, and God has again commanded his servants to go unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature that they may repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey his commandments for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. When John the revelator was upon the Isle of Patmos he saw things which was to take place hereafter in the last days. Another saw an Angel flying through the midsts of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them which was upon the earth, etc, . Now if the same gospel is preached by the churches at the present time with the same ordinances, which was in the church in the days of Peter and John then the true Gospel has been preached and there was no need of the Angel, but if the Gospel covenants had been broken by the Catholic Church and the Doctrines of men been introduced, then 'tis another gospel. And the Apostle says if any man preach any other gospel than we have preached let him be accursed. I have reviewed these things with care and attention for sometime past and have come to the conclusion of adhering to the doctrines of the Bible and not the dogmas of men. I am well aware of the unpopularity of the doctrines of the faith of a sect called "Latter Day Saints" but God begins a work he will accomplish it and 'tis decreed by the scriptures that he will do His work, His miraculous Work, and bring to pass His act, His strange act that the wisdom of the wise shall be confounded, and the understanding of the prudent be hid, and Daniel's vision of the Kingdom which God would set up in the Last days is about to be accomplished for He is rolling it forth with astonishing rapidity. And tis already becoming the enquires of the learned and they are asking as they did in the days of Christ, "What new doctrine is this?" And already all the sectarian churches are arrayed against us. Another cry is delusion, false prophets, so did they in the days of the Savior of the world, but truth will prevail, and God has already commenced to gather his people together from the four quarters of the world to prepare the way for his second coming. I almost see daily fathers discarding their children and mothers also, because they differ from them in point of matters of religion, my mind reverts back to the days of my Lord and Master when these things were the same. When I reflect that the scriptures tells us there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism but we find at present there are many lords, many faiths, and different baptisms, but there is but one way our God will accept of, but one, as He is an unchangeable Being and requires the same obedience to His will in this age of the world as in any other age. I do not wish to argue this question till I see you, if I ever have the privilege in this life. I merely state these things are so, and rest assured the scriptures are of no private interpretation but we must receive it in its most literal sense excepting the figurative expressions and they mostly explain them. I am exceeding anxious to see all my friends and kin if they regard me any less. I want you to write me soon and you can direct to (Nauvoo) the city of the Saints who number about 20,000 and are fast coming in when a few years ago but a few hands occupied the ground. Had I space I would give you a history of the people, just thirteen years ago the church had six members, now 200,000 in different parts of this and European countries. And the stone is gathering and will soon fill the whole earth, but we must suffer persecution in this life, and we are cast out as evil by this generation. Dear parents, think well of this subject and prepare to meet your friends in a celestial glory. Give me your views of this subject when you write. And I'd count you to write and state your feeling towards me in plain that I may know how affairs stand at home. (Nauvoo, Hancock Co, Illinois) I do not think I will write again till I know your mind upon my conduct. As I have fancied you will rather consider I am, as it were buried to all my friends. Some months has past away since I heard from any of my friends in the east. The business of brother Josiaah is settled and very little is left to me for which I paid his debts. You may hear form me again soon, so father,

I Remain Your Son, James Lewis

Give my respects to all the family and friends and our people in Portland, I may see them soon, farewell until I see you all.

Affectionately your son, James. Direct to Nauvoo, Illinois.

Seal to Parents: 17 Dec 1938 SGEOR - St. George Utah