BIOGRAPHY OF
THOMAS LAFEYETTE LEWELLEN Copied from the book titled HISTORY OF JOHNSON AND HILL COUNTIES of Texas, Pages 664 & 665: THOMAS LEWELLEN, farmer, Woodbury, Texas.--The Lewellen family trace their genealogy back to three brothers, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who left their native country Wales, to seek, homes for themselves, in America, at a period antedating the Revolutionary war. They settled in Virginia, and one of them was the great-grandfather of our subject. The latter was the son of Isaac Lewellen, and grandson of Jesse Lewellen, who was born in the Old Dominion, but subsequently moved to Anson county, North Carolina. He was probably a Revolutionary soldier. Isaac Lewellen was born in North Carolina, in 1797, and became a farmer and merchant, following those occupations the principal part of his life. He was County Supervisor, and County Surveyor of Tishomingo county, Mississippi, and was also Justice of the Peace and Deputy Sheriff of the same county. He held the office of Justice of the Peace after coming to Tennessee. In politics he was a Whig. He married Miss Mary Watts, a native of North Carolina, and the daughter of Thomas Watts. Her maternal grandfather was a Wimberly, and a Revolutionary soldier. Thomas Lewellen, who was born to the above mentioned union, was educated in the log-cabin schoolhouses of pioneer times, and at the age of twenty-two years began tilling the soil. He married Miss Emily Robinson, daughter of J. R. Robinson of Maury county, Tennessee, and the third of five children. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen were born nine children, who have ever enjoyed the best of health. Mr. Lewellen began farming in 1849, and from that time up to the present has bought but two middlings of bacon and six bushels of corn. In 1861 Mr. Lewellen enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sixth Mississippi, under Colonel Reynolds, and was captured at Fort Donelson. He was taken to Camp Morton, and remained there seven months, after which he was exchanged at Vicksburg. In 1864 he was in Virginia, and was in all the battles of Hill's corps. He remained in the army until just before the surrender, when he was given a furlough by General Lee, probably the last one he ever signed. Moving to to Hill county, Texas, Mr. Lewellen bought his present farm/which. then consisted of 600 acres, but now 700 acres adjoining the town of Woodbury. He has followed farming ever since with the exception of four years when he sold groceries in Woodbury. The children born to his union are named as follows: Roxanna, became the wife of G. 0. Martin, and died in 1881; F. Alexander is a farmer of Hill county; J. R., in Hill county; Mary, wife of J. H. Howell of Knox county; Love, wife of Frank Shelton; Emma, wife of Dick Fancher; John, in Hill county; Walter, in Knox county; and Bertha, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen are identified with the Christian Church, and are highly esteemed in the neighborhood.
His Obituary follows as copied from the Hillsboro, Texas THE EVENING MIRROR, no date:
T. L. LEWELLEN IS DEAD
Pioneer, Hill County Citizen Passes Away at Home in Woodbury
Following a stroke of paralysic which he suffered on December 21 at his home tn Woodbury, comes announcement of the death last night of T. L. Lewellen, age 87, a resident of Hill county since 1868. He leaves eight children, 50 grand children, 31 great grand children, and. one great great grand child to mourn his death, besides his faithful wife, who is herself 83 years of age.
Mr. Lewellen was born in the little village of Shakerag, Perry county, Tenn., On December 22, 1826. He later removed to Mississippi, where September 14, He married Miss Emma Robinson. At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted in the company commanded by Capt. Read, Twenty-sixth Mississippi regiment, and in this company served throughout the war, taking a gallant part in some of the fiercest struggles of the contest in Tennessee and Virginia.
Come to Texas
In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen decided to cast their lot with the Lone Star state, and moved.to Hill county, living for the first year on the old Scofield place, north west of Hillsboro. They then moved to Woodbury, In which place they have continuously resided since.
The living children who survive Mr. Lewellen are Mrs. M. C. Howell, Memphis, Texas; Walter Lewellen, Plainview, Texas; Joe Lewellen, Vernon, Texas; Alec Lewellen, Hlllsboro; Mrs. M. F. Moody, Hillsboro; Mrs. Bertha Martin, Woodbury; Mrs. Emma Fancher, Gage, Oklahoma; Mrs. Love Shelton, Hereford, Texas.
