McNairy County, TennesseeHistory Archives

Life & Times

Sheriff Samuel Lewis 1865-1868

Deputies at a still, 1940s

Searches the text inside all 115 record books, not only the page titles.

Posted Jan 18, 2025

Term1865-1868
NotesKilled in Office 31 July 1867. Samuel Lewis was shot and killed while attempting to quell a disturbance at a local polling station. Tennessee’s governor had sent the militia to the various polling stations in an attempt to control the polls in his favor. As a result, riots broke out around the state, including at the polling station in the town of Purdy.
Born7/25/1826
Died8/4/1867
Full NameCAPT (USA)
Final Resting PlaceBuena Vista Church Cemetary
CityBethel Springs, TN

Photographs in the Sheriff’s Archive

Dr Jas Mithcell Sheriff 1866 to 1868 Finished Term of Murdered Sheriff Samuel Lewis Dr Jas Mithcell Sheriff 1866 to 1868 Finished Term of Murdered Sheriff Samuel Lewis Sheriff Samuel Lewis Murdered Sheriff Samuel Lewis Murdered Sheriff Samuel Lewis Second Line of Duty Death McNairy Sheriff Dept Sheriff Samuel Lewis Second Line of Duty Death McNairy Sheriff Dept