This family is very confusing and so I decided to make it infinitely more confusing by publishing Family Legends - Parts 1 thru 7. This is a series of 7 articles that appeared in Llewellyn Traces during 1989 and 1990. Llewellyn Traces was published by Martha Abbey. The series discusses myths about this family and attempts to correct some mistakes with factual evidence. Read Part 1

I have been unable to identify the progenitor of this family. It is possible they may have been first generation Welsh or they may have descended from Lewellens in nearby Pennsylvania or nearby Maryland. I have seen numerous mentions of a legend of three brothers named Meshach, Shadrach & Abednego settled in the Old Dominion and it may have well been true that this is the family from Wales. Regardless, I have found no connection in the research of relevant records.

Regardless, this family first appears in Loudoun County, Virginia in 1759 when Shadrach Lewellen married into the Quaker community when he married Deborah Burson, sometime in 1759 as documented in Quaker Records. Deborah was a member of the Richland, Pennsylvania meeting and the daughter of Joseph Burson. Shadrach was not a Quaker at the time of the marriage. By 1776, the following children were identified in Quaker records; Isaac, Ann, Margaret, Meshach, Deborah, Mary and Hannah. By 1785 additional children were specifically mentioned; Shadrach and Sarah – the daughters Ann and Margaret now being adults.

From Loudoun County Tithe lists we know of a Thomas Lewallin (on Powell’s List) for 1768 and of Cameron Parish. From the 1771 list the following were noted of Shelburne Parish; Thomas, Shadrach, Thomas (presumably son of Thomas) and Francis. Therefore, it is presumable that Shadrach was among his father and/or brothers. We will probably never know how many sets of Shadrachs and Meshachs preceded the ones discussed below or how and if the legend applies.

Notes on county formations suggest that Loudoun County lines were inclusive of portions of Fairfax County for a time so in 1749 we find a Thomas Llewellin (whose wife is a Quaker of the Upper Parish). Thomas Lewallin is mentioned in Loudoun County Road Orders for 1787 and 1788. I have been unable to locate parish records as many are known to be lost with only the Vestry Book of Shelburne parish being extant.

Between 1797 and 1802 members of this family have removed to Randolph County, NC. William Luwallen 1 NOV 1797 enjoined with Margaret Belford[^n]. There are land deeds for William in Randolph County, NC. Grant No. 963 was issued for 50 acres on 26 NOV 1796, entered on 24 JAN 1792 at Betty Meyers Creek.

There is a 1798 will for William Lewalling of Randolph Co., NC which identifies his adult and minor children. His sons are noted as Joseph, Jonathan, William and John. That accounts for the marriage of the younger William near the date of the older William’s death. The will also mentions a daughter named Jean. And finally, “and the two hundred acres I now live on divided between Tomas Lewelling, Shadrack Lewalling and Meshah Lewelling when they come of age.”

First Generation
1. William1 Lewellen (father unknown) was born unknown. Died about 1798. He married Mary Margaret Bedford date and location unknown. The children are (birth order unknown):
  i.Joseph Lewellin, born unknown, died unknown
+2ii.Jonathan Lewellen, born unknown, died unkown.
  iii. William Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown
  iv.Thomas Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown
+3v.Shadrach Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown
  vi.Jean Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown
+4vii.Meshach Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown
Second Generation
2. Jonathan2 Lewellin (William1) born unknown in Randolph County, NC., died April 1848. He married Jane unknown[^2]. The children of Jonathan and Jane are:
+5i.McLaren Lewellen, born about unknown, died unknown.
  ii.John Lewellen, born unknown and died unknown.
+6iii. Dawson Lewellen, born about 1825, died unknown. He was the eldest son of Jonathan and Jane.
  iv.Anna Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown. She was the eldest daughter of Jonathan and Jane.
  v.Elizabeth Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown, married a man named ? Lax.
  vi.Mary Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown, married a man named ? Luther.
  vii.Sarah Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown, married Kendall Ramsover on 5 FEB 1833
  viii.Rebecca Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown.
  ix.Jane Lewellen, born unknown, died unknown, married a man named ? Slack
3. Shadrach2 Lewellin (William1) born unknown in Randolph County, NC., died unknown. He married Sarah Hobbs, 23 DEC 1802. This Shadrach owned land in Rutherford County, NC. He had Grant No. 2845, issued 24 NOV 1813, entered 22 FEB 1811 for 100 acres on both sides of Turn Breeches Creek. He also had Grant No. 3558, issued 2 DEC 1831, entered 14 JAN 1829, for 50 acres on Sugarloaf Creek.The children of Shadrach and Sarah have not yet been researched:
  i.Unknown Lewellen, born about unknown, died unknown.
4. Meshach2 Lewellin (William1) born unknown in Randolph County, NC., died unknown. The children of Shadrach and Sarah have not yet been researched:
  i.Unknown Lewellen, born about unknown, died unknown.
Third Generation
5. McLaren3 Lewellen (Jonathan2, William1) born 1797, location unknown, died unknown. He married Edith Newby (b. about 1803) about 28 MAY 1825 in Randolph County, NC. The children are:
  i.Henry Lewellen, born about 1831, married Martha Frazier, 18 JAN 1853 first, second Abigail F. Morgan, 17 MAR 1885[^3]
  ii.M. J. Lewellen, born about 1834
  iii.Martha Lewellen, born about 1836
  iv.Sally Lewellen, born about 1839
  v.Zimri A. Lewellen, born about 1841, married Sarah Jane Gray, 24 MAY 1866
  vi.Dawson Lewellen, born about 1843
  vii.Louise Lewellen, born about 1845
  viii.Caroline Lewellen, born about 1845
6. Dawson3 Lewellen (Jonathan2, William1) born between 1822 and 1825, location unknown, died about 1897, location unknown. He married Nancy Hancock (b. about 1825) on 2 MAY 1848 in Randolph County, NC. The children are:
  i.Mary Ann Lewellen, born about 1849
  ii.Frusy (or Phraza). J. Lewellen, born about 1852, married Plaston A. Williams, 12 NOV 1871 in Randolph County, NC
  iii.Londa A. Lewellen, born about 1857
  iv.Lovina E. Lewellen, born about 1859
  v.Zimri D. Lewellen, born between 1863 and 1866, married M. E. Cooper, 9 OCT 1887
  vi.Lucy A. Lewellen, born about 1867

 

Here is a more visual view of this family.