James Lewis (1775/84-1829) and Lucretia Davis of Dobbs, Glasgow, Greene and Robeson Co., NC

Marty and Karla Grant

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[Lewis Home] - [Table of Contents] - James Lewis d 1829 (wife Lucretia Davis)

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Visit my James Lewis Differentiation page for a list of the various men named James Lewis in eastern NC. This should help sort them out.

I don’t know how I’m related to James Lewis exactly, but if I have his parents correctly identified, then he’s my 1^st cousin 6 times removed.

James Lewis was born ca 1775/1784 per his census records. I suspect he was born closer to 1784 as his first public record was dated 1806, suggesting he probably had only recently turned 21.

I suspect this James is a son of Benjamin and Sarah Lewis, but it’s only a theory based on circumstantial evidence. One, Benjamin did have an unidentified son this age and Benjamin was in Robeson off and on around this time. Two, James named a daughter “Sarah” perhaps after his mother, though of course it’s a very common name. Three, this James was a slave owner, as was Benjamin, so “like father, like son?” Four, Benjamin Lewis witnessed one of James’s deeds in 1806. Five, James is clearly part of this same extended family, but doesn’t fit into the households of any of Benjamin’s siblings, at least not very well, thus leaving Benjamin as a prime contender to be his father. It’s not overwhelming proof, but it’s something.

James was probably with his parents on the 1790 census. Benjamin, who I believe might be his father, was in Georgetown Dist., SC that year with 3 sons under 16 (born 1774/1790), one of which might be James.

There are two James Lewis entries on the 1800 census in Robeson. One is James Lewis Sr (bef 1748-1802) and the other is James Lewis (1772-1855) who married Edith Walters (which James I suspect is son of the elder James). Our James (married Lucretia Davis) would have still been home with his parents at this time. In 1800, Benjamin was a very short distance away in (then) neighboring Bladen Co., NC. He had two apparent sons at home aged 16-25 (1774/1784), one of which is James, I suspect.

James Lewis (this one) married Lucretia Davis between 1800 and ca 1805 in Robeson Co., NC. Lucretia was born ca 1787/88 per her ages on the 1850 census (62) and 1860 census (72). She was born in Dobbs Co., NC in the section that became Glasgow in 1791 and Greene in 1799. This is proven by her 1850 census entry which lists her birth place a “Green County.”

Lucretia is a child of Ichabod Davis and Telitha (maiden name unknown), who were neighbors of the Lewis family in Dobbs Co., NC and apparently followed them down to Robeson after 1790. Lucretia’s parentage is proven by an 1834 deed from Ichabod to his Lewis grandchildren, heirs of James Lewis deceased). The connection is also proven by his 1835 Will.

The records for “James Lewis” in Robeson County can be problematic since there was more than one James Lewis. The eldest, James Sr., died in 1802 before this James came of age, so there’s probably no room for confusion with him. The elder James’s son James (1772) (wife Edith Walters) is older than this James (wife Lucretia Davis) so they sometimes used Sr and Jr to distinguish themselves, but more often did not. The two men were 1^st cousins, so probably quite well acquainted.

The first record found for James is dated 5 Feb 1806 wherein Henry Pope of Robeson made a deed to James Lewis of same, for 300 lbs being multiple tracts. (1) p/o 400a tract W of Flowers Swamp ... Lee’s Branch ... Joe’s Branch ... 265a except 120a Pope sold to Jesse Lee and 1a for the meeting house. (2) Also 63a W sd of the swamp ... (3) 38a adjoining the 63a ... Z Lee’s line ... p/o grant to Stephen Glare 1789 ... (4) 26.8a. Henry Pope signed. Witnesses were Benja. Lee, Philip Spier. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book O., pp. 133-134.)

While I’m not 100% certain the above is for this James Lewis, it seems to me it is him because when he sold part of this a few days later, his father-in-law Ichabod Davis was one of the witnesses, and furthermore, his probable father Benjamin Lewis was also a witness. Furthermore, Benjamin Lewis once owned some of the above land and sold it to Henry Pope in 1797 (with Charles Ivey).

