John Henry Lewis married Rosanna (aka Rose, Rosa) Williams on December 17, 1891 in Caroline County, VA. Rosanna Williams was the daughter of Zack and Lucy A Williams of Caroline County, VA. The Lewis family lived in the Madison Township of Caroline County, VA for almost 30 years.
Despite being born a slave, John Henry learned to read and write . He signed his documents in very legible handwriting instead of making a mark (‘x’) that was common to people who could not write. He also owned property. On August 6, 1894, he and his step-father, Dingo Rollins, purchased eight acres of land near Balty in Caroline County, VA.
John Henry worked very hard to support his family. He frequently traveled to Washington, DC where he worked as a laborer and Waltonville, PA where he worked as a laborer in the rock quarry. He also worked for the railroad and was a farmer.
During the 1920’s John Henry Lewis and his family moved from Caroline County, VA to the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC. John Henry worked as a laborer in the public service industry (probably the transit company).
John Henry Lewis died at 2:45 PM on Sunday, May 30, 1943 in his residence . His funeral was held at Gethsemane Baptist Church, in Washington DC on Wednesday, June 2nd and he was buried in the St. John Baptist Church Cemetery in Caroline County, VA . His wife, Rosanna, died on September 19, 1951 and was buried next to him.
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