William Lewis traveled with his wife and children. They emigrated from England by way of the ship General McClellan. They then continued their westward journey as part of the 1864 Rawlins Company.

William, Jennet, and Jane secured loans from the Perpetual Emigrating Fund to pay for the family’s journey. William and Jane are listed together in the PEF ledger entry. Jane's promissory note indicates that her father co-signed on her loan, this is why they are listed together in the ledger.