Gervais, John Lewis, 1741-1798

<p>John Lewis Gervais (1741–1798) was an American planter and statesman from South Carolina. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783.</p>

<p>John was born in Hanover, Germany where his parents were French Huguenot refugees in 1741. He emigrated to South Carolina, arriving in Charleston in 1764. He started in the mercantile business, but soon expanded his interests to include a plantation.</p>

<p>Gervais first served in the revolutionary Provincial Congress in 1775. He was a member of the state's Committee of Safety from 1775 to 1781. Under the new state government, he was elected to South Carolina's Senate in 1781 and 1782.</p>

GERVAIS, John Lewis, a Delegate from South Carolina; born of Huguenot parents in Hanover, Germany, circa 1741; attended schools and colleges in Hanover; immigrated to England and later to the United States, arriving in Charleston, S.C., on June 27, 1764; merchant, planter, and landowner; delegate to the provincial convention and Provincial Congress in 1775 and 1776; member of the council of safety in 1775, 1776, and 1781; appointed by Congress deputy postmaster general for South Carolina in 1778; served in the Revolutionary War, in organizing the Army and in the defense of Charleston in 1780; member of the State senate in 1781 and 1782 and served as president; Member of the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783; commissioner of public accounts for South Carolina in 1794 and 1795; died in Charleston, S.C., August 18, 1798; interment in St. Philip's Churchyard.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1782 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1781 SC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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