Samuel Edward Lewis & Daphine Jane Hamblin

Samuel Edward Lewis is the oldest son of Samuel Lewis and Sarah Jane Huntsman. He was born in Parowan, Utah, 17 July 1854. It is impossible to find very much history of Samuel E. Lewis; like his brothers and sisters, not much was recorded of their childhood days.

Quote: Samuel Edward Lewis was first Bishop of Ramah Ward, St. John's Stake, New Mexico. He was born at Parowan, Iron County, Utah. He moved with his parents to Minersville, Beaver County, and later to Panguitch. While there he was ordained an Elder. In 1878 he went to Springerville, Arizona. In the fall of 1879 he was called by apostle Wilford Woodruff to labor as a missionary among the Indians. In April 1881 he married Daphne Hamblin in the St. George temple. In 1882 he settled at Navajo, later called Ramah, New Mexico. There he was ordained a High Priest by Jesse N. Smith 17 April 1883 and was set apart to act as first Councilor to Bishop E. A. Tietjen, from 1883 to 1888. He labored much as missionary among the Pueblo Indians.

In December 1883 he was set apart as Councilor to Bishop J. R. McNeil and on September 18, 1894 he was called to act as Presiding Elder of Ramah Ward. He was ordained a Bishop by apostle John Henry Smith 20 March 1897 and set apart to preside in that capacity over the Ramah Ward. Since that time he has labored in the capacity in the face of many obstacles to further the Lord's work in that place.

THIS IS TAKEN FROM THE JOURNAL OF SAMUEL E. LEWIS MISSIONARY WORK

When I was quite young my parents moved from Parowan to Minersville, Utah. There I was raised to manhood, or until I was 16 years old. I then went with my parents to a place called Panguitch, Utah, where I stayed with my father's family, working for them for about six years, while my father was working on temples most of the time. In the later part of September, (I being 24 years of age) I left my father's home and started to Arizona in company of Anthony Blackburn. My outfit consisted of two horses, a riding saddle, and a few clothes and about $4.00 in cash.

We came to Lee's ferry and Sunset; from there we went to one of the Moqui Villages in company with Ira Hatch and Hate Wilhelm. From this village Blackburn and I went across the country to the Zuni Pueblo where we first saw some white Indians. They were quite a curiosity to us. From there we went to Sovoia, where we stopped a few days with John Hunt and family.

1879 December--Rented a farm from William Flake that summer in company of William Wadill--raised a very good crop.

October--Started out to Rio Grand to hunt a school. Traveled with Julian Becker to Berlin, from there to Santa Fee, and from there to Los Lunas where I found a school.

November--Started to a Spanish School.

December--Was encouraged to attend school by the Authorities.

1880 January--Continued in school studying the Spanish language.

February--Left Los Lunas to go to Round Valley--arriving there the last of the month.

March--Went to St. Johns; started on a mission to New Mexico in company with T. W. Brockbank, and G.E.Richardson--where we visited among several tribes of Indians and they weren't very friendly, and we did much traveling, trying to find some of these people interested enough to invite us in. I continued studying the Spanish language. July 24--I started to work on the Railroad to make some money to help me on my mission. Worked two weeks then returned to Algedonce again.

August--Stayed until about the 20th when we were released to return to the camp of J. W. Young and the railroad. Stayed there about two weeks working for wages.

November--Returned to St. Johns, Arizona, settled up my business and went on a visit to Bushvalley; returned and built a log house.

December--Went to Bushvalley on another visit. (Today, this is Alpine)

1881 January--Went to Showlow to see my father's family (I think that is when his parents were coming from Utah to Pima, Arizona)

March--On the 15th went to Bushvalley; returned and went to Utah (Got Married--That is a lot to say about such an important step in life, but Uncle Ed makes all his statemets short).

April--Arrived in St. George 5 April (His mother's birthday) Returned to St. Johns in company with M. P. Romney and family from Kanab. Put in a crop.

August--Moved to Bushvalley; from there to Nutrioso.

