William Ellery
b. Newport, RI, December 22,
1727.
d. Newport, RI, February 15,
1820.
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American patriot - signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Merchant, appointed Naval Officer for Rhode Island, elected clerk Rhode
Island General Assembly, collector of customs, and lawyer.
Spends early years studying to be a Newport merchant. Graduates Harvard
1747 - earns reputation there as a man with a sense of humor.
Married Ann Remington in 1750, daughter of Judge Remington, descendant
of Governors Bradstreet and Dudley. Returns Newport, begins merchant
career.
In the year of 1764, three major events occur:
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Involved in controversial issue on location of proposed Rhode Island
College (now Brown University) - supports Newport; not Providence.
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His father William Ellery, Sr., a wealthy merchant, dies leaving
considerable amount of property. No longer dependent upon his own
business, this may have prompted Ellery to change career (as a lawyer).
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Ann dies, leaving six children. Ellery remarries Abigail Carey,
his second cousin in 1767, will have ten children by her.
Spring of 1776, Samuel Ward dies, Ellery succeeds him as delegate to Congress.
The famous story exhibiting Ellery’s humor at the signing of the Declaration
of Independence: "Ellery took his position near the secretary in order
to watch the expressions on the faces of the delegates as they affixed
their signatures to what might easily prove to be their death warrant,
and was able to report that all displayed only "undaunted resolution"."
(Hubbard, p. 86).
Active and influential member of the Continental Congress, served 1776
to 1781; 1783-1785. After Congress, appointed Commissioner of Continental
Loan Office in Rhode Island. Appointed Custom Collector of Newport
in 1790, a position held until his death.
During the Revolution, the British burn his property in revenge.
Location: northeast corner of Mill and Division Streets, #92 Division
Street marks the site.
February 15, 1820, Ellery died at home after an illness of four days.
This house no longer exists, now represented with commemorative plaque
on #9 Thames Street (present structure c. 1979). Across the street
- William Ellery Park, site of the Tree of Liberty.
Buried in Common Burial Ground. A high locked iron fence now surrounds
the family plot.
Bibliography
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