Marty and Karla Grant
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Jacob Lewis (bef 1734-c1790/95) of Beaufort and Craven (now Pamlico) Co., NC
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I am not related to this Jacob Lewis as far as I can determine. However, I’ve researched all men named Jacob Lewis from the 1700s in eastern North Carolina in hopes of learning more about my ancestor of that name.
Jacob Lewis was born before 1734. I base this on his appearance on a 1755 tax list, and assuming he was at least 21 then. He could have been as young as 16 though, and that would make his birth date ca 1739 or earlier.
I don’t know where he was born, nor who his parents were. I do strongly suspect he’s a brother of Peter Lewis (d 1772) and Joseph Lewis (d 1774) whom he was associated with in Craven Co., NC.
I haven’t yet discovered the name of Jacob Lewis’s wife.
Jacob is listed on a 1755 tax list in Beaufort Co., NC. He was amongst several other Lewises all listed nearby (except Peter Lewis):
∙ Nathaniel Draper, Peter Lewis and John Clark (not near the others)
∙ Mary Lewis and Jean Lewis
∙ John Lewis
∙ Jacob Lewis
∙ Joseph Lewis and Evan Rice
Peter, Jacob and Joseph Lewis moved to neighboring Craven County sometime after 1755. Jacob first appears in Craven in 1760 when he purchases land from John Simmons. The land is described as south of Bay River and west of Trent Creek. He purchases more there in 1761 from Mary Simmons, widow of John Simmons, and more in 1772 from Charity and Zilpha Simson. This last tract is described the same way but also in the “Forks of Tindalls Creek.”
I haven’t been able to pinpoint where that land is, other than near the present towns of Bayboro and Stonewall in Pamlico County.
In 1767 Jacob Lewis witnessed a deed from Nathaniel Draper, Mariner, of Craven County. That’s the same man that Peter Lewis was residing with in 1755 in Beaufort, suggesting a relationship.
Jacob Lewis is listed on a 1769 tax list in Craven Co., NC, as was David Lewis, Peter and William Lewis. I don’t know if William connects, but Peter is a likely brother, and David is Peter’s son (unless an older man of the same name).
Peter Lewis made his Will in 1772 in Craven naming his heirs. Jacob Lewis and Joshua Lewis (Jacob’s son) were witnesses along with Roger Draper.
Jacob Lewis is listed on the 1779 tax list in Craven County in District 4 and taxed for two tracts of land, 100 acres and 195 acres. Mason Lewis, Joseph Lewis, Nathaniel Lewis, Joshua Lewis and Major Lewis were also in that district. Joseph and Joshua are Jacob’s sons, I believe. Nathaniel is Peter’s son. Mason and Major are Joseph’s son (he died 1774 leaving a Will).
In 1781 Jacob Lewis deeded land to Joshua Lewis (his son, though the deed doesn’t say that). Joseph Lewis (another son) was one of the witnesses.
Jacob Lewis and son Joseph Lewis witnessed a deed from Nathaniel Lewis (son of Peter) in 1782.
Both Jacob Lewis Senr and his son Jacob are listed on the 1790 census in Craven County, but not near each other.
1790 Census, Craven Co., NC
Page |
Name |
Males 16+ |
Males under 16 |
Females |
Others |
Slaves |
432 |
Jacob Lewis |
1 |
1 |
3 |
~ |
3 |
434 |
Jacob Lewis Sr |
1 |
~ |
2 |
~ |
~ |
Jacob Lewis Senr appears to have died ca 1793/1794 because around that time Joseph, John, Joshua and Jacob (Jr) began dividing his land and selling it amongst themselves. I didn’t find a Will or estate, but those deeds do seem to prove those were his children, or if not outright proving it, they strongly suggest it.
Jacob Lewis (Jr) died in 1796, not very long after his father. He left a Will naming his wife and children and brother John.
The region Jacob lived became Pamlico County in 1872.
The deeds I mentioned appear to prove that Jacob Lewis was the father of Joseph, Jacob (Jr) (m Sabra Squires), John and Joshua Lewis. There may be others, but these are all I know of at present.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Jacob Lewis.
Revised: May 5, 2026
Copyright © 1996-2026 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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