July--Started to Roundvalley to spend the 4th of July--received a letter on the way calling for me to move with my family to Savoia. Returned home and in a few days, started with a wagon load of household goods to Savoia. stayed and worked till the first of August.

August--Returned and made further plans to move to Bushvalley.

September--Moved with my family; stayed a short time, and returned going by way of Snowflake to attend conference and see my mother (That is when his two sisters were going to St. George to be married. Laura and Malinda Lewis, and they were at conference to help sing and had their mother Sarah Jane with them).

November--Moved about six miles below to a place later called Ramah. The winter was very hard and cold.

1983 April--I was called on another mission to an Indian Pueblo in Isleta in company of Eujenro Romero. I was ordained a High Priest by J. N. Smith April 17, 1883. They traveled to the place partly by team and then walked on foot forty miles. They only stayed in Isleta twelve days; walked all the way home carrying his blankets and valise; put in a crop then, and later went back to his mission. He made a few friends then went home again finding his family well. In December, after the crops were in, he prepared to go again. (It was a queer way to do missionary work but they had 'to live and care for the family too--so it seemed he must go and come as he could arrange his crops.)

1884 Samuel again started on his mission in company of Gilbert B. Greer and Richard Gibbins. They camped out in a wagon three days then got a room and were there three days when they were ordered out of the Pueblo--so they went up to Santa Domingos, but the people weren't very friendly. On their return they visited Isleta again but they wouldn't let them stay there. They then visited a Catholic Priest and made known their business--talked on the gospel of Jesus Christ, loaned him a Book of Mormon, which he promised to read.

August--Returned home; harvested his crops had a good harvest.

December--Went to Snowflake to conference in company of Price Pipkin. Cold and stormy.

1886 May--Started for St. Johns with others to see Apostle B. Young, but was too late. On my return I met my family with my brother, J.T. Lewis, on their way to Bush Valley. I went with them and visited a few days and returned on one of my horses, gave to me, preparing to return to my mission. (During this year of 1886 Samuel has visited many Indian people been with different missionaries; some coming and some going).

September--Brother Greer and myself went to Albuquerque where we had attended the fair to find a place to spend the night but were refused everywhere we went, but at last a poor widow woman invited us in and treated us well. We also ate dinner with her.

October 7--It being Fast day I fasted all day. From then until Nov. 12th helped Remi,jio catch sheep and shear them; helped gather corn and shuck it; helped do some carpenter work; kept busy learning the language. About the first of the month went to work for Jose Abeita for 50 cents a day-worked five days at that rate.

1887 June 16--Yesterday traveled about 30 miles and today arrived in St. Johns; attended the High Council meeting in which J.K,P.Pipkin was ex-communicated from the Church.

July 16--Apostle B. Young, J.N. Smith, J. S. Crosby and L. Riddle arrived in Ramah.

July 17--I celebrated my 33 birthday by going to meeting at the Ramah meeting house, and listening to the remarks of the Apostles and other brethren which was very interesting. In the afternoon B. Young occupied most of the time. He promised the saints riches and blessings if they would live and serve the Lord.

August 7--Kept the fast. Went to Priesthood meeting in the morning and was appointed to go visit Price Pipkin as a teacher.

August 6--Went again to visit Price Pipkin with J. B. Ashcroft. Pipkin said he didn't intend to live his religion anymore.

1888 December 10--Went to Pipkins home to see my sister who was in trouble.

I890 March 17--My sister, Vira, (Sarah Levira) came to my house after dark, having traveled about 8 miles with a babe on her arm; she claimed that her husband's son hurt her so she fled for help.

August 21--Quit work came home to attend the funeral of my sister's little girl that got drowned in a gusher of rain.

Oct. 19--Started with a Navajo Indian to hunt my brother's horses; followed them four days and found them. Arrived home October 24.

October 25--My mother and family started for their home in Thatcher, Arizona.

