Alonzo Lewis facts for kids
Alonzo Lewis (1794–1861) was a very busy person from Lynn, Massachusetts. He was a teacher, a writer, a mapmaker (called a surveyor), a poet, a reporter, an editor, and even a publisher.
Alonzo Lewis was also a strong supporter of abolitionism, which was the movement to end slavery. He edited several newspapers, including the Lynn Weekly Mirror, the Lynn Record (in 1830), and Freedom's Amulet.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Alonzo Lewis was born on August 28, 1794. His parents were Zachariah and Mary (Hudson) Lewis. His grandparents were Nathan and Mary (Newhall) Lewis. He had three siblings: Irene (born 1797), Mary (born 1802), and Henry (born 1807).
On January 7, 1822, Alonzo Lewis married Frances Maria Swan. They had six children together:
- Alonzo (born 1822)
- Frances Maria (born 1824)
- Aurelius (born 1827)
- Lewellyn (born 1829)
- Arthur Lynnworth (born 1831)
- Thomas (who died in 1839)
Frances Lewis passed away on May 27, 1839, when she was 36 years old.
His Writings and Maps
Alonzo Lewis was a talented writer and mapmaker.
Books of Poetry
He published three books of poetry between 1824 and 1834. After he passed away, all his poems were collected and published in one book in 1883.
Other Books
He also wrote and published two books about a place called Nahant:
- The Picture of Nahant (published in 1845)
- A Guide through Nahant with an account of its earliest inhabitants (published in 1851)
History of Lynn
One of his most important works was History of Lynn.
- The first version was published in 1829 and had 260 pages.
- A second, updated version came out in 1844 with 276 pages. This book called him "The Lynn Bard."
- Later, in 1865, James R. Newhall created an even more updated version with 620 pages. This larger book was published again in 1890.
Maps and Surveys
Alonzo Lewis was also skilled at creating maps.
- In 1829, he made the 1829 Map of Lynn. He was asked to do this by the leaders of Lynn and the Massachusetts Legislature.
- In 1838, he surveyed Lynn Beach and Harbor for the US Congress. This means he carefully measured and mapped the area.
His Legacy
Alonzo Lewis was a well-known figure in his time. There is a portrait bust (a sculpture of his head and shoulders) of him made by an artist named Joanna Quiner.
