WILLIAM ELLERY

William Ellery is probably the famous ELLERY there ever was.

His ancestors came from Gloucestershire in England, but I cannot find any link to the ELLERY families of Cornwall (yet!).

He was Born in Newport, December 22, 1727. died in Newport, February 15, 1820.

American patriot - signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Link

Merchant, appointed Naval Officer for Rhode Island, elected clerk Rhode Island General Assembly, Graduated from Harvard 1747

Married Ann Remington in 1750, daughter of Judge Remington, descendant of Governors Bradstreet and Dudley.

Ann died, leaving six children. Ellery remarried Abigail Carey, his second cousin in 1767, will have ten children by her.

He was an active and influential member of the Continental Congress, served 1776 to 1781; 1783-1785.

During the Revolution, the British burn his property in revenge. Location: northeast corner of Mill and Division Streets, #92 Division Street marks the site.

February 15, 1820, Ellery died at home after an illness of four days. This house no longer exists, now represented with commemorative plaque on #9 Thames Street (present structure c. 1979). Across the street - William Ellery Park, site of the Tree of Liberty.

He was buried in Common Burial Ground. A high locked iron fence now surrounds the family plot.

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