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Free Lewis

Over the years I have made inquiries on any information on Lewis Dixon of Simpson County, Mississippi. He is notable for being a founder and hero in the history of Simpson County, mentioned many times by Mr. Bee Kings writings on the early history of the county. Free Lewis or Lewis Dixon was a free man of color. He lived as any other free member of the county prior to the Civil War. He worked, owned property, and carried a gun when needed. His freedom came not from his master, because he and his family were never slaves. An descendent of African peoples brought over by the Spain to colonize America and who settled parts of what would become the Mississippi Territory, he was protected by law as a free man and citizens of the United States. Several times strangers to Simpson County would "capture" Free Lewis and turn him in to the sheriff for bounty money, thinking he was a runaway. Free Lewis went to arming himself more often for his protection.

I have discovered, apparently, according to records Lewis served in the Confederate Army, (probably in the 21st Miss. Inf.) and according to the pension records, NOT as a servant (class 3c). He was classified in 1916 as Class 2a., A soldier who had lost a foot or hand, with a permanent disability preventing the ability to earn a living.

On the census and pension records he is listed as Lewis Dixon or Louis Dixon, other records have him as Lewis T. Dixon or Louis C. Dixon or combination of any listed. He married a white women after the war and had a large family in Simpson County. He also lived a very long life, to the age of 99.

A very remarkable man.

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