The 1851 Canadian Census shows that Lewis was living in Blissfield, New Brunswick with Lydia (19), and their two children, Alfred (2) and Elvira(1). Lewis is listed as being an farmer and a shoemaker. Their next child, Alma Hannah Green, was born on October 24th, 1854 in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Alfretta Lola Green, their next daughter, was born on June 9th, 1857 in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Their second son, David W. Green was born on February 27th, 1861 in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

The 1861 Canadian Census that Lewis (48) was living with his wife, Lydia (30), and children Alfred(12), Elvira(10), Margaret (8), Alma (6), Alfretta(4) and David (1) in Blissfield, New Brunswick. He is listed as being a native of New Brunswick, a Baptist, and a farmer. On December 28th, 1862 he abandoned his pregnant wife and children for parts unknown. Based on the divorce records, the family had already moved to Ludlow, ME. This gets complicated, as last child, Mary Agnes Green was born on April 22nd, 1863 in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Their daughter Margaret died at age 11 in 1863 in Houlton, ME and is buried in Ludlow, ME. Lydia files for Divorce on December 10th, 1868, six years after Lewis abandoned her. According to the documents, Lewis had been mentally abusive to Lydia and had threatened to kill her on various occasions. He did not show up for the hearing, so there is no documentation of his rebuttal.

To the Hon Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court now sitting at Bangor within and for the County of Penobscot, October Term, 1868.

Lydia Green of Ludlow in the County of Aroostook respectfully libels and gives the court to be informed that on the 10th day of April, 1848, at Miramachi in the Province of New Brunswick, she was lawfully married to one Lewis L. Green by the Rev. James Tozier, that she lived and cohabitation with her said husband in this State and has alway behaved herself as a faithful and chaste wife: that she has had by him six children, viz: Alfred, aged 22, Elvira, aged 18, Alma, aged 14, Alfraetta, aged 11, David, aged 9, and Agnes, aged 6. And your libelant shows to your Honors that the said Lewis L Green, regardless of his duty, after their said marriage became drunken and dissolute in his habits. Neglecting to provide for your libelant and the family. Treated her with great unkindness and cruelty, frequently made threats to kill her, and finally on the 28th day of December 1862, without cause wholly deserted your libelant, and has never returned to her or furnished her any support.

Wherefore your libelant prays that the bonds of matrimony between her and her said husband may be dissolved and that the care and custody of the five minor children, because of unfitness and character of their father, may be decreed to her.

And the said Lewis L. Green, residing out of this Stare, and in parts unknown to your libelant, she prays the court here to order such notice of the tendency of this libel to be given him, as the court shall adjudge proper returnable at the February term of said court in Aroostook County, 1869.

December 10th, 1868

Lydia Green Her X Mark

Attest. C. M Herrin

It is not surprising that he didn't show for the hearing, as the notice was posted in the Houlton Pioneer and he wasn't in the area. The divorce was finalized in February 1869. She received custody of Elvira, Alma, Alfretta, David, and Mary Agnes.

This libel was entered at the present term of this court when it was proved that the following notice was daily given and published in said Aroostook Pioneer, together with said libel in December, 1868 and January, 1869. To wit: State of Maine Penobscot, ss. Sup. Jud. Court, October Term 1868. On the Foregoing libel, the Court orders that the said libelant give notice to the said Lewis L. Green of the tendency thereof by causing an attested copy of said libel and this order thereon, to be published three successive weeks in the Aroostook Pioneer a newspaper printed at Houlton in the county of Aroostook, the last publication thereof to be at least thirty days before the last Tuesday of February, 1869. That he may then appear before the Justices of said Court to beholden at Houlton within and for our county of Aroostook on the last Tuesday in February, 1869. And show cause if any he has why the prayer of said libel should not be granted.

Witness, John Appleton, Esq. at Bangor, this 12th day of October 1868

E.L. Brett, Clerk Aline copy of libel and order of Curt thereon; Attest

E.L. Brett, Clerk. And the Defendant though solemnly called to come into court did not appear but made default. And now it appearing to the court that notice had been given as ordered, on the 6th day of the term after mature deliberation it is considered by the court, that the prayer of said Libelant be granted and it is hereby ordered and decreed that the bonds of matrimony here before existing between the said Lydia Green and Lewis L. Green be, and the same are hereby dissolved, and the custody of the five minor children be decreed to the libelant as prayed for.

To add to the confusion, the 1870 U.S. Census shows Lewis living in Muskegon, MI and working as a Saloon Keeper. He has $800 dollars in personal property that would have been about $16,200 today. His two daughters, Elvira (20) and Alma (16) are living with him. Given what was said in the divorce papers, why did the older daughter move out with him. They soon moved out, as Elvira was married in 1871 in Maine and Alma was married in 1877 in Boston, MA.

In December of 1878, Lewis appears to have sued his son Alfred for $4,000. I am having a hard time understanding the documents to this may be tied Alfred borrowing money off of Lewis for the purchase of a house. Here is a transcription of the case.

Know all men by these presents that I Alfred A. Green of the city of Muskegon Michigan are held and firmly bound unto Lewis L. Green of the same place in the sum of Four Thous. and Dollars ($4000.00) lawful money of the United States of America to be paid to the said Lewis L. Green or to his certain attorney heirs executors administrators or assigns to which payment will and truely to be made. I bind myself my heirs executors and administrators and each and every of them firmly by these presents and forride for the said Lewis L. Green through this obligation is to be paid otherwise to remain in full force.

Albert A. Green

The 1880 Census has Lewis (69) living with Alfred (31), Alfred's wife Nancy(25) and their two children, Nellie(4) and Clara (1) at 363 Terrace St. Lewis has no occupation, but Alfred is a Steam Boat Engineer. Lewis died at some time after the 1880 census. I have not been able to find a record of his death or burial. His son, Alfred, is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, so it Lewis may be buried there as well.