By Jared Olar
Library Assistant
We continue now with the genealogical account of the descendants of Nance Legins-Costley (1813-1892), known to history as the first African-American slave to be freed by Abraham Lincoln. The account below covers Nance’s children and their known children.
Third Generation
Amanda E. Costley, eldest child of Benjamin and Nance Costley, b. 3 July 1834 in Pekin, Ill., d. 5 Feb. 1900 in Peoria, Ill., cause of death: heart disease, dropsy and bronchitis; m. 24 March 1858 in Pekin, Pvt. Edward W. Lewis (son of Ambrose and Phillis Lewis), b. c.1831 in Petersburg City, Va., d. 1 April 1907 in Peoria, cause of death: dropsy; both Amanda and Edward were buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria (no grave markers). They had issue five sons, and also adopted a dau. Edward was a tobacconist and a cook. During the Civil War, Edward volunteered for the 29th U.S. Colored Infantry and served as a cook for the regiment. After Amanda’s death, Edward m. 2nd. (her 3rd. m.) 15 April 1903 in Peoria, Mary Victoria (Morgan) (Harper) Cornish (dau. of George and Mary Morgan), b. 25 Dec 1854 in Paris, Mo., d. 9 March 1927 in Peoria; buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria.
Children:
- Margaret (‘Maggie’) Butcher-Lewis, b. 1858 in Mo. (biological dau. of (NN) and Phillis (Lewis) Butcher, d. unknown, m. c.1875 (NN), b. in Ky. She and her unknown husband had issue two sons. Margaret first appears as Margaret Butcher, age 1, in the 1860 U.S. Census for St. Louis with her mother Phillis, her maternal grandparents Ambrose and Phillis Lewis, and other relatives incl. Amanda (Costley) Lewis. “Maggie Lewis,” age 11, appears in the 1870 U.S. Census in the household of her uncle and aunt Edward and Amanda Lewis. She again appears in the 1880 U.S. Census with Edward and Amanda and their sons in Peoria, at which time she is listed as divorced, and as the adopted dau. of Edward and Amanda.
- Edward W. Lewis Jr., b. June 1859 in Ill., d. 24 Jan. 1912 in Peoria, Ill., cause of death: tuberculosis; buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 1st. Nancy Waillis, b. c.1863, with issue one daughter; m. 2nd. 1893 Emma (NN), b. April 1862 in Ill. Edward was a musician. His 2nd wife Emma survived him.
- William Henry Lewis, b. 6 Jan. 1961 in Pekin, Ill., d. 21 April 1926 in Peoria, Ill., burial in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 30 Nov. 1890 in Peoria, Ill., Emma Belle Turner, dau. of William and Ellen Turner, b. c.1872 in Ill., d. in or after 1928 prob. in Peoria, with issue one daughter and one son. Henry was a house painter and a wallpaper man.
- Ambrose E. Lewis, b. 1863 in Ill., d. 4 Dec. 1937 in Peoria, burial in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 1st. 3 Oct. 1883 in Peoria, Ill., Anna Blumb, dau. of Peter B. and Eva Blumb of Peoria, b. 14 June 1861 in Peoria, d. 23 Jan. 1907 perhaps in Utah, issue if any unknown; m. 2nd. (her 3rd. m.) 14 June 1903 in Snohomish, Wash., Catherine Elizabeth (‘Kate,’ ‘Kathleen’) (Hunt) McKeal, dau. of Frank Stephen (“Frank Jr.”) and Rosella Lydia (Kirven) Hunt of Portland, Mich., b. 2 Sept. 1867 in Marquette, Mich., d. 19 Sept. 1935 in San Francisco, Calif., buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, Calif. Ambrose and Kate had issue two daughters, but later divorced and Ambrose returned to Peoria by 1917. Ambrose was a musician. In the 1910 U.S. Census, Ambrose is enumerated as the head of a household in Tacoma, Wash., that included his cousin Jess B. Brandon (see below).
- Jesse Lewis, b. 1867 in Ill., d. 15 Nov. 1877 in Peoria, Ill., buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria.
