Lewis Morris, born in New York, inherited great wealth but lost most of it during the Revolutionary War. He graduated from Yale College in 1746 and returned to his father's farm near Harlem. He entered politics after his father's death and served in the Provincial legislature until it was dissolved by the royal governor. Morris joined the patriots and was appointed a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where he served on committees for the defense of New York. He also served as a brigadier-general in the New York militia. In 1777, he was succeeded in Congress by his brother Gouverneur Morris. Morris returned to his local duties and later served as a judge in Worcester, as well as a member of the upper house of the new legislature until 1790. He spent several years rebuilding his farm and served on the first Board of Regents for the University of New York.
