Today in Welsh history... 21 March 1713, Francis Lewis, signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New York, was born in Llandaff.
Lewis entered a mercantile house in London until he turned 21 and inherited some properties left by his father. Lewis sold the properties and used the proceeds to acquire merchandise and set sail for New York City, arriving there in 1734 or 1735.
Lewis was later a member of the Committee of Sixty, a member of the New York Provincial Congress, and a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1779. In 1776 he was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence.
In Queens, New York, Francis Lewis High School and The Francis Lewis School are named after Lewis. Francis Lewis Boulevard, which locals sometimes refer to as "Franny Lew" or "Franny Lewie," stretches almost the entire north/south length of the borough. Francis Lewis Park is located under the Queens approach of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge.
Lewis entered a mercantile house in London until he turned 21 and inherited some properties left by his father. Lewis sold the properties and used the proceeds to acquire merchandise and set sail for New York City, arriving there in 1734 or 1735.
Lewis was later a member of the Committee of Sixty, a member of the New York Provincial Congress, and a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1779. In 1776 he was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence.
In Queens, New York, Francis Lewis High School and The Francis Lewis School are named after Lewis. Francis Lewis Boulevard, which locals sometimes refer to as "Franny Lew" or "Franny Lewie," stretches almost the entire north/south length of the borough. Francis Lewis Park is located under the Queens approach of the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge.