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Joseph Hewes: The Quaker Merchant and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Joseph Hewes: The Quaker Merchant and Signer of the Declaration of Independence Joseph Hewes was a pivotal figure in the American struggle for sovereignty, serving as a delegate from Nort...

Joseph Hewes: The Quaker Merchant and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Joseph Hewes was a pivotal figure in the American struggle for sovereignty, serving as a delegate from North Carolina and a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. Born into a Quaker family, Hewes transitioned from a successful career in international trade to the highest levels of political leadership during the birth of the United States.

Born on July 9, 1730, in Princeton, New Jersey, Hewes was raised in the Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers. While some early biographies incorrectly suggested his parents were from Connecticut, records confirm his New Jersey roots. He likely attended the grammar school of the Stonybrook Quaker Meeting, though records of his attendance at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) remain unconfirmed.

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Mercantile Career and Early Public Service

Around 1749 or 1750, Hewes moved to Philadelphia to apprentice under Joseph Ogden, a merchant and first cousin of his relative Jimima Hewes. During this apprenticeship, Hewes gained extensive experience in international commerce, serving as a supercargo—an agent responsible for managing the commercial concerns of a ship's cargo. His travels took him to major port cities including Boston, New York, Charleston, Edenton, and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

Hewes eventually settled in North Carolina, where his business acumen led to public appointments. In 1757, he was appointed justice of the peace for Edenton, and by 1760, he was elected to the North Carolina Assembly. He served in the Assembly until 1775, focusing heavily on finance and treasury committees.

The Path to Independence: The Continental Congresses

The First Continental Congress (1774)

In response to the Coercive Acts (known in the colonies as the Intolerable Acts), which closed Boston harbor and restricted town meetings, the colonies sought a unified response. Hewes was selected as one of the delegates to represent North Carolina at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

During this session, Hewes and the North Carolina delegation supported the Suffolk Resolves, which called for the termination of trade with Great Britain, and the Continental Association, which established a boycott of British imports and exports.

The Second Continental Congress (1775–1776)

Hewes was reappointed to the Second Continental Congress in 1775. Initially, his instructions were to seek a redress of grievances rather than full independence. However, as tensions escalated and King George III declared the colonists rebels, Hewes's role shifted toward the practicalities of war.

Hewes was appointed to the Naval Board and the Marine Committee, where he helped draft the regulations for the nascent American Navy. He managed the board's accounts and correspondence, and he was instrumental in securing the commission for the famous naval commander John Paul Jones.

By the summer of 1776, the momentum for total separation became undeniable. On August 2, 1776, Joseph Hewes appended his signature to the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence, formally severing political ties with Great Britain.

Naval Contributions and Private Enterprise

Beyond his political duties, Hewes directly supported the war effort through his business assets. On February 14, 1776, he leased one of his firm's brigantines to the Secret Marine Committee of the Continental Congress for 400 Spanish dollars per month. The vessel was used to transport tobacco and other produce to Europe, while also carrying arms and ammunition for the American cause.

Later Political Struggles and Final Years

Hewes's political career faced a setback in 1777 when John Penn challenged his eligibility for the Continental Congress, arguing that Hewes's service on the Marine Committee violated the North Carolina Constitution's prohibition against holding two offices. This dispute led to Hewes being replaced as a delegate.

He returned to the North Carolina Assembly in 1779 and was subsequently reelected to the Continental Congress on February 4, 1779. However, his final term was marred by failing health. He wrote to Richard Caswell in August 1779, describing a persistent headache and stupor that rendered him unfit for the urgent business of the Congress.

Joseph Hewes died on November 10, 1779, at the age of 49. He is buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Key Facts

  • Role: Signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Continental Association.
  • Profession: Merchant and supercargo with extensive experience in Atlantic trade.
  • Naval Impact: Helped establish the American Navy and secured John Paul Jones's commission.
  • Political Service: Served in the North Carolina Assembly and as a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses.
  • Faith: Raised in the Society of Friends (Quakers).
Category Details
Born July 9, 1730 (Princeton, NJ)
Died November 10, 1779 (Aged 49)
Primary Residence Edenton, North Carolina
Key Contribution Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Naval Role Member of the Naval Board and Marine Committee
Resting Place Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was there confusion regarding Joseph Hewes's birth date?

The confusion stemmed from typographical errors in early biographies and the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Quaker records listed his birth in the "4th month," which corresponds to July 9, 1730, when adjusted for the modern calendar.

