A statesman of the revolution, jealous of liberty himself, he wished its enjoyment to all.

And while many around him were trafficking in their fellow men, Lewis was engaged in breaking

their shackles asunder.

Long may the citizens of Pennsylvania hold his memory in reverence,

as an enlightened statesman, a profound lawyer, and a useful citizen.

And to few is the state indebted more than profound lawyer and a useful citizen.

And to few is the state indebted more than to William Lewis

for her freedom from that diabolical crime

of holding part of her citizens in slavery to the rest.

The memory of this just man shall be blessed.

That was taken from the obituary of Judge William Lewis, born in 1752 in Edgemont, Pennsylvania, making him a Delco boy.

Lewis's marks on both Philadelphia and early U.S US history are numerous.

By the time he was just 21 years old,

he was admitted to the Bar Association.

Before the age of 30,

William Lewis was instrumental

in drafting the act for the gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania back in 1780.

Almost 100 years after the first recorded document protesting slavery was written by the Germantown friends in

Philadelphia in 1688.

While the act might sound like a big step towards ending slavery at least here in Pennsylvania.

I have to call out that it didn't actually

provide freedom for anyone currently enslaved.

...