Posted By: Diane Greer
Date Posted: Feb 27, 2010
Description: Gill and Diane meet for the first time at their Gr.Gr.Gr.Gr. Grandparents gravesite
Date Taken: 2/27/2010
Place Taken: Lewallen Wolf Creek Cemetery
Owner: Diane Greer
Mary Harris Johnson - Feb 27, 2010
Thank you Gil. Diane has been waiting for this for 6 years. We first starting looking in 2004. My cousin Connie's son, Larry White, before that.
Larry White - Mar 1, 2010
I went up Wolf Creek, but couldn't find it. I found Archie Lewallen's cemetary but most of the stones were unrecognizable.
Diane Greer - Feb 27, 2010
I had been looking for this gravesite since 2004. I asked for help on "My Family" in finding this and Cousin Gill showed me the way! The interesting fact is that my mother (Mary Harris) had spoke with Gill's mother (Margery Ray Morgan) in May 2009. It says "Mary if you go when my son is off work, he can meet you and guide you in. She went on to recommend we go next year when it's still cold..." Neither Gill or I knew about this. He called from my request on "My Family" and I found the note with geneology my mom gave me from last May. Interesting, since Margery Ray passed this last December 2009. I guess she still had Gill do that favor for me! Blessed indeed! Of course next project is already in the making...finding Delilah Reed's resting spot. Thanks so much to Gill and Joy Morgan.
Resa Miller - Mar 6, 2010
Diane, I know you are a descendant of John and Delilah, but thru which child?
I am a descendant thru Campbell Lewallen. I met Gill, Joy and Margery last year, the week after Easter. They were wonderful. I ran into them in the cemetery where Campbell and Millie were buried. I recognized Margery for this site. She was so sweet and it hurt me to hear of her passing. Gill and Joy offered to take me to see Anderson's grave but we were on our was home (Michigan) and didn't have the time. We were in Scott Co. for 2 day and visited 7 cemeteries and several living family members.
Mary Harris Johnson - Mar 6, 2010
I will Answer this for ,my daughter Diane, her computer is down. We are descendants through Anderson "Cashup" . My grandmother was Balzada daughter of Anderson. Diane now lives in Baxter, Tn.
Billie Harris - Feb 27, 2010
What a thrill I imagine it would be to finally see it and for your cousin, Gill, to take you. I've heard nothing but good things about his mom and she was such a big help to all of us on the site. It sounds as though Gill is filling her shoes well.
This marker looks like it's so remote. Are there many others nearby?
Diane, thanks for posting the photos. I love them.
Darlene Luallen Griffin - Feb 27, 2010
I would love to know about other Lewallens who are buried there. I'm still looking for my Matthew Lewallen
who I think died about 1852.
Diane Greer - Feb 27, 2010
It is mostly rough stones there and overgrown with grass. Besides the replacement Anderson one, the only one that was a "newer" one was hard to read and Gill used a shaving cream trick so we could read it. I believe it was 1888 or so and an infant of the Young family. Margaret Ellis (I'm not sure how she spells her first name) said that as she recollects there are about fifty people buried there. She also said that it was her understanding that the cemetery was already in use for awhile before Anderson and Lucy were buried there approx. 1825. Kathleen Lewallen Fulwiler and she were part of finding that stone because they knew were it was supposed to be. Only the top tip was above ground. The area needs a lot of work and most stones would probably not be able to provide names. We would need some sort of archeology knowledge if we would be able at all.
Billie Harris - Feb 28, 2010
Diane, is it possible a historical or genealogical society in that area may have more information on those buried in that cemetery? Sometimes, too, there's information on deaths and burials in old newspapers, most of which are now on microfilm. It might be worth contacting the historical or genealogical society to ask about old papers, especially if people have been buried in that cemetery since about 1825.
Diane Greer - Mar 1, 2010
Billie, You have good ideas and I think it could be a really fun project. Now that Gill has shown me 2 other places, I know there are at least 4 cemeteries along that road that are actual Lewallen/Lewellen Cemeteries or Lewallens are buried there. ("Campground Cemetery") I don't know how you would determine which one they were buried at, unless some mention is made. Also Kathleen Fulwiler or Margaret Ellis seemed to know some things about who was at the Lewallen Wolf Creek Cemetery. For example they knew about Anderson/Lucy. They might help someone get started. My next project is to find or buy a marker for the missing Delilah Reed Lewallen. Everyone knows Sheriff John has photos, internet pages, and a monument at the court house. Yet, poor "Dollie" who bore 10 children for Sheriff John cannot be located. She is supposed to be at the Reed cemetery, up on a hill where nobody can find her. I've got to support the women in my family. Maybe the genealogy folks from the Reed's might know her exact resting spot.
