Plateau in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Cudjoe “Kazoola” Lewis
c. 1840-1935
Last known survivor of the last known slave ship to enter the United States
Circa 1859, Cudjoe Lewis, a native of the Yoruba tribe in what is now the West African country of Benin, was one of over a hundred African men and women purchased and brought across the Atlantic to Mobile, Alabama, aboard the slave ship Clotilde.
After a period of de facto slavery, Mr. Lewis and other members of the Clotilde group became free and organized a community in Plateau, part of today’s Africatown Historic District. They formed a self-governing society and established the Old Baptist Church; which is now known as The Union Baptist Church of Plateau.
Mr. Lewis married Celia “Abile” Lewis, another Clotilde survivor, with whom he had several children. He was known for working diligently to keep and share the group’s epic history.
Upon his death, he was laid to rest in the nearby Old Plateau Cemetery, where a commemorative marker may be found.
This memorial, honoring Mr. Lewis and the survivors of the Clotilde, was made possible through the efforts of The Union Baptist Church and the generosity of donors spanning race and creed.
May the example set by Cudjoe Lewis and the Clotilde group inspire all citizens of humanity to choose perseverance and hope in the face of tremendous adversity.
Erected 2017 by the Union Baptist Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. 30° 43.923′ N, 88° 3.6′ W. Marker is in Plateau, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is at the intersection of Bay Bridge Road (Alternate U.S. 90) and Bay Bridge Cutoff Road, on the right when traveling west on Bay Bridge Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 Bay Bridge Road, Mobile AL 36610, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Union Baptist Church / Founders of Union Baptist Church (here, next to this marker); Old Plateau Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Africatown (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oaklawn Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Catholic Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Gen. William C. Gorgas (approx. 1.9 miles away); Vernon Z. Crawford Law Firm (approx. 2.2 miles away); Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd / Founding Members (approx. 2.2 miles away).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker mentioned in text.
Also see . . .
1. Cudjoe Lewis bust unveiling in Plateau. (Submitted on December 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia article on the ship Clotilde. (Submitted on December 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on January 3, 2018, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.