AUGUSTA:  CEMETERY RECORDS – JOHN LEWIS GRAVE

Contributed by:  Joan Renfrow

NOTICE:  I have no relationship or further information in regards to this 
family.  

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Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Grave of John Lewis:
                  1936 July 8
                  Research made by Margaret A. Jeffries/Crowder

Cemetery Location:  In a field on the New Hope Road, about 2 miles southwest of 
                    Staunton, Va.
                    Augusta County




For many years the grave was in an unkept and delapidated condition; however, 
several years ago citizens of Staunton and Augusta County raised necessary funds 
and restored the monument with its original inscription.  The  Augusta Garden 
Club made plans to plant flowers and beautify the grave of this courageous man, 
who gave five sons to fight the battles of the American Revolution, and win 
freedom and independence for his adopted country.

John Lewis was the first settler of August County, Virginia.  His home and Fort 
Lewis are not far from his grave.

John Lewis, the son of Andrew Lewis and Mary Calhoun, was born in Donegal 
County, Ireland, in 1678.  His wife was Margaret Lynn, of Scotland, the daughter 
of a Scotch Laird.

Although John Lewis came to Virginia from Ireland, the Lewis family originally 
came from France.  They were French Huguenots, who fled from France to avoid 
religious persecution.  During an uprising in Ireland, John Lewis killed an 
Irish Lord and this was why he left Ireland and came to American, where he 
became the first settler of Augusta and died in 1762, at the ripe old age of 
eight-four years.  To-day there are many of his descendants, not only in 
Virginia, but in other states.

In 1900 a Staunton citizen, Joseph L. Crowder realised that the grave of John 
Lewis was in a diplaidated state and the inscription on the monument was even 
then very hard to read.  So, on Nov. 18, 1900, Mr. Crowder, with difficulty, 
copied the inscription.

Some years afterwards, those who had charge of restoring the grave and monument, 
hearing that Mr. Crowder had copied the inscription, requested him to allow them 
to have it, as by that time the original inscription was almost entirely 
obliterated.  Consequently, but for the thoughfulness of one Staunton Citizen, 
the inscription on the monument of John Lewis would have been lost forever.

The Inscription:

Here Lie the Remains of
John Lewis
Who Slew the Irish Lord
Settled Augusta County,
Located the City of Staunton
And furnished five sons to
Fight the Battles of the 
American Revolution.
He was the son of
Andrew Lewis and Mary Calhoun
Was born in Donegal County
Ireland 1678 and 
Died February 1, 1782 aged
84 years.
He was a brave man
A true patriot and a Friend of
Liberty
Throughout the World.
“Morta litate Relicta Vivit”