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Woman, Born In 1854, Died
Courtesy Michelle Gorin Burris, Barren’s Black Roots Volume 4, Gorin Genealogical Publishing, (c) Feb 1995. Originally published in unknown Glasgow KY newspaper 30 Sept 1962.
“Mrs. Margaret Lewis, who was born into slavery in Barren County in 1854, died at 6:30 p.m. yesterday in the home of a great-granddaughter, Mrs. Odessa Boone, 832 E. Madison
“Spry and alert, Mrs. Lewis was able
to get around the house without help great-granddaughter several years now.
“In an interview on her 105th birthday in 1959, Mrs. Lewis told a reporter, “It’s the Lord that’s keeping me here. I couldn’t keep myself. He takes care of me.” Outlived 5 Children
“Mrs. Lewis has outlived all of her five children and both her grandchildren. Mrs. Boone said she still had a good appetite and ate a good breakfast yesterday morning.
“She still spoke fondly of Jack Lewis, her master when she was a slave. She and her late husband took the name of the family they worked for after they were freed.
“Today was to have been dedicated to Mrs. Lewis at her church, West Chestnut Street Baptist. A tape recording had been made of her voice because she had been unable to walk recently.
“She recalled that her mistress was fond of her and saw to her schooling. But Mrs. Lewis was never forced to do anything she didn’t want to do, and she didn’t want to be educated, she once said.
“Last April a group at Southern Bell gave her a telephone with amplifying receiver, so she could talk to her friends.
“Surviving besides Ms. Boon is another grandchild; 12 great-great grandchildren, and two great-great-great-grandchildren.”
Note: The address shown is not in Glasgow, nor the church so her great-granddaughter lived in another town. Her owner was John Lewis of Barren County.
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until about three months ago. She has lived with her