ABIGAIL D. (HAWLEY) LEWIS

Abigail D. (Hawley) Lewis gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. February 22, 1824 in Pomfret, Windsor County, VT
D. December 7, 1859 in Avon Township, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

(NOTE: The parents and siblings of Abigail are possibly her family based on the findagrave.com memorial #24916170 for Ira Hawley which states “Abigail D.” to be one of their children.)

  • Father: Ira Hawley born August 30, 1792 in Amherst, Hampshire County, MA; Ira died March 12, 1852 in Trenton, Dodge County, WI; buried in Riverside Memorial Park, Fox Lake, Dodge County, WI.
  • Mother: Martha “Patty” (Barrows) Hawley born January 8, 1795 in Mansfield, Tolland County, CT; married Ira Hawley on November 23, 1812 in Mansfield, Tolland, CT; resided in Avon Township, Lake County, IL in 1880 with her daughter Martha and son-in-law, David C. Lewis; Martha died May 9, 1882 in Fox Lake, Dodge County, WI; buried in Riverside Memorial Park in Fox Lake, Dodge County, WI

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, May 13, 1882, page 2:

   “Mrs. Martha Hawley, mother of Mrs. D. C. Lewis, died on Tuesday last.  She was an aged lady being over 87 years old and has been unwell for some time past.  Her remains were taken to Fox Lake, Wisconsin, for interment.”

  • Husband: David Crosby Lewis was born August 4, 1808 in Williamstown, Orange County, VT; married (1) Martha M. Reed born January 1812; died March 5, 1846 (See section pertaining to Martha M. (Reed) Lewis buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); married (2) Abigail D. Hawley on February 7, 1850 in McHenry County, IL; married (3) Martha Hawley (1818-1894); David died July 27, 1885 in Hainesville, Lake County, IL; (See section pertaining to David Crosby Lewis buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Child:
    1. Rosetta M. “Rosa” (Lewis) Beckwith born in November 1850 in Illinois; married Charles F. Beckwith (1847-1935), son of Gilbert Beckwith (1814-1882) and Harriet Beckwith (1808-1889); Rosetta died September 24, 1940 in Grayslake, Lake County, IL; Rosetta and Charles are buried in the Ivanhoe Cemetery, Mundelein, Lake County, IL

According to the Daily Herald (Chicago IL) Friday, October 4, 1940, page 10:

“MOTHER OF DES PLAINES WOMAN IS BURIED – Mrs. Rosa Beckwith, 89 of Grayslake, died last week after a six year illness. She was the mother of Elmer Beckwith, of Des Plaines, Ernest Beckwith, Russell, Pa., Mrs. Edith Colby, Corry, Pa., and Edith Beckwith, Grayslake.  The funeral was held Friday.”

  • Step Children: (children of David Crosby Lewis and Martha (Reed) Lewis)
    1. Winslow R. Lewis born November 19 1832 in Wolcott, Lamoille County, VT; married (1) Jane Dyckes (1833-1972), daughter of Eliza (Newberry) Dyckes (1826-1899); married (2) Mary Estella Snively (1859-1946) April 10, 1882 in Osage, Mitchell County, IA, daughter of Jacob S. Snively (1813-1899) and Anna (Buchner) Snively (1814-1887); Winslow died December 6, 1909 in Bismarck, Burleigh County, ND; Winslow, Jane and Mary are buried in Osage Cemetery, Osage, Mitchell County, IA

According to the Bismarck Tribune (Bismarck ND) Tuesday, December 7, 1909, page 4:

“WINSLOW R. LEWIS IS DEAD FROM APOPLEXY – END CAME SUDDENLY AT HIS HOME ON FIFTH STREET MONDAY. – Stricken With Apoplexy Sunday Forenoon – Remains Will Be Taken to Iowa for Interment. –   R. Lewis, one of the respected citizens of Bismarck, died at his home, 523 Fifth street, at half past three Monday afternoon.  He was taken with a stroke of apoplexy Sunday morning and from the time he was first taken it was known that there was no hopes for his ultimate recovery.  He is survived by a wife and six children, Elmer of Pasedena, Ca., and C. E. Leroy, Ward, Maude E. and Laura of this city.  Mr. Lewis was born in Vermont on Nov. 19, 1832.  He moved to Iowas when a young man and engaged in farming, moving to Bismarck in 1907, and has made his home here since that time.  While he and his family have made their home here only for a comporotively short time, they have gathered a circle of acquaintances who were shocked to hear of the death, and who deeply sympathize with the sorrowing relatives.  Aside from his family here he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Laura Gowdy of Minneapolis, and Mrs. Rose Beckwith of Rockefeller, Ill.  The funeral services will be held at the house this afternoon at 2:30 at which Rev. Magin will preside.  The body will then be taken to Osage, Ia., the former home, where they will be interred.  The remains will be accompanied by Mrs. Lewis and her son Ward.

