James Lewis Lamkin was the grandson of Lewis Abb Lewis Lamkin, who was directly descended from original Welsh emigrants, and was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1751, and died November 8, 1832. He spent most of his life in Nash County, N. C., and was a most distinguished citizen. His wife was Charity Williams, daughter of Samuel Williams, whose will is still in possession of one of his descendants. Their sons were Samuel, Lewis Abb Lewis, Jr., founder of the family in Texas, William and John Lewis.
John Lewis was born in Nash County, N. C., January 15, 1784. He married Penelope Hair Cain, of Nash County, April 10, 1810. In 1817 he rode his horse from North Carolina to Georgia, while his family accompanied him in a handsome old-fashioned carriage. He settled first in Telfair County, and later in Pulaski County, where he died September 23, 1857. Land purchased by him is still owned by his descendants (1935). He was the father of Eliza, Emily, Elmira, Charity, and James Lewis.
James Lewis Lamkin was born in Nash County, N. C., December 8, 1817. When only two months old he came with his parents to Georgia, where he lived until his death, March 11, 1887. In Hawkinsville, Ga., August 2, 1842, he married Sarah Ann Dillard, who was born September 22, 1822, and died May 22, 1890, daughter of Nicholas Philips Dillard and Emma Adams, who were married in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The mother of Emma Adams was Miss Rambo of the same state and county. The children of James Lewis Lamkin and Sarah Ann Dillard were: Penelope, Elmira, and Kathleen.
Penelope was educated at Winston-Salem Moravian Seminary. She married James L. Walker. They were the parents of two children: James (deceased) and Nellie (Mrs. T. J. Woodard), the mother of James Walker and Amanda, who married Richard Bembry Smith, of Hawkinsville. Their children are: Richard Bembry, Jr., Nell Walker, and James Lamkin.
Elmira attended Winston-Salem Moravian Seminary and Monroe College, Forsyth, Ga. She married Dr. A. R. Taylor on July 17, 1865. After his death she married 0. A. Horn, July 19, 1889.
Kathleen was educated at Moravian Seminary, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She married Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks, and became the mother of Kathleen (deceased), Edwin Lamkin, Lily, Needham Polhill (deceased), Mary (deceased), Maude, and Ruth.
