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John Henry LEWIS b. Oct 5, 1835, Portsmouth, VA, dec'd 1917, Washington DC. brief-bio, L. HANDIBOE

John H. or John Henry Lewis, was b. Portsmouth, VA Oct., 5, 1835. According to his book, his only book "Recollection from 1860 to 1865", published by PEAKE & COMPANY, Washington DC 1895, he a minimum educated carpenter, was mustered, as a private into the Portsmouth Rifle company 3rd Virginia Volunteers. An old militia company first organized in 1792.

Virginia seceded from the US, on April 17, 1861 and three days later John was mustered into the above-named regiment.

John married a Mary Frances EMMERSON, b. 1839, also of Portsmouth, VA and died 1911 in Washington DC. Mary's family also, had family members her brother George W. EMMERSON, which was included in the Portsmouth Rifles, until they as well as John Henry Lewis' brother George Washington Lewis, were reassigned to the 9th Virginia Regiment.

Based upon the book, John who moved to Washington DC, as a result of the lose by the Confederates in the civil war and the brutal occupation by the Union forces then occupying Portsmouth, which didn't allow any former Confederate to work and earn a living to support their families as a result.

After his wife Mary died in 1911, Washington DC and the changing times, turn of the century, John became rather melancholy. He died at his daughter's home in Washington DC. According to his book and research I've done as well as a cousin of mine both are GG Granddaughter's of John H. Lewis, according to our research, we've also found varying dates of birth. Between abt,., 135=37. but the editor of John's only book "recollection" stated on John's death certificate that given his age and other evidence he was born Oct., 5, 1835.

Both John and his wife Mary is buried in the EMMERSON family plot in Portsmouth, VA.

I have found 6 census records for John, myself at www.ancestry.com all these records, were in VA or Washington DC except one which was in Georgia 1860.

John's father was a Samuel Morgan Lewis and John's mother was a Frances Pulley

John According to the book's editor and my own research, John & Mary had 6 children, the last 2 being "twins" and as far as I can tell, the twins were the only one's born in Washington DC or the District of Columbia. the other 4 were b. in Portsmouth, VA.

Of John's six children my GGGrandfth was one, the last born and a "twin" named John M. Lewis, I believe the M., stand for Meriweather. My father who will be age 90 this year was raised in part by John, John Henry Lewis' son, as both his parents worked.

One of John Henry Lewis' Grandson's was a Joseph Irvin Lewis, b. District of Columbia, abt 1894. (notice re: his death in the Washington Post early 1950's, Washington DC.) Joseph married a Margaret Estella LARMAN, b. 01, 1900, Washington DC, that was my Grandmother, who died in DC/MD July 1977. John H. Lewis' Grandson, was only married once to Margaret, my Grandmother and had only one child. (Margaret E. LARMAN's Grandfather, was a "union soldier" private, that helped to defend Washington DC, named Henry Larman, refer to the 1880 fed census "free" at www.familysearch.org.) My Grandmother's father, son of Henry LARMAN, was an Allen Ellsworth LARMAN, or Allan E. Larman, b. Washington DC May 1861. Dec'd in a Washington DC mental institution, St. Elizabeth's hospital at age 46, a machinist for the US government. My Grandmother Margaret, who also, worked for the US government the Bureau of Engraving, until she retired, can be found first on the 1900 fed census, infant "unnamed", I think they thought she may not live, as she was very small and seemed to have what they used to call "St Vitas Dance".

Allen & his wife a Susannah or Susanna or Susie, (she spelled it many way's) BALLENGER, had 4 children that lived and I think one that died a daughter, or maybe 2 that died in infancy. Susie FOSTER, at her death in VA late 30's or early 40's, was the mother of John Henry Lewis' Grandson's only wife, that was my Grandmother, once again Margaret. Margaret and her husband had only one child, that was Howard Irving Lewis, b. Washington DC August 20, 1918.

Howard married a Marie Louise ELFERS, born Annibrita d'WAINIO, in NYC-born Feb., 08, 1921 and dec'd in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland Dec., 14, 2001-see 1930 fed census took in NYC, Manhattan and SSDI index (sources). Marie, or Annibrita, was adopted by the Herman and Katherine ELFERS, family 1925 NYC. The Lewis and Elfers, were married in the Mayflower hotel, Washington DC Feb., 1947. Howard and Marie had only 2 children both living at this time. Only one married and has the one son, also married who has the one daughter.

John Henry Lewis' youngest, John M. Lewis (refer to census' taken in Washington DC over the years available till 1930 at www.ancestry.com)

John Henry Lewis, the 2nd Lieutenant, by the end of the "War of Rebellion" had been a POW on four occasions, in three different Union POW camps. He was captured at Gettysburg, and his book is an incredible tribute to his fine memory and ability.

John Henry LEWIS' wife's family were also, involved in the "civil war" as Confederates. Also, you can obtain some of John's military records by writing to the Dept. of Defense Records Div..Bold text