John Lewis, Sr. Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America d. 07 Apr 1777 Washington, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States: Oswald Family History

- 1777

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Name	John Lewis
Suffix	Sr.
Birth	Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
Christening	Malden, Middlesex, Massachusetts, British Colonial America
Gender	Male
Death	07 Apr 1777	Washington, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Burial	21 Apr 1777	Pittsfield, Berkshire, Massachusetts, United States
Person ID	I312684223047	Oswald Genealogy
Last Modified	15 Jun 2025

Father	Samuel Lewis, b. 24 Apr 1641, Charlestown, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America d. Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America
Relationship	unknown
Mother	Sarah Dutton, b. Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America d. 18 Dec 1738, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
Relationship	unknown
Marriage	03 Apr 1683	Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America
Family ID	F2562	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family 1 Martha Knight, b. Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America d. 12 Apr 1740, Ashford, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America

Marriage 1721 Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America

Children

	1. Reuben Lewis, b. 29 Sep 1724, Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, British Colonial America d. 18 Aug 1759, Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, United States (Age 34 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	2. James Lewis, b. 08 Dec 1728, Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	3. Sarah Lewis, b. 11 May 1735, Ashford, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America d. 10 Feb 1795, Pawling, Dutchess, New York, United States (Age 59 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	4. Mary Lewis, b. 17 Apr 1737, Ashford, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America d. 1823 (Age 85 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	5. Dorothy Lewis, b. 30 Dec 1739, Ashford, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America d. 09 Jun 1817, Cornwall, Addison, Vermont, United States (Age 77 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	6. Samuel Lewis, b. 1740, Dutchess, New York, British Colonial America d. Abt. 1816, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States (Age 76 years) [Mother: unknown]
	7. Joseph Lewis, b. Ashford, Windham, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America d. 26 Apr 1813, Steuben, New York, United States
	8. John Lewis, Jr, b. Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America d. 22 Jan 1802, Weybridge, Addison, Vermont, United States [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	9. Samuel Lewis, b. Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America d. Aft. Mar 1774 [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]

Family ID F2565 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 15 Jun 2025

Family 2 Bathsheba Fuller, b. 06 Nov 1708, Windham, Connecticut, British Colonial America d. 1780, Sunderland, Bennington, Vermont, United States (Age 71 years)

Marriage 1740 Washington, Berkshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America

Children

	1. Joseph Lewis, b. 1738, Dutchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	2. Samuel Lewis, b. 1740, Dutchess, New York, British Colonial America d. Abt. 1816, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States (Age 76 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	3. Mary Lewis, b. 1742, Dutchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	4. Abigail Lewis, b. 1743, Dutchess, New York, British Colonial America d. 17 Apr 1813, Cornwall, Addison, Vermont, United States (Age 70 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	5. Dorothy Lewis, b. 1744, Dutchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	6. Daniel Lewis, b. Abt. 1744, Dutchess, Colony of New York, British Colonial America [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	7. John Lewis, b. 1750, Duchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	8. Abigail Lewis, b. 1750, Dutchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	9. Thomas Lewis, b. 1753, Dutchess County, New York, USA [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	10. Simes Lewis, b. Abt. 1753, Washington, Massachusetts, United States
	11. James Lewis, b. 1755, Dutchess, New York, United States d. 17 Jun 1817, Clinton, New York, United States (Age 62 years)
	12. Martha Lewis, b. Abt. 1755, Washington, Massachusetts, United States
	13. Matthew Lewis, b. 06 Feb 1756, Vermont, British Colonial America d. 07 Jun 1807, Addison, Addison, Vermont, United States (Age 51 years) [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	14. Christopher Lewis, b. Abt. 1761, Washington, Massachusetts, United States
	15. Bathsheba Lewis, b. Waloomsac, Renssalaer, New York, British Colonial America d. 18 Jul 1830, Pompey, Onondaga, New York, United States [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]
	16. Benjamin Lewis, b. Sunderland, Bennington, Republic of Vermont, British Colonial America d. 14 Apr 1823, Pompey Hollow, Onondaga, New York, United States [Father: unknown] [Mother: unknown]

Family ID F2564 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 15 Jun 2025

Notes

sources
Sources:
1) "The Benson Family Records", Fred H. Benson, Syracuse, N.Y.: Craftsman Press, 1920.
2) Will, John Lewis, 16 March 1774, Internet @ www.lewisstreet.com/historical_society
3) Dates and names of children from Rootsweb

