Joseph Hewes

July 9, 1730 – November 10, 1779

See Article on Mystery of Hewes’ Date of Birth Solved

Quick Facts

Born just outside Princeton, New Jersey

The Hewes family were Quakers and Joseph Hewes was raised as a Quaker.

May have attended and graduated from Princeton University.

In 1754, At the age of 24 he moved to Edenton, North Carolina. He and his partner operated a fleet of merchant ships and made a small fortune.

Probably gave up his Quaker ways soon after his move to North Carolina. Loved to play cards, dance, and socialize. He attended the services of the Church of England and in 1774 he served on the church council or Vestry.

Joseph Hewes was elected in 1766 to the Colonial Assembly from Edenton and remained in that office until 1776.

Represented North Carolina in the First Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia in 1774.

Represented North Carolina in the Second Continetal Congress 1775-1777 which adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Part of the moderate faction of the Congress – Hewes was a strong defender of American rights and worked to establish a strong military defense. By early in 1776 he leaned towards independence but waited for authorization from the North Carolina leaders before committing for independence.

Hewes was one of the more active members of three naval committees American credited with laying the foundation for the American Navy.

Joseph Hewes' Ancestry

William Hewes Sr., the great-grandfather of Joseph Hewes, came to America about 1675 as an original purchaser and part of the Fenwick colony. This is the same year that John Test came over as part of the same colony as a patent holder.

Both men apparently found Salem and its vicinity to be lacking and moved across the Delaware River to Upland (later known as Chester). Both of them purchased land on both sides of the river and were both active in New Jersey and Pennsylvania affairs.

The historical records indicate that in 1681 while John Test was sheriff at Chester, William Hewes - resident at Chichester (also known as Marcus Hook) just south of Chester, served on various petit juries in Chester. He became a constable in Chichester in 1683. There is no doubt they knew each other.

In 1683 during the witch trial in Philadelphia, John Test (I argue) served as the prosecutor and William Hewes served as a juror.

Joseph Hewes' grandfather, William Hewes Junior was born in Somerset England in 1661. He died at his Ouldman's Plantation in Salem County, New Jersey. This plantation was inherited from William Hewes Sr.

He was active in the Quaker meetings at New Garden, Concord and Chichester. He held the office of Justice from 1716-1724 at Salem County, N.J. His third son is Aaron Hewes.

The Parents: Aaron Hewes and Providence Worth

Aaron Hewes was born in Chichester, Pennsylvania in 1696. He married Providence Worth (b. 1704 in Stonybrook, N.J.) and settled outside of Princeton, New Jersey. He built their stone house which after his death acquired the name Maybury Hill. They are the parents of Joseph Hewes.

The earliest published biography of Joseph Hewes falsely recorded that Aaron Hewes and Providence Worth were married in Connecticut. The Quaker historical records are clear that the immediate ancestors of Joseph Hewes and Providence Worth were located in southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There is no evidence that Aaron Hewes ever ventured north of either Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

The records show that Aaron Hewes was the grandson of William Hewes. Aaron Hewes' children were all born in New Jersey. The Chesterfield, N. J., records show that his daughter Sarah, born in 1728 and Joseph in 1730 were born in New Jersey. He asked for a certificate to Crosswicks in January 1727. Again, there is no evidence that he or any of his immediate ancestors ever having removed beyond Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Joseph Hewes born at Maybury Hill

According to the records of the Chesterfield MM, Joseph Hewes was born July 9, 1730 (Gregorian Calendar) at the family home called Maybury Hill near of Princeton, New Jersey.

The house is still a private residence and listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Posted 2012
Revised 2022