Isaac Lewis (c1691-1743) and Margaret Hooker of Chowan and Bertie Co., NC

Marty and Karla Grant

[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]

[Lewis Home] - [Table of Contents] - Isaac Lewis and Margaret Hooker

Jump to Children’s section | Jump to Family Group Sheet

Note: This page is a work in progress.

I don’t have absolute proof yet, but I think that Isaac and Margaret are my 7 times great grandparents, that is if they are the parents of my proven ancestor Jacob Lewis (bef 1730-c1796) as I strongly suspect.

Isaac Lewis was born before ca 1691. This is based on the first record I’ve found for him which was a land grant dated 9 Jan 1712, and assuming he was at least 21 at that time. That puts his birth at ca 1691 or earlier.

Isaac Lewis is a proven child of Bridget Brown as named in a 1713 power of attorney. Bridget was presumably a widow Lewis who’d married a Brown by this time.

Other Lewis researchers have differing opinions on who Bridget Brown was. One view is that Bridget was the widow of Edward Lewis (d 1712) and married a John Brown(e) after his death. Another believes that Bridget was a Lewis by birth and that her children (Jacob, Isaac and perhaps Anthony) were born out of wedlock. A third view is that Bridget was twice married, first to a Lewis who was father of her children, he died, then she married Edward Lewis, who also died, then she married John Browne. I personally don’t know the answer to this yet. However, for now I’ll list Isaac’s parents as Edward Lewis (d 1712) and Bridget (—) Lewis Brown.

Isaac Lewis was potentially born in Chowan (now Bertie) Co., NC, or perhaps in Virginia.

It’s helpful to consider the changing county lines of that region. Albemarle County was created in 1664 as one of two original counties. At this time Albemarle covered the entire northern and central eastern part of North Carolina. In 1670 Shaftesbury Precinct was formed as part of Albemarle County and covered our area of interest. In 1685 Shaftesbury was renamed to Chowan Precinct. In 1689 Albemarle County ceased to exist as a governmental unit, however, it was still referenced in documents for many years after this. In 1722, Bertie Precinct was formed from Chowan. Our area of interest fell into Bertie. In 1741, all the Precincts became Counties. In 1759 Hertford County was formed from the northern half of Bertie which included the area where Isaac had lived.

Isaac Lewis married Margaret Hooker in the 1710s, presumably in Chowan (now Bertie) Co., NC. She is a proven daughter of William Hooker as named in his 8 Jan 1716/17 Will in Chowan Co., NC as daughter “Margaret Lewis.” William Hooker also named his grandson William Lewis, who is presumably Margaret’s son named in her father’s honor.

On 9 Dec 1712 Isaac Lewis received a land grant of 150 acres on the north side of Horse Swamp of Wiccacon Creek.

Regarding the above 150 acres, on 3 Aug 1716 “Upon petition of Coll Wm Maule Shewing that a Tract of Land on ye horse swamp in Chowan containing one hundred and fifty acres formerly granted by pattent to Isaac Lewis and is now Elaps’d for want of being seated in due time pursuant to the purport of ye said pattent and prayes the same may be granted to him.” (North Carolina Colonial Records, Vol II, p. 240.)

This means Isaac probably lost that patent to William Maule, unless his petition was denied. I found no record of Isaac ever disposing of this land, so it seems likely Maule was able to get it for himself. It’s interesting that when William Maule died just a few years later, Isaac Lewis was one of the men tasked with evaluating his property for the estate.

On 21 Apr 1714, George Smith and wife Sarah Smith, of Chowan Precinct, Albemarle County, North Carolina, made a deed to Jacob Lewis and Isaac Lewis (together). For 16 pounds, they sold the Lewises 250 acres on the west side of Wicacon Creek, beginning on the first great branch of Brooks Creek. It mentioned Wasers line, Raspberry’s line and the road by James Corlees. George Smith signed. Sarah Smith made her mark. Witnesses were John Smith and William Browne. (Chowan Co., NC Deed Book W1, p. 200.)

The above deed suggests to me that Jacob and Isaac were brothers as they jointly owned this land. I believe that Jacob sold his half of this land to Isaac in 1729 along with other lands, though it doesn’t explicitly say it’s the same land, but it was on the same waterways.

