About five years ago, I was in the process of making a timeline on my 3rd Great Grandmother Delilah “Lillie” Lewis. The information came from her unbelievable 1887 obituary. Her enslavers’ whereabouts led to where Delilah lived during her enslaved lifetime.
“Data According To Mrs. Delilah Lewis’ 1887 Obituary”.
Delilah was born in Franklin, Williamson County, Tennessee. She was raised in Kentucky. She was moved to Franklin, Howard County Missouri. (The time frame from which State to State is unknown.)
Enslaver / Owner : 1831
This is where the paper trail begins with names: It was when Delilah was moved to Liberty, Clay County Missouri. 1830’s – 1840’s – not for sure the beginning years she was with this enslaver / owner. She was sold to Priestley EDWARDS. And she was with him for about 25 and 30 years. (Is this 55 years with the enslaver EDWARDS? )
Then Delilah was hired out to William LANE for ten years. (I assume that within the years with Priestley EDWARDS, Delilah was hired out.)
Residence before 1861 • Saline County, Missouri, USA
She was with enslaver / owner Peyton TOWNSEND, maybe in Blackwater, Missouri.
On the 1860 Slave Schedules: William H. Lane had a female enslaved who was about 70. (Born about 1790.) ~ Information found on Aug 21, 2019 ~ Could be Delilah ~ Reviewed records on March 8, 2023.
Delilah was moved with Peyton TOWNSEND to Saline County, Missouri until after the rebellion in 1861. (I’m assuming that this city in Saline county was Blackwater, Missouri area.)
Residence in 1870 Blackwater, Saline, Missouri,
According to the 1870 Missouri census. her residence Post Office: Brownsville. Delila Louis, age about 60, in Blackwater, Born about 1810 ( Delila Lewis who was stated born in 1773.) Delilah’s 1810 birth year makes sense her daughter, Susan birth about 1835 in Missouri. Delila was listed with the George and Sarah TIVIS and Family on the census.
Residence in 1878 St. Joseph, Buchanan County Missouri
According to Delilah’s obituary, she moved to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1878. She lived with her son in law William Washington and her daughter,. Susan (Leach) Washington and family. Some of the TIVIS Family listed on the 1870 census moved to St. Joseph as well. Some of them were listed on the City Directories in 1880’s – 1900’s.
Residence 1880 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan, Missouri,
Her name was listed as Lillie Lewis on the 1880 Missouri census. She was a widow. Her parents were from KY. Lillie was listed living with her son in law William Washington and her daughter Susan. Relation to Head of House: Mother-in-law; She was listed at age 93. Her birth year about 1787.
Residence 1882 in St Joseph, Missouri, City Directory
Mrs. Delila Lewis, lived at Mulberry ne corner 18th and was listed as colored domestic work. Also noted that there was a Lila Lewis living there too. She was a cook at 309 N 17th Street.
Other information about Delilah:
Delilah was a member of the Baptist church and had been for fifty years
(She passed in 1887 and minus 50 would be the year 1837 with the Baptist Church.)
Delila was in the service to the Lord, before the time of her death.
If she was born in 1773 and passed in 1887, she would have been about 113.
That was what the newspaper index stated.
Her death 1887 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, United States of America
Mrs. Delila “Lillie” ( ? ) LEWIS passed away at her son in law, William Washington home at 1801 Mulberry Street in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Tuesday April 19, 1887 at 4:45 pm. ~
She was buried in Mount Mora Cemetery on Thursday, April 21, 1887.
Delilah Lewis’ Burial Number: 2076 ~ Cost: $15 for Interment
The source of Delilah Lewis obituary was publish in the St. Joseph Daily Herald – Apr 24, 1887 It’s on page 4, third column near middle.
This blog was a repost from ” Translation of Mrs. Delila Lewis’ 1887 Obituary” #52Ancestors Week 10 In 2023. I edited this blog calling it “Tracing The Whereabouts Of Mrs. Delilah “Lillie” Lewis
Thanks for reading.
Tracing The Whereabouts Of Mrs. Delilah “Lillie” Lewis
Rest In Heaven 3rd Great Grandmother “Lillie”
God bless
S.A. Blakley
Posted on February 20, 2025