William Lewis from Bath County, NC (present-day Bertie County) arrived in New Hanover County (present-day Town Creek area of Brunswick County) in the late 1720s with his sons William Jr. and Solomon. This William Lewis died in Brunswick County in 1731. His two sons remained in this area until the mid-1730s and left for Horry County, SC and Marion County, SC.

Another William Lewis, Jr. was the first known Lewis to "permanently" settle in New Hanover County, North Carolina, arriving in 1736 in the Black River area that is now Pender County. William Lewis, Jr. was born in Northern Ireland around 1690 and he died in North Carolina (New Hanover County) in 1755.

Over the years, other Lewis Families settled in New Hanover County, most to stay. Some came and went.