Hello Margaret,

You stated that William Lewis's father was Ambrose LEWIS. There are two FPOC named Ambrose LEWIS listed in the 1820 and 1830 Censuses in Petersburg, Virginia. However, neither seems old enough to be a veteran. The first Ambrose was between 14 and 26 years of age in 1820. Along with him are two males and two females, less than 14 years old ; one female between 14 and 26; and three females between 26 and 45 years old. The other Ambrose in 1820 was listed as living alone and age 14 or less.

If you wish to peruse these records and the ones for 1830 further, you can find them on Roll M33_139 (1820), pages 98 and 115 and Roll 196 (1830), pages 361 and 369.

I could not find a William Lewis of the right age and race through 1860.

Regards,
Sandra