The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Hewes, Joseph
(hyz) (KEY) , 173079, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Kingston, N.J. He moved (1760) to Edenton, N.C., and became a wealthy merchant and shipper. As a member of the Continental Congress (177477), Hewes helped establish the American navy and obtained a commission for John Paul Jones in 1775. Reelected to Congress in 1779 he died during the session.