By Terence

William “Uncle Bill” Lewis born in 1810. He died in 1896

Main Idea

William Lewis was an important blacksmith for the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is celebrated for his constant efforts (from 27 to white beard age) to earn enough money to buy his whole family freedom. He also made the bell of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was a vital (and loud) signal to go to a town meeting.

Background and Childhood

William grew up during a time of slavery. Slaves were the property of slave owners and they lived in terrible conditions with no rights. (If you want to know about freeing slaves, then go look at Harriet Tubman.)

William was born a slave and the member of his family were slaves. William had three siblings. William did blacksmith work as soon as he could walk and he was very good at it. When William was little, his mom (Jenny) slumped down onto a crummy stool after an exhausting day of work in fields belonging to Colonel Lewis. He had a dream to free his family using money he earned fixing things. William later married a woman named Jane and had a son named Eldridge.

Fact #1: William had to pay his owner $350 to rent himself out, so that he could work and save money.

Fact #2: In Chattanooga, William had to buy a place to turn into a blacksmith shop and he barely had enough money to do it.

Fact 3: William was invited to the marriage of black teacher Booker T. Washington.

Character Traits

#1: William worked his whole life to buy freedom for his whole family so he must be caring.

#2: When all other shops closed, William kept working. To work his whole life for the freedom of his family, William must be determined.

#3: William was a father so he must be friendly and proud.

If I could ask William Lewis one question I would ask him: What did it feel like to have your whole free family around you?

William was known for being a good community member and amazing blacksmith, on top of that with his unbeatable determination to ̈buy his

family's freedom.