Some geography: Wiccacon River (then called Creek) rises in present day Hertford Co., NC at the junction of Ahoskie Creek and Turnpike Branch a little south of the Cofield community. It flows generally eastward until joining the Chowan River. It’s entire run is within Hertford. However, Ahoskie Creek, or what becomes Ahoskie Creek, rises in Bertie and flows northward into Hertford. Brooks Creek rises in northern Hertford very near the Chowan River, but flows south away from the river and flows into the north side of Wiccacon just above where Highway 45 crosses Wiccacon a little north west of Harrellsville community. Horse Swamp rises just above Ahoskie (the town) and flows easterly joining Ahoskie Creek very near where Ahoskie becomes Wiccacon.

On 18 Apr 1715, Margaret Lewis gave to John Mayner power of attorney regarding a deed from William Dawson to John Council. Witnesses were John Keele and Jacob Lewis.

I don’t know if the above is Isaac’s wife Margaret or perhaps a sister instead. If it’s his wife, wouldn’t Isaac Lewis have been mentioned along with her, or in her place?

On 8 Jan 1716/17, William Hooker made his Will in Chowan, naming:

∙ Eldest son William Hooker

∙ son Walter

∙ son-in-law Samuel Sizemore

∙ grandson William Lewis

∙ daughter Ann Evans

∙ daughters Bridget Mann, Margaret Lewis, Jane Brown, Elizabeth Sizemore

∙ son Godfrey Hooker

∙ William Hooker Executor.

On 9 Mar 1717 Isaac Lewis received a land grant in Chowan Co, NC for 520 acres. No waterways were mentioned, but neighboring property owners were: Richard Williamson, widow Smith, Jacob Lewis, Wm Keel, Thos Wiggons, Stephen Williams.

On the same date (9 Mar 1717), Isaac Lewis received a 400 acre grant on the north side of “Catowatiky Swamp.” This is probably Cutawhiskie Swamp or Creek which rises in present day Northampton Co., NC and flows generally northeasterly into Hertford Co., NC. Sections of it are not far at all from the other lands Isaac and brother Jacob Lewis had, most of which are in present day Hertford, though back then Chowan County, later Bertie. In 1741 Northampton County was formed from Bertie. This 400 acre tract fell into Northampton as later records will show.

On 23 Jan 1717/18, Jacob Lewis and wife Mary, and Isaac Lewis made a bond of 100 pounds to George Smith to make title on land on Brooks Creek. Witnesses were Tredle Keefe, Francis Brown and John Manear. (Chowan Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 602.)

Presumably the above was in regards to the April 1714 deed which perhaps hadn’t been filed yet because George Smith (Sr) died shortly after making it. The George Smith in this bond was a son of the deceased George Smith, I believe.

Isaac Lewis is not listed on the 1717 Chowan tax list, but his brother Jacob is, and a Richard Lewis is also listed. Odd that Isaac wasn’t listed as he had quite a bit of land by 1717. Then again, the two land grants he received that very year might not have been taxable yet. Also, the land he owned jointly with Jacob may have been taxed entirely in Jacob’s name.

In July 1720, Samuel Sizemore of Chowan deeded land (acreage not found) to Isaac Lewis for 40 pounds. The land was described as being in Ralph Outlaw’s line, including a place settled by Thomas Rode on Calewhistle Swamp called “Rodes Folly.” Witnesses were Rt. Hicks and Bara. Mackinne. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book F, p. 91.)

Samuel Sizemore was Isaac’s brother-in-law, married to Elizabeth Hooker. The above deed, though dated 1720, wasn’t filed until ca 1739 when Isaac sold the land, thus him buying it in 1720 and selling it in 1739 are filed back to back in the Bertie County deed book.

The 1721 tax list for Chowan includes entries for Anthony Lewis, Anthony Lewis Jr, Isaac Lewis and Jacob Lewis. I don’t know if the Anthony Lewises are related to Jacob and Isaac or not, but I suspect they are related somehow. On this tax list, Isaac Lewis had 650 acres.

In 1722 Bertie Precinct was formed, thus Isaac and family fell into Bertie, no longer being residents of Chowan.

Ono 15 May 1723, Isaac Lewis of Bertie, Planter, made a deed to James Wilkinson for 50 pounds for 160 acres described as on the north side of Horse Swamp. The signature is mistakenly written out as “James” Lewis, with Isaac’s mark. Witnesses were Rob. Forster and Bar. Mackinne. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A-55).

The above might be part of Isaac’s 520 acre land grant, or perhaps not.

