| Bruce's notes: I received this
information in an email recently. I initially
asked myself why it qualified as an entry in Mysteries
of Canada. Then it dawned on me. From the
beginning of this site in 1997, I have always maintained
that this was a History of Canadians and not a
History of Canada. What Canadians (and others) did
before us, makes us, and our country, what it is today.
What we do today will mould our grandchildren and
their country. |
Dr.
Benjamin Lewis, son of Ebenezer, was born Sept 21, 1701 at
Wallingford, Connecticut. Benjamin was married twice (first wife
unknown) and had a total of sixteen children. In his will dated Sept
1, 1788 he mentioned his second wife, Mary Maltbie and daughters
Elizabeth, Ester, Hannah, Mary and his sons, Bela, Benjamin,
Barnabas, Amassa and Caleb. Benjamin died on January 31, 1789 at
Chesshire, Connecticut.
Caleb Lewis, son of Benjamin Lewis was born at Wallingford,
Connecticut, May 22, 1736. He married Abigail Moss on March 13,
1760. Abigail Moss was the daughter of Benjamin and Abigail-Cole
Moss. Caleb Lewis apparently refused to take part against the
British Crown in the Revolutionary War of the Colonies. Caleb was
arrested because of his Tory sympathies. His property was
confiscated, his family broken up. Caleb escaped from prison with
one John Fordice. He was taken away from the dead body of his wife
(reason for death unknown). For eight days these two men lived on
roots and berries. On one occasion, hiding in the dense branches of
a friendly tree they saw troopers who were searching for them. As
the troopers rode by Caleb and John heard them swearing and
threatening to shoot the fugitives at sight.
They
walked through Maine to freedom in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Caleb Lewis and John Fordice secured from the government of Nova
Scotia a grant of land. The lot contained 85 acres and was described
in the deed as lying and being on the road between Partridge Island
and Fort Cumberland, extending from the road on one side to Muddy
Brook. Caleb Lewis felled the first tree between Partridge Island
and Maccan.
Caleb Lewis dared not write home to his family as he thus now was an
United Empire Loyalist.
Five
or six years after Caleb and John escaped from prison, Caleb's son
Jesse searched out his refugee father. In Sackville, New Brunswick,
Canada, Jesse Lewis had heard his refugee father was living near
Parrsboro Village, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Jesse
Lewis found his father Caleb near Parrsboro. The 85 acres of land
was deeded to Jesse.
When
the Revolutionary War ended, Caleb Lewis and John Fordice returned
to the new United States for their families.
John
Fordice, found that his wife (name unknown), thinking he was dead,
had married again. John did not upbraid her. It was her choice to
remain with her wealthy husband in his fine home or return with him
to frontier hardships. She chose her first love and returned with
John Fordice to Nova Scotia, Canada. John took back with him his two
unmarried daughters named Lois and Martha. Lois afterwards married
Daniel Holmes of Half Way River.
Caleb Lewis died April 28, 1827.
Jesse Lewis (born Dec 30, 1760 in Wallingford Connecticut) lived on
the Lewis homestead in Half Way River, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was
confirmed in St George's Church by the Bishop of Nova Scotia on Aug
10, 1779. Before the Union Church was built, Jesse opened his house
for the services of the Church. He, with due authority, officiated
at the services of worship, ceremonies of marriage and burials.
Jesse Lewis was a leader in starting the Union Church at Half Way
River.
Jesse Lewis married Chloe Olney Fullerton and they had seven
children (six names unknown) one of whom was Oman Lewis. Oman Lewis
(records are not clear as to dates of Oman's birth and death)
married Mary Fullerton and they had four children (3 names unknown)
one of whom was Gaius Lewis. Twice married with a second family of
three (two names unknown) one of whom was Oman Lewis Jr. who was
killed felling a tree on the Lewis farm.
Gaius Lewis (born 1819) married Eliza Barnes of Maccan, Nova Scotia,
Canada on July 17, 1860. They lived in a log house on the farm at
Half Way River, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia Canada. |