William "Uncle Bill" Lewis
Born a slave in Winchester, Tennessee, William Lewis came to Chattanooga in 1837, when it was Ross' Landing. After building a thriving blacksmith business, Lewis purchased his and his wife's freedom. In 1851, he purchased the freedom of his mother, brother, and sister. In his blacksmith shop, leg irons were forged and fitted for Andrews' Raiders, Union spies during the Civil War.
Marker is on Market Street near 7th Street, on the left when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
