Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-11-19
MISCELLAN Y.
ROM THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL REGISTER
JOHN LEWIS

SrAUNToN, VIRGINIA, 1851.
Dear Sir,-In examining recently dus-
ty assortment ofold papers belonging to my
father, the late John H. Peyton, | acclden-
tally found several documents OF highly
interesting character, which will throw con-
siderable light upon several portions OF our
early history heretofore involved in obScu-
rity. Among them is the following tradl-
ton of the Lewis family, as related TO him
bv Col. William [. Lewis, iatc of Campbell
county, detailing the causes Of the removal
of John Lewis hi grandfather, with his fam
ily from Ireland to Lewis Creek, near
Staunton, Augusta, which differs in one or
two important .rticuars from that contain
ed in Howe's Historical Collections Of Vir-
ginia, and which for this reason send you
for publication in your Historical Register.
Very truly &c.
JOHN l.. PEYTON.
VIM. maxwell. ESQ.
Col Lewis stated that the account given
bv the "Son of Cornstalk" in his essays,
OF the native country and the causes OF the
removal Of his fan'ily to the colony OF NIr-
rinia. was incur ect. That the true history
Of the matter, as he had obtained ii from his
father. the late William Lewis, Of the Sweet
Springs, who died in the year 1912, at the
age of S5 wears, and long after Col VIM. |.
Lewis. had arrived st maahoou, was tins.
John Lewis, his grandfather, was native
of Ireland, and was descended Of French
protestant ancestors who emSrated from
France to Ireland in 1885, at the revocation
of the edct of Nantz, 10 avoid the persecu-
tiens 10 which the Protestsnts, to which sect
of religion they belonged, we're subjected
during the reign OF Louis XIV. John Lew
is intermarred with Margaret Lynn so la
nous in Scottish clan legends. John Lew
is in Ireland, occupied respectable posi-
ton in what is there called the middle class
of society. He was the holder OF freehold
lease for three lives, upon valuable iarm
in the county Of Donegal and province OF
Ulster, obtained upon equal terms and lar
equivalents from one of the Irish nobility,
who was an upright and honorable man, and
the owner of the rever>ion. This leasehold
estate, with his wiie's marriage portion, en-
abled the young couple to commence lite
with fattering pro$pects--they were both
remarkable for their industry, piety, and
stern lntegrlty--they prospered and were
happy. Before the catastrophe occurred
which completely destroyed the hopes OF
this once happy family in Ireland, and made
them exiles from their native lana their at
fection was cemented by the birth OF tour
sons, Samuel, Thomas, William and An
drew. About the period of the birth OF their
third son-the Lord from whom he had OBJ
tanned bis lease-a landlord beloved by has
tenants and neigh5ors suddenly died, and
his estates descended to his eldest son. a
youth whose principles were directly the re-
verse of his fathers. He was proud, protil-
gate and extravagant-anticipating his in
come, he was always in debt and to meet
his numerous engagements he devised va
riety of schemes, and among them one was
to claim of his tenants forfeiture of their
leases upoa some one of the numerous COW
enants inserted in instruments Of the kind
at that day. Ifthey agreed to increase their
rents the alleged forfeiture was waived-lf
they refused they were threatened with a
long, tedious and expensive law suit. Many
of his tenants submitted to this injustice and
raised their rents rather than be involved,
even with Justice on their side, in legal con-
troversy with rich and powerful adverse
ry who could in this country, under these
circumstances, devise ways and means to
harrass, persecute and impoverish one in
moderate circumstances. Lewis however,
was different man from any who thus
tamely submitted to wrong. BY indust Y
and skill he had greatly improved his prop
erty, his rents had been punctually paid,
and all the covenants of his lease had been
complied with faithfully. To him. after see
ing all the others, the agent of the young
Lord came, with his unjust demands. Lew
is peremptorlv dismissed him from his pres
ence; and determined to make an effort to
rescue his family from this threatened in
Justice, by personal interview with the
young Lord, who Lewis imagined would
scarcely have the hardihood 10 Insist before
his face upon the niquitous terms proposed
by his ageat. Accordingly he visited the
castle Of ihe young Lord. A porter am
nounced his name. AT the time, the young
Lord was engaged in his revels over the
bottle with some of his companions of
similar 4 ste and habits. As soon as
the name of Lewis was announced he re-
cognized the only one of his tenants who
had resisted his demands, and directed the
porter TO order him off. When the porter
] delivered his Lords order, Lewis resolved
at everyhazasd TO see him. Accordingly,