Born in Shankleville just before emancipation (circa 1866), Jessie Gatlin was the daughter of Oliver and Mandy Gatlin. She married John Wesley Lewis (also a Shankleville native), and together, they farmed a large swath of acreage and birthed sixteen children. Those who lived to adulthood included, Addie (Odom), Hattie (who died in childbirth), John, Eddie, Early, Wales, George, James, Charles, Coella, and Arvetta (Cooper)
