Lewis Ayers was born at Morris Plains, a little village about two miles from Morristown, New Jersey, October 6, 1798. His father was Silas Ayers, a descendant of Obadiah Ayers, who with several others emigrated from Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1667, and founded the town of Woodbridge, New Jersey. His mother was Mary Byram Ayers, a great-great-grand-daughter of John Alden and Priscilla.
There is but little information concerning the life of Lewis Ayers in possession of his descendants. His early boyhood was spent in the neighborhood of the place of his birth. On November 2, 1824, he married Rebecca Osborn. On May 11, 1834, he with his wife and five children and his brother David Ayers and his family left New York on the brig Asia for Texas. As to the part he took in the struggle for Texas independence, something can be seen from the documents published in connection with this sketch.
A Royal Arch apron which belonged to Lewis Ayers and a receipt for chapter dues paid by him in 1822 are in the hands of the writer. It is a tradition among the descendants of Mr. Ayers that this apron played a part in saving his life when he was captured by the Mexicans.
Of the children of Lewis Ayers, three died within one month of scarlet fever in Texas, and another died young. Three grew to maturity. One, a daughter, died unmarried. Cornelia Maria, born January 16, 1832, married Theo. P. Robinson. She is now living in Detroit and has five children: Miss Kate E. Robinson, Mrs. Clarence Hodges, Mrs. Charles Crockett, and Mrs. Charles Hastings, all of Detroit, and Charles Robinson, of Buffalo, New York. Lewis H. Ayers, the youngest of the children of Lewis Ayers, was born in Cincinnati, December 24, 1837, and is now living in Detroit. He has two children: Charles H. Ayers and Mrs. Katharine Ayers Holmes.
The life of Lewis Ayers subsequent to 1837 was spent mainly in the South, and most of it in Mobile, Alabama. He died in that city, October 11, 1866.
[The materials for this sketch and the documents printed with it have been furnished by Mr. Charles H. Ayers, of Detroit, who, as will appear from the reading, is a grandson of Lewis Ayers. Of the appended documents, No. 1 is a letter written by Lewis Ayers while on his way up the Mississippi River to Cincinnati. It was addressed to relatives of his who were living in Detroit. The Abram and Ann mentioned in the letter were the brother and sister of Mrs. Ayers. The original of the document is in possession of Mrs. Charles H. Hastings, of Detroit. Its abrupt termination is accounted for by the fact that the last page of it has been lost.
No. 2.is an extract from “The Jerseyman,” which was published at Morristown, New Jersey, by a brother-in-law of Lewis Ayers. The paper from which the item is taken has been lost, and the date of the item, which was omitted in making the copy, can not be given.
No. 3.is a letter from Lewis Ayers to Governor Smith, of Texas, communicating some correspondence between Mr. Ayers and James McGloin, of San Patricio, relative to McGloin's appointment as militia organizer for that municipality. The oath referred to in the letters will be found in Gammel's Laws of Texas, I, 912. The latter part of it, which McGloin thought inconsistent with the spirit of the federal constitution of Mexico, pledged obedience to the declarations and ordinances of the Consultation and of the Provisional Government. This correspondence is of value for the light it throws on the attitude of the Irish settlers in McMullen and McGloin's Colony. The letters are printed from copies apparently made long since. The originals are probably not in existence.
No. 4.is the bond of Robert Carlisle as deputy of Lewis Ayers in the office of collector of the port of Lavaca. It is printed from the original.
No. 5.is from what seems to be the original of the passport mentioned in No. 1. It is signed by Guerra, but was doubtless obtained through Bradburn.
No. 6.is from the original of a letter from Isaac Domingo Marks to Lewis Ayers which was apparently written and delivered to Mr. Ayers while he was in Matamoros on his way to New Orleans.
No. 7.is a record copied from an old memorandum book which belonged to Lewis Ayers, and is now in possession of Mr. Charles H. Robinson, of Buffalo. It contains the dates of the birth of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Ayers and their children and of the death of four of their children who died in Texas. The remainder of the record is self-explanatory. G. P. G.]
On board Steamboat Kentuckian Dec. 26—1836 Dear Father Sister and Brother,
I have a meloncholy account to render to you—but before giving it to you I will (under the impression that you probably have not heard from any of us in Texas since Abram left you) proceed to inform you that Abram and Ann was on their passage wrecked and taken to New Providence, one of the British Bahama Islands, and that they did not reach Matagordia in Texas until in the month of Jany.