What was Joseph Hewes's role in the creation of the U.S. Navy?

Hewes served on the Naval Board and the Marine Committee, where he helped draft naval regulations, managed accounts, and handled the correspondence necessary to acquire ships and officers, including the commissioning of John Paul Jones.

Did Joseph Hewes support independence from the beginning?

Initially, Hewes and the North Carolina delegation were instructed to seek a redress of grievances rather than independence. However, as the conflict escalated, he became a firm supporter of separation, as evidenced by his correspondence and his signature on the Declaration of Independence.

How did Hewes contribute his own resources to the Revolutionary War?

Hewes leased a brigantine from his mercantile firm to the Secret Marine Committee of the Continental Congress, allowing the vessel to transport essential arms, ammunition, and goods between Virginia and Europe.

Why was Joseph Hewes briefly removed from the Continental Congress in 1777?

He was challenged by John Penn, who argued that Hewes's simultaneous service on the Marine Committee and as a delegate violated the North Carolina Constitution's rule against holding two offices at once.

References

  1. The Quaker records tell us that Joseph Hewes, son of Aaron and Providence, was born on the 28th day of the 4th month in 1730. Three different false dates of birth have been attributed to Joseph Hewes. The most common false date is January 23, 1730. This date first appeared in 1913 in a book by Eben Putnam.[2] It was probably a typographical error. As a Quaker, his family's birth registry is recorded in the Quaker records of Chesterfield, New Jersey Monthly Meeting. This registry lists the names and birth dates of the children of Aaron and Providence Hewes. Joseph Hewes was born, according to the family birth registry, on 28 April 1730. This birth registry was reprinted by Putnam but the typographer inserted 23rd day for 28th day. A few lines below this the date of birth is given as January 23. These typographical errors are one source of confusion. There are two other sources of confusion. Quakers avoided use of the pagan names of the months and days of the by simply numbering them as 1st month, 2nd month,...12th month and 1st day, 2nd day,...7th day. By the old Julian Calendar March was the first month of the year. This makes 4th month equal to June. A plaque at the Chowan County Court House in Edenton, North Carolina erected by the United States Congress has the birth date of April 28, 1730 engraved on it. April is the 4th month by the modern Gregorian Calendar. June was the 4th month by the Julian Calendar. To get the correct date by the modern calendar, one must properly correlate the name of the month with the ordinal number of the month and then add 11 days to align the calendars. Thus, Joseph Hewes date of birth was July 9, 1730.
  2. Joining the congregation of another church represents a de facto forfeiture of membership in the Religious Society of Friends. That Hewes was never disowned, i.e., that his membership was never involuntarily terminated, is irrelevant. In the 18th century Quakers were not permitted to maintain membership in another religious society besides the Religious Society of Friends.[22]
  3. Corruption and graft are normal accompaniments to war. The Revolutionary War was no exception. The public was aware of corruption and except in the most egregious cases, it was tolerated. No one was surprised that merchants serving in government took advantage of their office to increase their profits.[59] By the legal and moral standards of today this relation between shipping merchants and government would be considered absolutely corrupt. During the Revolution several members of the marine committee were privately engaged in the merchant shipping business. The level of corruption among them varied from the extreme to the minor. It appears that the firm of Hewes and Smith, while not averse to mixing their private shipping business with cargo carried under contract with the government, were closer to the minor end of the corruption continuum. They certainly maintained their profit margin throughout the war.[60]
  4. Samuel Johnston wrote to Thomas Burke on June 26, 1777 to express his low opinion of the Assembly's actions: "... the fools and knaves, who by their low Arts have worked themselves into the good graces of the populace. When I tell you that I saw with indignation such men as G-th, R-d, T-s, P-S-N, and your Collegue J. Penn, with a few others of the same stamp, principle leaders in both houses, you will not expect that any thing good or great should proceed from the counsels of men of such narrow, contracted principle, supported by the most contemptable abilities. Hewes was supplanted of his seat in Congress by the most insidious arts and glaring falsehoods, and Hooper, though no competitor appeared to oppose him, lost a great number of votes." [69]
  5. Chesterfield Monthly Meeting (Swarthmore, PA: Swarthmore College Quaker Meeting Records Friends Historical Library) Minutes, 1659-1885, p. 36.[1] See also records for Aaron Hewes [2]

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