Difference between revisions of "William Ellery"
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| − | + | {{Founding Fathers | |
| + | |image=Ellery.jpg | ||
| + | |State:=Rhode Island | ||
| + | |Religion:=Christian- Congregationalist <ref>http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html</ref> | ||
| + | |Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]] | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | '''William Ellery''' (December 22, 1727 – February 15, 1820) was a Founding Father of [[America]], a [[lawyer]] and a Supreme Court judge of [[Rhode Island]]. He represented Rhode Island in the [[Continental Congress]] in 1776 and signed the [[Declaration of Independence]] and the [[Articles of Confederation]]. | ||
| − | + | ==Early life== | |
| − | + | William was born to the prominent Benjamin Ellery, who had immigrated from Bristol, [[England]]. He received much education from his father, a Harvard graduate. Like his father, William would also attend Harvard, at age 16. He became fluent in Greek and Latin. At age 20, William returned to his home in Newport and studied law. He worked as merchant, then a collector of customs, and later as the Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly.<ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/ellery.htm William Ellery, USHistory.org]</ref> In 1770, Ellery started his law practice at the age of 43. Around the same time Ellery became active with the [[Sons of Liberty]], which increased his prominence among those holding anti-British sentiments.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl4W-TKv2Q8C&pg=PA9 Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1]</ref> | |
| − | ==Early | + | |
| − | William was born to the prominent Benjamin Ellery, who had immigrated from Bristol, [[England]]. He received much education from his father, a Harvard graduate. Like his father, William would also attend Harvard, at age 16. He became fluent in Greek and Latin. At age 20, William returned to his home in Newport and studied law. He worked as merchant, then a collector of customs, and later as the Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/ellery.htm William Ellery, USHistory.org]</ref> In 1770, Ellery started his law practice at the age of 43. | + | |
==Continental Congress== | ==Continental Congress== | ||
Ellery was successfully elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, replacing Samuel Ward who had died. He was immediately appointed to the Marine committee and served on several committees that dealt with Foreign Relations. In 1777, the [[British]] army under General Piggot took possession of Newport. Many of Newport's residents suffered including Ellery. His house was burned down and possessions looted. | Ellery was successfully elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, replacing Samuel Ward who had died. He was immediately appointed to the Marine committee and served on several committees that dealt with Foreign Relations. In 1777, the [[British]] army under General Piggot took possession of Newport. Many of Newport's residents suffered including Ellery. His house was burned down and possessions looted. | ||
| − | Mr. Ellery continued as a member of congress until the year 1785, then retired to Rhode Island. The people of Rhode Island elected Ellery to the office of chief justice of their superior court. <ref>[http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/founders/ellery.html William Ellery, laughtergenealogy.com]</ref> | + | Mr. Ellery continued as a member of congress until the year 1785, then retired to Rhode Island. The people of Rhode Island elected Ellery to the office of chief justice of their superior court.<ref>[http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/founders/ellery.html William Ellery, laughtergenealogy.com]</ref> When [[Rufus King]] was elected to congress in 1785, Ellery joined King in his vocal advocacy for the abolition of slavery. |
| − | == | + | After leaving Congress, Ellery was appointed by [[George Washington]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WWl2CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT186 Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood]</ref> to be the first customs Collector of the port of Newport, a position he held until his death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl4W-TKv2Q8C&pg=PA11 Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1]</ref> |
| − | + | ||
| − | == | + | ==Family and legacy== |
| − | + | In 1750 Ellery married Ann Remington and together they had 7 children.<ref>[http://colonialhall.com/ellery/elleryAnn.php Ann Remington Ellery]</ref> Ann passed in 1764, and he remarried in 1767 to Abigail Cary. Together, they had 10 children.<ref>[https://www.dsdi1776.com/signers-by-state/william-ellery/ William Ellery]</ref> His eldest daughter Elizabeth married [[Francis Dana]] who also signed the [[Articles of Confederation]]. | |
| − | + | ||
| + | On the 15th of February, 1820, William died at the age of 92 years old. His tomb is at the Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ghosts_of_Newport/OXd2CQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT17 Ghosts of Newport]</ref> He has several notable descendants, including his grandson, the theologian [[William Ellery Channing]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | + | {{reflist|2}} | |
| + | |||
| + | {{Declaration of Independence}} | ||
| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Ellery, William}} | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Founding Fathers]] | [[Category:Founding Fathers]] | ||
[[Category:American Revolution]] | [[Category:American Revolution]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:32, November 29, 2019
| Founding Fathers | |
|---|---|
| |
| William Ellery | |
| State | Rhode Island |
| Religion | Christian- Congregationalist [1] |
| Founding Documents | Declaration of Independence |
William Ellery (December 22, 1727 – February 15, 1820) was a Founding Father of America, a lawyer and a Supreme Court judge of Rhode Island. He represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress in 1776 and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
Early life
William was born to the prominent Benjamin Ellery, who had immigrated from Bristol, England. He received much education from his father, a Harvard graduate. Like his father, William would also attend Harvard, at age 16. He became fluent in Greek and Latin. At age 20, William returned to his home in Newport and studied law. He worked as merchant, then a collector of customs, and later as the Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly.[2] In 1770, Ellery started his law practice at the age of 43. Around the same time Ellery became active with the Sons of Liberty, which increased his prominence among those holding anti-British sentiments.[3]
Continental Congress
Ellery was successfully elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, replacing Samuel Ward who had died. He was immediately appointed to the Marine committee and served on several committees that dealt with Foreign Relations. In 1777, the British army under General Piggot took possession of Newport. Many of Newport's residents suffered including Ellery. His house was burned down and possessions looted.
Mr. Ellery continued as a member of congress until the year 1785, then retired to Rhode Island. The people of Rhode Island elected Ellery to the office of chief justice of their superior court.[4] When Rufus King was elected to congress in 1785, Ellery joined King in his vocal advocacy for the abolition of slavery.
After leaving Congress, Ellery was appointed by George Washington[5] to be the first customs Collector of the port of Newport, a position he held until his death.[6]
Family and legacy
In 1750 Ellery married Ann Remington and together they had 7 children.[7] Ann passed in 1764, and he remarried in 1767 to Abigail Cary. Together, they had 10 children.[8] His eldest daughter Elizabeth married Francis Dana who also signed the Articles of Confederation.
On the 15th of February, 1820, William died at the age of 92 years old. His tomb is at the Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.[9] He has several notable descendants, including his grandson, the theologian William Ellery Channing.
References
- ↑ http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html
- ↑ William Ellery, USHistory.org
- ↑ Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1
- ↑ William Ellery, laughtergenealogy.com
- ↑ Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood
- ↑ Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1
- ↑ Ann Remington Ellery
- ↑ William Ellery
- ↑ Ghosts of Newport
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