==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=PA9Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1]</ref>
==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.<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.
==Family and legacy==
==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.