Her, that is Anns husband, and his Father went on to that place with teams and took them to San Patricio a distance of more than 140 miles, before their arrival the Texas Revolution had broken out. I had taken an active part in the struggle, and had been a member of the General Council of the Provisional Government, had resigned that office and received the appointment of Collector of the Port of La Baca, these circumstances had procured for me the enmity of the whole body of the Mexican population, and among the rest of them the Father-in-law of Ann, Don Antonio Cabassas, although he professed great friendship for me. About this time I moved my family more in the interior of Texas by 45 miles to a place called the Mission del Refugio. The Texans had driven the Mexicans from out the County, not disturbing however any private families. It is not necessary for me to give you the particulars of several of the most extraordinary victorious actions by the Texans that perhaps ever occurred in the World, but you no doubt have seen the accounts of them published. I will therefore proceed to state what will be of more interest to you.
In the later part of February one division of the Mexican invading Army amounting to about 1500 men reached San Patricio another of 7500 men under the command of Santa Anna himself reached San Antonio de Bexar When Abram and Ann reached the Mission, Abram had concluded to remain awhile with us, Ann went on to San Patricio with her husband, on her way there she learned that a great number of the Mexican rancheros had sworn to assassinate me and sent me word to that effect. I had been for some time endeavoring to move still more into the interior, but could not procure Teams, the Texan Army having pressed nearly all to haul provisions My wife being uneasy on account of the threats and known hostility of the common Mexicans, urged me to leave her for a place of safety, thinking that the family would be more secure without my presence than with it.
I therefore on the 2nd. of March left them with Abram as a protector who was on good terms with many who were hostile to me. I went to Goliad or Labahia and reported myself to Col. Fannin who then acted as Commandeer in Chief, I endeavored to procure teams to remove my family and got the promise of having them in 2 or 3 days. On the 10th. teams were sent to remove mine and other families from the Mission. I had the day before received the appointment of Asst. Quarter Master General, and the duties which devolved on me were such that I could not go with them. Capt. King a particular friend of mine took the command of the party to guard the families on their journey, and had he been satisfied with merely performing that duty, I have no doubt but that most of the meloncholy circumstances which I am about to relate would never have occured, but Capt. King being desirous to punish some Mexican Rancheros who had been plundering at the Mission, went with a small party down to their ranches, but he found that with the addition of many Indians the enemy were too strong for him, he therefore made good his retreat to the Mission. My family were living about one mile from the village, my goods and furniture on two wagons and carts, my family and teams protected by Capt. King were taken to the Church they were fired at by the enemy on the way but fortunately escaped injury but some of our furniture was well cut by balls. After King had gotten all the families remaining in that place in the Church, he sent an express to Col. Fannin for more force to protect them all on the rout to Goliad.
At about 1 o'clock of the morning of the 12th. the express reached Goliad and Col. Fannin immediately dispatched Lieu. Col. Ward with about 120 men to their assistance. I volunteered to make one of the party, we reached the Mission about 3 o'clock in the afternoon a distance of about 27 miles we found our friends in the Church safe, they were as you may well suppose very glad to see us. A few of us had a skirmish with the enemy that evening, but drove them off, this however was mere sport to what was to follow on the next day. A party of about 50 men went out in the middle of the night and attacked a party of the enemy, killing a number of them and making the remainder fly. At 5 oclock on the 13th. I volunteered to go with about 100 men to hunt up the enemy. I placed myself under the command of Capt. King, who went in a different route from the remainder of the force, our party consisting of only 28 men after marching for several hours without seeing anything of the enemy, visiting several ranches which were deserted, and at about 12 oclock came in sight of the Mission when to our utter surprise we discovered what proved to be the whole of Gen. Urrea's division of 1500 men in possession of the town. Our friends to the number of about 120 men were in the Church, my family and others were also in it. The moment we saw the enemy, we were discovered by them, and a party of Horsemen amounting to upwards of 100 men galloped to cut off our retreat to a piece of woods to which we hastened about 600 yds. when we reached there we found our number reduced to 22 men by the desertion of 6. We had time before attacked to choose a good fighting position, and for each man to have his station assigned to him, which was maintained by all throughout an engagement of about one half hour, when the enemy retreated with about 20 killed, and a large number wounded, after an interval of about one hour more, we were again attacked by about 200 of the enemy in two parties opening a cross fire upon us, we still maintained our ground and after an hours hard fighting we compelled them to retreat. One man of our party was killed, within 3 feet of me and four were wounded the number of the enemy killed and wounded was very large, but