- John Thomas Lewis, b. 12 June 1870 in Pekin, Ill., d. 14 June 1936 in Peoria, Ill., buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 7 Oct. 1893 in Peoria, Ill., Ida May Jackson, b. Jan. 1870 or Dec. 1868 in Ill., dau. of Jacob and Minerva (Chamberlin) Jackson. John and Ida had no issue, and were divorced by the time of the 1900 U.S. Census. John worked as a whitewasher and a commission driver.
Pvt. William Henry (‘Bill’) Costley, eldest son of Benjamin and Nance Costley; b. c.1840 in Pekin, Ill., d. 1 Oct. 1888 at Rochester State Hospital, Rochester, Minn.; buried in Rochester State Hospital Cemetery under name “William H. Crossley”; m. c. 1880 prob. in or near Davenport, Iowa, Mary Rebecca (Webster) Marshall, b. July 1847 in Cincinnati, Ohio, d. unknown, ex-wife of Charles H. Marshall of Davenport, Iowa; had issue one dau.; m. 18 Oct. 1883 in Davenport, Iowa, Margaret A. (‘Maggie’) Hartman, dau. of Joseph H. and Mary Jane (Cox) Hartman b. c.1857 in Plymouth, Hancock Co., Ill.; issue of this m., if any, unknown. Pvt. William H. Costley was born in Pekin at 212 Amanda St. Under Illinois law at the time, he was considered an “indentured servant” from his birth because his mother was then classified as an indentured servant. His freedom was secured with his mother Nance and older sisters Amanda and Eliza Jane by the 1841 case of Bailey vs. Cromwell, argued before the Ill. Supreme Court by Abraham Lincoln. Bill registered for the Union Civil War draft in June 1863. He enlisted in 19th Illinois Colored Infantry, Co. B, on 21 Sept. 1864 at Springfield, Ill.; was hit in the shoulder by shrapnel 1 April 1865; was present 19 June 1865 at the first Juneteenth in Galveston, Texas; mustered out at Ringgold Barracks, Rio Grande City, Texas, on 30 Sept. 1865. Bill is found on the permanent memorial to the U.S. Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, D.C., twice — as ‘W.H. Corsley’ from the Adjutant General’s Report and ‘W.H. Crossley’ from a correction on his closed Pension File in the National Archives. Bill shot and killed Patrick Doyle 29 Nov. 1870 in Pekin to stop Doyle from beating his wife to death; indicted for murder but acquitted 24 Dec. 1870. He is listed in Peoria City Directories 1873-1876 as a hostler in Peoria livery stables. Bill moved to Davenport, Iowa, in the 1880s; filed for Civil War pension as an invalid 13 Oct. 1884; moved to Minneapolis, Minn., in April 1886. He was admitted 19 April 1888 to Rochester State Hospital, Rochester, Minn., where he died the night of 1 Oct. 1888. Hospital records say he was then separated from his wife and that he had “some” children, but only one of children has been identified.
Children:
- Nancy Emma Costley-Marshall, b. 20 July 1881 in Davenport, Iowa, d. 1 Jan. 1903 in Davenport, Iowa, buried 2 Jan. 1903 in Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport. Her birth record calls her “Emma Cosley,” but in the 1900 U.S. Census she is listed with her mother Rebecca and half-sister Mattie Marshall under the name of “Nancy Marshall.” She was probably named after her paternal grandmother Nance. It appears that Nancy Emma never married or had any children.
Mary Jane Costley, 3rd. dau. of Benjamin and Nance Costley; b. c.1842 in Alton, Ill., d. unknown, m. 1st. 25/28 Dec. 1866 in Tazewell Co., Ill., Pvt. George W. Lee, son of (NN) and Mary Ann Lee, b. c.1845 in Peoria, Ill., d. prob. by 6 July 1870 U.S. Census, no known issue, served in the 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry during the Civil War; Mary Jane m. 2nd. (also his 2nd m.) 2 Jan. 1873 in Peoria Co., Ill., Joseph Brandon of Peoria, b. c. 1837 in Virginia, and had issue two sons; Mary Jane m. 3rd. (his 1st. m.) 22 Feb. 1881 in Peoria, Ill., William Johnson of Peoria, son of Ed and Nancy (Apperatha) Johnson, b. c.1848 in Virginia, no known issue; Mary Jane m. 4th. (his 2nd. m.) 3 Jan. 1887 in Peoria, Ill., Benjamin B. Miller of Washington, Ill., son of Wiatt and Mina Miller, b. c.1819 in Kentucky, no known issue.
