February 21, 2018
Do you know me?
My name is Lewis Hathaway (1824-1897), I was born 194 years ago in Kentucky, on 5 January 1824. I was born into slavery and was sold to Judge J.R. Peters. I worked out an agreement to buy my freedom from the Judge – and even though President Lincoln gave us our freedom, I “considered it a just debt and paid the balance due” on behalf of my family. I married Ann (1819-) who was also born into slavery in Kentucky.
Our son James Shelton Hathaway (1859-1930) married a Clay County, Missouri, girl named Cecelia Anderson (1863-1931). They gave their son my name as his middle name, James Lewis Hathaway (1888-1956). He served in the U.S. Army during World War I.
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This is so interesting. I hope to write a short novel based on the woman of color listed in the back of a family Bible.
Excellent. Let us know how your project goes.
All the best,
Tom