General Fielding LEWIS

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• FamilySearch ID: L6NV-YWX
• MilitaryService: ; Brigadier General, Superintendent of the Arsenal at Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Virginia, United States
• Obituary: 23 May 1965, Washington, District Of Columbia

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Colonel Fielding LEWIS had two wives: Catherine WASHINGTON and Betty [Elizabeth] WASHINGTON.
Colonel Fielding LEWIS will is on record in Spotsylvania County [Virginia] and bears date October 19, 1781. It names wife, Betty, sons John, Fielding, George, Lawrence, Robert, and Howell LEWIS, and Charles CARTER, my son-in-law.
Col Fielding Lewis was linked to his parents; John Lewis IV ( LKGT-4G2 ) and Frances Fielding ( KHVR-B49 ) and also to his grandparents: Major John Lewis ( LVTP-GWF ) and Elizabeth Isabell Warner (L27P-LZP ) as parents as well. The link to his grandparents has been removed.
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See John Campbell
Virginia County Records SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800
WILLS
WILL BOOK E 1772-1798
page 37
LEWIS, FIELDING, St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania Co. d. Oct. 19, 1781, p. Jan. 17, 1782. Wit. George Noble, Benj. Ledwick, John Butler, Gerard Alexander, Will. Booth, William Carpenter. Ex. wife and my sons John, Fielding and George. Leg. wife, Betty Lewis, during life use of all my lands in Spots. Co. except that part rented to my son John; son John, after death of his mother, all my lands in Spots. Co. and in Fredericksburg; son Fielding, 1000 acres of my Frederick Co. lands, on which he lives; son George, remainder of Frederick Co. lands bought of Robert Carter Nicholas, except 1000 acres to my son Lawrence; son-in-law Charles Carter, Esqr; son Lawrence, 1000 acres of land in Frederick Co.; son Robert, one-half of 10,000 acres of land located for me in the Co. of Kentucky by Mr. Hancock Lee, and one-half of 20,000 acres located or to have been located for me by Nathaniel Randolph in the Co. of Kentucky; son Howell, the remaining half of above lands in Kentucky; all my lands purchased at the Land Office except what is already disposed of, to my sons Robert and Howell equally; my share in the Dismal Swamp Co. my lands bought of Marinaduke Naughflett in partnership with Genl. Washington; my lands bought of Dr. Wright and Jones in Nansemond Co., in partnership with Genl. Washington and Dr. Thomas Walker, and the 320 acres of land in Frederick Co. bought of George Mercer's estate, also my share in the Chatham Rope Walk at Richmond to be sold by executors and the money arising to be paid to my six sons before mentioned, in equal portions.

Shortly after his 1746 marriage to Catherine, Francis' father John had built a fine residence (possibly on the location of the present Fredericksburg Library) near the Fielding Store for Francis and his new wife. For some time, Francis was initially under the tutelage of his fathers manager John Thornton in the new venture with the Fielding Store. By April of 1747, Francis was established in the Fredericksburg area as is evidenced by reimbursement received from the Council for services rendered during the September 1746 visit by the Lord Proprietor'stask force headed by William Fairfax.

It is reported that Fielding played an important role in the feisty and often raucous society of colonial Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County. His integrity and quiet demeanor are reported to have helped on specific occasions to contain the competing factions in both the church and court politics of the area. (Ref: Fielding Lewis and the Washington Family, Paula S. Felder, p. 69). The following references to Fieldings life by no means covers the entirety of his record, but simply offers simply highlights and some examples of his many enterprising and public activities. In the period just after 1748, Fielding purchased 3,078 acres in the fertile area of Frederick County and in about 1753 another 1200 acres in the Dismal Swamp area of Augusta County.

In March of 1750, Fielding filed in the matter of the estate of Mildred Willis. At about the time that he married Elizabeth 'Betty' Washington, Fielding built a mansion just northwest of Fredericksburg that he would call 'Kenmore'. It had ornamental ceilings done in stucco. In 1752, Fielding paid Richard Royston of Gloucester County 861 lbs. for 861 acres of land adjoining his fathers tract near Fredericksburg, and built a mill at Hazel Run. In February 1752, George Washington surveyed the remaining half of the Buckner-Royston Patent for his brother-in-law, and Fielding purchased the tract the following month. (Ref: Fielding Lewis and the Washington Family, Paula S. Felder, p. 77, 101). His purchases included at least 3078 acres that were part of the holdings of Robert Carter Nicholas lying in the Valley in then Frederick County (now Clarke Co.), Virginia. In 1752, Fielding Lewis, George (the President) Washington, John Thornton and Charles Dick were early members of the Masonic Lodge of Fredericksburg. Later, Fielding acquired land along the Chriswell Mine Road, and in 1755, the area that he acquired was referenced as 'Mr. Fielding Lewis' Qtr called the Halfway House'. It was located about half way between the mine at the North Anna River and the Hazel Run wharves located in the town of Fredericksburg.

