Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 125
At the division of the common lands in 1703, he was entitled to 48
3-4 shares, considerably more than an average. He had then dis-
tributed a large part of his estate to his children.
In 1655 his house was on the lot adjoining Taylor's lane. By
the purchase of the Hallett lands he became possessed of John Hathaway's
house, which stood on a cross road now discontinued, and the
ancient Roger Goodspeed house. This house is now standing, if it
be justifiable so to speak of a building that has suffered so many
transformations. In the record of the laying out of the County road
in 1686 the record says, after passing the house of John Davis,
Sen., "up ye hill called Cob's hill, by the house and shop of Lieut.
James Lewes, on south side of sd way, too narrow at his barn three
foot, and so sd road lying near ye house of Wid. Bacon on ye north
side of sd way." The obvious meaning of this passage is that
Lieut. James Lewis' house was near Cob's hill and west of the Wid.
Bacon's ; if so, he then occupied the Goodspeed house, and his shop
stood on where the Custom House now stands, on the corner of the
old way connected with the road called Goodspeed's outlet.
No man in Barnstable brought up his family better than Lieut.
Lewes. All of his ten children were well educated for the times,
and all became useful and respectable men and women. The secret
of his success in life is quickly told—he never neglected his business.
Every year he added a field to his estate, and though one of the most
generous of fathers, he ranked among the wealthy in 1703. His son
Ebenezer, to whom he had transferred the old Goodspeed estate,
was equally wealthy, and for his other sons he had liberally provided.
Jan. 18, 1699, Capt. Joseph Lothrop, aged about 75, Mr. John
Howland, aged about 77, and Lieut. James Lewes, aged 68, old
men, all June 18th, saith the record, joined the church in Barnsta-
ble.
He was admitted a freeman of the Colony June 1, 1658. His
name often appears as a juror, and surveyor of highways. He was
lieutenant of the military company of Barnstable many years, and
probably a soldier in Philip's war, for his heirs were proprietors of
Gorham town. He was one of the Selectmen in 1679, '81, '89, and
'90.
The will of Lieut. James Lewes, Sen., is dated May 8, 1713,
proved Oct. 17, 1713. To his son George Lewes he gives "onehalf
of my dwelling-house and barn, and one-half of lands thereunto
adjoining," and he confirms his former deed of gift of the other half.
He also names his sons Ebenezer, Samuel, James, John and Joseph,
and his four daughters, Sarah Waterman, Susanna Beals, Mary
Linkhorn, and Hannah Lumbard. He appoints as his executors his
four sons, Samuel, James, George and Ebenezer.
Lieut. James Lewes, son of George, married Oct. 31, 1655,