Lewis Southworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis (or Louis) Alexander Southworth
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| Born | July 4, 1829 |
| Died | June 28, 1917 |
| Resting place | Crystal Springs Cemetery in Corvallis |
| Occupation | Enslaved, farmer, blacksmith, fiddler |
| Known for | Oregon pioneer |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Cooper, Josephine Jackson |
| Parent(s) | Pauline and Louis Hunter |
Lewis Southworth (1830–1917) was an important pioneer in Oregon. He was also known as Louis Southworth. He made his home near Waldport in 1880.
Lewis was born into slavery. He was brought to the Oregon Territory by the person who enslaved him. Lewis later bought his freedom. He earned the money mainly by playing the fiddle (violin).
He lived and worked in several Oregon towns. These included Monroe, Jacksonville, and Buena Vista. Later, he settled by a small stream that flows into the Alsea River. There, he became a farmer and was active in his community.
After his first wife passed away, Lewis moved to Corvallis. He lived there for the rest of his life and married his second wife. Lewis Southworth was the first Black person to join the Oregon militia. A stream, Southworth Creek, is named after him.
Moving West to Oregon
In 1853, Lewis Southworth was brought to the Oregon Territory. He was enslaved by James Southworth, who was from Tennessee. At that time, slavery was not allowed in Oregon. Also, laws tried to stop Black people from settling there. These laws were finally removed in 1926.
In 1854, Lewis Southworth settled on a piece of land near Monroe. This land was part of a "donation land claim." This was a way for people to get land for free if they settled on it. James Southworth, who was low on money, lived with Lewis on this land.
Soon after, Lewis went to the gold fields near Jacksonville. He earned $300 there. He sent this money to James as a first payment for his freedom.
Joining the Militia
On his way back from Jacksonville, Lewis met soldiers. They were fighting in the Rogue River Wars. The soldiers wanted to take his rifle. To keep his weapon, Lewis joined the militia. He was hurt in a small battle in 1856. This made him the first Black member of the Oregon militia.
Later, James Southworth and his family moved to California. They wanted to try gold mining there. Lewis went with them. In Yreka, Lewis found that playing the fiddle earned more money than mining. He taught violin and played for dance schools. He played in Yreka and in Virginia City, Nevada.
By playing music, Lewis earned enough money to pay James Southworth another $700. This payment bought his freedom in 1858 or 1859. This act of buying freedom is called "manumission." After Lewis was free, James Southworth tried to get a law passed in Oregon to protect "slave property." But the state legislature did not approve it.
Life as a Free Man
Lewis Southworth returned to Oregon. By 1870, he was running a livery stable in Buena Vista. A livery stable was a place where people could rent horses or keep their own horses. He also worked as a blacksmith.
In 1873, he married Mary Cooper. He helped raise her adopted son, Alvin McCleary. Lewis got a land grant near the Alsea River. This was thanks to the Homestead Act of 1862. This law allowed people to get land if they farmed it for a certain number of years.
On his land, Lewis farmed, fished, and hunted. He also built a sawmill. He was very active in his community and played the fiddle for dances. He even gave land for a school near Waldport. He served as the chairman of the school board.
After Mary Cooper died in 1901, Lewis moved to Corvallis. He bought a house there. In 1913, he married his second wife, Josephine Jackson. Lewis Southworth passed away in 1917. He is buried in Corvallis' Crystal Springs Cemetery next to his first wife.
His Legacy
The stream where Southworth lived near Waldport was officially named Darkey Creek. In 2000, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names changed the name to Southworth Creek. This was done to honor Lewis Southworth.
In 2021, it was announced that a 12-acre park in Waldport would be named after him. A bronze statue of Lewis Southworth will be placed at the park's entrance.
