Background
Lewis was born in 1784 in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. He was the son of John Lewis of Loudoun County, Virginia whose wife was a Berkeley.
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William Berkeley Lewis
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During Jackson's Natchez campaign of 1812 and his Creek campaign of the next year, Lewis served as his quartermaster, and his efficient work during these trying times secured his place in the affections of the General. After the battle of New Orleans, Lewis was one of a small coterie of friends who recognized Jackson's availability for the presidency. The correspondence of 1816-1817 between Andrew Jackson and Monroe, which later served a valuable political purpose, may not have been intended for such use, but it was Lewis who manipulated it and it was he who later capitalized it, thus showing himself doubtless a man of keen foresight and consummate tact.
When the time arrived, in 1821, for Jackson's presidential campaign to assume definite shape, it was Lewis, along with a few other Nashville friends, who busied himself in putting the cause before the people. The Monroe correspondence was now used to bring Stokes to Jackson's support. In such ways did the subtle Lewis work. When, during the campaign of 1828, charges were made concerning the legality of Jackson's marriage, Lewis was assigned the congenial task of investigating and reporting on the matter. His version was that adopted by Jackson's biographer, Parton, and by posterity. Upon Jackson's elevation to the presidency, Lewis became second auditor of the treasury, a resident of the White House, and a member of the "Kitchen Cabinet. " On many other occasions he acted as the personal agent of the President. He had early allied himself with the Van Buren forces and worked consistently to promote the cause of the New Yorker.
After Jackson's retirement, Lewis retained his post as auditor. Van Buren, however, showed little gratitude for the faithful services rendered in his behalf, and Lewis had no influence with the new administration. In 1845 he retired to his home near Nashville in time to attend at the bedside of the dying Jackson. For the remainder of his days he lived in comparative seclusion, emerging, however, to furnish Parton with information which put numerous incidents concerning Jackson in the most favorable light. He died shortly after its close, and lies in an unmarked grave in Mount Olivet cemetery at Nashville.
Achievements
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Lewis was known as a friend and advisor to Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. He played a crucial role in electioneering for Jackson during his campaigns for the presidency in 1824 and 1828. He also took a leading part in trying to conciliate the warring factions during the Eaton controversy.
Politics
Lewis disagreed with Andrew Jackson on the spoils system and the bank question but he never put himself in opposition to the President. During the Civil War his sympathies were with the Union.
Connections
Lewis married Margaret, the young daughter of William Terrell Lewis, a prominent planter and land speculator of the neighborhood. This marriage made him a brother-in-law of John H. Eaton. She died after a year of marriage. Lewis later married Mrs. Adelaide Stokes Chambers, daughter of Gov. Montfort Stokes of North Carolina.
