A History of Kentucky Baptists, From 1769 to 1885, by J. H. Spencer, 1886,
Rprinted by Church History and Archives, 1976, Lafayette, TN. Washington
County.

RICHARD PARKS LEWIS was born in Washington Co., Ky. Jan 28, 1825.  He was
of a numerous and influential Baptist family.  His ancestors were among
the earliest settlers in Washington county, and were active in improving
and defending the State, in an early day, and no less active and
influential in the cause of Christ.
     The childhood of Richard P. Lewis was characterized by a mild,
retiring disposition.  He was fond of books, and made fair progress in
learning; but he was more fond of the beauties of nature. He had the
appreciative eye of an artist; and the gentle, pensive spirit of a poet. 
He had little taste for company, or boyhood sports, and was much more
pleased in silent communion with the wild, romantic scenery around his
boyhood home, than with the conventionalities of society.  He was
naturally of a devotional temperament, and, in the 15th year of his age,
professed religion, and was baptized into the fellowship of Mill Creek
church, in Nelson county, by F. F. Seig.  He was licensed to preach,
August 20, 1842.  His piety was constant and earnest, but he was so timid
that he would probably never have undertaken to preach, but for the
earnest persuasion of that eminently devoted man of God, A. W. LaRue. 
After he was licensed, he commenced exercising his gift publicly, and soon
gave excellent promise of usefulness.  This induced his father to send him
to Georgetown College, which institution he entered, in September, 1842. 
"During his course at Georgetown," says Mr. LaRue, "the burden of his
thoughts and correspondence was the glory of God and the salvation of
sinners."  He was a great favorite at college, and his mind rapidly
developed, dispelling his embarrassing timidity, and bringing out his
latent energies, and the strong poetical fires of his genius.  He
graduated, in June, 1846, and returning to the home of his parents,
entered into the great work that now appeared to absorb his whole being. 
He was active, both in preaching, and in promoting the intrest [sic] of
Sabbath schools.  "He intended to finish his studies, at Princeton, N. J.,
but God had designed him for another sphere." On the 27th of October,
1847, he was ordained to the ministry, by D. S. Colgan, Wm. R. Combs, and
V. E. Kirtley, and immediately took charge of the church at Columbia, in
Adair county, and Mt. Gilead, in Green.  He soon won the hearts of his
people, and the work of the Lord prospered in his hands.  But the
brilliant career of this young disciple soon closed.  On the 31st of
August, 1849, he bade adieu to the scenes of toil and sorrow, and went to
join the throng arrayed in white.
          Softly and sweetly sleeps the youthful form;
          Whose spirit chants eternal praise at home: 

Lewis Seig LaRue Colgan Combs Kirtley
=
Nelson-KY NJ Columbia-Adair-KY Green-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/washington/lewis.rp.txt