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Residence: 1620 Glade Road, Columbus, Georgia Interviewed: July 28, 1936
"Uncle Bill", husband of "Aunt" Bettie Lewis, was born a slave, July 30, 1854, on the Dr. Alex Robertson plantation, in Muscogee County, Georgia, about seven miles south of Columbus. Mis mother belonged to Dr. Robertsen and his father to a planter named Lewis; hence, he took his father's family name rather than that of his owner.
"Aunt" Bettie was born near Bull Creek in Chattahoochie County, on May 25, 1855. Her owner was Mr. Owen T. Thomas. Her father was also a Lewis Negro, though no kin to her husband; therefore, she was Lewis before she married.
"Uncle Bill" and "Aunt" Bettie are a very intelligent old couple - who, by their thrift and hard work, have managed to acquire a home to enjoy in their old age.
Both were quite young when the Civil War broke out, yet they remember when Columbus was attacked, captured, and subsequently burned by the Northern soldiers under General Wilson. Beth had been brought "to town" by their white folks and were on their way back home that day when the first cannon fire from the Alabama side of the Chattahoochie was loosed on Columbus. The bombardment frightened them nearly to death!
They have the very pleasantest memories of, and the kindest words for, their "old time" white folks.
Joe McCormick ([by E. Watson])
