Martha (Spradling) Lewis (circa 1827-1868) was the daughter of successful barber and businessman, Washington Spradling and Lucy Ann Jackson. It is possible that Martha was the twin sister of William Spradling. Their birth dates and ages changed several times over the years, so it’s difficult to be sure. Martha and William were the oldest of five total siblings and one half brother. On September 20, 1842, Martha married James Lewis in Louisville, KY. James worked as a barber just like Martha’s father. Martha worked as a “washerwoman” or laundress. Together the couple had four children: Washington, Cassius, George, and Ida. By the age of 17, their son Washington was a “riverman.” The family frequently lived with Maria Slaughter, James’s mother, as well as other boarders. On November 30, 1868, Martha died of a heart valve disorder at the age of 43. She is buried in the Spradling family plot at Eastern Cemetery. After her death, her children continued to live with Martha’s mother-in-law, Maria.
