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[[File:Francislewis.jpg|right|200px|thumb| Francis Lewis]]

[[File:Francislewis.jpg|right|200px|thumb| Francis Lewis]]

'''Francis Lewis''' (b. March 21, 1713; d. December 31, 1802) is a Founding Father of [[America]]. He was a enterprising merchant of New York. In his export business, he became a prisoner during the [[French and Indian War]]. Lewis would sign the [[Declaration of Independence]] as a New York delegate to the [[Continental Congress]].  

'''Francis Lewis''' (b. March 21, 1713; d. December 31, 1802) is a Founding Father of [[America]]. He was a enterprising merchant of New York. In his export business, he became a prisoner of France during the [[French and Indian War]]. Lewis would sign the [[Declaration of Independence]] as a New York delegate to the [[Continental Congress]].  

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

==Capitalism==

==Capitalism==

In the course of his business transactions, he traveled a considerable part of the continent of Europe. Lewis became a supplier to the British army and was docked at Oswego during the rech and Indian War. The French captured Oswego and Lewis was imprisoned. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/lewis.htm Francis Lewis, USHistory.org]</ref> First, he was given over to the Indians. Then he was sent to France. He would be released in a prisoner swap and returned to America.

In the course of his business transactions, he traveled a considerable part of the continent of Europe. Lewis became a supplier to the British army and was docked at Oswego during the French and Indian War. The French captured Oswego and Lewis was imprisoned. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/lewis.htm Francis Lewis, USHistory.org]</ref> First, he was given over to the Indians. Then he was sent to France. He would be released in a prisoner swap and returned to America.

==American Revolution==

==American Revolution==

Lewis retired from business at the age of fifty-two, "one of the most opulent men in New York." <ref>[http://virtualology.com/francislewis.org/ Franics Lewis, Virtualology.com]</ref> In 1774, he became a delegate to New York's provincial convention. He was among the first to join an association called the "Sons of Liberty." Lewis would be elected to the Continental Congress. At first he considered reconciliation with Britain. Then siding with his country and independence, he would sign the Declaration.

Lewis retired from business at the age of fifty-two, "one of the most opulent men in New York." <ref>[http://virtualology.com/francislewis.org/ Franics Lewis, Virtualology.com]</ref> In 1774, he became a delegate to New York's provincial convention. He was among the first to join an association called the "Sons of Liberty." Lewis would be elected to the Continental Congress. At first he considered reconciliation with Britain. Then, Lewis sided with his country and independence, he would sign the Declaration.

The Lewis family moved to Whitestone, New York. After the Declaration, the British would destroy his house and possessions. His wife was taken prisoner for over a year before being released.

The Lewis family moved to Whitestone, New York. After the Declaration, the British would destroy his house and possessions. His wife was taken prisoner for over a year before being released.

==Death==

==Death==

Elizabeth was traumatized from being a prisioner and died two-years after her release. Little is recorded of Francis the subsequent years after the war. His later years were spent in comparative poverty, his fortune having been lost in the war. Lewis died in New York City at the age of eighty-nine.

Elizabeth was traumatized from being a prisoner and died two-years after her release. Little is recorded of subsequent years after the war. His later years were spent in comparative poverty, his fortune having been lost in the war. Lewis died in New York City at the age of eighty-nine.

==References==

==References==