from Sammie WadeLEWIS

This shows how I am related to the Lewises. It starts with my parents, Ethel and James Wade.

James Woodrow Wade, born November 28, 1913, Fayette County, West Virginia. Married Ethel Felts Wade(maiden name), born August 30, 1912, Davy, McDowell county, West Virginia.

Maude Lewis Wade, born April 19, 1889, died ___________in Portsmouth, VA. In April, 1909 married William T Wade, born December 29, 1883, Peytona, Boone County, West Virginia. Died Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, May 7, 1946.

Marion Mace Lewis, born October 21, 1861, died October 7, 1943. Was an engineer on the C&O Railroad. Died of Bronchial Pneumonia. Death Cert. 13297, Dist. 450, serial # 152. On October 22, 1882, married Martha Hughart, born 1864, Greenbriar County, West Virginia, died ____________.

Phillip Lewis( according to Mace Lewis death cert Phillip P. Lewis), born September 15, 1833, or 1842 in Brunswick County, VA.died March 18,1864, in a Northern prison at Rock Island, Illinois. On June 27, 1858 married Pamela or Pomenlia (Vermila on Mace's death certificate)Herndon, born August 22, 1839,in Orange County, VA. died June 20, 1929. After Phillip Lewis died, she married Festus Carter, of Virginia and had several Carter children.

Several letters from Phillip Lewis survived the War. One, from Chesterfield(?), one from Caroline County, Virginia, was dated February 12, 1863. One from Orange Court House, Virginia, was dated March 21, 1863. A letter from Pamela to Phillip was dated July 15, 1860(?).
They wrote to Phillip Lewis c/o Captain O.B.Taylor
Colonel Alexander's Battalion
Light Artillery
General Longstreet's Corp.
Army of Tennessee

According to the book, Civil War Prisons, edited by William Hesseltine, Kent State University Press, 1962, which contains an article by T.R.Walker on Rock Island, Rock Island prison barracks was located on an island in the Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. The site is known as Rock Island Arsenal. It now has a museum and a military cemetery which contains some Union graves and the graves of the Confederates who died in the prison.


The first prisoners arrived there in December, 1863. This was a contingent of 5,592 consisting mostly of Confederates captured by Grant's army at Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. These battles were fought near the end of November, 1863. A smallpox epidemic soon broke out. 94 prisoners died in December, 231 died in January, 1864, 346 died in February. In the 20 months the arsenal was used as a prison, 1960 prisoners died of disease.

The following is a transcription of a letter from Phillip Lewis to Pamela. This letter, and most of the information I have on the Lewises and the Hugharts comes from the papers of my cousin Pat Jones, in Lexington, Ky.




Rock Island, Illinois
February 2, 1864

Dear Wife,

As I feel something better this morning, I will try and write you a few lines to let you know where I am, and how I do. I have had a very tight time with the "Bronchitis" & not well yet, but I think my general health is improving, although, I am confined to my bunk and have been for 24 days. I've been a prisoner of war ever since the 5th of Dec. and I am now on "Rock Island" in the state of Illinois. I will change the subject. I have not heard from you all since you wrote me saying when the sale would take place. I want to hear from you all very much indeed. I don't know wheather (sic) you are dead or alive; but I hope you are doing well. I reckon you thought I was dead, it has been so long since I have written to you. If you and Annie think proper you can get some one else to take the estate in hand, as it is doubtful if I get well. I suggest Dr. Waller. If you write to me, your letter must be very short and confined to family matters. You must put a U.S. stamp and a C.S. stamp on your letter and leave it unsealed. I must come to a close by asking you to kiss Lola for me. Give my love to Burton and Marion and all friends, and except(sic) a double portion for yourself.

From your loving husband till death.


S/ Philip P. Lewis
A Prisoner of War
Rock Island, Illinois
Barracks # 50
P.S. If you have not moved yet, I think you had better remain where you are for the present.

March 19th 1864

Mrs. Lewis you will see that this a letter written by your husband, it was found on his person at his death. He died the 18th day of March 1864 at Rock Island. He died of Cronic Bronchitis. I thought it my duty to send this to you as I am a Virginian.
Yours,
S/ Wm. W. Benson
Address Monterey,
Highland Co., Virginia

Frederick A. Lewis and Almira Kelly were the parents of Philip Lewis. John Herndon of Orange County, VA, was Pomenlia=s father.

Rock Island now has a web site with a lot of information. Philip Lewis is listed on the site.

Pamela( or whatever her name was) died at 92 of flu, according to my records.

My Dad recently died, and I found the photograph of the Carters among his things. He did tell me there were Carter relatives who lived near his mother’s family. His mother’s family lived in Hinton, WV,. Alas that is all I know.

Sammie Wade