On 8 Feb 1806 James Lewis of Robeson made a deed to Jesse Lee of same for 60 pounds ... W sd Flowers Swamp ... Big Branch ... said Lee’s line ... 42a. Signed by James Lewis. Witnessed by Benja Lewis,* Ichabud Davis (his mark). (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book O., pp. 184-185.)

* Can be read as Benja Tews, but I haven’t found any record of any Tew or Tews in Robeson Co., NC during this time period.

The above appears to be a portion of the lands purchased from Henry Pope three days earlier, though I can’t quite tell which portion. Note that both his father Benjamin Lewis and father-in-law Ichabod Davis were his witnesses.

On 7 Apr 1807 the court ordered that James Lewis Junr be overseer of the road in room of James Suggs and that the usual hands work under him. (Robeson Co., NC Court Minutes 1806-1813 p. 28.)

This record uses “Junr” to distinguish him from his older cousin, James (1772).

20 Jul 1807 Icabud Davis of Robeson for diverse and good causes and considerations I give unto my son in law James Barnes & Charles [illegible in fold] and James Lewis and John Siner and to my daughter Polly all that tract and parcel of land where I now live it being 200 acres lying on Flowers Swamp to be equally divided between them ... and various and sundry livestock, supplies, etc. Signed Ichabud Davis (his mark). Witnessed by Stephen Starling, Benjamin Lee. Proven Oct 1807 by Stephen Sterling. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book O., pp. 296-297.)

There are two James Lewis listings on the 1810 census in Robeson. James (wife Edith Walters) is listed first, I believe, and James (wife Lucretia Davis) is second, but I could be wrong, however the census analysis works fairly well for that interpretation.

1810 Census, Robeson Co., NC

Page

Name

M0-9

M10-15

M16-25

M26-44

M45+

F0-9

F10-15

F16-25

F26-44

F45+

FPC

Slaves

154

Jas Lowis

154

Jas Louis

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 26-44 (1765/1784) James Lewis (1775/1784)

1m 0-9 (1800/1810) Son? (1804/1810)

1f 16-25 (1784/1794) Lucretia Davis Lewis (c1788) wife

2f 0-9 (1800/1810) 1. Martha Lewis (1806) daughter

2. Sarah Lewis (c1808) daughter

Another James Lewis (c1790/94-1833) came of age in Robeson ca 1813, this one being a son of Benjamin and Celia (Martin) Lewis, who lived in the Horse Swamp region and aren’t related as best as we can tell. This other James began appearing in the records ca 1813 and made no effort to add a suffix or otherwise distinguish himself from the other two men of the same name. However, due to associations with his father and with Horse Creek, I think it’s pretty clear when that other James is being referenced, thus little room for confusion, at least for land deeds.

On 14 Feb 1814 W. Jones Larkins made a deed to James Lewis for $30 for Negro girl Hester. Signed by W. Jones Larkins. Witnessed by T. L. Haynes. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book R., p. 170.)

On 12 Sep 1818 Isham Case made a deed to James Lewis for $200 for Negro boy named Joe about 4 years old ... Signed by Isham Case (Coxe). Witnessed by F. L. Haynes. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., p. 292.)

On 4 Jan 1820 Isham Case (Coxe) made a deed to James Lewis for $500 Negro woman named Haner aged about 17 ... Signed by Isham Case. Witnessed by Joseph Waltrery, David Rice. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., p. 291.)

On that same date (4 Jan 1820) Sarah Ivey made a deed to Isham Case (Coxe), which was witnessed by James Lewis and Lewcretia Lewis (her mark). Proven in May 1820 court by James Lewis. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., p. 291.)

There are two James Lewis entries on the 1820 census in Robeson, this one and James “Senr” (wife Edith Walters). They were not listed near each other. Benjamin and Celia’s son James was not listed as far as I could find.