I have not been able to learn the number. Towards night we were attacked a third time from the opposite side of the river, Capt King then directed us to lie close, protecting ourselves as much as possible by the wood, and not to fire again, holding ourselves in readiness for an expected attack on our side of the river, which however did not take place, the enemy after wasting as I suppose all their powder and ball without doing us any personal injury, went away. My life was saved in the second engagement by a ball glancing from one of a pair of pistols which I wore in front, they were given me by Capt. King. When night came on it was very dark, not a star to be seen, we crossed the river at the battle ground, where it was not considered fordable, the water reached my chin, there was a ford just above and one just below us but we expected the enemy would guard them, the banks were so steep that we had to assist each other in the ascent, the wounded acompanied us with much pain. We wandered about all night endeavoring to reach Goliad, but when day dawned on the 14th. we found ourselves only about 3 miles from the Mission, having lost our way, we hurried on about two miles further, when we were attacked by a party of Mexicans, and were compelled to surrender, our guns being most of them wet, and having no chance to retreat. We were then marched back to the Mission, tied together two by two, the rope at the same time connecting up al together, after which we were marched about one mile, where we found a body of the enemy drawn up to receive us, we also found a few of our friends, who had been picked up one by one, making in the whole 33 men. The Soldiers loaded their guns to shoot us but in consequence of there being two Germans among the prisoners the execution was postponed at the request of a Col in the enemys service who was a German by birth. Our treatment during the next 24 hours was most brutal and barborous.
I had not asked for neither did I expect any mercy at the hands of the enemy. My wife however with four children presented herself to Gen. Urea and excited his sympathy by their tears, she was aided by some Mexican officers who were opposed to the barborous course persued of murdering prisoners, and the General agreed to save my life, which was done, and I was given in some degree my liberty, after receiving a severe lecture on account of my hostility to Mexico and charging me to behave myself better in the future and let politics alone—I merely bowed and said nothing.
I learned from Rebeca that Lieu. Col. Ward after having defended the Church from several attacks made upon it and destroying at least 50 or 60 of the enemy had made his retreat at night, the same night we were endeavoring to do the same. The enemy had for a number of hours fired a piece of Artillery at the Church, 17 balls had penetrated the roof the walls were too strong to be battered down. Several families besides mine were there but not injured.
According to the report made by the few survivors of Cols. Ward party who soon fell in the enemys hands, Mrs. Ayers manifested throughout the seige much courage and presence of mind, she encouraged the men and showed no fear. Abram (her brother) took an active part in the battle and was wounded in the breast by a spent ball. After the retreat of the party and possession taken by the Mexicans they were made to believe that Abram had received his wound from a Texan instead of a Mexican, and he was permitted to remain under the care of my wife. A Mexican Surgon undertook to probe his wound but being ignorant and unskilled instead of extracting the ball pushed it into the chest from which of course it cannot be extracted. He soon recovered from the wound and has since received little uneasiness from it, for a short time it effected his lungs, but has not for some four months past. The Mexican officers were polite not only to my wife to whom more than ordinary respect and attention was shown, but to all the families. I should have mentioned that the two Germans and myself are the only survivors of the 33, one of these Germans soon after died from his wounds. The rest of our party were barborously shot, stripped naked and left on the prairie about one mile from the Mission.
I must pass over many important events or my letter will take up many more sheets and perhaps after all will be uninteresting to you though to me of thrilling interest. It was required by the Mexicans that we should return to San Patrico, which we did with the remains of our furniture and goods, the Mexicans notwithstanding the efforts of the officers to prevent it having robbed us to a considerable extent although there had been a guard placed over them for protection. After our arrival there I remained with my family only one day and two nights, having been advised by the Mexican General to go to Matamoras. I procured a passport from Col. Bradburn an American by birth but in the service of Mexico, to proceed to that place, he thinking I intended making arrangements to remove my family there, but I had no such intention. I was induced to go there for the double purpose of escaping from the murderous designs of the Rancheros and to get off to New Orleans, where I thought I would be enabled to do something for my family or at least get to my friends in Texas, my family feeling safer in my absence. On reaching Matamoras I found some American merchants with whom I had some acquaintance, I was received and welcomed not only by them, but by all the Americans in the place, more like a brother than a mere acquaintance. I procured a passport to the mouth of the river from the officers in command there and another passport to New Orleans from the Alcalda who was made to believe that I was an American citizen who had been trading from Matamoras to New Orleans.
