William Ellery

William Ellery

William Ellery (December 22, 1727–February 15, 1820), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Rhode Island.

The son of William Ellery, he was born in Newport. He worked first as a merchant, next as a customs collector, and lastly as Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He started the practice of law in 1770. He was active in the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty, and replaced Samuel Ward, who had died, in the Continental Congress in 1776.He became judge of the [[Supreme Court of Rhode Island] and by 1785 he had become an abolitionist. He was the first customs collector of the port of Newport under the Constitution, serving there until his death. Ellery was among the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Three of his descendants were William Ellery Channing, Richard Henry Dana and Edie Sedgwick. Ellery Avenue in Middletown, Rhode Island is named in his honor.

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