1820 Census, Robeson Co., NC

Page

Name

297

Jas Lewis Senr

306

James Lewis

Slaves=1100-1110

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 26-44 (1775/1794) James Lewis (1775/1784)

1m 10-15 (1804/1810) Son? (1804/1810)

1f 26-44 (1775/1794) Lucretia Davis Lewis (c1788) wife

2f 10-15 (1804/1810) 1. Martha Lewis (1806) daughter

2. Sarah Lewis (c1808) daughter

4f 0-9 (1810/1820) 1. Harriett Lewis (c1812) daughter

2. Mary Lewis (c1817) daughter

3. Eliza Lewis (1810/1820) daughter

4. Nancy Lewis (1810/1820) daughter

5 Slaves 1. Hester

2. Joe

3. Haner

4. ?

5. ?

10 Jun 1820 John Brown made a deed to James Lewis $375 Negro girl nine years old Nelly. Signed by John Brown. Witnessed by John McNair, Isaac Bird (his mark). (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., pp. 357-358.)

On 20 Jul 1820 Silas Ivey et al made a deed to James Lewis for $150, Negro woman Dol . Signed by Silas Ivey (his mark X), Kecy? Ivey (his mark), John Luper. Witnessed by Samuel Stone. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book T., p. 9.)

On 22 Oct 1821 Isham Cox of Robeson made a deed to James Lewis ... $700 ... several tracts W sd Flowers Swamp ... run of Big Branch ... (no acreage) (2) adjoining above tract ... (no acreage) (3) adjoining the aforesaid ... (no acreage) (4) adjoining the above ... James Lewis’s line ... all together being 276 acres. Signed by Isham Cox. Witnessed by Wm Sterling, Josiah Inman. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book T., pp. 119-120.)

On the same date (22 Oct 1821) Isham Cox made another deed to James Lewis for $200 Negro boy named Madison about 3 years old ... Signed Isham Cox. Witnessed by Josiah Inman, Silus Ivey. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book T., p. 150.)

On 10 Dec 1821 Isham Coxe made a deed to James Lewis for $300 Negro woman Hager about 27 years old ... Signed Isham Coxe. Witnessed by Jessee Britt, James Suggs (his mark). (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., pp. 354-355.)

On 15 Mar 1822 William Luper made a deed to James Lewis for $46 Negro woman named Dol willed to me by my grandfather Gilbert Cox at the death of my mother ... Signed by Wm Luper. Witnessed by Josiah Inman, James Suggs (his mark). (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book T., pp. 371-372.)

James Lewis made his Will ca 1829. The last part of the Will is missing which probably included the date. The oldest date I found in his estate papers was 23 Nov 1829, so he died by then. In the Will he named:

∙ well beloved wife Lucrecy Lewis

∙ Negroes Jo, Madison and Bob

∙ daughter Sarah Reynolds

∙ daughter Patsy Inmon

∙ daughter Harriot

∙ daughter Emma Lewis negro girl named Jane

∙ youngest daughter Treacy Lewis a negro girl named Floroa

∙ “all my children”

There was no date, no executors named, no signature section or witnesses or probate information. It does appear part of the Will is missing.

He did not mention his daughter Nancy, nor the apparent son he had per the 1810 and 1820 censuses, though perhaps they were in the missing section, if named at all.

On 22 Mar 1830 Allen Inman was made guardian to Mary, Eliza, Emily, Nancy Caroline and Tracy Lewis minor heirs of James Lewis. Note that it should be “Emily Caroline” instead of “Nancy Caroline” but that’s how it was listed on this record.

On 25 May 1830 Moses Warwick and Joab Goodman obtained a marriage bond in Robeson Co., NC for Moses Warwick to marry Lucretia Lewis.

Moses Warwick was born 31 Jul 1804 per his tombstone, in Sampson Co., NC per his 1850 census entry. I don’t know who his parents were, but there was an older man of the same name in Robeson who could be his father, or otherwise related. The presence of the older man of the same name is why this one was often listed as Moses Jr in records.

On 26 May 1830 Lucretia Lewis petitioned the court for years provision:

Ordered that Jno W. Powell, Jno F. Barnes and Jesse Pitman allot to the widow of James Lewis decd and family a years provision from crops stock and provisions and for the wont of such the Sd commysioners (sic) state how much money the widow and family have to make up her years provision and that they report upon Oath and under their hands & seals. (Court Minutes 1829-1839 p. 33.)

