Lewis Russell

• Birth Notes
  • Name: Lewis Russell
    Birth Date: 1700 
    Birthplace: Fra, Massachusetts 
    Volume: 151 
    Page Number: 175 
    Reference: Gen. Column of the " Boston Transcript". 1906-1941.( The greatest single source of material for gen. Data for the N.E. area and for the period 1600-1800. Completely indexed in the Index.): 5 Apr 1920, 8049

• General Notes
  • John C.F. Kimball' <selenejk@@earthlink.net> wrote in Jan'02 that thereis a manuscript at Marblehead Historical Society that covers family loreand genealogy of Louis Russell.  He will copy some of it and send to me.Rec'd 23 jan 2002 photocopy
            [russell.FTW]
    
         Unless otherwise stated, the information in this file is from amanuscript genealogy written by Miss Abbie A. Lewis (1834-1922) and givento the Marblehead Historical Society in 1930 by F. D. Fuller. Thisgenealogy states:
         'As stated by his grandson, William Andrews Richardson, in a paperleft by him in order that the future generations might know the origin ofthe family, Louis came to America in 1717. Extract from paper says 'Thefamily were Protestants and surrounded by Catholics. When a school boy of17, Louis uttered some words against the Pope. His family and friendsbecame alarmed and sought some way to get him out of the country asquickly as possible. First, thought of sending him to relatives inEngland, but concluded he would not be safe there, and a ship being readyto start for America, they put him on board, and he came to Boston, butfinally went to Marblehead, where there were many French people. Hemarried and died there. He never returned to France, though he oncethought of doing so when 80 or more, but his wife objected.'
         'Extract from Salem Gazette: 'June 29, 1793. Died in Marblehead,Louis Russell in 93rd year of his age. He was one of the Hugenots, who inthe beginning of the present century fled from France for theirattachments to the Protestant religion, and he has ever supported aworthy and unblemished reputation.' (This is the correct account.)
         'Tradition of Louis Russell from a paper in possession of Mrs. BalchNewburght (?): 'The family were of high rank and in a time of troublewith Catholics, they being Protestants, started to leave France. The Captof the ship was to wait for all who had engaged passage, to come onboard. The father of Louis Russell left the ship to secure some property,not returning promptly, the wife, against the protests of all on board,went ashore to find her husband, leaving baby Louis there alone in chargeof a nurse. The Capt sailed without waiting for them, and they were neverheard from. The baby Louis was left on the ship with the nurse, who diedbefore reaching port. He was cared for by passengers and on his arrivalat (Boston) sent to some people in Marblehead. His clothing was rich andmarked with a coronet. When some time after an effort was made toidentify him by the marks, the clothing had been spirited away.'
         'When Lafayette was here in August 31, 1824, he called for a meetingof the heirs of Louis Russell, told his rank and offered to get theproperty belonging to them in Paris, France if the heirs would findanything to prove they were his heirs.
         'Louis was theoretically and practically a temporance man &retained his faculties to the last. Died in 93rd year. Beloved by all.Incapable of doing a wrong act. He lived in what is now Crocker Park,Marblehead, and is probably buried under the Episcopal church where hewas married, as was a custom at that time.'
    
    
    In index to deeds for Essex Co
    Lewis Russell, march 6 1749, from Thomas Cavendish book 93, page 255,Marblehead
    
    
    Salem Evening News, May 6, 1937
    'The illustration shows the Russell-Bartlett house at 61 Lee street, onof the many Colonial houses in town which is more than 100 years old.According to Joseph S. Wormstead, who is one of the best informed men intown, the house was occupied by Lewis Russell more than 100 years ago.Mr. Wormstead is not sure whether Mr. Russell built the house.  He wasborn in France and came to Marblehead in 1800.
         There was also Capt. Lewis Russell, who probably was the son ofLewis Russell, who came from France.  Capt. Russell used to sail toforeign countries and bring home cargoes of goods which he would sell tomerchants in America.  In the 60's John Bartlett kept a candy and icecream store in the house, the store being on the Washington square end ofthe house.  The ice cream was all home made in those days and not a greatdeal was sold.  Ice cream cones were not in existence.
         There was a large piece of land with the house at that time whichwas sold years later and is now covered with houses.  Lee street is oneof the oldest in town and every day from spring to fall large buses bringstrangers into town from Boston and other cities.  When they leave Abbothall they always go through Lee street to get to the lower section of thetown.'
    
