On December 22, 1727, William Ellery was born into a family with a heritage of commerce and civic leadership. His great grandfather, Sergeant William Ellery, became a successful merchant after immigrating to New England from England. His grandfather also suceeded in the mercantile business and was speaker of the House Deputies and a local judge. Mr. Ellery’s father, also a merchant, was a deputy and an assistant in the Colonial Assembly, a county court judge, and the deputy governor of Rhode Island. 

After being tutored by his father, Mr. Ellery entered Harvard College at the age of 16. Upon graduation, he returned and began learning his father’s shipping and trading business. He also became a naval officer for the Rhode Island colony during the early part of his career. Not satisfied with the mercantile business, in 1770, he eventually found a home practicing law at 43 years of age.   

The Seven Years War, which included the French and Indian War, ended in 1763. England had amassed much debt in battling the French and its allies in North America and beyond. To raise money for its war debts, Parliament passed the Stamp Act (1765) whereby it taxed the colonists for certain paper items. The tax enraged many including William Ellery who helped lead a protest through the streets of Providence. He also was significantly involved in the Rhode Island Sons of Liberty, a group which protested the unjust governance of England. 

When the First Continental Congress was convened, William Ellery followed its proceedings with much enthusiasm. He believed strongly in the right of local rule instead of a governing body exerting itself on the colonists who lived over 3,000 miles away. During the Second Continental Congress, Samuel Ward, a member of the Rhode Island delegation, contracted small pox and could not continue serving. A special election was held and Mr. Ellery was chosen as Delegate Ward’s replacement. He voted for both the resolution for independence from Great Britian and its declaration on July 2nd and 4th respectively. 

On August 2nd, Mr. Ellery positioned himself in order to observe the demeanor of each man as he signed the historic document. He wrote, “I was determined to see how they all looked as they signed what might be their death warrant, I placed myself beside the Secretary Charles Thomson and eyed each closely as he affixed each name to the document. Undaunted resolution was displayed in every countenance.” In addition to signing the Declaration of Independence, he signed the United States’ first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.

William Ellery’s dedication to America came at a cost. During the three year-occupation of Newport, Rhode Island, the British burned the house where he and his wife and children resided. They also destroyed other properties of his in the area. 

After the war ended and independence was secured, Mr. Ellery continued to serve in what was now a new nation. He served the federal government under eight administrations and five presidents as Collector of the Customs for the Newport District. 

Regarding the whole of his person, William Ellery’s intellect was well thought of as many sought his advice about a number of matters. He read books also written in Greek and Latin. His signature on Declaration represents his elegant penmanship. He was esteemed an honorable servant of his country. It is fitting he left this earth reading Cicero’s On Duties on February 15, 1820. Only one other signer, Charles Carroll (95 years of age), lived to a more advanced age than Mr. Ellery. 

William Ellery lived to be 93 years of age.