James Edgar Lewis

     James Edgar Lewis was born on 20 October 1869 at Vesta, Patrick County, Virginia. He was the son of Martin Elkanah Lewis and Letitia A. Mason.

James was enumerated with Martin Elkanah Lewis on the census of 29 September 1870 at Smith River Township, Patrick County, Virginia, as James E. Lewis. He is a 7 month old white male born in Virgina.¹

James was enumerated with Martin Elkanah Lewis on the census of 15 June 1880 at Smith River District, Patrick County, Virginia, as James E. Lewis. He is a 10 year old single white male born in Virginia as were both of his parents. He works on a farm and can read and write.²

James Edgar Lewis married Susan Ayres circa 1893.

James is head of household on the census of 16 June 1900 at Smith River District, Patrick County, Virginia, as James E. Lewis. He is a 30 year old white male born Oct 1869 in Virginia as were both of his parents. He has been married for 7 years and rents his farmland. Enumerated with him were Susan Ayres, Richard Lewis, Gertie Lewis and Corina Lewis.³

James Edgar Lewis married Clara Slate, daughter of Martha L. (--?--), circa 1906.

Research Note: On the Smith River, Patrick County, Virginia 1910 census, adjacent to the James Edgar Lewis household is the John R. Lewis household. He is a 21 (b. circa 1889) year old married white male born in Virginina as were his parents. He has been married for two years and owns his own farm free of mortgage. His wife is Onie Lewis. She is 22 (b. abt 1888) years old and was born in Virginia as were her parents. She has given birth to one child and one child survives. Nancy I. Lewis is a white female daughter 1 year and 4 months old born in Virginia as were her parents. He is a strong candidate for a relative but further research is need to determine the nature of the relationship.⁴

James is head of household on the census of 18 April 1910 at Smith River Magisterial District, Patrick County, Virginia, as James E. Lewis. He is a 40 year old white male and has been married 2 times. His present marriage is of 4 years. He was born in Virginia as were both of his parents. He owns his own farm free of mortgage and can read and write. Enumerated with him were Clara Slate, Gertie Lewis, Corina Lewis, William Lewis, Raymond Lewis, William Lewis, Martha L. (--?--), Mary A. Slate and Dorsey Robinson Lewis.⁴

James is head of household on the census of 13 January 1920 at Smith River District, Patrick County, Virginia, as James E. Lewis. He is a 50 year old married white male born in Virginia. He owns his home free of mortgage. His father was born in North Carolina and his mother was born in Virginian. He is a farmer. Enumerated with him were Clarence G. Lewis, Laura Myrtle Lewis, Bird Lewis, Winnie Lewis, Raymond Lewis, Clara Slate, Mary A. Slate and Martha L. (--?--).⁵

James was widowed by the death of Clara Slate on 26 April 1925.

James is head of household on the census of 17 April 1930 at Mount Airy Township, Surry County, North Carolina, as Jim E. Lewis. He is a 60 year old widowed white male born in Virginia as were both of his parents. He owns his home which has a value of $1000. He can read and write and works as a laborer in an Orchard. He did work yesterday. Enumerated with him were Clarence G. Lewis, Bird Lewis, Laura Myrtle Lewis and Winnie Lewis.⁶

James Edgar Lewis died on 29 February 1944 at age 74.⁷