Reverend William Henry Lemon

Reverend William Henry Lemon

Rev. William Henry Lemon (Jan. 15, 1886 - July 1966) was born in Woods Crossroads, Petsworth Parish, in Gloucester County, Virginia. Rev. Henry Lemon (he generally referred to himself as "Henry" Lemon, ignoring his first name, "William") was the fraternal twin brother of James Frank Lemon, Jr. (Jan. 15, 1886 - 1970), who was the great-grandfather of local historians Sam and John Lemon of Media. Both Rev. Henry Lemon and James Frank Lemon, Jr., were the sons of James Frank ("Franklin") Lemon, Sr. (1853 - 1936) and Frances "Fannie" Reed Burrell (1856 - 1888), of Woods Crossroads, Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia.

The earliest known Lemon ancestor was Rev. William Lemon, a mulatto, born about 1750, and died after 1800, in Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County, Virginia. Although nothing is known about his origins or parentage, according to Census records, Rev. William Lemon appears to have been a free person of color. It is presumed that one of his parents was white (probably his father), and the other (most likely his mother) was a person of color. It is also unclear whether he was born free or attained free legal status as an adult.

It is also unclear when he became a minister, but sometime around 1770, when the pastor of a local white church in Petsworth Parish died, Rev. William Lemon served as a temporary replacement. However, he was apparently so popular with the white congregation, he remained the pastor of that church until he died.

In 1920, his descendant, Rev. Henry Lemon was the pastor of Second Baptist Church, at State Street and Manchester Avenue in Media. And later became the pastor at the First Baptist Church of Paschall, Philadelphia, located at 7100 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, PA. He is buried in historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, PA, on the main driveway, across from the underground burial vault. [Information from Sam Lemon, October 2023]

LE-048

Lemon Family Collection