October 26--Circumstances led me to get two men and follow my folks. We followed about forty miles to the crossing of the Zuni Wash. We suddenly came upon two saddled horses standing near the road; we halted a few minutes to ascertain where the men were. In a few minutes we heard three shots and a man cried out. Then we heard the words with awful oaths; "Then you will give up then will you?". Then the screams of women cried out. In a few minutes we saw two men approaching with pistols in hand. When near by Brother Teitgen called for them to hold up their hands; they demanded the same thing. Brother Teitgen threw his pistol to the ground. They then opened fire on me. Brother Teitgen picked up his pistol and both parties soon emptied their pistols at a very close distance, but no person was hit. My horse was killed and Brother Teitgen's horse was wounded. As soon as the firing stopped, Pipkins and Hatch mounted heir horses and fled. I then went to the place where the first firing was heard and there I found my brother, Joseph, shot and dying. We put him in the wagon with the other effects and started for Ramah.

We arrived there the next day; and attended to the work of burying him as soon as circumstances would allow.

October 29--We attended the funeral. This same day we got word that the Sheriff from St. Johns, Arizona, who was in pursuit of the murders had shot and killed Storn Hatch by mistake.

November 5--I was then taken to San Rafael. Before this I was arrested by a Mexican constable on Joe Hatch charged with using a gun on J.K. P. Pipkin. and J. W. Hatch. Joe Hatch was the one that tried to kill me. Then I was taken to San Raefael, a distance of 50 miles. I with several other brethren arrived there on the 6th of November about 11 o'clock. We were acquitted. I then had Pipkin and Hatch arrested for killing my brother Joseph Lewis. Although there were two witnesses and good evidence they were turned loose. (The Devils)

May 5, 1892--Started for St. Johns, having been sent as a witness before the High Council against Joe Hatch for the murder of my brother Joseph Lewis. My evidence of E. A. Teitgen and William E. Bond caused him to be cut off the church.

I have gone through the diary as cousin Ethel Lewis Pothlesburgher sent it to me and hunted through all I have on Uncle Ed Lewis's life, and this is about all I can get on him. I remember seeing him once many years ago, he came to see my mother. It didn't mean much to me then.

About three years ago my husband and I made a trip to Ramah to attend a S. E. Lewis family reunion held in their church house. We had a real nice time and went to the home of Jesse Lewis who lives about five miles out of town, We stayed with them all night and enjoyed the evening getting acquainted with their children who were very talented. I wanted to see Uncle Joseph's grave but Jesse said there were two graves side by side without a marker and they didn't know which was Uncle Jodie's. That was what he was always called "Jodie".

I have been watching Uncle Ed building his home all through the late 80's to 90's as he did this, and that then got the roof on; and tells of setting out popular trees and flowers. He doesn't mention his wife personally so I guess she wasn't much for out door work. I never did see her but she must have been a swell mother to have such a lovely family and had lots of sickness. Uncle Ed was a very spiritual man and never neglected his prayers; fasted much and attended his church duties well. He did Missionary work off and on for many years. He surely tried to convert some of those Indians but he doesn't tell of baptizing any. But he surely put the Book of Mormon before them and did a splendid work. He doesn't say much about his family. But I must go back to his house he was building. We saw that house while we were in Ramah. It must be the oldest house in that town. At one time it was a treasure but today it is in a bad way. A two story edifice, porch across front with a balcony all trimmed up, but it is old now. The paint and the lumber is black and worn, and it is a fire hazard, but the popular trees are looking fine and I did wish I had a camera and have gotten a picture of that old home. It could tell a lot of stories if it could talk. I love old houses they say things to me. I understand there is one son left who never married and that he still lives in the back part of this old home, but we didn't get to see him. It was quite an experience to me to see the home Uncle Ed had built so many years ago.

I think this finishes up all I can find about my Dear Old Uncle Ed Lewis, he was the father of nine children. Uncle Ed died 25 July 1932. Aunt Daphne died 4 April 1943.

Compiled by Laura Smith

Return to Samuel Lewis & Sarah Jane Huntsman page