| − | '''Joseph Hewes''' (January 23, 1730 – November 10, 1779) was a patriot from North Carolina and a [[Founding Father]] of the United States. He was a wealthy merchant with the most to lose in the [[American Revolution]]. Hewes was a man of integrity and honor. He bristled with confidence and esteem helping the [[Whigs]] overthrow the royal government. A member of the Colonial Assembly, he signed the [[Declaration of Independence]] as a [[North Carolina]] delegate to the [[Continental Congress]]. He worked directly with General [[George Washington]] to defend the colonies and became the defacto first [[Secretary of the Navy]]. | + | '''Joseph Hewes''' (January 23, 1730 – November 10, 1779) was a patriot from North Carolina and a [[Founding Father]] of the United States. He was a wealthy merchant with the most to lose in the [[American Revolution]]. Hewes was a man of integrity and honor. He bristled with confidence and esteem helping the [[Whigs]] overthrow the royal government. A member of the Colonial Assembly, he signed the [[Declaration of Independence]] as a [[North Carolina]] delegate to the [[Continental Congress]]. He worked directly with General [[George Washington]] to defend the colonies and became the de facto first [[Secretary of the Navy]]. |
| − | Joseph was born in the year 1730 at a Maybury Hill Kingston estate on the outskirts of Princeton, [[New Jersey]]. His parents were Quaker by faith and had moved from their Conneticut farm to a more secure surroundings without religious bigotry and Indian attacks.<ref>[http://www.josephhewes.com/ Joseph Hewes, Josephhewes.com]</ref> Joseph grew up on the farm and received a public education. He wgraduated from Princeton College. Next, he moved to Philadelphia and worked for a merchant. Then he established a shipping business in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he earned his fortune. His confidence and esteem won over the people. Hewes was elected and re-elected to represent the people in the colonial legislature. Hewes had remained a bachelor, the girl he loved had died days before their wedding. | + | Joseph was born in the year 1730 at a Maybury Hill Kingston estate on the outskirts of Princeton, [[New Jersey]]. His parents were Quaker by faith and had moved from their Connecticut farm to a more secure surroundings without religious bigotry and Indian attacks.<ref>[http://www.josephhewes.com/ Joseph Hewes, Josephhewes.com]</ref> Joseph grew up on the farm and received a public education. He wgraduated from Princeton College. Next, he moved to Philadelphia and worked for a merchant. Then he established a shipping business in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he earned his fortune. His confidence and esteem won over the people. Hewes was elected and re-elected to represent the people in the colonial legislature. Hewes had remained a bachelor, the girl he loved had died days before their wedding. |