James Conway Lewis (1889-1962) was born near Preddie's Creek, in northern Albemarle County, and served in uniform, during World War I.

Like many young African Americans from Central Virginia, he left the area in search of greater opportunities.

When he registered for the draft, in 1917, he was working as a quarryman at Casparis Stone Company, in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

In 1935, he married Daisy Terrell (1896-1966) in Washington, D.C. By 1940, the couple had settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where James found work in a steel mill, a job he held until he retired.

James and Daisy are both buried in the Baltimore National Cemetery.