Seventh Generation

687. John Petway Bedwell²⁶⁵ was born on 20 Mar 1857 in Lincoln County, Tennessee.^292,749 He appeared in the census in 1860 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. He appeared in the census in 1880 in Lincoln County, Tennessee. He appeared in the census in 1900 in Stewart County, Tennessee. He appeared in the census in 1910 in Stewart County, Tennessee. He appeared in the census in 1920 in Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee. In 1920 he was a Farmer. He appeared in the census in 1930 in Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee. In 1930 he was a Boarding House operator.⁷⁵⁰ He died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 25 Jul 1943 in Stewart County, Tennessee.^280,292,749 He was buried on 26 Jul 1943 in Cumberland City Cemetery, Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee.⁷⁴⁹ He was also known as J.P. Bedwell. He was a hotel operator.⁷⁴⁹

It is known that John Petway Bedwell and wife Elizabeth helped raise several Bedwell children belonging to other members of the family, but they had no children of their own.

From an email to Sonja Bedwell from Deanna ?:

I found an obituary for John Petway Bedwell in the Stewart Co. Times, July 29, 1943 on page 1. The information from the obituary indicates that he died at home on Sunday night. Services were conducted at the Cumberland City Methodist Church by the Rev. J.L. Taylor and the Rev. Vernon McGhee. He is buried at the Cumberland City Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Hill, Willie, Knox and Buford Thomas along with D.K. Bayer and Rodney Averitt. Flower girls were Audrey, Frances, Estaline and Eloise Averitt and Betty Smith. J.P. was the youngest son in his family. He moved to Montgomery Co. from Lincoln Co. TN and went into farming. When he married he and his wife, Elizabeth moved to Cumberland City. Intermittently, for 50 years, he served as a member of the Stewart Co. Court. After he left farming he operated the Bedwell Hotel for 20 years.
All the Thomas pallbearers listed were my uncles and Rodney Averitt was married to my father's sister. The flower girls shown are all my first cousins. My father told me that they always called Elizabeth, "Aunt Lillie". I think that this will add some to your information for now. I'll look for more. I have additional information on the Evans family if you want it.
Deanna

• 1900 Census for 6th Civil District, Stewart County, Tennessee shows J.P. Bedwell, born Mar 1857, a farmer who owns his land, living with: Lillie, born Jun 1862, his wife of twenty years who has had no children; brother Reese, born Mar 1885; and nephew Johnie, born (month illegible) 1896.

• 1910 Census for Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee shows John P. Bedwell, 53, a farmer, as head of household with: wife Lillie E., 48, a dressmaker, who has had no children; sister-in-law Mary F. Bedwell, 34, a dressmaker, who has had one child, still living; nephew John B., 14, a farm laborer; and niece Edwina, 10.

• 1920 Census for Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee shows J.P. Bedwell, 62, a farmer, as head of household including: wife Lillie, 57; and Sallie Cashion, 10, "adopted".

• 1930 Census for Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee shows John P. Bedwell, 73, who operates a boarding house, as head of household: wife Leizie E., 68; and two boarders.

John Petway Bedwell and Elizabeth (Lillie) Evans were married on 2 Dec 1880 in Tennessee.⁷⁵¹ Elizabeth (Lillie) Evans (daughter of Isaiah Wilson Evans and Frances Louisa Cox) was born on 9 Jan 1862 in Ft. Donelson, Stewart County, Tennessee.^292,752 She died a coronary occlusion and senility on 12 Mar 1951 in Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee.^292,752 She was buried on 14 Mar 1951 in Cumberland City Cemetery, Cumberland City, Stewart County, Tennessee.⁷⁵²