Descendants of John R. Lewis

                    Rufus Lewis had managed to keep himself gainfully employed during this post war period by working as a carpenter. How much his war injury was a factor governing his stamina is unknown. It is apparent from available records that he managed to sustain at least a modest lifestyle. It is my firm belief that he was employed for the most part by David P. Click (aka "Uncle Davey") and his brother Lewis Anderson Click. As mentioned previously, these two owned a sawmill in the English Creek area near Newport Tennessee. "Uncle Davey" was also a contractor who built many of the old homes that stand yet today in Newport. Remember also that Lemuel's wife, Mandy was the daughter of this David P. Click.
                    In Rufus's pension application, David Click along with many other prominent citizens of Newport, vouched for the good character of Rufus. In the letter David wrote (ca 1892) he related as to how he had known Rufus for some thirty years, and his accounting of Rufus was that he was an outstanding citizen of good moral character. This is the relationship that leads me to believe Rufus was employed by or worked with "Uncle Davey" in his contracting business.
                    Another little tidbit that leans in the direction of this scenario is the fact that Rufus became sweet on a young girl who just happened to live right next door to Lewis Anderson Click Sr, father of David P. Click and of course Lewis Jr. Then again, it could have been a far riskier proposition involving a crush on the daughter of a co-worker.
                    This next door neighbor of Lewis Anderson Click Sr. was a man named James Webb. On the 1860 Cocke County Census, page 201, District 8, Taylorsburg Post Office, James was listed as being 44 years old and was listed as a sawyer by occupation. It is evident we have a sawyer living next door to a man with 2 sons that own a sawmill. Taylorsburg was just to the east of English Creek where the mill was located. Is this justifiable proof that this James Webb was also employed by Lewis and "Uncle Davey?" Not implicitly, but It might stand to reason that Rufus and James may have very well known each other. If not then, they sure came to know each other well in 1867 when Rufus married Mr Webb's daughter Nancy.
                    Nancy was the third eldest child in a family of six daughters and one son. Nancy's mother was Louisa (?) On the 1860 census mentioned above, were the children - Martha, 19, Mary, 17, Nancy, 15, Laurena,12, the only boy, Franklin, aged 12, Sarah, 6, and lastly, Margaret, aged 3.

The homeplace of Lewis Anderson Click Sr. near the English Creek area. It later became the home of David P. Click. Not in bad shape for a house built in the 1860's. How will your home look in 140 years? No one lives there anymore, and it is owned by the Bryant family of the area. No, they won't sell.

All graphics, photos, editorial comment, general foolishness, and folderol are copyrighted by Larry Hall, 2002. All factual information can easily be found with a little research, so why should I attempt to keep you from taking it?...
Just don't mess with my words or the pretty pitchurs and geegaws. Okey dokey?
It tends to make me cranky, dontcha know...