Fred H. Benson book, pg. 121. "John Lewis, our first known Lewis ancestor, lived probably in the Charlotte Precinct of Dutchess County, N.Y., for many years, and at some time before 1765 removed to the extreme northwest part of the town of Washington, Berkshire, Mass. a few miles east of Pittsfield. He united with the church at Pittsfield March 24, 1765. He married Bathsheba -- . His will is dated March 16,1774. He died April 1777, and is said to have been 'upwards of eighty." His widow and son Matthew were the executors. They deeded the home farm to Abram Williamson, the husband of Dorothy Lewis, in 1782, at which time both were "of Sunderland, Vermont." This is the last we know of her. We do not know the date of her death. As we do not know the exact date of his birth, nor the maiden name of his wife, we have no way to identify him in searching for his ancestry. The name of John Lewis was a very common one in New England at that time. It is quite probable that he was a grandson of Captain William Lewis of Farming ton, Conn. whose will was dated in 1690."

Note: The records of Massachusetts show that all of these sons, excepting perhaps John, were soldiers in the Revolution from Berkshire county, Mass., some of them having several enlistments, some of which were in Continental service. James enlisted June 5, 1778 in Continental service for 9 months, age 23, stature 5 ft. 8 in. complexion sandy. In 1788 Benjamin, Matthew, and James "all of Hoosick, N.Y." bought a parcel of land in Pownal, Vermont. In 1793 Matthew and Benjamin conveyed their interest to James(Fred H. Benson book, pg. 122)

#2 In the name of God, I John Lewis on the grant of land made to Beriah Tree in the County of Berkshire and Province of the Massachusetts Bay Being Old and not knowing the Day of my Death and being at Present of sound mind and memory Do this Sixteenth Day of March one Thousand seven hundred Seventy Four Make this my Last Will and Testament In Manner following (that is to say) first I give to My son John Lewis over and above what he has all ready had five Shillings. Also, I give to my sons James and Samuel Lewis five Shillings over and above what they have had before. And to my Son Joseph Lewis I give five Shillings above what he has had before. Also to my Daughter Sarah Holloway five Shillings over what she has had. And to my Daughter Mary Leonard Five Shillings more than what she has received. And to my Daughter Bathsheba Benson four Pounds above what I have paid for them. To my Daughter Dorithea Williamson Seven Pounds. And to my Daughter Abigail Frost Nine Pounds Ten Shillings. And to my Son Daniel Lewis Five Shillings above what he has had already. Also I give to my Well Beloved Wife Bathsheba Lewis one half of the House I now Dwell in with half of the Income of the Farm During her life, and to have the said Income Brought to her, and also all my Household Stuff with my Stock after the debts are paid. (Except a Fifty Pound Pond to my Son Benjamin Lewis which is to be paid otherwise) I give to my Said Wife to Dispose of as She Shall think proper, and to have her firewood got to her hand. Also I give to my Son Matthew Lewis My House and Land and All my Farming tools And Also I do hereby appoint and ordain my Son Mathew Lewis to be my Sole Executor of this My Last Will and Testament in trust for the Intents and Purposes to this my Last Will contained, and that he the said Mathew after the end of one year after mine and my Wifes Death pay out to Each the Sums above mentioned and also pay the aforesaid Bond to my Son Benjamin Lewis. In Witness whereof I the said John Lewis have to this my Last Well and Testament Set my hand and Seal the Day and Year above written. Signed Sealed and Delivered by the Said John Lewi as and for his Last Will and Testament.
In the presence of us who were Present at the Signing and Sealing thereof
John Lewis (Seal)
Nathan Ingraham
Sam'l Ingraham
John Ingraham

The Interlining in the twenty ninth line was Done before signing and Sealing. [Note] The sentence refers to the interlining of the bond to Benjamin Lewis.
If Stutson Benson pays Mathew Debois a note of Eight Pounds York currency then for Mathew Lewis to give his Sister Bathsheba five Pounds Ten Shillings more than is in the Will.

[Berkshire}
At a Court of Probate holden at Stockbridge within and for the County of Berkshire on the Fifteenth Day of December A D 1778 before Timothy Edwards, Judge of Said Court. This will is presented by Mr Matthew Lewis the Executor therein Named, and Nathan Ingraham and Samuel Ingraham personally appear and make Solemn Oath that they Saw John Lewis Sign and Seal this Will and that they heard him Publish Pronounce and Declare the Same to be his Last Will and Testament, and that he then appeared to them to be of a Sound Mind and Memory and that they together with John Ingraham Subscribed their names as Witnesses in the Presents of the Said John the Testator and in the Presents of Each other Wherefor the Said Will is approved Ratified and Confirmed as the Last Will and Testament of the Said John Lewis.
/s/ Timothy Edwards
Judge of Probate

! May have been born in Farmington, Conn
! May have been born in Farmington, Conn. Source may be Benson Family Records, by Fred H. Benson page 121. John Lewis settled in Berkshire, Mass., between 1760 and 1766.

