Lewis, Francis

LEWIS, FRANCIS. (1713–1802). Signer. Wales and New York. Born 21 March 1713 in Llandaff, Wales, Francis Lewis was orphaned while very young and raised by relatives. Among those responsible for his upbringing was an uncle who was the dean of St. Paul's in London. Lewis attended Westminster School before going into business in London. In 1738 he came to America and established mercantile houses in New York and Philadelphia. He made several trading voyages to Russia, Europe, and Africa, was twice shipwrecked. Nonetheless, he saw his affairs prosper. In 1756, when he was voluntarily serving as aide-de-camp and clothing contractor for Colonel James Mercer's troops at Oswego, he was captured by Indians and sent to Montreal and then to France. He was then included in a prisoner exchange, and received a land grant from the British Crown as compensation for his services.

In 1765, a rich man, he retired to Long Island, New York. In 1771, he returned briefly to London to establish his son in business, then went back to Long Island to devote himself to public affairs. He became increasingly involved with Revolutionary activities, and in 1774 was sent to the Provincial Congress. In the Continental Congress that ran from May 1775 to November 1779, he signed the Declaration of Independence. In the fall of 1776, the British destroyed his Long Island house and imprisoned his wife. She was finally exchanged in return for two female Loyalist prisoners, on the personal order of General George Washington, but her health was ruined by her ordeal. She died in 1779. In Congress, Lewis was active on the Marine, Commercial, and Secret committees. From 1779 to 1781 he was one of the Board of Admiralty's commissioners. He died on 31 December 1802 in New York City.

SEE ALSO Continental Congress.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Delafield, Julia, Biography of Francis Lewis and Morgan Lewis. 2 vols. New York: Anson, Randolph & Co., 1877.

                              revised by Michael Bellesiles