On This Day in History -
November 11, 1779

Joseph Hewes funeral at Christ Church

Joseph Hewes

On this day in history, November 11, 1779, the funeral for Joseph Hewes, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia and "Father of the US Navy," was held at Christ Church in Philadelphia. Hewes was a very successful shipping magnate with a fleet of his own ships from Edenton, North Carolina. He was only 44 years old when he was first elected to the Continental Congress.

Because of his shipping experience, Hewes was appointed as head of the Naval Committee by Congress. His first responsibility was to oversee the arming of four ships Congress voted to arm. Hewes turned his own ships over for the Navy's use and also helped General George Washington draw up his initial plans for the war.

• You can read our biography of Joseph Hewes here.
• Read about the other signers of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina here - John Penn and William Hooper.
• Read more about the Declaration of Independence here
• Learn more about other Founding Fathers here.
• Read what happened on other days in American history at our On This Day in History section here.

Revolutionary War and Beyond Home

This Week in History

• November 11, 1779 - Joseph Hewes funeral at Christ Church
• November 12, 1775 - Abigail Adams reveals anger toward Great Britain
• November 13, 1775 - General Richard Montgomery takes Montreal
• November 14, 1754 - Mercy Otis and James Warren are married
• November 15, 1777 - Articles of Confederation are approved
• November 16, 1776 - Americans lose the Battle of Fort Washington
• November 17, 1775 - Henry Knox begins the Knox Expedition

This book is as exact a reproduction of this wonderful little book     published in 1895 as we could produce.  You will find words spelled and hyphenated the way they are in the original. 

Our goal at Battle Road Books is to keep the history of the Revolutionary War alive and vibrant and easily accessible.  We also don’t think you should pay an arm and a leg just to read these old books.

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