Joseph Hewes was born to Quaker ... shunned by his fellow believers. By 1776, Hewes was a rich man of 46, made wealthy by the success of his Edenton, N.C.-based shipping business.

Three North Carolina delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence: Joseph Hewes of Edenton, John Penn of Granville County, and William Hooper of Wilmington.

Three North Carolina delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence: Joseph Hewes of Edenton, John Penn of Granville County, and William Hooper of Wilmington.