For thirty-five years, Mr. Lewellen has been an elder in the Christian church, All of the children are on
their way to Woodbury, and funeral arrangements will be announced when the time of their arrival is definitely, known.
(Copied from THE HILLSBORO (Texas) MIRROR, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1910)
EARLY REMINISENCES
Thos. L. Lewellen and Wife, of Woodbury
Interesting Incidents of Early Days In Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas
An Aged Couple Who Have Lived a Useful Life
One of' the most substantial and influential families of the village of Woodbury, who located there before the building of' a store, when houses, were miles apart, and. who have seen this town rise into prominence and become the metropolis of Hill County and then gradually settle down to a quiet little village, is the honored couple, Mr., and Mrs. Thos, L, Lewellen, who have lived at their present home for the past forty years,
Mr. Lewellen was born in Perry County, Tenn., which is in the western part of the state, on Dec. 2, 1826 and is therefore 83 years of age but has had the pleasure of enjoying 84 Christmases, His place of nativity was in the little village of Shakerag, which had been given this name on account of the many little lights which were indulged in by the patrons of this village. Mr., Lewellen's father had store of general merchandise at this little. Cross-roads town, and on Saturdays and other public gatherings there were two communities represented that were always at variance with one another, These were the Rushing Creek and Flat Creek settlements. They had been jealous of each other for years and_ after they would meet and imbibe freely of the corn juice which was almost as common as the water that flowed down the streams near which they lived, some one would begin to boast of his strength and he would at once be called to time by someone from the other settlement. In only a few moments they would come to blows and soon it would be a free-for-all fight. Luckily however, they never thought of using any other weapon than their fists and no one was ever hurt seriously.
At that time distilleries were as common in that country as cotton gins are here, and almost every farmer would occasionally take a bushel of corn to these booze factories and swap it for a gallon of whiskey or some other intoxocant.
The country stores of that day were quite different to those of the present time. They never carried any canned goods or tobacco. Think of a country store without any canned goods, cigars or tobacco! It would look rather bare. The people in those days raised and put up all their tobacco, fruits and vegetables. There was no such thing as home canning but a great many articles could be dried and stored away for winter use. Everybody raised their own meat and lard and plenty of wheat for bread. Mr. Lewellen has seen hogs sell at $1.50 per hundred pounds. This is quite different to the prices of today with hogs selling at about $8.50 and flour at $3.50.
Almost everybody wove some cloth and knit socks, and when they came to town they would bring a roll of jeans, either a mixed color or dyed brown and a sack of socks that they would trade for calico or fine domestic. Calico at that time sold or twenty-five cents per yard and frequently the merchants would give yard of cloth for a pair of socks. Chinaware was a very scarce article then. Mr. Lewellen has heard his mother say that she bought the first set of cups and saucers that her father ever owned. The usual custom was to mould from pewter pint basins for cups also plates, spoons, etc, that were needed. His mother had a largo pewter basin that would hold a peck of beans, that was used on the table. This pewter ware was very pretty when new and could be kept bright for some time, then occasionally the tinker would come around and re-mould those articles that had become tarnished. The average county merchant bartered more than he sold for cash. The Country people would bring in gensen, coonskins, deer-skins and many kinds of skins from wild animals which they would trade for such things as they needed. Small pieces of money such as nickles and dimes were very scarce and frequently the people would take a 25-cent piece and cut it into four equal parts to make change for small amounts. The best sugar was then sold in loaves from six and one-quarter to twenty-five pounds. Several of these loaves could be seen hanging up to the ceiling of the store and were sold at 25 cents to 50 cents per pound. The ordinary brown sugar was generally used, however. This grade was considered a luxury and used very sparingly. The quantity used in a year would not last the average family row more than a week.
All the houses then were built of logs, even the churches and school houses. The timber was very fine and it was very little trouble to get logs long enough to build a house 40 feet long. The first plank house to be built in that country was built by Mr. Lewellen's brother-in-law.
