Thomas Lewis' Death In Tahiti
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
in 1799
Letter to the Editor Vl/HILE we do not take issue with your ** correspondent “Fiame,” ( P.1.M. , June 23, 1937), as to the Christian virtues of Thomas Lewis, we find he has followed William Ellis in the latter’s error in regard to the date of Lewis’ death. The date, November 22, 1799, in the Polynes ian Researches , is a printer’s error or careless proof-reading on Ellis’ part.
Ellis is incorrect in other p aces: e.g he says the graves are on the “north side of Matavai Bay”—the north side of Matavai Bay is the Pacific Ocean. Ellis also states that the first chapel was raised on “March 5, 1797”; which date was, of course, the date of the Duff's arrival at Tahiti.
From the Journal or daily diary writ
ten by Jefferson (published under the title Transactions , Vol. 1, 1795 —1802) the following is the entry for the date Nov ember 22, 1799, showing that Lewis was very much alive: “Mr. Lewis came to Brother Eyre’s to grind a number of axes.” It gives the day of Lewis’ death (November 27) as follows: “November 28, 1799: Early this morning a man ar rived from Ananoo to Pitea, the deputy chief, to inform him that Mr. Lewis died about sunset last evening.” The burial took place on the 29th.
The L.M.S. bound volume, Register of M'ssionaries, etc. (1796 —1896), giving details of each of its 926 men sent out, puts the date of Lewis’ death as Novem ber 27.
The memorial stone reads correctly.
I am, etc.,
A. C. Rowland.
Papeete, Tahiti. 28/7/1937/