On the same date, on the next page, Lucretia Lewis appeared in court and renounced her right to administer on her decd husband’s estate James Lewis. Allen Inman came into court and entered into bond on the sum of two thousand pounds with Jesse Pitman John Pitman and John Brown his securities as administrator of the estate of James Lewis decd.

Thus, Allen Inman, James’s son-in-law, became Administrator of his Estate.

I wasn’t able to find Moses Warwick (Jr) on the 1830 census. The older Moses was in Robeson that year, but had no one Moses Jr’s age with him.

In Nov 1830 court, this case was heard:

Moses Warwick & wife Lucretia vs. Real Estate of James Lewis } Petition for Dower

Ordered that the clerk issue a writ to the Sheriff of Robeson County to summon a jury of lawful men to go on the premises and lay off the dower according to the prayer of the petitioner and Archd. McEachern be appointed Guardian (Pen Lite?) of Mary Eliza Nancy Emily & Trecy minor heirs of James Lewis. (Court Minutes 1829-1839 pp. 61-62.)

On 4 Aug 1833 in court:

On motion Allen Inman was appointed Guardian of Mary Eliza Nancy Emily Caroline Lucretia Lewis minor heirs of James Lewis decd and entered into bond in the sum of Two Thousand pounds with Alexr. Townsend and Jesse Pitman for his securities. (Court Minutes 1829-1839 no page numbers.)

On 4 May 1834 in court:

The committee appointed to audit and settle with Allen Inman an Guardian of Emily & Caroline Lewis minor heirs of James Lewis decd, Moses Warwick Jr and Lucretia Warwick present guardians made their report which was recd and ordered to of record.

- Next entry: The committee appointed to settle with John Brown Gr. of the minor heirs of James Lewis decd made a report which was recd and ordered to be recorded.

On 24 Feb 1834 a deed was made in Robeson Co., NC from:

Allen Inman and wife Martha

Goodman Reynolds and wife Sarah

Thomas Britt and wife Harriet

To Moses Warwick Jr

All of Robeson Co., NC for $307.50 ... as heirs of James Lewis decd ... all interest in 665.8 acres ...

S: Allen Inman, Martha Inman, G. Reynolds, Sarah Reynolds, Thomas Britt, Harriet Britt

W: Benja. Ivey. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book W., pp. 62-64.)

On 22 Nov 1834 Ichabud Davis of Robeson made a deed “in consideration of natural love & affection which I have to my beloved grand children the lawful heirs of James Lewis decd” ... a Negro man Moses. Signed by Ichabud Davis (his mark). Witnessed by J. W. Powell, John P. Ashley. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book S., p. 243.)

In Jan 1836 Goodman Reynolds made a deed to Allen Inman for $65 ... all my rights interest ... to two Negro slaves belonging to Estate of James Lewis decd ... Moses and Agga his wife ... Signed by Godman Reynolds. Witnessed by Luke R. Reynolds. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book W., p. 363.)

On 20 Jan 1836 Mary Lewis of Robeson made a deed to Allen Inman for $60 ... all my rights interest ... to two Negro slaves belonging to Estate of James Lewis decd ... Moses and Agnes his wife ... Signed by Mary Lewis. Witnessed by Richd. C. Bunting, Moses Warwick Jr. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book W., p. 363.)

On 23 Feb 1836 Zachariah Fulmore of Robeson made a deed to Allen Inman for $135 ... all my rights interest ... to two Negro slaves belonging to Estate of James Lewis decd ... Moses and Agga his wife ... He has 1/8th interest in Moses and 1/9 interest in Agnes. Signed by Zachariah Fulmore. Witnessed by Hugh Inman. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book W., p. 363.)

On 25 Feb 1836 Erick L. Houston of Robeson made a deed to Allen Inman for $150 ... rights to Moses and wife Aga ... due to my intermarriage with Eliza Lewis daughter of James Lewis decd ... and rights and interest of Moses Warwick who married widow of said deceased, and Allen Inman by his marriage to Patsy Lewis also daughter of deceased ... Signed E. L. Houston. Witnessed by Richd. C. Bunting. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book W., p. 362.)

