- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Joseph Hewes
Joseph Hewes was born in Kingston, New Jersey, in 1730. He was educated at Princeton, entered mercantile life, and eventually settled in Edenton, North Carolina, where he became a leading businessman and public figure.
He was elected to the Colonial Assembly and became a strong advocate for American independence. In 1774 he was chosen as a delegate to the Continental Congress, and in 1776 he was present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, to which he affixed his signature.
Hewes was deeply involved in naval affairs and helped lay the foundation for the American Navy. His business acumen and patriotic zeal made him a valuable contributor to the revolutionary cause.
He died November 10, 1779, in Philadelphia, in the fiftieth year of his age, worn down by public service and personal sacrifice.
Source:
Lossing, Benson J. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1855. Patriot Echoes Archive
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