William (Uncle Bill) Lewis
1810-1896
William Lewis was born in Winchester, Tennessee, in 1810 as a slave. When he was old enough, Lewis was taught the blacksmith trade. By working at odd times, he was able to save enough money to purchase the freedom of his wife so his children would be born free.
William Lewis came to Chattanooga in 1837 when it was still called Ross' Landing. He continued to work and soon paid for his own freedom. In 1851 Lewis purchased the freedom of his mother, brother and sister. He operated a blacksmith shop at this location and became very prosperous during the civil war. His men forged the shackles for Andrews' Raiders after the famous locomotive chase from Big Shanty, Georgia, to Chattanooga, and his son, George, fitted them on each prisoner.
Marker is at the intersection of West 7th Street and Market Street (Tennessee Route 8), on the right when traveling west on West 7th Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
