The old merchants of New York City / by Walter Barrett.

98

TI'H OLD MAER CHIJATS

can nevtr pi duce but one Francis Lewis, signer of
the Declaration of Independence - for millions of years
will not bring forth such another eventful period as
1776.
The history of Francis Lewis should be as familiar to
New Yorkers as the Lord's Prayer. He came to this
city in 1735, with a cargo of merchandize that he had
inherited from his parents, who died when he was only
five years old. He was born at Landaff, in Wales, in
1713. His father was dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in
London. A few years after the deatli of his parents, he
was sent to London, and apprenticed to a merchant. He
learned the business thoroughly. No doubt but the merchant, whose name we do not know, was engaged in
trading to New York City. There is evidence tlat
young Francis had his attention turned to it in that way,
for the year.fter he was of age he came out here, with
all lie had. Soon after his arrival, he went into partnership with Mr. Edward Annesly, under the firm of
Lewis & Annesly. The house went largely into foreign
commerce, and Mr. Lewis married his partner's sister,
Miss Annesly, who was a belle in her day. It is curious that when Mr. Lewis arrived the entire town was
absorbed in Zenger's trial for libel. About ten years
previous the New York Gazette was started by Mr. William Bradford - the first paper established in New York
City. It supported the Government. The opposition
paper was started, called the New York Journal - opposed the Government party, and was supported by Rip
Vandam, the leader of the Liberals. Zenger was editor,
and he and his two sons printed it. Zenger had his passage paid to this country by Queen Anne. He had his
office in Stone street, where he printed the Journal until
1746, when he died. His wife kept it up until 1718