Bracken Lewis

Bracken Lewis, Sr. (1801-1891) was born in Orange, North Carolina. He married Matilda Preston on December 23, 1819, in Floyd, Kentucky. There is a note in his father-in-law’s pension file that Braken had paid a debt for him. Per the censuses of 1920 and 1930, they remained in Reed Township and farmed. In 1836, they were on the Arkansas tax list for property in Washington County. They remained there in White River, Washington Co., Arkansas, through the 1880 census. There were many of the Lewis’ extended family in White River, and Bracken appears to have been highly thought of as much was written about him.

Excerpts from his obituary: “Bracken was born in the "Old North State" in 1801, and is the only living descendent (in 1888) of Zachariah and Rachel (Bracken) Lewis. The father died in North Carolina, and the mother was afterward married to Peter Mankins. He came to Ark. in 1835, but had lived from the time he was eight years old until he was thirty-four in the State of Kentucky, near the Virginia line, with the exception of one year spent in the State of Illinois. After coming to Arkansas, he located near the head-waters of the White River, where he has since been engaged in farming, milling and cabinet work. He married Matilda Preston, who was born in Kentucky. She was noted for her great beauty, daughter of Na-thaniel and Elizabeth Vaughn Preston, who lived near what is now known as the town of Paintsville”. Bracken and Matilda were the parents of 16 children.  He died February 15, 1891, and was buried at Arnett, Washington County, Arkansas. 

For full newspaper obituary see in Source section.

(NOTE: Photo shown here is for Brackin's nephew of the same name and has been added in error.)

From Goodspeed's Northwest Arkansas:

"Brackin Lewis, retired farmer and one of the oldest residents of Reed Township, Washington Co., Ark., was born in the Old North State in 1801, and is the only living descendant of Zachariah and Rachel (Brackin) Lewis. The father died in North Carolina, and the mother was afterward married to Peter Mankins. Mr. Lewis, whose name heads this sketch, came with his parents to Arkansas in 1835, but had lived from the time he was eight years old until he was thirty-four in the State of Kentucky, near the Virginia line, with the exception of one year spent in the State of Illinois. After coming to Arkansas he located near the head-waters of the White River, where he has since been engaged in farming, milling and cabinet work. He has lived a very active life, and is one of the prominent and highly esteemed old citizens of the county. He came to Washington when it was in a very primitive state; and has lived to see it grow into a well populated and highly fertile agricultural region. Matilda Preston, who was born in Kentucky, became his wife, and the mother of sixteen children, seven now living: George W., Rachel (wife of H. Wilson), Moses D., Emeline (wife of T. H. Robinson), Zachariah, John and Eliphas. Those deceased are Henry, Elizabeth, Edie, Nathan P., Lydia, Peter, Julia, Ann and Sarah. Mr. Lewis was formerly a Whig in politics, but is now a Republican, and for about fifty years has been a worthy and consistent member of the Christian Church. He has surmounted many difficulties and discouragements throughout life, and now, after a long and well-spent career, can enjoy the fruits of his labor."

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 24 2018, 15:10:08 UTC