History of Kingston, (Somerset County) New Jersey United States of America

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Joseph Hewes, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Kingston, N.J., in 1730; son of Adam and Providence Hewes. His parents were among the persecuted Quakers of New England who were compelled to leave Connecticut on account of their religious tenets. When crossing the Housatonic river they were so closely pursued by Indians that Mrs. Hewes was severely wounded by a shot. They settled at Kingston, N.J., near Princeton, where Joseph was well educated. He was apprenticed to a merchant in Philadelphia, and later was furnished by his father with capital to enter the shipping and mercantile business on his own account. He removed to Edenton, N.C., in 1760, where he engaged in business and soon became prominent in local politics. He was elected a state senator in 1763 and re-elected several consecutive terms, and in 1774 was a delegate from North Carolina to the 1st Continental congress, where he was a member of the committee that prepared the report on "the statement of the rights of the colonists in general, the several instances in which their rights are violated and infringed, and the means most proper to be pursued for obtaining their restoration." In 1775 he left the Society of Friends because of its action in condemning the proceedings of the Continental congress. He was active in promoting the non-importation agreement, although his own business was virtually ruined by the compact. In 1776 he was a member of the secret committee, of the committee on claims and chairman of the naval committee. The last named position made him practically the first secretary of the navy, and as such he fitted out eight armed vessels with remarkable economy and despatch, and planned with General Washington the operation of the campaign of 1776-77. He was very active in raising supplies in his state. He at first opposed, but finally voted for, the immediate adoption of the Declaration of Independence, in accordance with the resolution of the North Carolina convention of April, 1776, which was the earliest colonial movement toward a declaration to throw off the British yoke. In 1777, when the enemy threatened his own state, he vacated his seat in congress and gave his services to North Carolina until 1779, when he again entered congress. He attended the sessions until Oct. 29, 1779, when he left the hall for the last time. He was the only signer of the Declaration who died at the seat of government while attending to public duty. His funeral was attended by General Washington and a large delegation from congress, and was conducted with civil and military ceremonies. He left no children. His death occurred in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 10, 1779.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Kingston, (Somerset County) New Jersey

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