Melba Boyd - Mar 1, 2010
Diane, I am the great granddaughter of John & Emely Reed Lewellen and have been looking over all of my notes to see what I have on Delilah Reed lewellen and came across some notes that reads, Delilah Reed Lewellen died May 24, 1865 in Scott Co TN. She is buried in the Reed Cemetery south of Oneida, Scott Co TN. on top of a large hill. The Cemetery is abt 15 miles straight south of Oneida east Robbins, TN. I also have in my notes that John, at the age of 21, 1833, married 18 year old Delilah Reed. daughter of Isaac and Phariba Hatfield Reed. They built a house near New River and to them were born 10 children. I only have one photo of John lewellen, so if anyone has other photos of him I would love to see them.
Billie Harris - Mar 2, 2010
Melba, when you get a chance, would you mind posting separately how the Hatfields fit in this family. I've just been reading about Joseph Hatfield and his wife, Rachel Smith, who went from Washington, Russell and Lee counties in Virginia, to Kentucky and then Tennessee. And one of the photos posted on here for Thomas and Shadrach Lewellin in Loudoun County has a Thomas Hatfield living nearby. I'm wondering if Thomas might have been the father or brother of Joseph - not that it's relevant, but it might show some connection to early Lewellins, even if the connection isn't by marriage.
Mary Hubbell - Mar 2, 2010
So nice that Gil and Diane were able to go to the stone and the description of the trip brings up something we should keep in mind in the future as other headstones are discovered.
I once had to write a short chapter on "Cleaning Headstones" for a book. As you know, headstones can be damaged by lichen growing in the crevices. Never use soap or detergent to clean a headstone - a toothbrush should do.
Wanting to take a picture but can't get the engraving to show up? Some people use powder or chalk to help see the printing. In the past, it was considered acceptable to use shaving cream. Not only was it white but when you were finished you could just wash the stone. Genealogists no longer support this technique.
NEVER use shaving cream on a gravestone. Have you ever seen what it can do to paint? It can damage the stone as well. Even after being washed, the chemical residue will continue to eat at it. Many of the stones we find today that can hardly be read weren't damaged by vandals - but by loving relatives using the shaving cream technique.
Want to make a rubbing? Acid-free paper and a soft pencil, charcoal, crayon, or colored chalk should lift the inscription. Whatever way you decide to record you visit, make sure you leave no residue behind. Always wipe off the gravestone with a clean towel when you are finished handling it to remove body oils.
Billie Harris - Mar 2, 2010
Mary, your suggestions for cleaning headstones is something we all need to read. Could you give it its own heading and post it again.
Gillis Morgan - Mar 3, 2010
Concerning shaving cream to see engraving on headstones -- I asked the owner of the monument company here in town, who has been in business for 50 years and knows the ends and outs about all kinds of markers, about using shaving cream and he told me that the ingredients in shaving cream has nothing in it that will hurt marble or granite stones, and there is a possibility that it will keep moss from growing on them. I have used shaving cream on hundreds of stones, of which I have rinsed off, but I only do so on stones that are otherwise unreadable. How much more can shaving cream damage a stone like that? I have found many relatives I didn't know I had and was able to document by using this method. I think what really damages stones, more so than putting shaving cream on them, is sap from trees, acid rain, and over-growth. The majority of stones I've 'creamed' will never be 'shaved' again as there's a big chance no one else will ever find them again!
Mary Harris Johnson - Mar 6, 2010
Billie, What is you line from John Lewellen? My mother is Bennie, Balzada Lewellen Anderson's daughter. You married a Harris and my maiden name is Harris. My Harris line came from Washington and Canada.
Billie Harris - Mar 6, 2010
Mary, my husband's grandfather was from England. We've traced his line back some, but not very far. It's pretty hard with such a common name, especially when you go abroad.
I don't descend from John's line although, according to the dna tests, our ancestors are somehow related back in time so you and I are cousins, but far, far, far, far removed. The reason I want to trace the line back though, is to try to find that connection.
Mary Harris Johnson - Mar 7, 2010
I guess I misled you and myself. My Father's mother was from Canada. Her Father's parents (Walter's) were from England and Mother's parent's (McCrae's) from Scotland. The Harris's came over from England to New York between 1845-1851 and to Wisconsin where my grandfather was born (1859) and I'm not sure when he moved from Wisconsin. My Father was born in Oregon and raised in Prosser and Seattle Washington. Who know's maybe we are related through the Harris line.