Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

LEWES.
Geol-ge Lewes, {.he ancestor of the Barnstable family, ieame
from East G-reenwich^ in the County of Kent, England. He was
by trade a clothier, and though called of East Greenwich, circum'
stances make it probable that he was for a time a resident in London
and a member of Mr. Lothrop's church in 1632. He married
about the year 1626, Sarah Jenkins, a sister of Edward, who
afterwards was a resident in Scituate. He probably did not come
over till after the church iu London was broken up, and the imprisonment
of Mr. Lothrop in 1632. He was of Plymouth in the
following year, and though a member of the church there, his
name does not appear on the tax lists of 1633 or of 1634. Though
not a man of wealth, he was liable to pay at least a poll tax.
The omission of his name can be accounted for only on the supposition
that he was taxedasone of "Mr. Hatherlies men." That
gentleman was benevolent and assisted many worthy men to come
to New England, and, after their arrival, he assisted them in procuring
employment and comfortable homes. Goodman Lewis'
name is often associated with Mr. Hatherly's on the records, and
he was probably indebted to that gentleman for assistance.
George Lewes was one of those who were dismissed from the
church in Plymouth in 1634, "in case they join in a body at Scit'
uate." He became a member at Scituate Sept. 30, 1635, eight
months after the organization of the church. It is presumed that
those who were thus dismissed on the arrival of Mr. Lothrop, had
been members of his church in London and were desirous to reunite
with their former brethren in church-state, and again listen
to the teachings of their aged and revered pastor.*
Before October, 1636, Goodman Lewes had built a house on
Kent street, in Scituate, so named because the residents thereon
*The Rev. Hiram Carleton examined tliis subject with much care. He Consulted our
early church records, Neal, Crosby, and other reliable authorities. He made out a strong
case, showing that the leading members of th'e London, Scituate and Barnstable churches
were the same persons. The records of the London church cannot be found. The Londbu
church was broken up as I have stated—the Scituate church was not a continuation, or removal
of the London. Mr. Lothrop certainly was of thM-opinion when he declined to partake
of lie sacrament with the Boston church, giving as'^rsason that he did not at the time
of bis arrival consider himself a member of a particular cBurch.