On 28 May 1838 Erick L. Houston and wife Eliza made a deed to Moses Warwick Jr all of Robeson ... $100 ... all the rights ... as heirs of estate of James Lewis decd ... 665 acres in several tracts ... Flowers Swamp ... Big Branch ... from Henry Pope 133a ... from Isham Cox 119a ... from Jacob Lee 309a ... lands are undivided ... Signed by E. L. Houston, Eliza Houston. No witnesses. Deed was acknowledged in May 1838 court. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book X., pp. 29-30.)

I wasn’t able to find Moses Warwick (Jr) on the 1840 census either. The older man was in Robeson that year and listed as Moses “Senr” which suggests “Junr” should have been listed in the county as well but wasn’t as far as I could find. That’s two censuses in a row, which isn’t helpful for research purposes!

On 15 Sep 1840 Nancy Lewis made a deed to Moses Warwick Jr ... all rights in estate of James Lewis decd ... 665.8 acres ... Signed by Nancy Lewis. Witnessed by James A. Lawson, John W. Branch. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book X., pp. 538-539.)

On 25 Sep 1843 Emily C. Lewis made a deed to Moses Warwick Jr ... ... all rights in estate of James Lewis decd ... 665.8 acres ... Signed by Emily C. Lewis. Witnessed by E. Ward, Nancy Lewis. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book Y., pp. 394-395.)

On 25 Sep 1845 Treacy Lewis made a deed to Moses Warwick Esqr, ... all rights in estate of James Lewis decd ... 701 acres ... Signed by Treacy Lewis. Witnessed by E. Ward, Emily C. Lewis. (Robeson Co., NC Deed Book *, p. 312.)

*Book number not given at beginning of microfilm. The prior book was Y, making this one Z?

They are on the 1850 census in Robeson with no children residing with them. This means that if she and Moses had any children together, they were married or dead by then.

1850 Census, Robeson Co., NC, Southern Division, House 506, Family 506

Name	Age	Sex	Race	Occupation	Real $	Birth Place
Moses Warwick	45	M		Farmer	1500	Sampson
Lucretia	62	F				Green County

They are on the 1860 census in Robeson with the same neighbors as in 1850.

1860 Census, Robeson Co., NC (—) Township, Lumberton PO, House 316, Family 316

Name	Age	Sex	Race	Occupation	Real $	Pers $	Birth Place
Moses Warwick	55	M		Farmer	3000	1330	NC
Lucretia	72	F					“
Ann Williamson	30	F		School Teacher			“
Ann C. Warwick	9	F					“

Lucretia Davis Lewis Warwick died in the 1860s, presumably in Robeson Co., NC. I didn’t find an entry for her on Findagrave.com, so she may not have a maker wherever she is buried.

Moses Warwick married again in 1860s, to Sarah McPhatter. They can be found on the 1870 and 1880 censuses in Robeson. He died there on 27 Aug 1881 and is buried at the Warwick Cemetery. Sarah died on 27 Apr 1917 and is buried there also.

Children

James Lewis’s Will (ca 1829) names seven of his eight daughters. Deeds, guardianship and court records names some of them again as well as the eighth daughter. He and Lucretia have a son per the 1810 and 1820 censuses.

I didn’t find evidence that Lucretia and her 2^nd husband Moses Warwick had any children together, though perhaps they did. He had several with his 2^nd wife Sarah McPhatter. I have not traced them.

1. Unidentified Son (1804/1810). Home with parents in 1810 aged under 10 (1800/1810) and in 1820 aged 10-15 (1804/1810). Was not named in James’s ca 1829 Will, so perhaps dead by then, or perhaps he’d already received an inheritance prior. I didn’t find his name among the many deeds where other heirs sold their rights in the 1830s and 1840s, nor were there any “extra” male Lewises on the 1830 or 1840 census in Robeson that might be him.

