He was appointed to the Committee of Correspondence, elected to the Provincial Legislature, and sent along to the Continental Congress in 1775. Hewes was known as a tireless worker in committee and the leading expert on maritime concerns. In 1776 he signed the Declaration of Independence and placed his ships at the service of the Continental Armed Forces. He served the Congress as the Secretary of the Naval Affairs Committee until 1779. DS, one page, 8 x 6.5, June 14, 1765. Legal document binding William Jeffries, John Hodgson and William Lowther to the Sheriff of the county in the sum of two thousand pounds Proclamation money, to be held for the Superior Court in Edenton, North Carolina to answer George Cushing of a plea of 'wherefore with force and arms and damage one thousand pounds.' Jeffries, Hodgson and Lowther have signed at the bottom right and Hewes has signed as a witness in the lower left. Some mirroring of text from premature folding and a repaired tear through three signatures on the right, otherwise fine condition. COA John Reznikoff/University Archives and RRAuction COA.