2. Laura Ann (Lewis) Gowdy born 1836 in Williamstown, VT, married Lewis Gowdy about 1856; Laura died February 1, 1925 in Hennepin County, MN; buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN

According to the Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis MN) Tuesday, February 3, 1925, page 7:

“GOWDY SERVICES HELD – Funeral services were conducted at Lakewood chapel at 11:30 a.m. today for Mrs. Lewis Gowdy, who died in Williamstown, Vt. She lived in Minneapolis since 1884.”

3. Sophia Mariah (Lewis) Becker born February 8, 1842 in Vermont; married William Henry Becker about 1865; lived in Concord, Bureau County, IL; Sophia died July 23, 1906 in Princeton, Bureau County, IL; buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Wyanet, Bureau County, IL

According to the Bureau County Tribune (Princeton IL) Friday, July 27, 1906, page 12:

   “Mrs. Sophia Becker died at the home of her son-in-law William Bodfish, on East Peru street, Monday of this week.  She was in her sixty-fifth year.  Funeral services were held at the house Wednesday afternoon, and the remains were taken to Wyanet where services were held in the M. E. church.  Rev. C. E. Stebbins of West Bureau, officiating.  Burial was in the Wyanet cemetery.  An obituary notice will appear in the Tribune next week.”

According to the Bureau County Tribune (Princeton IL) Friday, August 3, 1906, page 7:

Sophia Lewis Becker.

   Sophia Lewis Becker was born in Williamston, Orange county, Vermont, Feb. 8, 1832 (sic) and died in Princeton, Ill. July 23, 1906.  When an infant she was brought by her parents to Lake county Ill., where they settled in 1864.  She married W. H. Becker in the town of Wyanet.  After a year’s residence in Paisippie, Ia, they returned and located at South Hickory, Bureau county.  May 2, 1903, Mr. Becker passed away very suddenly.  Since that time Mrs. Becker has been gradually failing.  In June it was discovreed (sic) that she had a malignant tumor.  A hurried visit was made to Chicago.  An operation was performed, but the disease was deep seated and there was no hope of her surviving only for a brief time.  She returned to the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Bodfish, in Princeton, where everything was done to make her remaining days as comfortable as possible.  From this time she gradually failed until Sunday, when hemorrhages commenced and continued until she passed away.
   Around her bedside were her devoted children to comfort her and receive her last word and her blessing.  Much regret was expressed at the unavoidable absence of her son Philo and daughter Elzie.
   She was converted in early childhood and united with the United Brethren church at Manlius, where she held her membership at her death.
   She attended the Hickory Grove Sunday school and church and was an active worked in the cause of God.  During her last sickness she received much consolaton (sic) from the christian ministrations of her children who read God’s word and prayed with her often.  Her life was one of steadfast faith and as a blessing to the world.
   She leaves eight children, four sons, Philo, of Minn., and Alva, Albert and Clarence of Hickory; also four daughers (sic), Mrs. Edna Storrs, of Amboy, Minn.; Mrs. Bodfish of Princeton, Ill; Mrs. Jessie Ross, of Minn.; Mrs. Elzie Bickford, of Kewanee, Ill.  Also two sisters, Mrs. Laura Goowdy (sic) of Minneapolis Minn. and Mrs. Ross Beckwith, of Lake county, Ill., and one brother, Winslow R. Lewis, of Osage, Iowa.
   The funeral was held at the residence of her daughter in Princeton Wednesday, at 12:30, conducted by Rev. C. E. Stebbins, of West Bureau.  Rev. Slaughter of the M. E. church offered prayer.  Her remains were taken to Wyanet, where a service was held in the M. E. church at 2:30.  Rev. Courtright and Rev. J. G. Brook, a former pastor assisting at the services.  Comforting music was furnished by the Princeton choir of the M. E. church.
   Interment was made in the family lot in Forest Hill cemetery.”

