Eliza Julia Lewis (Hunt) - Eliza Julia Hunt, Adopted or Sired Daughter of Abijah Hunt

Started by Paul Gervais Bell, III on Saturday, May 20, 2023
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Past research suggests that Eliza Julia Hunt Lewis was a sired or adopted daughter of Abijah Hunt, a successful Mississippi plantation owner. After a fatal dueling match. Family records state she lived with Jesse Hunt of Cincinnati where she married Ira Randolph Lewis, son of Dr. Jacob Lewis. Records show they moved to Jackson, Mississippi where Ira Randolph Lewis practiced law performing legal work for the Hunts' plantation interests.

They relocated to East Baton Rouge, Louisiana before immigrating to Texas with Stephen F. Austin's First 300 Colonists. Though arrival in Texas after having lost many possessions on their ship during a major storm, they quickly recovered with assistance from others. It appears Cincinnati family members provided support afterwards. Research shows many southerners had Cincinnati bank accounts out of slavery concerns.

Eliza Hunt's parents could have been relatives of Abijah Hunt who died shortly after her birth. Some articles state as a lifelong bachelor, he wanted a child in later years. To date there have been no DNA connections to establish any genetic relationship.

My father, Paul Gervais Bell, Jr., donated Abijah Hunt's papers to the University of Texas Dolph Briscoe Museum in Austin. Any insights would be helpful.

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