One of the principal crops that Fielding raised at his Spotsylvania plantation was wheat. As a result he maintained a significant interest in mills and in August of 1752, he petitioned the courts for permission to erect a water grist mill on some of the acerage that he had recently purchased. It is believed that he supplied George Washington with several superior strains that were subsequently produced at Washington's Mount Vernon farm. In 1754, Francis laid off another lot (lot 59) in Fredericksburg, when he sold it to William Waller. (Currently this lot is located at the corner of Charles and George Streets). The same year, he inherited (in his fathers estate) the 400 acre tract on which he was living outside of Fredericksburg which combined with the Royston land to comprise a plantation of more than 1200 acres. The principal result of Fielding's fathers death is that he now came to manage the business in the city of Fredericksburg as well as the Spotsylvania lands on his own. In July of 1755, Fielding was elected toa one year term as treasurer of the organization and would later serve on term as Grand Master. In March of 1756, Fielding was awarded an appointment from Governor Dinwiddie to supply provisions to the Virigina Regiment. About this same time, Francis took up an additional 600 acres in Spotsylvania County. This land evidently came into Francis's possession via his older brother Warner. (Ref: Spotsylvania County Deed Book E., p. 758). In February 1757, Fielding made one of the first major independent decisions regarding the Lewis Store. He sold the one acre business complex for 450 lbs., that had been originally built by his father, to John Thornton. (Ref: Fielding Lewis and the Washington Family, Paula S. Felder, p. 131. Spotsylvania Co. Deed Bk. E., p. 357, 24 February 1757.) On 9 October 1757, Fielding lent his brother Charles 650 lbs. and took a mortgage of Vaux Hall and guaranteed his brother a seven year least on the property. Between 1756 and 1758 Fielding was involved in numerous commercial transactions with James Madison (father of the President) of Montpelier in Orange Co., VA.

In December of 1757, Fielding was commissioned as head of the Spotsylvania Milita as a result of the actions taken by John Thornton against John Spotswood in regard to the march to Winchester, Frederick, VA. in May of 1756. (Ref: Forgotton Companions, Paula S. Felder, p. 214-215). In the latter half of 1760, Fielding sold 32 of his town lots, grossing more than 1000 lbs. (Ref: Fielding Lewis and the Washington Family, Paula S. Felder, p. 138, and Forgotten Companions, Paula S. Felder, pp. 138-139). He became a commissioned a County Lieutenant in 1758, and Commander-in-chief of the County militia in 1761. In May of 1763, Fielding, along with George Washington, Thomas Walker and Burwell Bassett traveled south to inspect the area known as 'the Dismal Swamp'. This effort to drain of 1000 acres of the available land eventually entailed the survey of at least 40,000 acres. (Ref: 'Articles of Agreement of the Dismal Swamp Company, 1763', Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 37 (1929), pp. 64-65). Unfortunately, the project never came to success and the affluent Anthony Bacon (the London factor) would later hold Fielding responsible for his losses and take legal action against him.

By April 1765, Fielding was enlisted to administer a school patterned after the Williamsburg model in Fredericksburg, but it was eventuallyterminated in 1770. In 1766, Fielding and George Washington were assigned to dispose of the land of Geroge Carter who had died in England. In 1767, Fielding borrowed 1400 lbs. from his friend Gabriel Jonesof Rockingham county. (Ref: Forgotton Companions, Paula S. Felder, p. 185). This loan may have been in anticipation of imminent purchases Fielding had in mind. Fielding purchased the Vaux Hall property fromhis brother Charles. This purchase included 1000 acres on the Ni River and was purchased for about 1000 lbs. (one reference suggests that the sale price was 1500 lbs., Forgotton Companions, Paula S. Felder, p. 205 suggests that the price was 100 lbs. (?)). The Vaux Hall property later passed to Francis's son John. Fielding's life style was notone of extravagant tastes although his income might have allowed it.He did have a 'light post chariot and a good wine cellar. It is reported that Fielding et. al. favored division of the Parish after Januaryof 1768. He was elected to the new St. George's Parish Vestry in 1769.

[Much more can be read on Find A Grave. See source. There is a limit to the amount of information that can be posted in a Life Sketch].

Fielding married Betty WASHINGTON on 7 May 1750 in Mount Vernon, Fairfax, Virginia, British Colonial America. Betty (daughter of Augustine WASHINGTON and Mary BALL) was born on 20 Jun 1733 in Wakefield Plantation, Popes Creek, Westmoreland, Virginia, British Colonial America; died on 31 Mar 1797 in Culpeper, Virginia; was buried on 1 Apr 1797 in Western View Cemetery, Culpeper, Culpeper, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Obit: 13 Jan 1823, Mason, Virginia; Enquirer News Paper

Howell married Ellen Hackley POLLARD on 26 Sep 1795 in Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia. Ellen (daughter of Robert POLLARD and Jael UNDERWOOD) was born on 7 Dec 1776 in Culpeper, Virginia; died on 15 Jan 1855 in Marietta City, Washington, Ohio; was buried in Jan 1855 in Mound Cemetery, Marietta, Washington, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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Virginia married Robert Ammon HEREFORD on 6 Jan 1825 in Buffalo, Mason, Virginia. Robert (son of Robert M HEREFORD and Mary Mason BRONAUGH) was born on 15 Feb 1796 in Leesburg, Loudoun, Virginia; died on 30 Oct 1860 in Warrensburg, Johnson, Missouri; was buried after 30 Oct 1860 in Old Hereford Pla, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• FamilySearch ID: L8WL-R23
• Name: Robert Lewis HEREFORD
• _UID: D7BA46EAF6964B5F9C115285925CF9AC0E21
• Residence: 1860, Green River, Utah Territory
• Residence: 1900, Shoshone Indian Reservation Gillette, Fremont, Wyoming

Robert married Lucinda Maynard ROBERTSON in 1859 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory. Lucinda (daughter of Louis MENARD and Marook KYACK) was born on 13 Aug 1841 in Fort Bridger, Uinta, Wyoming; died on 20 Jun 1931 in Wind River, Fremont, Wyoming; was buried on 22 Jun 1931 in Chief Washakie Cemetery, Fort Washakie, Fremont, Wyoming. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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