Born on January 22, 1752, in Edgemont, Province of Pennsylvania, British America,[1] Lewis read law in 1773.

[1] Lewis was involved in the drafting and passage of An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780.

[2] This legislation was the first legal action towards the abolition of slavery in the United States of America.

[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 7, 1791, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Lewis is also known for advising Alexander Hamilton on the first national bank and building the Historic Strawberry Mansion in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park in 1789.