William Lewelling
b. 28 September 1817, Randolph County, North Carolina, to Meshach and Jane (Brookshire) Lewelling
d. before 11 December 1847, Indiana
m. 21 February 1838, Henry County, Indiana
Cyrena “Sirena” Wilson
b. 27 November 1817, Highland County, Ohio, to Michael C. and Rebecca (Reece) Wilson
d. 19 November 1856, Henry County, Iowa
Children with Cyrena Wilson:
- Rebecca (1839–1922) married (1) Allan Hampton, (2) [–?–] Frazier, (3) [–?–] Chantry
- Elvina (1840–1909) married (1) Joseph H. Bond, (2) Lew Trueblood
- Anna (b. 1842) married Norton Hockett
- Asa Guy (1845–1941) married Amanda Virginia Hord
- Lorenzo Dow (1846–1900) married Angeline C. Cook
In 1838 William Lewelling moved with his brothers, Henderson and John, to Henry County, Iowa.
William, a Quaker minister, was a powerful advocate of the abolition of slavery. In 1847, while lecturing either in Illinois or Indiana, “with great fervor, power, and energy” on his constant theme, William was taken ill and afterwards “took to his bed and never arose.”
At the time of this lecture, William had admonished his friends and assistant, “Thee will have to look after Cyrena and the children, Eric.” Within a short time Cyrena Lewelling became the wife of Eric Knudson. But in 1856 a fire took Cyrena’s life, and the Lewelling children became orphans.
Submitted by:
Jacqueline Frank Strickland
Rockwall TX