About

The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, founded in 1895, is the oldest patriotic youth organization in our country. Membership is open to descendants of patriots of the American Revolution.

Members gain valuable leadership experience in conducting meetings, following parliamentary procedures and standard protocol, serving as delegates and speaking before groups at local, state and national conferences. The responsibility and privilege of selecting officers helps members gain an understanding of the democratic process.

The Francis Lewis Society, based in Queens, NY, was organized in 2019 to honor local patriot Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Francis Lewis was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Born on March 21, 1713, in Llandaff, Wales, Lewis embarked on a journey that would lead him to become one of America’s founding fathers.

At the age of twenty-one, Lewis moved to New York City to pursue a career in the mercantile trade. His intelligence and business acumen soon propelled him to success, and he became a prosperous merchant, establishing lucrative trading connections across the British colonies.

Despite his financial success, Lewis held strong political convictions and became actively involved in the fight for American independence. He served as a founding member of the Sons of Liberty and later as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1776, Lewis signed the Declaration of Independence, boldly putting his name alongside other courageous patriots who sought to establish a free and sovereign nation.

However, Lewis’s dedication to the American cause came at a great personal cost. During the war, his property in Whitestone was seized by the British, and his wife, Elizabeth Annesley Lewis, was captured and imprisoned. She endured harsh conditions until her release in 1778 and died shortly thereafter. 

Despite these hardships, Francis Lewis remained resolute in his commitment to the revolutionary cause. He continued to serve in Congress until 1779, contributing his wisdom and experience to the nation-building process.

On December 31, 1803, at the age of 90, Francis Lewis passed away in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, resilience, and dedication to the ideals of liberty and independence. His contributions to the American Revolution and the formation of the United States will forever be remembered and celebrated. 

His legacy lives on through a memorial in Trinity Church cemetery, two schools named for him, and a major avenue called “Francis Lewis Boulevard” that runs across most of Queens. And, of course, a society of the Children of the American Revolution is named in his honor. He is a quintessential New Yorker.