2. Martha Lewis (1806-1861). Martha was named in her father’s Will as “Patsy Inman.” She married Allen Inman ca 17 Dec 1822 (marriage bond date). She remained in Robeson Co., NC until her death. I was unable to find them on the 1830 census. They’re in Robeson for the 1840, 1850 and 1860 census. Martha died in 1861. Aaron married again in 1863 to Martha Ashley, who died sometime between 1870 and 1876 for in 1876 Allen married a 3^rd time to Rebecca McLean. He died in 1878.

3. Sarah Lewis (c1808-aft 1860). She was named in her father’s Will as Sarah Reynolds. She married Goodman Reynolds before ca 1829 in Robeson (no marriage bond found). They are on the 1830 and 1840 census in Robeson. They moved to Choctaw Co., MS by ca 1842 and were there for the 1850 census. By ca 1853 they’d moved to Cherokee Co., TX where they are on the 1860 census. Sarah died there in the 1860s for Goodman was listed on the 1870 census there without her, apparently widowed.

4. Harriett Lewis (c1812-aft 1860). She was named in her father’s Will as daughter “Harriot.” She married Thomas Britt ca 1828/29 in Robeson Co., NC. They are listed in Robeson for the 1830, 1840, 1850 census. Thomas died in late 1850s. Harriett is on the 1860 census in Robeson. I didn’t find her after that.

5. Mary Lewis (c1817-aft 1870). Mary was not named in her father’s Will unless it was in the missing section. She was named in a guardian order and other records. Mary married Luke R. Reynolds ca 29 Jan 1836 (marriage bond date) in Robeson. They are on the 1840 census in Robeson. They moved to Choctaw Co., MS by ca 1843, same as Goodman Reynolds who could be Luke’s brother perhaps. They are listed there on the 1850 census residing with William Reynolds (c1827) and Alfred Reynolds (c1824), more potential siblings. They were still in Choctaw for the 1860 census. Luke apparently died in the 1860s, for Mary is listed without him on the 1870 census in the same county.

6. Eliza Lewis (c1818/20-1834/40). Eliza was not named in her father’s Will unless it was in the missing section. She was named in a guardian order and other records. Eliza married Erick L. Huston (Houston) ca 13 Jan 1834 (marriage bond date) in Robeson. They are listed on the 1840 census in Robeson. Eliza Lewis Houston died ca 1840, for on 22 Aug 1840 (marriage bond date) Erick L. Houston married again, to another Eliza, this time Eliza Ann Thompson. He and his 2^nd wife are on the 1850 census in Robeson. None of the children listed are old enough to have been Eliza Lewis’s. They were in Robeson for the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses.

7. Nancy Lewis (c1810/20-aft 1843). Nancy was not named in her father’s Will unless it was in the missing section. She was named in guardian and other records. She was named in her grandfather Ichabod Davis’s 1835 Will. She made a deed to her step-father in 1840 relinquishing her rights to James Lewis’s estate. She witnessed a deed in 1843 where her sister Emily did the same. That’s the last record I have for her. There is a Nancy Lewis (c1820) wife of Joshua Nance in Robeson Co., NC in 1850, 1860,etc. I thought she might be this same Nancy, but I think it’s more likely she’s a child of Edward Lewis formerly of Bladen Co., NC. I could be wrong though.

8. Emily Caroline Lewis (c1824-aft 1870). She was named in her father’s Will (c1829) and her grandfather’s Will (1835). She married John Warwick on or around 20 Dec 1845 (marriage bond date) in Robeson Co., NC. I don’t know how he’s related to her step-father Moses Warwick, but I’m sure he is. They are on the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census. She died in the 1870s. He’s listed on the 1880 census in Robeson.

9. Tracy Lewis (c1825-aft 1860). She was named in her father’s Will (c1829) and her grandfather’s Will (1835). She married Jesse Flowers on or around 1 Jan 1848 (date of marriage bond) in Robeson Co., NC. They are on the 1850 and 1860 census in Robeson. She apparently died between 1860 and 1864 because he married Eliza (Purvis) Hedgepeth (widow of Daniel) in 1864.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for James Lewis and Lucretia Davis.

Revised: May 30, 2026

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