Children:
- Jesse Beames (‘Jess’) Brandon, b. c.1876 in Peoria, Ill., or Guthrie, Okla., d. perhaps c.1950 in Portland, Ore.; m. 1st. (NN); m. 2nd. 22 Aug. 1902 in Spokane, Wash., Susie Peone, b. c.1882 in Spokane, Wash., d. 17 Aug. 1903 in Seattle, Wash.; no issue. Susie is identified in the marriage record as an American Indian. She died of tuberculosis. Jesse m. 3rd. by 1915 prob. in Washington State, Amelia (Gay) Adams, b. 13 March 1890 in Kansas City, Kans., dau. of William Dennis and Laura (Thompson) Gay, and ex-wife of Charles Wesley Adams; issue, if any, unknown; m. ended in divorce. Jesse m. 4th. by 1941 prob. in Portland, Ore., Laura (NN), issue, if any, unknown. Jesse worked variously as a laborer, janitor, porter, and smelter. In the 1910 U.S. Census, Jess is enumerated in the household of his cousin Ambrose E. Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.
- Lulu Brandon, b. c.1878 in Ill., d. unknown. Lulu is enumerated in the 1880 U.S. Census as “male,” but “Lulu” is usually a feminine name, so that may be an error. No other record.
James Willis Costley, 3rd. son and youngest child of Benjamin and Nance Costley; b. Oct. 1852 in Pekin, Ill., d. unknown; m. prob. Mary Elizabeth [Smith?], b. c.1863 in Arkansas, prob. dau. of (NN) and Hannah Smith; James moved to Minneapolis, Minn., by the time of 29 May 1885 Minnesota State Census, in which “James Cosley” is listed with “Mary Cosley“ (no doubt James’ wife), “Hannah Smith” (apparently Mary’s mother), and “Nancy Cosley” (James’ mother Nance); known issue one dau. James last appears on record in the 1910 Minneapolis City Directory, working as a porter and living at 1325 S. 4th St.
Children:
- Ella Costley, b. July 1887 in Minneapolis, Minn., d. 2 Feb. 1889 of tubercular peritonitis in Minneapolis; buried 4 Feb. 1889 in Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. Death record shows parents as “J. W. Cosley” and “Elizabeth Cosley,” and shows place of death as 1223 1/2 Western Ave., the known Minneapolis address of James Willis Costley.
Fourth Generation
Margaret (‘Maggie’) Butcher-Lewis, adopted dau. of Edward W. and Amanda E. (Costley) Lewis, b. 1858 in Mo., d. unknown, m. c.1875 (NN), b. in Ky. She and her unknown husband had issue two sons. Maggie, age 11, appears in the 1870 U.S. Census with her adoptive parents and brothers in Peoria, Ill. She again appears in the 1880 U.S. Census with her adoptive parents and brothers in Peoria, at which time she is listed as divorced.
Children:
- Abraham L. (‘Abram’) Lewis, b. Sept. 1876 in Kentucky, d. unknown; appears in Peoria City Directories 1898-1938; enumerated in the 1900 U.S. Census in the household of his uncle Edward W. Lewis Jr. in Peoria, when he and his brother Douglas worked as barbers. For much of his adult life, Abraham was a driver or teamster for The Leisy Brewing Co. in Peoria. No other information. It is probable that Abraham was named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln.
- Douglas W. Lewis, b. Aug. 1879 in Kentucky, d. unknown; enumerated in the 1900 U.S. Census in the household of his uncle Edward W. Lewis Jr. in Peoria, when he and his brother Abraham worked as barbers. No other information.
