Signatory of the US Declaration of Independence; merchant and Founding Father
Francis Lewis was born on the 21st of March, 1713, in Llandaff, Wales, the son of a clergyman. Orphaned at around the age of five, he was raised by an aunt who ensured he received a good education at Westminster School in London and later in Scotland. At twenty-one he inherited property from his father and sailed for New York, arriving around 1734-35, where he built a career as a merchant.
Lewis became a prominent New York merchant and was taken prisoner by the French in 1756 while serving as a mercantile agent during the French and Indian War. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and, as a representative of New York, signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also signed the Articles of Confederation in 1778. His Long Island properties were destroyed by British forces during the Revolutionary War. Francis died on the 31st of December, 1802, in New York, aged 89.
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Welsh-born merchant who signed the American Declaration of Independence.
Francis Lewis
Signatory of the US Declaration of Independence; merchant and Founding Father
Lewis was born in Llandaff, Wales, before emigrating to New York as a young man
Though remembered chiefly for his role in American independence, Lewis never lost his mercantile instincts, and used his trading connections to help supply the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, at great personal financial cost.
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Career Highlights
Born: 21 March 1713, Llandaff, Wales
Known for: Signing the Declaration of Independence, 1776
Died: 31 December 1802, New York
ℹ️ Francis Lewis was born on the 21st of March, 1713, in Llandaff, Wales.
ℹ️ Francis died on the 31st of December, 1802.
Lewis was born in Llandaff, Wales, before emigrating to New York as a young man