James Adrastus Lew Jr. (1844 - abt. 1925)

Born 16 Mar 1844 in Dracut, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Susan Amanda (Talbot) Lew — married 5 Apr 1865 in Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Descendants

Died about 4 Dec 1925 at about age 81 in Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Martha Mayo [send private message]

Biography

James Lew Jr. is a part of US Black heritage.

Cambridge Tribune – December 5, 1903 James Adrastus Lew, Jr. Ward Seven

"In 1903, before proportional representation was adopted, the first African-American, James Adrastus Lew, was elected to the school committee. After his retirement in 1908, the community wouldn’t have representation on the committee for more than half a century."

https://cambridge.dlconsulting.com/?a=d&d=Tribune19031205-01.2.25&srpos=1&dliv=none&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-james+lew------

James Adrastus Lew is a New Englander. His great-great grandfather fought In the French and Indian wars, his great-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Lew was born in Dracut, Mass,, now a part of the city of Lowell, in 1844. He was educated in the public schools of that place and also pursued musical studies under several competent teachers. Upon leaving Dracut, however, his musical studies were broken off, much to the regret of his parents and friends, who saw In him a rare musical talent. While a mere boy he was appointed organist in one of the large churches of his native town. When the 54th Massachusetts Regiment went to the front. Mr. Lew was too young to enlist, but insisted upon following the regiment until he got a "shot at the rebels."

After returning from the War, Mr. Lew lived In Charlestown 27 years, during which time he served as delegate at several state senatorial conventions. He now conducts a tailoring establishment in Charlestown. Six years ago he moved to 40 Magee street, this city, where he has lived ever since. One fact should be remembered: Mr. Lew is not n politician. He did not seek to be chosen for the school committee, but had the nomination literally thrust upon him. His friends consider him n good and proper man for the place and are confident of his success.

Research Notes

• The FamilySearch transcription of the 1850 U.S. Census separated James's father Adrastus from the family. He appears on the form, just not in the transcription.

• Death date: James appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census with Susan in Cambridge, Massachusetts and was listed in the Directory of Cambridge in 1925. Susan was reported as a Widow on the 1930 U.S. Census. There is a Massachusetts Death Index record for James A. Lew, Cambridge, MA, death: 1925.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts, U.S., Death Index, 1901-1980," online resource accessed 30 Jan 2023, Ancestry.com, James A Lew, Death Date: 1925, Death Place: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, Vol#: 13, Pg.#: 117, Index Vol#: 77, Ref#: F63.M363 v.77; Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Deaths [1916–1970]. Volumes 66–145. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts., Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013, Provo, UT, USA

• Ancestry Tree member: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/10876273/person/-564392788/facts

• 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.; database and digital images, "1870 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009 Ancestry Record 7163 #28515042: accessed 17 February 2019; citing Year: 1870; Census Place: Groton, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_626; Page: 132A; Family History Library Film: 552125

• Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; database and digital images, "1880 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010 Ancestry Record 6742 #21477167: accessed 17 February 2019; citing Year: 1880; Census Place: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; Roll: 552; Page: 385C; Enumeration District: 594

• "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4K4-RQJ : 10 November 2020), James Adrastas Lew, 16 Mar 1844; citing Birth, Dracut, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007011586.

• "Massachusetts State Vital Records, 1841-1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N4SP-HHC : 9 November 2022), James I. Lewis and Susan A. Talbot, 1865.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDSM-3RN : 22 December 2020), James A Lew in household of Elizabeth H Lew, Dracut, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "Massachusetts State Census, 1855," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQWY-5GC : 11 March 2018), James A Lew in household of Adrastus Lew, Dracut, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 953,949.

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZHB-HNW : 18 February 2021), James A Lew in entry for Adraster Lew, 1860.

• "Massachusetts State Census, 1865", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQCF-BQY : 22 February 2021), James Lew in entry for Adrastus Lew, 1865.

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD36-QQG : 29 May 2021), James A Lew in entry for Adrastus Lew, 1870.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHXF-NPC : 14 January 2022), James A. Lew, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .

• "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9R1-LHH : 22 January 2022), James A Lew in entry for Frederick White, 1900.

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2VH-TQC : accessed 30 January 2023), James A Lew, Cambridge Ward 7, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 766, sheet 16B, family 366, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 597; FHL microfilm 1,374,610.

• "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXBP-VHH : 1 February 2021), James A Lew, 1920.