In May 1726 (no day given), Jacob Lewis of Bertie sold a small parcel of land on the west side of Brooks Creek to Isaac Lewis of the same place for 5 pounds. No acreage was listed so it might have been under an acre or just a few acres. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were Thomas Jones and John Winns. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 137.)

I would suspect the above is a portion of the land they owned jointly.

On 12 Aug 1729, Jacob Lewis of Bertie and wife Mary made a deed to Isaac Lewis (his likely brother) for 75 pounds for 400 acres. Land described as on the first great branch of Brooks Creek, mentions William Drews’ line, John Rasberry’s corner, John Mayner and William Keel’s lines. A 15 foot square section was excepted “about the grave or burial place,” meaning there was already a grave yard on this land. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark, and Mary with an X. Witnesses were Ed. Mashburn and James Bryant. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 128.)

The above may include all of their jointly owned land that was deeded to them in 1714 by George and Sarah Smith. If correct, then that land was now exclusively Isaac’s. This makes sense because Jacob and wife were selling off all their land in preparation to move.

On 10 Nov 1736, Isaac Lewis (and Thomas Lee) witnessed a deed of gift from Thomas Banks of Bertie to Banks’s son-in-law William Lewis for 200 acres on Chinkapin Creek. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book E, p. 64).

William Lewis is Isaac Lewis’s son.

On 3 Nov 1739, Isaac Lewis sold land to William Moore of Ahoskie, Bertie Co., NC planter for 22 pounds. This being the same land from the Jul 1720 deed from Samuel Sizemore. Isaac Lewis signed with a mark. Witnesses were Thomas Jones and Peter Piercy. Isaac Lewis acknowledged the deed in May 1740 court. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book F, p. 92.)

In Nov 1739 court, Jacob Keele, orphan of William Keele was bound to Isaac Lewis until age 21 to learn the art and mystery of a shoemaker. (Bertie Co., NC Court Minutes)

The above suggests that Isaac Lewis was a shoemaker.

On 2 Apr 1741, Isaac Lewis received a 96 acre grant described as on the mouth of Duns Swamp of Wickacon (Wiccacon) Creek and mentions William Peck as adjoining, and also mentions the Dogwood Branch. This same grant is recorded twice with slightly different description, but clearly the same land.

Apparently Isaac Lewis made a Will in Bertie, but I have yet to find it. It apparently got lost at some point over the years.

Isaac Lewis was dead by 21 Apr 1743 for on that date an Inventory of his estate was returned by Margret Lewis, the Executrix. Unfortunately, that is the only document in Isaac’s estate folder, and no heirs are named, nor any other persons at all besides Margaret. (Bertie Co., NC Wills and Estate Papers.)

On 13 Aug 1744, Margaret Lewis & William Lewis, Executors of the Last Will and Testament of Isaac Lewis decd made a deed in Northampton Co., NC to Thomas Jackson of Bertie for 40 pounds. This was for land on the northern side of “Calawiskey” Swamp in Northampton, being 300 acres. Signed by Margaret Lewis, (her mark) and William Lewis (his seal). Witnessed by John Wynns and William Williamson (his mark). (Northampton Co., NC Deed Book 1, pp. 199-200).

The above is part of the 400 acre grant of land on Cutawhiskie dated 1717. The other 100 acres was apparently sold to William Moore at some point because Moore sold it 21 Aug 1751 while a resident of Granville Co., NC and described it as land purchased from Isaac Lewis. (Northampton Co., NC Deed Book 2, p. 70.)

Although the Will of Isaac Lewis is apparently lost, we can add two likely sons based on a set of deeds in 1750 and 1752. These strongly suggest that John and Jacob Lewis were also two of his sons. That they were selling off their inherited land at this time suggests two things. One, their mother Margaret had recently died, and two, they were preparing to move away.

On 27 Sep 1750, John Lewis of Bertie Co., NC, Carpenter, made a deed to Jacob Lewis for ten pounds proclamation money, sold him 96 acres north side of Wiccacon Creek. John Lewis signed with a mark. Witnesses were John Harrell and Joseph Harrell. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book G, p. 372.)

The land in question might be the same 96 acres that was granted to Isaac Lewis in 1741, though the description is much more vague in this deed than in the grant but generally conforms to it. If it is that same land, this may prove that John Lewis is a son and heir of Isaac Lewis. It also strongly suggests that Jacob is another heir.

