[sarahwilmoth6.FTW]
abt 1725 Bucks, pa
William was a wealthy merchant of Newport R.I., as well as a deputy judge, deputy Govenor of R.I. Harvard graduate in 1722.
William Ellery, signer of the "Declaration of Independence" is your 18th cousin once removed
William Ellery was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Rhode Island. In 1764, the Baptists consulted with Ellery and Congregationalist Reverend Ezra Stiles on writing a charter for the college that became Brown University
William Ellery
1727-1820
Representing Rhode Island at the Continental Congress
Born:
December 22, 1727
Birthplace:
Newport, Rhode Island
Education:
Harvard College (Lawyer, Judge)
Work:
Elected to Continental Congress, 1776-1785; Judge, Supreme Court of Rhode Island, circa 1778-?; First Collector, port of Newport, ?-1820
Died:
February 15, 1820
William Ellery was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in December of 1727. Under the tutelage of his Prominent father, Benjamin Ellery, he attended Harvard College and graduated at the age of 15. He searched for the right career for many years, worked as merchant, then a collector of customs, and later as the Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He began to practice law in 1770 at the age of 43, that he seemed to find his calling. He was active in the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty, and was sent to the Continental Congress in 1776 to replace Samuel Ward, who had died. He was immediately appointed to the Marine committee and later participated in several others including the committee for foreign relations. Meanwhile he held the office of judge of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. In 1785 he became a strong and vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery. He was appointed First (customs) Collector of the port of Newport, under the provisions of the Federal Constitution, where he served until his death in February of 1820.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
William Ellery, the son of a gentleman of the same name, wasborn at Newport, on the 22nd day of December, 1727. Hisancestors were originally from Bristol, in England, whence theyemigrated to America during the latter part of the seventeenthcentury, and took up their residence at Newport, in RhodeIsland. The early education of the subject of this memoir, wasreceived almost exclusively from his father, who was a graduateof Harvard University; and who although extensively engaged inmercantile pursuits, found leisure personally to cultivate themind of his son. At the age of sixteen, he was qualified foradmission to the university, of which his father had been amember before him. In his twentieth year, he left theuniversity, having sustained, during his collegiate course, thecharacter of a faithful and devoted student. In a knowledge ofthe Greek and Latin languages, he is said to have particularlyexcelled, and through the whole bustle of his active life, untilthe very hour of dissolution, he retained his fondness for them.
On his return to Newport, he commenced the study of the law, andafter the usual preparatory course, he entered upon thepractice, which for twenty years he pursued with great zeal.During this period, no other particulars have been recorded ofhim, than that he succeeded in acquiring a competent fortune,and receiving the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.
At an early period of the controversy between Great Britain andthe colonies, Rhode Island strongly enlisted herself in thepatriotic cause. She was not backward in expressing herdisapprobation of the arbitrary measures of the parent country.Indeed, it is doubtful whether Rhode Island is not equallyentitled, with Virginia and Massachusetts, to the honor whichthey claim, of being the earliest in the measures leading to therevolution. Among the great scenes which led the way to actualresistance, two occurred in Narranganset Bay. The first ofthese was an attack by the people of Rhode Island, upon thearmed revenue sloop, Liberty, in the harbor of Newport, June17th, 1769. The second was the memborable affair of the Gaspee,June 9th, 1772, and in which it may be said, was shed the firstblood in the revolution. This latter occurrence excited anunusual alarm among the royal party in the provinces, and gaveoccasion to Governor Hutchinson to address the following letterto Commodore Gambier: "Our last ships carried you the news ofthe burning of the Gaspee schooner, at Providence. I hope, ifthere should be another like attempt, some concerned in it maybe taken prisoners, and carried directly to England. A fewpunished at execution dock, would be the only effectualpreventive of any further attempts."
By other acts did the people of Rhode Island, at an earlyperiod, evince their opposition to the royal government. On thearrival in the year of 1774 of the royal proclamationprohibiting the importation of fire arms from England, theydismantled the fort at Newport, and took possession of fortypieces of cannon. Again, on the occurrence of the battle ofLexington, they simultaneously roused to the defense of theirfellow citizens, in the province of Massachusetts. Within threedays after that memorable event, a large number of her militiawere in the neighborhood of Boston, ready to cooperate inmeasures either of hostility or defense. In that same year shesent twelve hundred regular troops into the service, andafterwards furnished three state regiments to serve during thewar.
No sooner was the formation of a Continental Congress suggested,than Rhode Island took measures to be represented in that body,and elected as delegates two of her most distinguished citizens,Governor Hopkins and Mr. Ward.
During these movements in Rhode Island, Mr. Ellery, the subjectof this notice, was by no means an idle spectator. Theparticular history of the part which he took in thesetransactions is, indeed, not recorded,; but the tradition