At about the age of 14 Mr. Lewellen with his parents moved to Tishomingo County, Mississippi. This was a new country then. The Indians had just been moved to the territory now known as Oklahoma. Bears and were plentiful and most any day a person would see 30 or 40 deer roaming through the woods unmolested. Mr. Lewellen's father'' engaged in farming and also put up two or three gins in different sections of the country. The gins of that day were very small. They were usually run by four horses, had one 60- or 70-saw stand and the press was separate from the gin. The lint would be carried by hand and packed into the press, after which a horse attached to a lever and screw would draw the bale down to the proper size. The daily capacity of a gin of this kind was only about 2 or 3 bales per day.
Mr. Lewellen was married to Miss Emma Robinson Sept. 14, 1848 and intended to come to Texas in a few months afterwards, but his father-in-law pursuaded him to stay in Mississippi. He began farming and succeeded well. During the sixty-one years that Mr. Lewellen and wife have been married he has never bought but two middlings of bacon, -- which, was the year after the war-- and cost him 37 cents per pound; he bought six and one-half bushels of corn in 1855, and with the exception of that year has sold some corn every year since 1849.
It has been his policy to live at home and in many ways had a good living. Now in his declining years he and his excellent wife have a sufficient competency to care for them well during their old age.
Two years before the civil war Mr. Lewellen's friends elected him Justice of the Peace in the precinct in which he lived. He had never been in a court house or any kind of a court room, had very little knowledge of legal proceedings, but during the nine years continuous service in this office he did not have but one appeal. He relied upon the one principle -- of right -- and not on technical points. Soon after taking the oath of office a runaway couple came hurriedly to him to be legally "jined together." They were "Red eyed" John Harper and Miss Pug Martin, and were not noted for their beauty or prominence in society circles. The marital knot was tied good and strong, yet it may not have had the embellishments that some noted divines give to such a service. At one time a very dignified gentleman dressed with a great deal of care and precision, and feeling his importance to a very high degree, had some business with the justice of the peace, and called at the Lewellen home. It was just after a very heavy rain and Mr. Lewellen had been down through his farm, and in order to get along more easily, he had pulled off his shoes and rolled up his pants. When he saw this dignified man approaching, he went immediately to meet him, not taking time to dress. The visitor asked if Esq. Lewellen was at home, and being assured in the affirmative, he said, "Tell him I wish to speak to him." He was then informed that he was addressing the Esquire himself. It is useless to say that the man was perfectly dumbfounded.
Mr. Lewellen has never had a case in court which is very remarkable as he has continually had dealings not only with several renters each year, but with all kinds of people in the community. He was never a witness in either a civil or criminal case and in every suit where he sat as a juror and an appeal was taken the case was affirmed.
When the unpleasantness between the North and the South arose Mr. Lewellen, with that true, Southern patriotism, offered his services at once, and enlisted with Capt. Reed Co. A, 26th Miss., proving himself a brave soldier in every conflict. He was at the Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Hanover Junction and several other severe battles. The first time Mr. Lewellen ever saw Col. Belo, who afterward became prominent in Texas on account of his connection with the Dallas News, was at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. Mr. Lewellen's company was ordered to check the Yankees who were attempting to flank the Confederate forces, which they did successfully, and in chasing the Yankees back, his company was thrown with a part of the North Carolina Brigade, under command of Col. Belo. In a hot skirmish the flag bearer was shot near Col. Belo, who grabbed the flag and, while waving it cheered his men on to victory. Col. Belo was an excellent commander and as brave as a lion.
At the first fight at Ft. Donaldson Mr. Lewellen was captured and held a prisoner for several months but was finally exchanged for prisoners held by the South. In the conflicts in which he engaged he was never wounded, but bullets went through his hat and coat, which were uncomfortably close. Just before the surrender a furlough was given to one man in each company and Esq. Lewellen was one of the lucky men and was therefore at home when the surrender was made, his being the last furlough from his company.
In 1868, Mr. Lewellen and family decided to try their luck in Texas, and located in Hill County, having rented land the first year from Dr. Scofield. This first year's stay was not a very pleasant one, and during that year, he, together with G.W. Irving, bought 640 acres of land on which at a later date a portion of the town of Woodbury was built and on which Mr. Lewellen and family have resided ever since. When Mr. Lewellen moved to this land there were only four houses in sight and a person could see for miles.