Letters from Texas recently received by the Editor announce the death of his brother-in-law, ABRAHAM H. ORSBORN, who was favorably known several years since among the citizens of the Town for his gentlemanly demeanor, and upright and honest course in life. He left this to accompany a younger sister to her home on the Nueces River, the boundary line between Texas and Mexico, and after the sailing of the vessel news arrived of the breaking out of the Texan Revolution. In one of the sanguinary battles a spent musket ball lodged in his breast, which could never be extracted, and which at times caused him serious inconvenience. Being of business habits, his would never detained him from attending to his avocations. He left Houston, his place of residence, in the stage for Austin, at which place he arrived on the 12th of April, having been attacked by cholera on the road, and died on the 14th. The Ancient Fraternity held a meeting subsequently and passed the following Resolutions, for which his friends here at the North return their sincere thanks, as also for their kind attention on the melancholy occasion in attending to his bed of sickness and interring him with Masonic honors. He left no family but a large number of connexions and friends to mourn his decease far from his place of nativity. The Editor will ever bear in grateful remembrance this kindness of his Brethern of the Order, and sincerely hope that we may all hereafter meet on a level in presence of our Grand Master.
“The following preamble and resolutions were adopted by Austin Lodge No. 12, upon learning of the death of Brother Orsborn:
Whereas, It having pleased an all-wise God, to whose inscrutable decrees we bow in meek and humble submission, to call from this warm and breathing life of time, to that undiscovered mystery, cold and dark beyond, our worthy and esteemed Brother, ABRAHAM H. ORSBORN, of Houston, Harris country; deeply sympathizing with his bereaved family for the irreparable loss they sustain by his untimely end, and tenderly feeling the deep wound, the mandate of Him who giveth and of Him who taketh away, has inflicted on our hearts and on our Order, in suddenly calling our worthy and beloved Brother from the scene of his earthly labors to that Lodge not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,
1st.Be it resolved by this Lodge, That the members of the same offer their heartfelt condolence to the family of the deceased in their sore bereavement in this unforseen visitation of Providence that has removed from their bosom the brother and affectionate counsellor, and has taken forever from our Order an able and efficient member,—one whose zealous devotion to the interests of the craft must long be pleasingly remembered.
2d.Resolved, That the members of this Lodge will wear the appropriate badge of mourning for the space of thirty days, in token for our high regard for the worthy and esteemed character of our deceased Brother.
3d.Resolved, That the Secretary of this Lodge forward to the relatives of the deceased a copy of these resolutions, and also to Holland Lodge No. 1.
4th.Resolved, That the foreging resolutions be published in the Texas Democrat.
J. M. W. Hall, John Hancock, J. M. Swisher, Committee. A true copy. Tho. P. Cartmell, Sec'y. A. L. No. 12.
San Patricio Jan, 1835 His excellency Henry Smith Governor of the Provisional Govt of Texas—
Sir On my arrival at this place Dec 25th. I made known to the individuals commissioned as 1st &2d Judges and also to two of the three persons commissioned to organise the militia of their appointment. On the 26th. John Turner the 2d Judge recd his commission after taking the oath prescribed by the organic law as likewise did John Turner and John McGloin take the oath and recd the Commission as Commissioners to organise the militia. Mr. Danl. O Boyle one of the Commissioners was and is yet absent from this place. James McGloin Esq was informed of his appointment as 1st Judge on the evening of the 25th. I saw him on the 26 several times without ascertaining whether he would accept or reject his appointment on the evening of that day I addressed him a note of which the following is a copy
James McGloin Esq Sir
In the name and in behalf of the People of Texas I call upon you for your acceptance or rejection of the appointment of 1st Judge of the municipality of San Patricio hereby informing you that I am ready to administer to you the oath of office prescribed by the organic law and to deliver into your hands the Commission signed by the Gov. and Sec. provided you accept the appointment.
Dec 26. L. Ayers Commissioner of the Executive
I have just recd. his answer dated as you will observe on the 27th The tenor of which is such that I think it my duty to enclose it with his Commission to your Excellency without Comment
I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your most obt. Svt. L. Ayers Copy of J. McGloins letter referred to worded and spelt as the original
San Patricio Dec 27, 1835 Lewis Ayers Esq
Sir I have recd yours in name and in behalfe of the People of Tejas calling on me to acept the office of Judge of 1st of this municipality that you are ready to administer the oath of office Pricribed in the organic law and deliver into me my Commission signed by the Governor and Secretary provide I acept the same.