4. David O. Lewis born 1846; David died March 6, 1858; (See section pertaining to David O. Lewis buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

  • Sibling:
    • Sanford T. Hawley born April 10, 1814 in Amherst, Hampshire County, MA; Sanford died September 18, 1817 in Hampshire County, MA; buried in Plainville Cemetery, Hadley, Hampshire County, MA
    • Thomas B. Hawley born February 3, 1816 in Amherst, Hampshire County, MA; Thomas died on September 12, 1817 in Hampshire County, MA; buried in Plainville Cemetery, Hadley, Hampshire County, MA
    • Martha H. (Hawley) Lewis born March 2, 1818 in Massachusetts; married (1) Horace Taylor (1801-1853) in Dodge County, WI; married (2) David C. Lewis (1808-1885) in Leon, Waushara County, WI as his third wife who was also married to her sister Abigail as his second wife; Martha died May 8, 1894; (See section pertaining to Martha H. (Hawley) Lewis buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery) (See section pertaining to David Crosby Lewis buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    • Ruth B. (Hawley) (Keys) Smith born March 26, 1820 in Amherst, Hampshire County, MA; married (1) Albert Keys ( -1858) on October 24, 1849; married (2) Anson Smith on April 20, 1858
    • Sanford T. Hawley born March 2, 1822 in Thetford, Orange County, VT; married (1) Adelia A. “Delia” Hardy (1832-1874) on September 20, 1848; married (2) Cornelia Harrington on September 30, 1874; Sanford died May 14, 1874 in Trenton, Dodge County, WI; Sanford and Adelia are buried in Riverside Memorial Park, Fox Lake, Dodge County, WI

According to the Representative (Fox Lake, WI) Friday, May 22, 1874, page 4:

“SUDDEN DEATH. – Mr. Sanford Hawley, an old and respected resident of Trenton, died suddenly on the morning of Thursday, the 14th Mr. Hawley had been unusually well, and worked all day Wednesday.  About 2 o’clock his wife was awakened by hard breathing, and tried to arouse him, but before medical assistance could be obtained he breathed his last.  He leaves a newly married wife and two children.  The funeral ceremonies were held at their residence in Trenton and were largely attended, friends being present from Waupun, Beaver Dam and Fox Lake.  The remains were interred in the Fox Lake Cemetery.”

    • Royal Tracy Hawley born April 21, 1826 in New York; Royal died October 3, 1826 in New York
    • Royal Tracy Hawley born August 25, 1827 in Troy, Rensselaer County, NY; married Lucy Case Reasoner (1836-1920) March 2, 1855 in Steuben County, NY, daughter of John Stout Reasoner (?-1892) and Tryphena (Northway) Reasoner (?-1905); Royal died March 2, 1910 in Seattle, King County, WA; Royal and Lucy are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Seattle, King County, WA
    • Spencer Hawley born May 23, 1829 in Floyd, Oneida County, NY; Civil War Veteran, Company H, 30th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, Private; married Catherine Comstock Potter (1831-1886) on November 25, 1851 in Trenton, Dodge County, NY; Spencer died February 9, 1913 in Seattle, King County, WA; buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Seattle, King County, WA
    • Jonathan Edwards Hawley born December 26, 1831 in Columbus, Chenango County, NY buried in Poy Sippi Cemetery, Poy Sippy, Waushara County, WI; married (1) Celest “Electa” Hastings (1839-1859) on December 3, 1857; married (2) Frances Sophia “Nancy” Blakeley (1841-1928) on September 29, 1860 in Buchanan County, IA; Jonathan died January 2, 1902 in Arcadia, Valley County, NE; Jonathan and Nancy are buried in Arcadia Cemetery, Arcadia, Valley County, NE.
    • Olive Storrs (Hawley) Davison born August 30, 1834 in Columbus, Chenango County, NY; married Andrew Smith Davison (1833-1912) on October 30, 1852 in Poy Sippi, Washara County, WI, son of Jonathan L. Davison (?-1860) and Sarah Maria (Miller) Davison (1800-1890); Olive died July 16, 1915 in Puerto Rico; Olive and Andrew are buried in Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Bayamon, Bayamon Municipality, Puerto Rico.
    • Rosetta (Hawley) Becker born April 22, 1836 in New York; married William Henry Becker (1828-1903) on November 20, 1856; Rosetta died May 22, 1861 in Poy Sippi, Waushara County, WI; buried in Poy Sippi Cemetery, Poy Sipp, Waushara County, WI

Additional Information:

According to the 1850 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“David C. Lewis age 42, occupation: farmer, born in Vermont; Abigal (sic) D. Lewis, age 26, born in Vermont; Winslow R. Lewis, age 18, born in Vermont; Laura A. Lewis, age 14, born in Vermont; Sophia M. Lewis, age 8, born in Vermont.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, December 10, 1859, page 2:

DIED.

In Avon, Lake Co, on the 7th inst., of Cancer, Mrs. Lewis, wife of Mr. Crosby Lewis, aged 50 years.”