Difference between revisions of "William Ellery"
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| − | Ellery was successfully elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, replacing Samuel Ward | + | 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> | ||
Revision as of 03:59, August 12, 2009
William Ellery (b. December 22, 1727; d. February 15, 1820) a founding father of America, a lawyer, a Supreme Court judge of Rhode Island, represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress in 1776 and signed the Declaration of Independence.
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. [1] In 1770, Ellery started his law practice at the age of 43.
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. [2]
Death
On the 15tb of February, 1820, William died at the age of 92 years old.
Notable
- In 1785, Ellery became a strong and vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery.
- George Washington appointed Ellery first customs Collector of the port of Newport, a position he held until his death.