Sir in answer to yours I beg to inform you that I acept of that office Particularly as being in conformity with an election made by the late Ayt who elected me one of the Judges for the following year however I decline taking the oath untill I hear an explanation of the last paragraph of said oath which seems to me not to accord with the Spirit of the federal constitution and forthwith I will write to Mr. McMullen who is now sitting in council to hear from the Govr and Council their explanation of the said Paragraph yours Sincerely,
James McGloin a true Copy L. Ayers, P. S. I should be pleased to hear from you from the mouth of the river, also on your arrival at New Orleans. I. D. M.
Know All men by these presents that I, Robert Carlisle am held and firmly bound unto Lewis Ayers collector of the District of Jackson (Labaca) and to his successors in office in the penal sum of Three Thousand dollars
The Condition of this Obligation is such that if I, Robert Carlisle shall well and Truly pay over to the said Ayers or his successors in Office on demand by said Ayers or his successors in office all sums of money or notes of hand received by me as Deputy Collector and faithfully perform all the duties of the said appointment during the absence of the aforenamed Ayers —acording to the Laws regulating duties on Imports and Tonnage then in that case this obligation to be null and void otherwise to be of full force and effect
Robt Carlisle Guadaloupe Victoria Dec 22, 1835 Witnesses L. W. Gates Ira Westover
$3000.
We the undersigned hereby bind ourselves and property to the amount of Three Thousand dollars each for the faithful performance by Robert Carlisle of the duties of his appointment as deputy Collector during the absence of Lewis Ayers the principal Collector and to whom we hold ourselves bound in the above amount for any violation of his duty
Robt. P. Heam Ge Benson Guadaloupe Victoria Dec. 22, 1835 Ira Westover L. W. Gates.
Camanda. Militar Pasa al Brazo de Santo. Dn. Luis Ayers con destino de embarcarse. Ma tamoroz 2. de Mayo /836. Guerra. [Rubric.]
Matamoros May 12th 1836 L. Ayres Esqr. Dr. Sir
I herein enclose you a letter of introduction to the house of Godfrey, Blessman &Co confident, that they will render you assistance in N Orleans, I likewise enclose you Seven letters, which you will please take the utmost care of (as they are of great importance to me) and, deposite them in the post office immediately on your arrival at N Orleans Our mutual friend Mr. Potter will give you all the political news—wishing you a speedy and pleasant passage
I remain yours truly Isaac Domingo Marks
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Lewis Ayers Oct. 6-1798
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Rebecca Osborn Jan. 6, 1804
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Charles Augustus Sept. 12-1825
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Mary Elizabeth 27th Aug. 1827
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Helen Louisa 12 Nov. 1829
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Cornelia Maria 16 Jan. 1832
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Charlotte Sophia 8 do 1834
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Delia Caroline 16 May 1836
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Lewis Henry 24 Dec. 1837
L. A. &R. O. was married Nov. 2 1824 at Geneva, N. Y. by the Rev. Mr. Axtell.
[On the first second and third pages is written the following]: I, the undersigned do here by testify that I have baptized according to the rite of the Catholic Church the following children the legitamate offspring of Lewis Ayers and Rebecca Osborn his lawful wife, viz. Mary Elizabeth aged 8 years last Aug, sponsors, Patrick Faddin and Mary Haley. Helen Louisa, aged 6 yrs. the 12th of Nov. last, sponsors, Raymond Cabassas and Mary O'Boyle. Cornelia Maria, aged 4 yrs. the 16th of Jan. last, sponsors Don Antonio Cabassas and Maria Petra, his wife. Charlotte Sophia aged 2 yrs. the 8th of Jan. last, sponsors John Cabassas and Elizabeth Mary Ann McGloin. Delia Caroline, born of the 16th inst. sponsors Don Lucian Cabassas and Rose Relelia. In testimony of which I have herewith subscribed my name this 24 day of May 1836,
Jas. Keily, P. Charles Augustus died June 22 1826 Mary Elizabeth died Oct. 7-1836 Charlotte Sophia died Oct. 19-1836 Delia Caroline died Oct. 26-1836
How to cite:
Ayers, Charles, H., "LEWIS AYERS ", Volume 009, Number 4, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 268 - 281. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v009/n4/article_3.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 17:48:14 CST 2008]
