Biography of James and William Hewey
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]
Page 298
On the farm now owned by Gabriel Alkire, on the northeast bank of Deer Creek, in Pleasant Township, settled two brothers, James and William Hewey, in 1797. They came from Kentucky, but are believed to have been natives of Virginia. A short distance southeast of where they built their cabin was an Indian camping ground, also one of their old burial places. this is on the farm of Courtney Tanner, and in a field under cultivation. James Hewey was married, while William remained single, and lived with his brother. They erected their cabin, made some improvements, and here remained until death. Nothing further is known of them. During the early days of Madison County, Richard Douglass was in the habit of making "Uncle Jimmy" Hewey's cabin his stopping place while going to and fro between Chillicothe and London. "Uncle Jimmy" always had a demijohn of corn-juice on hand and "Dick" was not averse to indulging in a glass, "for his stomach sake." Douglass looked after Hewey's law business, and Hewey paid him in hospitality. Judge Orris Parish was then on the bench, and "Dick" Douglass was Prosecuting Attorney of Madison County. One morning, court was kept late by the non-arrival of the prosecutor, but soon Douglass and "Uncle Jimmy" Hewey made their appearance, arm in arm. It was evident to the spectators that Hewey "Had more than he could carry" conveniently. Readhing the cortroom, he raised his hadn and shouted, "The court can now proceed, Dick Douglass and Jimmy Hewey are here, by G–d." It is needless to say that this expression was long a standard quotation among the Madison County bar, and the lawyers who rode this circuit. On the same foundation that these brothers erected their cabin, now stands a residence in which are some of the same logs used by the Heweys eighty-five years ago.
This is a volunteer project. We depend upon feedback from our visitors. If you have information to share or have resources relating to Madison County, we would love to hear from you.
