Overview
Francis Lewis, born in Wales in 1713, rose from an orphaned childhood to become a successful merchant in London and then in Colonial America after 1738. He expanded trade through voyages to Russia, Europe, and Africa and survived multiple shipwrecks. During the French and Indian War, he volunteered at Oswego in 1756, was captured, sent to Montreal, and then to France, and later secured his release through an exchange and received a British land grant. He joined the Patriot Cause, served in the Second Continental Congress from May 1775 to November 1779, and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Personal Facts
- Born: March 21, 1713, in Llandaff, Wales.
- Parents: Morgan Lewis (father), Anne Pettingale (mother).
- Spouse: Elizabeth Annesley (1745).
- Died: December 31, 1802, in New York City, New York. He was 89.
- Buried: Trinity Churchyard, New York City, New York.
- Part of: Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Significance
Francis Lewis is important to American History for his role in the Patriot Cause in New York and his involvement in the American Revolution. As a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Lewis is one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Francis Lewis was born on March 21, 1713, in Wales and was the only child of the Reverend Francis Lewis and Anne Pettingale. After losing his parents at a young age, he grew up under the care of his mother’s relatives and studied in Wales, at Westminster School, and in a business house in London.
- One of Lewis’s guardians was his uncle, the dean of St. Paul’s in London.
- He entered the business world in London after completing his education.
In 1738, he immigrated to New York and embarked on a busy and successful career in trade. He ran businesses in New York and Philadelphia, spent two years in England, and made trading voyages between America and northern Europe, surviving two shipwrecks.
He married Elizabeth Annesley on June 15, 1745.
In 1756, during the French and Indian War (1754–1763), he was at Fort Oswego when he was captured by Native American Indians while helping the English commander, Colonel James Mercer, and working as a clothing contractor and aide-de-camp. After being sent to France for an exchange, he received a land grant from the Crown for his service.
By 1765, he had earned a large fortune and settled in Whitestone, Long Island, but returned to New York in 1771 to help his son Francis start a business, even traveling with him to England to build trade connections. After coming back to New York, he devoted himself fully to public affairs.
Patriot Cause
Lewis played an active role in New York’s political unrest after January 1774, and sometimes stood out for his involvement. In 1774, he served as a delegate to the Provincial Convention and sat on both the Committee of Fifty-One and the Committee of Sixty.
In July 1774, he and 10 others resigned from the Committee of Fifty-One to protest what they saw as unnecessary caution in resisting laws passed by Parliament.
AHC Notes
- Committee of Fifty-One — A Committee of Correspondence formed by New York merchants in response to the enforcement of the Boston Port Act, which closed the Port of Boston. The first meeting was held on May 16, 1774, at Frances Tavern and was chaired by Isaac Low. On July 4, the Committee appointed five delegates to represent New York City and the County of York at the First Continental Congress.
- Committee of Sixty — A Committee of Inspection established to enforce the rules and regulations of the Continental Association in and around New York City. In March 1775, the Committee called for a Provincial Congress, which was followed by a call to elect delegates to the Second Continental Congress. After news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived on April 23, Isaac Low called for the dismissal of the Committee of Sixty and a new Committee of One Hundred, which was meant to function as the Provincial Congress until elections could be held. On April 29, a meeting was held where the inhabitants of New York City agreed to form an association and abide by the edicts of the Continental Congress, the Committee of Sixty, and the forthcoming New York Provincial Congress.
During the tense events of 1775 and 1776, he worked in the Second Continental Congress and helped shape New York’s new state government. As he became more closely tied to national issues, he served as a delegate to Congress from May 1775 to November 1779 and then served on the Board of Admiralty until July 1781.
Although he did not speak in debates, he worked tirelessly on committees. His long experience, organized nature, and practical judgment made him a valuable member of the Marine Committee, Secret Committee, and Commercial Committee, as well as the Admiralty Board. He often handled tasks related to supplying the army and strongly supported General George Washington during the efforts to undermine his leadership, including the so-called “Conway Cabal.”
AHC Notes
- Conway Cabal — A political and military conspiracy that took place during the Winter of 1777–1778 that sought to replace George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army with Horatio Gates. Led by Thomas Conway and supported by critics in Congress and the military, the plot collapsed after Washington exposed Conway’s criticisms, and Gates’ reputation declined. The failed intrigue ultimately strengthened Washington’s leadership and unified support for him for the remainder of the war.
Declaration of Independence
Lewis and the rest of the New York delegation were instructed not to vote on independence on July 4, 1776. However, he later signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2.
Later Years
A little more than a month later, British forces destroyed his home in Whitestone and captured his wife. The harsh treatment she suffered before her exchange for two Loyalist women damaged her health and led to her death in 1779.
The American Revolution cost Lewis his home and much of his wealth, since he spent heavily to support the American war effort. He spent his final years living with his sons’ families until he died at the age of 89.
Accomplishments and Milestones
- 1713, March 21 — Francis Lewis was born in Llandaff, Wales.
- 1738 — Lewis moved to America and established trading businesses in New York and Philadelphia.
- 1756 — He volunteered at Oswego with Colonel James Mercer’s troops and was captured and sent to Montreal and then to France.
- 1756 — A prisoner exchange freed him, and the British Crown granted him land as compensation.
- 1765 — Lewis retired to Long Island, New York, after he gained substantial wealth.
- 1771 — He returned to London briefly to establish his son in business and then returned to Long Island.
- 1774 — Wilson served as a delegate to the Provincial Congress.
- 1775, May — He started service in the Continental Congress.
- Fall 1776 — British forces destroyed his Long Island house and imprisoned his wife, who was later exchanged by order of General George Washington.
- 1779 — His wife died after her health declined, and his Continental Congress service ended in November 1779.
- 1779–1781 — Lewis served as a commissioner on the Board of Admiralty.
- 1802, December 31 — Lewis died in New York City.
AP US History
Definition
Francis Lewis (1713–1802) — Lewis was a New York merchant and Patriot leader who became a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Initially prohibited by New York from voting for independence on July 4, 1776, he later signed the document on August 2. The British destroyed his home and captured his wife, whose harsh captivity led to her death in 1779. Lewis sacrificed his property and much of his wealth for the American Cause and spent his final years living with his sons’ families.
Alignment
Francis Lewis is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
