Description:

Hewes Joseph

Joseph Hewes Rare Declaration Signer, Superb Signature

 

Secretary of the Naval Affairs Committee during the Revolutionary War who signed the Declaration of Independence, one of only three Quakers to do so (1730–1779). Very rare manuscript DS, signed “Joseph Hewes,” one page, 7.5 x 10, June 14, 1765. Bond undertaken by George Erskine, John Gough, John Hodgson, and George Blair in the amount of £100, promising to appear to answer the trespassing charges against them of Hugh Wallace. Boldly signed in the lower left by Hewes and countersigned by five others. Fragile and in very good condition, with tears and some repaired paper loss due to ink erosion.

 

Born in New Jersey, Hewes had settled down in North Carolina only five years earlier and was subsequently elected to the state legislature in 1763. When he was made Secretary of the Naval Affairs Committee in 1776, he found the fledgling American Navy in a poor state and, as a successful merchant, was able to provide his own extensive fleet of ships and outfit them for battle. He also selected the most capable men as commanders, including the great John Paul Jones. Afflicted with ailing health, Hewes had to return home shortly after signing the Declaration of Independence and passed away in 1779 at just 49 years old. Hewes’s untimely death has made his autograph especially scarce, and he is considered among the ‘very rare’ signers of the Declaration. Sold Christies 2015 for $6875.


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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000