Finding their roots
Cudjo Lewis (far left)
and descendants
Altevese Lumbers-
Rosario (in dress) and
Ralphema Lumbers
He was 19 years
old when he arrived
in chains aboard
Clotilda. But Kossola,
who took the name
Cudjo Lewis, never
forgot his homeland.
Once free, he and his
shipmates built their
own town and contin-
ued many of their
African traditions.
After the remains of
the ship were found,
his descendant Alte-
vese Lumbers-Rosario
said, “It’s very emo-
tional, very exciting for
us.” Her first cousin
Ralphema Lumbers
wears a T-shirt with a
photo of Lewis taken
about 1927....and of their descendants.