Peter Lewis (abt. 1717 - bef. 1811)

Born about 1717 in Schenectady, New York

Ancestors

Husband of Helena Magdelena (Lehr) Lewis — married about 1737 in Stone Arabia, Montgomery Co, New York

Descendants

Died before 16 Apr 1811 before about age 94 in Currytown, Montgomery Co., NY

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Biography

The following is from N.Y. Genealogy & Biography Vol 41, 1910, pages 24 & 25. ^[1]

Peter Lewis, mentioned as of the Mohawks' country in 1754, owned land in part of the Curry patent. He mortgaged to Henry Ten Eyck, July 2, 1790, for 264 pounds sterling, land in the Mohawks' country, on the south side of the Mohawk river, beginning at an oil nut tree on the west bank of a brook called Wasenthaw, being the same land which Jellis Fonda conveyed unto Peter Lewis, Aug. 19, 1773. Various deeds given by him from 1789 to 1800 of land in Currytown are recorded at Fonda, N. Y. In one he is called Peter Lewis, cordwainer. At Stone Arabia are records of the baptism of several of his children from 1742 to 1760, but one daughter was baptized at Schenectady in 1749. His wife was Lena or Helena Lehr or Lehrin, probably a German Palatine, as her surname and the Christian names of several of their children are German rather than Dutch.

Peter Lewis lived in the region which was so often devastated during the War of the Revolution. Three of his sons and his five sons-in-law served in Col. Fisher's Third Regiment of Tryon Co. Militia. He himself suffered serious loss in at least one of the Tory raids. The name of Peter Lewis appears in "A List of the names of Persons who suffered by the Depredation of the Enemy and who have made Oath before the Honbl. Robert Yates Esqr. respecting the same." " 1780 October 18th Sir John Johnson Commender of the Perty that Plundert and bornt my House of 36 feet loung of two rums and antry a schisin of 18 feet SQre and a bern of 30 feet loung and 40 feet Weyd and the grean Wich I have bott and a great many othere things with I canot manghen come to 280 Pounds. Peter Lewis" Manuscripts of the Colony and State of N.Y. in Rev. War, folios 107, 108.

The will of Peter Lewis of Charleston (the town of Root was not formed until 1823), dated Feb. 14, 1800, and proved April 16, 1811, contains so much genealogical material that it deserves to be summarized at some length. His body is to buried at the discretion of his friends and at the expense of his son John Lewis.

The principal items are: To my eldest son David Lewis two dollars and a half for his birthright; to said eldest son David, during his lifetime and no longer, 102 acres of land which he now has on the south side of the Mohawk at the place called Corriestown, a part of Lott No. 2, a portion of the 511 acres conveyed to Jacob C. Ten Eyck of Albany by William Corry. At David’s death this land to go to my son John Lewis. To my son William Lewis during his lifetime and no longer 107 acres of land whereon he now lives; at his death, the land is devised to Teunis Lewis, son of my son John Lewis. If Teunis dies without lawful issue then the land is to go to Peter Lewis, eldest son of my son John Lewis. To children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Johnson, 53 1/2 acres of land where their father Ruliff Johnson now leives, to be equally divided between them. To my daughter Mary Tanner, wife of Jacob Tanner, 53 1/2 acres of land where sh now lives. To my daughter Eave Gardinear, wife of Abraham Gardinear, 53 acres adjoining the 118 acres heretofore conveyed to my son Frederick Lewis. My son John Lewis shal pay to the children of my deceased daughter Agnes Lewis $150, my son William Lewis shall pay to my daughter Magdalin Cromwell, wife of Dr. Philip Cromwell, $75; John Lewis shall pay her the same. To my son John Lewis the farm where I now live of 260 acres, conveyed to me by Major Jellis Fonda; my negro wench named Deen, and all the rest of my estate, real and personal.

The sons David, Wiliam and John were named executors. Witnesses: Henry Ten Eyck, John Pearson and John Ellis. A codicil provides that if son Wiliam dies before his present wife Elizabeth, she should have yearly during her widowhood one-third the annual rent from the farm left to him for life.

Lena Lewis probably died before 1800, as she is not mentioned in the will; Peter Lewis died probably not long before April 16, 1811. The family of Peter Lewis as enrolled in the census of 1790 consisted of himself, one female, and one slave.

Children except Eve, baptized at Stone Arabia: i. David. No record of marriage or children has been found. His father’s will indicated that he was living in 1800, without issue. He may be the Tory David Lewis referred to in the account of the Currytown invasion. In 1790 he was living in Canajoharie town, having in his family one other male over 16, and two females. ii. Hendrick, bap 1742. “Pitter Liuweis und sein frau einen sohn gedaufft.” Probably died young; iii. Maria, bap. Jan 6, 1744. “pitter liuwis s.h.v. lena eine dochder.”; iv. John; v. William; vi. Eva bap 22 January 1749 at Schenectady sponsors Joseph Robb Yates Maria Dunbar; vii. Eckje or Agnes m. Adam Lewis of No. 5 and d before 1800; viii. Frederick, bap March 21 1752 sponsors Philip Brower Margaretta uxor; ix. Elizabeth, bap March 2, 1754 Sponsor Robert Carter, Elizabeth Krommell; x. Petrus, bap. December 14, 1756 sponsors: ---, Brauer, illegible. Probably d. young.; xi. Lena Magdalena bapt. June or Aug 1760 sponsors Elizabeth and Adam Eekkers; she m Dr. Philip Cromwell.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_New_York_Genealogical_and_Biographic/XdYUAAAAYAAJq=%22jacob+tanner%22+eve&gbpv=1&bsq=Peter%20Lewis#f=false