Captain Andrew and Mary Aurelia Lewis
1792-1840
From an article by Jim Reis reprinted here with his
permission from Pieces of the Past Volume 3, pages 19-21
Andrew Lewis was born in Massachusetts on Oct. 16, 1792. Just when he came to Northern Kentucky is not clear. Early Campbell County records mention an adult Andrew Lewis living in Newport in 1796. Since it was common then for first names to pass from generation to generation, the Andrew Lewis of 1796 Newport probably was the father of Andrew Lewis.
In Campbell County's early days there was no permanent meeting place for the county government. County officials often met in private homes. On at least one occasion, July 10, 1797, the meeting place was the home of Andrew Lewis Sr. in Newport. Records indicate that later, at the Sept. 11 court session, Lewis and three other men were assigned by the county to lay out the best route for a new county road.
Andrew Lewis Sr. apparently owned property in what is now the Cold Spring area. On Feb. 1, 1804, Campbell County records show Lewis sold about 100 acres in that area to John Youtsey for about $400. The land was described as near Ripple Creek. Today that section of Cold Spring has both a Ripple Creek Road and a Youtsey Road.
Children of Andrew Lewis Sr. and Wife
1. Andrew Lewis II-born 16 Oct 1792 in Massachusetts
According to an account in the Licking Valley Register in 1842, Andrew Lewis II had first joined the Army during the "last war with Great Britain" a reference to the War of 1812. Military records indicate Lewis was a third lieutenant on Sep 1 1813 (age 21), and promoted to second lieutenant on May 2, 1814 (age 22).
Lewis was granted an honorable discharge from the Army on June 15, 1815, but civilian life apparently did not agree with him. He re-enlisted less than a year later on May 17, 1816 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry.
Andrew Lewis II, at age 37 married Mary Aurelia Mayo, daughter of Daniel Mayo and Mary Putnam, 1 Oct 1829, before minister William Burke in Campbell County.
Children of Andrew Lewis and Mary Aurelia Mayo
1. Augusta M R Lewis b-2
July 1830 in Newport; d-26 Feb 1886 in Covington; br-Evergreen; m-Henry K
Lindsey, s/o John B Lindsey and Maria Noble 10 Sep 1851
2. Mary Crosby Lewis b-11 Apr 1833
in Newport; d-23 Feb 1845 in Newport; age 12
3. Andrew Lewis Jr. b-20 July 1836 in Newport; d-27 Aug 1855 in Newport; age 19
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Children of Augusta Mayo R Lewis and Henry K Lindsey (1825-1908)
1. Amelia Lindsey b-16
Oct 1852 in Newport
2. Lizzie M Lindsey b-21 July 1854 in Newport; d-20 Dec 1928 in Clifton; br-Evergreen
3. Henry Augustus Lindsey b-29 Aug 1856 in Newport; d-18 Nov 1947 in Newport; br-Evergreen
4. Mary E Lindsey b-1859 in Newport
5. Louisa Lindsey b-May 1862 in Walnut Hills in Cincinnati; d-23 Aug 1862 in
Walnut Hills; br-Evergreen
6. Daughter Lindsey b&d 21 Aug 1870 in Cincinnati; br-Evergreen
6. Augusta F Lindsey b-21 Aug 1870 in Cincinnati
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Captain Lewis was involved in the Second Seminole War, which began in 1835. The conflict was rooted in efforts by the US Government to enforce a treaty in which the Seminoles were to be relocated in what is now Oklahoma, then referred to as the Indian Territories. A Licking Valley Register report said the intent of US troops was to capture as many of the Seminoles as possible, then hold them at Tampa until transportation was found to move them to the Indian Territories.
The American troops outnumbered the Seminole warriors, but the Seminoles conducted a guerrilla war, striking the troops when they least expected it and then disappearing into Florida's swamp. The American troops also suffered from disease in the insect infested territory. An account in May 1840 reported American Brigadier General Walker Keith Armistead had 3600 men under his command, but more than 500 of them were unfit for duty at any given time because of illness. One of the victims was Andrew Lewis.
From the Licking Valley Register, "Like so many others of his companions in arms, Lewis fell a victim to the climate." Lewis died in East Florida 30 Nov 1840. He left a wife and three small children. He was buried in Florida, but 18 months later, on 3 May 1842 his remains were returned to Newport. He was reburied May 3 in the Newport Cemetery.
Captain Andrew Lewis 1842 Obituary
"He was conveyed to the Palace of the Dead under the escort of the handsome volunteer companies from Cincinnati, whose military appearance and excellent discipline reflect upon them the highest honor. Captain Nathaniel C Macrae of the Newport Military Barracks supervised the funeral procession and the hearse was followed by a procession of Masons from Covington and Cincinnati lodges. An immense crowd of citizens followed in the mournful march. An appropriate monument, a broken column had been erected by his regiment under the base of which his remains were deposited."
Mary Aurelia Mayo Lewis died May 4, 1844 and was buried also in the Newport Cemetery. Mary Crosby Lewis, the 12 year old daughter who died was buried in Newport Cemetery. Andrew, Mary and their daughter Mary Crosby were reburied and the monument moved to the Evergreen Cemetery 24 Oct 1864. Andrew Lewis Jr. died in 1855 and was buried at Evergreen. Mary Crosby Lewis was buried in the Newport Cemetery but was moved also to Evergreen where the family monument says:
"Faithful in his (Andrew Lewis Sr.) duties and gallant in the field. From regard for his merits as a soldier and virtues as a man. His regiment erected this monument."
The Lewis children were awarded by the Campbell County court in May 1844 to the custody of their uncle, Henry Hunt Mayo, Mary Lewis's brother. A city directory indicates he lived on York Street and ran a dry goods store.
Lewis Alley runs between Central
Avenue and Isabella Street.