SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ~ WILLIAM ELLERY – DOCUMENT SIGNED EARLY IN HIS CAREER
ELLERY, WILLIAM. (1727-1820). Founding Father of the United States, lawyer, and politician from Rhode Island; Signed the Declaration of Independence and later the Articles of Confederation. Choice Autograph Document Signed “William Ellery Junr.” One page, oblong narrow octavo. Gloucester, April 5, 1756. Ellery writes:
“Recd. Gloucester April 5th 1756 of Jacob Rowe Three pounds + sixteen Shillings Lawful money on acct. £3 16S. William Ellery Junr.”
William Ellery attended Harvard College and graduated at the age of fifteen (1742). 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. During this period, no other particulars have been recorded of him, than that he succeeded in acquiring a competent fortune, and receiving the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. He began to practice law in 1770 at the age of forty-three, and it seemed that he had found his calling. Ellery 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. In 1790 George Washington appointed him 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. Jacob Rowe was a lifelong resident of Gloucester Massachusetts, and a fourth generation New Englander.
$950.00