    'Russell Family Reunion
    A pleasant reunion of the descendants of Louis Russell, who came toMarblehead from France in 1717, and of Mary Savage, his wife to whom hewas united in 1727, was held in the spacious sail-loft of Mr. PhilipGraves, Tucker's wharf, on the 28th of August.  About forty-five of theFrench Russell family assembled, and regrets were received from nearly asmany more who were unable to be present.
         The room was draped with American flags, and on the eastern end washung the French flag, a shield with the royal French emblem, theFleur-de-lis, and upon a red background, a monogram in white, E.R - M.S,surmounted with the date 1717.
         Dinner was served at 12:30 and the table was loaded with goodthings, substantial and dainty, hot and cold, to which the guests didjustice.
         When the material paret of the exercises was over and tablescleared, the intellectual feast began.  A history of Louis Russell,including the cause of his exile from France, his marriage and hisfamily, was given in rhyme by Mrs. Hoskins.  Miss Mott read an extractfrom the New England Galaxy and Masonic Magazine, published in Boston,March 13, 1818, the extract being a eulogium of William Russell, thirdson of Louis, on the occasion of his death at seventy-four years of age.This ancient obituary was preserved in an old-fashioned brown walletwhich is in the possession of Miss Martha Dixie of Marblehead, who isalso the envied possessor of a three-cornered chair once belongin to theelder Russell.
         Mrs. Richards of Wenham read a paper prepared by Mr. Kemble of NewYork, in which was incorporated something of the history of John, eldestson of Louis Russell, who won distiction in the siege of Louisberg in1745, and was on a Commitee of Inspection in Marblehead in 1774.  Hemarried Miriam Roads, daughter of John and Mirriam (Oliver) Roads, andthier sons were prominent in the Revolutionary War.   William Russell,son of John and Miriam, was a lieutenant in Company 5, General Glover'sRegiment which was called by Washington 'The Marine Regiment'.  Williamwas one of the crew that recaptured the St. Helena from the British in1782.
         John Roads Russell, another son, was in battles many and was one ofthat noble band of men who were with Washington when he crossed theDelaware.  His statue with one other stands with that of Washington onthe Trenton Monument.
         Photographic copies of the exquisitely painted portrait of JohnRoads Russell, which was executed in Paris over one hundred years ago,were distributed among his descendants.
         A season of social intercourse followed and then the company wascalled to order by Mrs. Hoskins and the question of organization and anannual reunion was discussed.  It was voted to hold an annual meeting andthe following officers were elected:
         President, Mrs. John F. Richards, Wenham; Vice-Presidents, MissMartha Dixie, Marblehead, Mrs. Frank Martin, Marblehead,  Mr. WalterHoskins, Boston; Secretary, Miss A. M. Mott, Swampscott; Treasurer, MissJ. A. Bubier, Lynn; Historian, Mrs. Robert Hoskins, Salem; Poet, MissA.A. Lewis, Cambridge; Committee on Arrangements, the Board of Officers.
         It was voted to hold the next reunion in the same place, Mr. Graveshaving signified his desire that it should be so, and the third Wednesdayin August, 1898 was decided on as the date.  A vote of thanks to Mr.Graves for the hospitality of the day and for the invitation for thefuture was presented and passed unaminously, the guests standing.
         As the afternoon waned 'Should Auld Aquaintance be Forgot' was sungand the company dispersed.  Delegations were present from Boston,Cambridge, Charlestown, Lynn, Swampscott, Salem, Wenham, Marblehead,Gardner, Mass., and Delaware, Ohio'.  Marblehead Messenger, Friday,September 3, 1897, page 2.
    
    In Ancestry.com    Essex County, Massachusetts, Probate Index, 1638-1840
    File #: 24425
                               Name: Lewis Russel; Russell
                                 Residence: Marblehead
                                Occupation: m
    
    File #: 24425
                                     Name: Lois Russel; Russell
                                       Residence: Marblehead
                                        Occupation: minor
    File #: 24425
                                 Name: Meriam/Mariam Russel; Russell
                                       Residence: Marblehead
                                        Occupation: minor
    File #: 24425
                                   Name: Samuel H. Russel; Russell
                                       File Date: 11 Jan 1804
                                       Residence: Marblehead
                                        Occupation: minor
                                        Type: guardianship
    
    File #: 24425
                                    Name: William Russel; Russell
                                       Residence: Marblehead
                                        Occupation: minor
    
    
    other potential sources:
    
    Russell, John Lewis
              Russell  Memoir,  Massachusetts,  1808-73
               Peabody  Essex  Museum   Collections
                Vol  12 number   3
               July  1874
    
    
    Database: Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors in the War of the Revolution,17 Vols.
                    Combined Matches: 1
                    Volume 13
                    page 697
                    Russell, Lewis.Lieutenant, schooner “Snowbird”(privateer); petition dated
                    Marblehead, March 16, 1778, signed by William Andrews andBenjamin Needham,
                    of Marblehead, asking that Thomas Doliber be commissionedas commander of said
                    vessel; ordered in Council March 19, 1778, that acommission be issued.