This plot is located off Lafayette Place in central Greenwich adjacent to the offices of the First Presbyterian Church. A walled-in access way connects the plot itself to the street, an iron gate stands guard at the entrance. The cemetery is maintained by the Second Congregational Church.
Lewis Street is named for this family, whose extensive land holdings included the surrounding area.
Sarah was the daughter of Rev. Dr. Isaac Lewis of Greenwich's Second Congregational Church. Her life was spent by being deeply involved in church affairs. Besides serving as the treasurer of the Stillson Benevolent Society, Miss Lewis organized the Sunday School and held the post of its first superintendent.
A well-preserved quilt featuring the signatures of prominent members of the Stillson Society and the church -as well as inspirational quotes from the Bible- is kept in the archives of the Greenwich Historical Society.
He was born on February 1, 1746 in Stratford, Connecticut and attend Yale College in New Haven. In 1768 he became pastor of the Wilton Congregational Church where he preached for 18 years.
In December of that same year he married Hannah Beale, daughter of English lawyer Matthew Beale of New Preston. The young Lewis newlyweds went on to have nine children.
During the Revolution, Dr. Lewis was appointed chaplain to the regiment under the command of Col. Philip B. Bradley. He was also present with the American patriots at the burning of Norwalk and preached a sermon at the only house left standing after the British attack. Lewis was a member of what the British dubbed the Black Robe Regiment.
Dr. Lewis's career was a brilliant one, especially after he was settled as minister of the Second Congregational Church in 1786. His first year salary was one hundred pounds.
Dr. Lewis acquired the land around the cemetery and erected a commodious home for himself and family, since the church did not have a parsonage at the time. The Lewis homestead was demolished many years ago.
* * * * * ** * ** * *
Miss Sarah Lewis,
daughter of
Rev'd Dr. Isaac & Mrs. Hannah Lewis,
who died
November 14, 1860,
aged 76 years.
For more than Fifty seven Years she was united
with the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in this place
and was actively engaged in the works of Faith
and in the Labours of Love in connection
with its members.
Blest is the memory of the Just.
Thank you very much for this post regarding the Lewis family and their burying ground.
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