Lewis Gitton II

       Lewis Gitton II was born circa 1701 probably in New York and died circa 1740 in New Castle Co., Delaware. He was the son of Lewis I and Jane and is believed to be the Lewes Jeton listed on a Staten Island NY census taken circa 1706. His age is given as under 16. He was named an executor, along with his brother Peter, of his father's will dated 18 February 1732 and recorded in New Castle Co., Delaware on 12 April 1748.

    In Lewis I's will, Lewis II and his brother Peter were bequeathed bonds owed their father and to share equally "all ye rest of my household goods" except for their father's French Bible that was given to Lewis II. Lewis II and Peter were also to pay their father's just debts and funeral expenses out of their shares.

    Lewis II died circa 1740, before his father died circa 1748, and Peter Geton became the surviving executor of their father's will. It is assumed that Lewis I's French Bible was passed on to Peter as the eldest surviving son.

    We do not know exactly when the Gittons moved to Delaware or if all of them moved at the same time. Lewis Geton [II ] purchased 162 acres from John Anderson, for £162, on St. Georges Creek in New Castle Co. on November 17, 1726. The deed stated "to Lewis Geton of St. Georges Creek, Yeoman", which indicates that Lewis II was in New Castle Co. prior to November of 1726.

    Lewis II's brother Peter Geton purchased 80 acres, next to Lewis II's land, from John Anderson on May 23, 1728 for £60. The deed stated that Peter Geton was of St. Georges Hundred and was a Yeoman or farmer, so Peter was in New Castle Co. prior to May of 1728.

    On August 19, 1734, a Lewis Geton and an Abraham Goulden purchased two tracts of land in Red Lyon Hundred, New Castle Co., from Egbord Egbordson. One was an 80 acre plantation and the other was a contiguous 20 acre tract located on St. Georges Neck. It is impossible to determine if this was Lewis Geton I or II.  

    We do not know for certain who Lewis II's wife was but it seems likely that she was the Rachel who married James See in New Castle Co. sometime after the death of Lewis II circa 1740. An Orphan's Court record shows that Rachel was appointed the Administratrix of Lewis' estate and was therefore most likely his widow. It also shows that Lewis II died intestate and that there were minors involved. 

    Since an Orphan's Court was involved, one or more of Lewis II's children was a minor and since Lewis II died intestate, his property would have been divided equally among his children as discussed below. 

      In May of 1750, a John Jetton and wife Elizabeth sold a "one fourth share" of land to Lewis Jetton who was already in possession of the land. As stated in the Deed, this share was an inheritance and represented a one fourth share of 162 acres. The description of the location of this 162 acres, and the description of the 162 acres purchased by Lewis II in 1726, clearly establishes that the land John and Lewis III inherited was the land owned by Lewis II.   

    As stated above, Lewis II died intestate and his estate was handled in the Orphan's Court. Since John Jetton received a ¼ share, there would have to be three children involved in the estate. Lewis III, who was already in possession of the land, probably received two fourths or one half of the inherited land, as explained below, and was therefore the oldest.

    Delaware law directed that the estate of a person who died intestate be divided equally among the children after the widow's one third. The wife by law, owned one third of real estate as a legal dowry. Therefore, the widow would have legal rights to one third of the estate, if she so chooses, and the remaining two thirds would be divided equally among the children.   

     Not totally equal, however, because the law also directed that in intestate cases the oldest son is to receive two equal shares. Therefore, in order for John to have a "one fourth share" there would have to be three children involved. To wit: Two ¼ shares to the oldest, Lewis III, one ¼ share to John and one ¼ share to another sibling that was probably Abraham Jeton.  

     It seems likely that this is the John who married Elizabeth Brevard and that he had an older brother Lewis who would be Lewis III. It would also indicate that John had another sibling who is believed to be the Abraham Jetton who with his wife Rhoda and John Jetton and wife Elizabeth Brevard moved to North Carolina about this time. 

     There is no record that Abraham Jeton received a share as noted above or that he sold it to Lewis III or anyone else.  There are gaps in the availability of Delaware land records though so it's very possible that Abraham sold his share to his brother Lewis III also. 

     It should be noted and clearly understood that while the available records clearly establishes a sibling relationship between Lewis III and John, there is no such data available for Abraham. The only connection we have at this time is Abraham Jetton was a witness on  a deed that involved Lewis Jetton III and his wife Jane Borom in New Castle Co., Delaware. So a case could be made that Abraham was a witness on the deed because it involved his brother.  

    We do know from land and other records, however, that Abraham moved to North Carolina at the same time, and probably with, John Jetton in the 1750s. John also named one of his sons Abraham. This all indicates a close relationship but the fact still remains, with Abraham being a brother to Lewis III and John, we are making an assumption, albeit a good assumption. 

    It should also be noted that the majority of Jettons are descended from John and Abraham.    

 Children of Lewis Jetton II and Rachel 

1. Lewis Jetton III   

2. Abraham Jetton  

3. John Jetton