On 22 Apr 1752, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Co., NC made a deed to Benjamin Wynns of the same place for 20 pounds sterling, 96 acres north side of Wiccacon Creek to the Creek Pocoson ... mouth of the deep branch ... Signed Jacob Lewis (his mark). Witnessed by Frances Thomas, Harmon Holloman. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book G, pp. 539-540.)

The above 1752 deed is the same land Jacob purchased from John Lewis in 1750. The description of the land in this 1752 deed was slightly different than the 1750 deed but is almost certainly the same piece of land. Jacob Lewis’s mark on the above deed was a cross (+), more like a plus sign.

On 17 Nov 1752, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Co., NC, Planter, made a deed to Henry Maynor, of the same place, for 75 pounds lawful money he sold him 100 acres in Bertie on Brookses Creek between Isaac Lewis and Joseph Harrell, whereon Jacob Lewis formerly lived. And another tract containing 100 acres being half of a 200 acre tract, the other half belonging to Isaac Lewis, yet undivided. Signed by Jacob Lewis (his mark). Witnessed by Nathaniel W. Hargrove, William H. Boon, Wm Wynns. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book I, pp. 47-48.)

The above land was probably part of the land purchased in 1714 by Jacob (Sr) and Isaac Lewis jointly from George and Sarah Smith, though the original deed estimated it at 250 acres. However, in the intervening years it may have been combined with other tracts, or re-surveyed or split, etc. The signature mark for the Jacob on this 1752 deed is the same as the one in 1750.

The 1752 deed suggests there was still half of the 200 “undivided” tract left over as part of the estate.

Children

Isaac Lewis left a Will, but unfortunately it can’t be found in the records. Margaret and William Lewis were his executors per a 1744 deed. William Lewis is proven by the 1717 Will of his grandfather William Hooker to be a son of Margaret, thus also Isaac’s son. Him being Executor also proves the connection, more or less.

The 1750 and 1752 deeds I cited just above strongly suggest that John Lewis and Jacob Lewis are also their sons.

There were probably other sons or daughters but I don’t know who they were or what evidence connects them to Isaac.

1. William Lewis was born before 8 Jan 1716/17 for on that date he was named in his maternal grandfather William Hooker’s Will. He was probably an infant at that time. William Lewis married before 1736 to a Miss Banks, daughter of Thomas Banks as proven by two deeds from Thomas Banks to his “son in law” William in Bertie. William was listed as a Cordwainer on several deeds. That’s someone who makes shoes, which fits since it seems that his father Isaac was a shoemaker.

William moved to what is now Greene Co., NC in the 1750s when it was still part of Johnston Co., NC, soon to become Dobbs Co., NC. From there he may have migrated to what is now Horry or Marion Co., SC. There, in 1792, William Lewis and wife Winniford sold 250 acres to Loammi Floyd. I don’t have any direct proof that this is the same William or not, but he used the very same mark as William of Bertie, a fancy W. Of course many men named William or with W surnames used similar marks. If the same William, he would have been in his upper 70s by this time. See his own page for more on his family.

2. John Lewis born ca 1729 or earlier. Was described as a Carpenter in 1750 when he sold some of the land to Jacob Lewis that he apparently inherited from his father. I believe this is the same John Lewis who died ca 1790 in Gates Co., NC, but I could be wrong about that.

3. Jacob Lewis born ca 1729 or earlier. Purchased land from John Lewis in 1750 that had been Isaac’s. He himself sold other land in 1752 that had been Isaac’s. That was his last record in Bertie. He next appears in Dobbs Co., NC where brother William also went. I don’t know who Jacob’s wife was. He remained in Dobbs until the 1780s when he went to Georgetown Dist., SC until 1792 when he moved to Robeson Co., NC. See his own page for more information.

4. Benjamin Lewis, born before ca 1735 might be part of this family, or perhaps not. He also appeared in Johnston (soon Dobbs, later Glasgow, now Greene) Co., NC in 1757, then nothing found after ca 1767. He may have moved on elsewhere or died around that time. The reason I would include him as a potential son of Isaac is two-fold, one he’s in the same area as Jacob and William in the 1750s and 1760s, two, Jacob named one of his sons Benjamin, perhaps in honor of this one, if his brother.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Isaac Lewis and Margaret Hooker.

Revised: May 8, 2026

[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]