One American Legacy

When we remember the events leading up to the American Revolution, we often focus on well-deserving men and their most honorable moments. But in celebration of Mother’s Day, I want to pay tribute to the wives and mothers whose lives were threatened, derailed, and in some cases, devastated to secure freedom for their families.

As the Founding Fathers argued for independence, formed militias, and drafted documents, their wives ran their businesses, farms, and households. They brought up children, nursed the sick, and served the poor. These women approached each morning with long lists of chores and tasks, even as political disputes simmered around them, destabilizing their systems, undermining their wealth, and threatening their homes.

Women like Elizabeth Annesley Lewis. 

One American legacy
Married to Francis Lewis in 1745, Elizabeth lost four of their seven children in infancy. She also endured seven years of separation from her husband when he became a prisoner of war in France while working as a clothing contractor for British troops during the French and Indian War. He was released after the war in 1763 and compensated by the British with 5,000 acres of land in New York.

A brilliant transatlantic businessman, Francis traveled extensively throughout their marriage and became increasingly involved in public life as tensions mounted between England and the colonies. He became a founding member of the Sons of Liberty, served many years in the Continental Congress, and invested significant amounts of his fortune in the cause for American independence. He was known as “a very honest man and very useful in executive business,” according to Benjamin Rush, a founding father and leading voice for the abolition of slavery. 

At 61 years old, Elizabeth became the target of a British vendetta against her husband after he signed the Declaration of Independence. Soldiers were commanded to destroy the Lewis estate on Long Island shortly after the British captured New York in August 1776.

Elizabeth stood helpless as the enemy advanced against her home by land on one side and by sea from the other. When a British ship fired into their home and a cannonball rolled near Elizabeth’s feet, she remained calm and unmoved even as a servant urged her to run. “Another shot is not likely to strike the same spot,” she said.

British soldiers broke up furniture and destroyed books, papers, and pictures before arresting Elizabeth. They threw her in prison in New York where she endured deplorable conditions with no bed or change of clothes and scant food. After three weeks, an old black servant who followed Elizabeth to New York managed to smuggle into the prison some clothes and food for her. He also carried letters to friends on her behalf. Despite demands from the Continental Congress that Elizabeth receive better treatment, the British continued to exploit her wealth and prominence by making an example of her. 

Months later, General George Washington finally ordered the arrest of two wives of British officials in Philadelphia, confining them to their homes. He insisted that Elizabeth be freed or the women would be subjected to similar treatment. This action secured Elizabeth’s release, but she was not allowed to leave New York City. Her faithful servant soon became ill and died, but not before Elizabeth smuggled a Catholic priest from Philadelphia to minister last rites according to the servant’s dying wish. 

After a few more months, Elizabeth was allowed to join her husband in Philadelphia, but her health never recovered from the inhumane treatment she suffered. Francis was granted a leave of absence from his duties at the Continental Congress in early 1779 to care for his wife in her final days.

“Heaven’s best gift”
A descendant of the Lewis family, Julia Delafield wrote a biography about Francis Lewis and included these words about Elizabeth:

“In the war of the Revolution, Mrs. Lewis had more than one opportunity of showing the steady purpose, the firmness of nerve that would have distinguished her had she been a man. … To Francis Lewis, she was heaven’s best gift. When his adventurous spirit led him to embark on long and perilous voyages, he knew that he left his children to the care of an able as well as a tender mother, who could train their characters, as well as protect their interests. The conduct and careers of her children is the best eulogy of Mrs. Francis Lewis.” 

Like Elizabeth Lewis, the Founding Mothers risked everything to defend their homes and families. I’m in awe of their strength but also encouraged to consider all we have in common—faith, family, homeland, and the daily tasks of stewardship.

May God refine us in our ordinary acts of self-sacrifice each day. In doing so, may He prepare us to join our forebears in making the ultimate sacrifice should we ever be called to do so. I hope you enjoyed honoring the mothers in your lives last Sunday—for their sacrifices, large and small.

In this series of articles called “America@250” about our nation’s history and founding principles, I want to share some of our sources (since iVoterGuide is devoted to providing sources for candidate research). Key sources for this article include: 

Wallbuilders: Mothers in History
The Pioneer Mothers of America (Green and Green, pages 119-126)
Biographies of Francis Lewis and Morgan Lewis (Delafield, pages 14-15)
Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence: Francis Lewis
National Constitution Center: Francis Lewis
Constituting America: Francis Lewis of New York (Knipprath)