Ellery, William, 1727-1820

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.

<p>William Ellery (December 22, 1727 – February 15, 1820) was a Founding Father of the United States, one of the 56 signers of the United States Declaration of Independence, and a signer of the Articles of Confederation as a representative of Rhode Island.</p>

<p>In 1764, the Baptists consulted with Ellery and Congregationalist Reverend Ezra Stiles on writing a charter for the college that became Brown University. Ellery and Stiles attempted to give control of the college to the Congregationalists, but the Baptists withdrew the petition until it was rewritten to assure Baptist control. Neither Ellery nor Stiles accepted appointment to the reserved Congregationalist seats on the board of trustees.</p>

<p>Ellery was born in Newport, Rhode Island on December 22, 1727, the second son of William Ellery, Sr. and Elizabeth Almy, a descendant of Thomas Cornell. He received his early education from his father, a merchant and Harvard College graduate. He graduated from Harvard College in 1747, where he excelled in Greek and Latin. He then returned to Newport where he worked first as a merchant, next as a customs collector, and then as clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He started practicing law in 1770 at age 43 and became active in the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1784 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1783 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1781 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1780 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1776 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1775 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>