John Lewis 1698-1777 (not born 1694), husband of Martha Knight
The John Lewis, who married Martha, and had five children in Reading, MA Was born in Malden, MA in 1698/9, NOT in Farmington, CT in 1694. This alternate birthplace and year came by conflating him with a different John Lewis who was born to James Lewis and Mary Meakins of Farmington, Hartford, CT. This other John Lewis born in 1694 lived in Jamaica, Long Island and never lived in Reading, MA. Also, the John Lewis of Reading, MA was not married to Martha Mills Denton. Martha Mills Denton was the spouse of Samuel Denton. Samuel Denton lived in Jamaica, Long Island and had sold John Lewis born 1694, a portion of his house in 1716. Samuel Denton died about 1719. There was a theory that this other John Lewis married Samuel Denton's widow, and that they were the John and Martha who had children in Reading. This is false.

1. y-DNA shows that the descendants of John Lewis 1699-1777 of Reading, MA are closely related to descendants of the John Lewis 1613-1657 in Malden, MA.
2. John and Martha Lewis of Reading, MA sell their property in 1733 to Samuel Lewis 1684-1760, son of Samuel Lewis 1641-1699 and grandson of John Lewis 1613-1657 of Malden, MA.
3. The will of Sarah Dix, widow of Samuel Lewis 1641-1699, names Samuel Lewis 1684-1760 and John Lewis 1699-1777 as her sons. The will describes property that matches the description of the property that John and Martha Lewis sold Samuel Lewis in 1733, mentioned in #2.

John Lewis 1699-1777 married Martha Knight 1700-1740.
1. John's older brother Samuel Lewis 1684-1760. He married Sarah Boutwell on 6 Dec 1706 in Reading, MA. Sarah Boutwell had an older sister Hannah Boutwell who married Samuel Lillie.
Samuel Lillie had a younger half-brother named Reuben Lillie. Reuben Lillie was the first husband of Martha Knight's mother Martha Gibson.
2. Sarah Boutwell had a brother John Boutwell 1669-1748. John's son Thomas married Ruth Knight on 17 Nov 1720 in Reading, MA. Ruth Knight was the sister of Martha Knight.
3. John Lewis and Martha Knight likely married about 1721 or 1722 in Reading, MA. Their first child was John born 4 Jan 1722/3 in Reading, MA.
4. Martha Knight's sister Rebecca Knight married John Boutwell (son of John Boutwell previously mentioned) on 1 Oct 1723 in Reading, MA. Rebecca was Martha Knight's sister.
5. Martha Knight's half-brother Reuben Lilley (aka Lillie) died 17 Oct 1723 in Woburn, MA. John and Martha Lewis had a son Reuben Lewis born 29 Sep 1724 in Reading, MA. Their son Reuben was likely named after Martha's half-brother Reuben who died the previous year.
6. John Lewis' niece Lydia Lewis (daughter of Samuel Lewis and Sarah Boutwell) married Martha Knight's nephew Thomas Boutwell (son of Ruth Knight and Thomas Boutwell) in abt. 1745.
7. John and Martha Lewis had a daughter Dorothy Lewis born 9 Dec 1739. She was likely named after Martha's sister Dorothy Knight.

Probably lived in Charlotte Precinct of
Probably lived in Charlotte Precinct of Duchess Co., NY. 1765 - removed to extreme NW part of Washington, Berkshire Co., MA 1765 - Joined church at Pittsfield, MA. 1777 - Will dated 16 Mar. Son Matthew and widow were executors. BATHSHEBA his 2nd wife. There is no absolute proof that this JOHN LEWIS is the son of JAMES LEWISand grandson of WILLIAM LEWIS. JAMES LEWIS had a son, JOHN, who was baptizedon October 14, 1694 at Farmington. JOHN was "upwards of 80" when he died in1777 in Berkshire, MA. Fred Harvey Benson also points to the similarity ofthe names of JOHN's children and the children of his grandfather, WILLIAMLEWIS. Eight names are duplicated in the two families.

!BIRTH: A second entry lists birthplace
!BIRTH: A second entry lists birthplace as Charlotte, Dutchess, NY and death location as near Pittsfield, Berkshire, MA. No birth date; death date of Apr 1777.

!1. Information obtained from Benson Fam
!1. Information obtained from Benson Family Records by F. H. Benson submitted by Mrs. Allen Huffaker Route # 1 Lorenzo, Idaho. 2. Child # 1 Bathsheba md Stedson Benson.