Lewis, Elizabeth Ann 001

Elizabeth Ann Lewis.rnIt was in the Rechabites Hall that Elizabeth Ann Lewis opened the first blue Ribbon Mission in 1882.rnThe daughter of George Lewis, a methodist preacher, she was born in Little Drayton, Shropshire on March 10th 1848. In 1867 she married her cousin, Thomas Lewis and with him came to Wigan, where he was engaged in coachbuilding. The following year he removed his business to Blackburn.rnMr Lewis erected a large room over his carriage works in St.Peter-Street. This was named Lees Hall, after Dr F.R.Lees, the schoolmaster of the movement.rnFor some time before her death, Mrs Lewis was afflicted wirth a species of palsy, in spite of which she perservered in her good work. She died on March 14th, 1924, and it is said that most of the public houses on the route to the cemetery closed their doors as a token of respect when the funeral procession passed by.rn(For more Infomation on Mrs Lewis, Please visit Blackburn Library, Community History Department)rnrn