The first store in the village was put up by Tom Wood who bought a lot from Mr. Lewellen and erected his store where J.S.V. Malone now does business. Soon after the town began to build rapidly. Mr. Lewellen had a small house for a residence, but the demand for a boarding house was so great that he would not turn people away and for sometime the men slept under the trees on a pallet, which were the best accommodations they could get there. The town continued to grow and was soon the best town in the county and remained so until the railroads began to build through the country making the town of Whitney first to rise into prominence and later when the M.K. & T. was built to Hillsboro, began to build and has since enjoyed a very healthy growth. The building of the Texas Central railroad, while booming the town of Whitney did not effect the prosperity of Woodbury very materially, but after Hillsboro was given railroad connection and began to grow Woodbury began to weaken and has since been contented with smaller things.
One of the most successful men of the early days of Woodbury was J.R. Patty, now of Hillsboro. He and G. W. Roland began a general merchandise business in 1870, and had a very large trade, their sales frequently amounting to $500 per day. In a few years they sold their business to L. Mayburn, of Ft. Worth. Mr. Rowland died soon after and later Mr. Patty began business again. His trade was good and he acquired a nice little fortune. In 1882, Mr. Patty moved to Hillsboro but continued his store, at Woodbury for two or three years afterward. In Hillsboro he formed a partnership with Mr. Dunham and had a large volume of business. Later hiss firm was succeeded by _______ Bros ____ton that enjoyed the largest trade in Hillsboro for some time.
In beginning life's battles Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen united with the Primitive Baptist church and labored for many years with this denomination, but about, 40 years ago they Joined the Church of Christ and have been since.
For about thirty-five years Mr. Lewellen has been an elder in the church and with his money and influence has been the leading spirit in building and maintaining the Church of his village. He has always been very liberal in helping the poor and aiding people who needed assistance. Many times ministers of the gospel have needed money and have written this noble man for a loan of a few dollars and in reply would receive a gift of the amount they desired.
While in the service of the Confederacy in January, 1864, Mr. Lewellen was made a Mason and was initiated into a traveling lodge under a dispensation that went with the order. They had no well-equipped lodge room but secretly met in a thicket and in a hut made of pine poles he was introduced into the beauties and mysteries of this order. After moving to Texas, he with Messrs. Williams, Posby, Rowland, Lane and others succeeded in organizing the Woodbury lodge of which he is still a member, For many years he was treasurer of this lodge and was a very active member until recently his age preventing him from regular attendance. There are now only two or three others who have been members as long as he.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewellen ten children, nine of lived to be grown, and there are eight of the children living. With this large family Mr. Lewellen has never struck one either with his hand or with a switch and yet his children have obeyed him just as well, and probably better than many who have used the rod of correction. He has always made it a rule to firm and whatever he told them was the law and needed no proof. Mr. Lewellen states that in his childhood his father never whipped him but once and that was for cursing.
This is a remarkable record and few families can boast of as little punishment given and yet all the children have become good substantial men and women, The names of these children are, Mrs. Calvin Martin, who died about 33 years ago; F. Alexander Lewellen, of Hillsboro; J.R., of near Woodbury; Mrs. Lane Shelton, of Deaf Smith County; Mrs. Emma Fancher, of Gage, Okla.; Mrs. Dr. M.F. Moody, of Memphis, Texas; Walter Lewellen, of Running Water, Texas, and Mrs. S.P. Martin of Woodbury. There are 50 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Lewellen states he has been wonderfully blessed. He is one of 12 children, all of whom have been called to cross the great Divide except himself. Even all his nieces and nephews have died except four or five. The other members of his family have usually died before or about the age of 65. He is still strong and stout for a man of his age and in good weather delights to meet his friends around the stores where he entertains them interesting incidents of years ago. His mind is still as clear as a silver bell and his memory is excellent.
Truly this venerable couple have lived a long and useful life, and as they approach the golden sunset of their life's labors the bright rays of noble deeds which have been done in love and charity to mankind reflect the pure and perfect life of the lovely Jesus whom they have tried so faithfully to follow. May no clouds intervene during their remaining years and with example and exhortation may they still inspire the younger people to greater and nobler deeds.