PHEBUS, Lewis
Source: Wabash Courier
Terre Haute, 14 March 1833
A report has been put in
circulation, calculated to wound the feelings of myself and family, by Andrew
J. Trullinger. It has been stated by him, that my grandfather on my father’s
side was a negro. In order to counteract the statement and in justice to the
feelings of my children, I subjoin the following affidavits from which I think
it will clearly appear that Trullinger has willfully lied.
State of Indiana,
Fountain County – personally appeared before me, James Lewellen, a Justice of
the Peace for Fountain County, Nancy Vanhook, who being duly sworn, says – that
she heard one Obadiah Watson, sworn before Charles Cade, Esq. in Pickaway County
who testified to his acquaintance with the paternal grandfather of Lewis
Phebus, from the time of his coming to America and that no appearance of Negro
blood could be discovered in him and further sayeth not. Sworn to, and
subscribed before me, this 1st day of February 1833.
Samuel Lewellen, JP
State of Indiana, Fountain County – Personally appeared before me, Samuel Lewellen, Bridget Fitzgerald, who being duly sworn, deposeth and sayeth that she was acquainted with the paternal grandfather of Lewis Phebus, and that he had no appearance of Negro blood, but was, as she always believed, of French descent, and further sayeth not. Sworn and subscribed to before me, this first day of Feb 1833. Samuel Lewellen, JP
State of Indiana, Fountain County – Personally appeared before me, Samuel Lewellen, Bridget Fitzgerald, who being duly sworn, deposeth and sayeth that she was acquainted with the paternal grandfather of Lewis Phebus, and that he had no appearance of Negro blood, but was, as she always believed, of French descent, and further sayeth not. Sworn and subscribed to before me, this first day of Feb 1833. Samuel Lewellen, JP
From the above, the public can determine what reliance can be placed on the statement of Trullinger. I should not have resorted to this course, had I not been advised that the words spoken by him are not actionable… Lewis Phebus.