Edward W. Lewis Jr., eldest son of Edward W. and Amanda E. (Costley) Lewis, b. June 1859 in Ill., d. 24 Jan. 1912 in Peoria, Ill., cause of death: tuberculosis; buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 1st. Nancy Waillis, b. c.1863, with issue one daughter; m. 2nd. 1893 Emma (NN), b. April 1862 in Ill. Edward was a musician, and also worked as a whitewasher. He lived at 521 Hale St., Peoria. His 2nd wife Emma survived him.
Child of 1st. m.:
- Maud Lewis, b. 1884 in Peoria, Ill., d. 10 May 1887 in Peoria, Ill.; buried in Moffatt Cemetery, Peoria.
William Henry Lewis, son of Edward W. and Amanda E. (Costley) Lewis, b. 6 Jan. 1961 in Pekin, Ill., d. 21 April 1926 in Peoria, Ill., burial in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 30 Nov. 1890 in Peoria, Ill., Emma Belle Turner, dau. of William and Ellen Turner, b. c.1872 in Ill., d. in or after 1928 prob. in Peoria, with issue one daughter and one son. Henry was a house painter and a wallpaper man.
Children:
- Lillian Dollie Lewis, b. 1893 in Peoria, Ill., died 23 Aug. 1903 in Peoria, Ill., buried in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria.
- William Cecil Lewis, b. 6 March 1895 in Peoria, Ill., d. 19 Oct. 1934; pursued a science degree at Bradley Polytechnic, Peoria, 1916-1917; served in U.S. military during World War I from 29 June 1918 to 12 Jan. 1919; enumerated in 1920 census with his parents in Peoria, working as a musician; again a musician in 1922 Peoria City Directory; a paperhanger in 1932 Peoria City Directory. Unknown if ever married or had issue.
Ambrose E. Lewis, son of Edward W. and Amanda E. (Costley) Lewis, b. 1863 in Ill., d. 4 Dec. 1937 in Peoria, burial in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria; m. 1st. 3 Oct. 1883 in Peoria, Ill., Anna Blumb, dau. of Peter B. and Eva Blumb of Peoria, b. 14 June 1861 in Peoria, d. 23 Jan. 1907 perhaps in Utah, issue if any unknown; m. 2nd. (her 3rd. m.) 14 June 1903 in Snohomish, Wash., Catherine Elizabeth (‘Kate,’ ‘Kathleen’) (Hunt) McKeal, dau. of Frank Stephen (“Frank Jr.”) and Rosella Lydia (Kirven) Hunt of Portland, Mich., b. 2 Sept. 1867 in Marquette, Mich., d. 19 Sept. 1935 in San Francisco, Calif., buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, Calif. Ambrose and Kate had issue two daughters, but later divorced and Ambrose returned to Peoria by 1917. Ambrose was a musician.
Children:
- Madeline Lewis, b. 13 March 1901 in Saratoga, Carbon Co., Wyoming, d. unknown; m. 1st. 21 March 1919 in Portland, Ore., Chester E. Marabetta, b. 10 Feb. 1899, in Portland, Ore., d. unknown; issue one son; m. 2nd. by 2 April 1930 in Washington State Elmer Marshall Moore, b. 26 May 1893 in Kelso, Wash., d. 5 Dec. 1985 in Vancouver, Wash.; no issue from this marriage; Madeline is last seen in 1940 U.S. Census living with her son in Reno, Wash.; Elmer later m. 2 Oct. 1943 in Mason Co., Wash. (but cohabited with her as early as 1940 U.S. Census), Mabel Mae Hunter, b. 23 Sept. 1892 in Lanark, Ontario, Canada, d. 11 Jan. 1981, buried in Yale Memorial Cemetery in Ariel, Wash.
- Evelyn Emma Lewis, b. 7 Feb. 1903 in Spokane, Wash., d. 21 Feb. 1978 in San Mateo, Calif., buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, San Mateo, Calif., m. 1st. 12 Nov. 1918 in Everett, Wash., Elmer Chester Larson, m. c.1900, d. 1952, buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Ore.; no issue of this marriage; m. 2nd. 27 Jan. 1930 in Chehalis, Wash., John Lee Edwards, b. 14 July 1905 in San Francisco, Calif., d. 14 May 1966 in San Mateo, Calif., buried in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, San Mateo, Calif.; issue one son.
To be concluded next week . . . .
