JOSEPH HEWES,

Was born at Kingston, in New Jersey, in 1730. He graduated at Princeton college, after which he entered a counting house, and, on leaving his employer, commenced the mercantile business, and became an active and thrifty merchant. At the age of 30, he removed to North Carolina, where he soon acquired a handsome fortune. He soon gained the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he lived, and was for several successive years a member of the colonial legislature. Mr. Hewes was elected a delegate to the continental congress in 1774, in which body he continued until he placed his name to the declaration of independence. After this he was

a member of that body from the state of North Carolina, until the year 1779, when he was seized with an indisposition, which, on the 10th of November, terminated his life, in the 50th year of his age.

THOMAS HEYWARD,

Was born in South Carolina, in the year 1746. He received a thorough classical education, when he commenced the study of the law, and was sent to England to complete his legal preparation for the bar. In 1775, he was elected a delegate to the continental congress, an honour which he at first declined, but afterwards was induced to accept ; and, in 1776, affixed his name to the declaration of independence. When he left congress, in 1778, he was appointed a judge in the courts of his native state. In 1780 Judge Heyward commanded a battalion of militia, and was taken prisoner when Charleston was reduced by General Clinton, and sent to St. Augus

tine. After his liberation from captivity, he resumed his judicial duties, in the exercise of which he continued until 1798, when he retired from public life. He died in March, 1809, in the 64th year of his age.

WILLIAM HOOPER,

Was a native of Boston, in Massachusetts, and was born on the 17th of June, 1742. He graduated at Harvard College in 1760; when he commenced the study of the law. Shortly after completing his studies, he visited North Carolina, and in 1767, fixed his residence permanently in that state. In 1773, and the following year, he was appointed to repre sent the town of Wilmington in the general assembly. In 1774, Mr. Hooper was elected a delegate to congress, in which body he continued until 1776, when he placed his name to the immortal declaration which declared us independent. Although he was at this time compelled to resign his seat in congress, from the embarrassment of his private affairs, yet he was usefully employed in Carolina, was an ardent friend of his country, and never hesitated to make any personal sacrifice for her good. In 1786, Mr. Hooper was appointed one of the judges of the federal court. In the following year, ill health induced him to retire from public and professional life. He died in the month of Oct. 1790, at the early age of 48 years.

STEPHEN HOPKINS,

Was born at Scituate, then a part of Providence, Rhode Island, March 7, 1707. tages of education at that time,

Few had the advan

but he was one of

those self-taught men, who are destined to make their way by force of genius and character. He was chosen a representative of his native town to the general assembly of Rhode Island, of which he was made speaker. In 1754, he was chosen a mem. ber of the congress which met at Albany; and, soon after this period was made chief magistrate of his native state. Long before the revolutionary struggle commenced, he opposed the tyrrany of the British government, and wrote vigorously against its oppressive measures. Mr. Hopkins was a member of the first continental congress in 1774; and also belonged to that body in 1776, when he affixed his name, to the declaration of independence. After leaving Congress in 1778, he was frequently elected a member of the legislature of his native state, his fellow townsmen estimating his services too highly to allow him the leisure he coveted. He died on the 19th of July, 1785, in the 78th year of his age.

FRANCIS

HOPKINSON,

Was a native of Pennsylvania, and born in the year 1737. After passing through his preparatory education, he entered on the study of the law, and became distinguished in his profession; he also devoted part of his time to lighter subjects, and was celebrated as a poet and a wit. The British government, properly estimating his talents, appointed him to a lucrative office, but this he sacrificed to take up the cause of freedom and of his country. In 1776, he was in congress, and signed the memorable declaration of independence. He was also a judge in the courts of Pennsylvania, and was esteemed for the justice and equity of his decisions. He was

highly respected by all who were associated with him in the political field; Washington thought him a great and good man; and his name will go down to posterity as a prominent patriot and poet of our country. He died in May, 1791, in the 53d year of his age.

SAMUEL

HUNTINGTON,

Was born in Windham, Connecticut, on the 2d of July, 1732. With but a common school education, he commeneed the study of the law, and made himself so competent in the profession he had chosen, that he was appointed king's attorney, the duties of which he discharged with such ability, that he was next raised to the bench of the superior court. In 1775, he was sent from Connecticut as a member of the continental congress; and in 1776, he had the honour of affixing his name to the declaration of independence. He served several years in congress, at different periods; and when not engaged in that body, always filled some important station in his native state. He was appointed chief justice of Connecticut; was afterwards elected lieutenant governor; and, in 1786, succeeded Governor Griswold in the office of chief magistrate. He died on the 5th of January, 1796, in the 64th year of his age.

FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, Was born in Virginia, on the 14th of Oct. 1734. He received a domestic education, under the care of Dr. Craig, a gentleman distinguished for his love of letters, and from his judicious system of tuition, young

Lee rapidly unfolded the powers of his mind. In 1765, he was elected a member of the house of burgesses, to which situation he was annually re-elected, until 1775, when he was chosen a member of the continental congress by the Virginia convention. In 1776, he had the honour of placing his name to the declaration of independence. He continued in congress until 1779, and then retired to private life. His death was occasioned by a pleurisy, which disease about the same time attacked his wife, and terminated the life of both within a few days of each other. He died in April, 1797, aged 63.

RICHARD HENRY LEE,

Was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, January 20th, 1732. He was sent to England for his education and became an excellent scholar. In 1757, he commenced his political career as a member of the house of burgesses, in which, though not immediately conspicuous, he became celebrated as an orator and statesman. In 1774, he was sent to the continental congress, and took a very decided part in that body. In 1776, he was selected to move the resolution on the subject of American independence, and made an eloquent speech on the subject. After signing the declaration, he remained several years in congress. On the adoption of the federal constitution, he was appointed a senator under it, and exerted himself to have that instrument amended, so as to meet the views of those who were fearful that state rights would be violated by it. He died on the 19th of June, 1794, in the 62d year of his age.