Post by glen on Aug 30, 2006 16:09:42 GMT -5
In 1967, Evelyn Olson, published a book and in it claimed John Friend, Sr, had a middle name Lewis. No one knows why or when she came to that conclusion, as she did not say. But, since she published a book with that information, it was rapidly adopted without question by most people copying from her book, and not giving it any thought.
Neither the middle name or even an initial holds up to even a second glance. I guess the first thing you could look at are his siblings and none had middle initials or names. Then we look at his children and again you will note that none of them have middle initials or name (except, according to Evelyn who again thinks the son John also had a middle name Lewis).
So, this must have come from somewhere because she said it was so, right? Unfortunately that line of reasoning does not hold any weight. It would be the same as saying someone never made a mistake.
So, I reviewed bible records, census records, tax records, deeds, and tombstones, and none of them make any reference to a John L, or John Lewis Friend. Without some reason I can only conclude it must be a mistake.
Neither the middle name or even an initial holds up to even a second glance. I guess the first thing you could look at are his siblings and none had middle initials or names. Then we look at his children and again you will note that none of them have middle initials or name (except, according to Evelyn who again thinks the son John also had a middle name Lewis).
So, this must have come from somewhere because she said it was so, right? Unfortunately that line of reasoning does not hold any weight. It would be the same as saying someone never made a mistake.
So, I reviewed bible records, census records, tax records, deeds, and tombstones, and none of them make any reference to a John L, or John Lewis Friend. Without some reason I can only conclude it must be a mistake.