William Ellery - Harvard University, Birthday and Personal Life
William Ellery's Personal Details
William Ellery was one of the Founding Fathers of America and signed the famous Declaration of Independence
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 2, 1727 |
| Died on | February 15, 1820 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Harvard University, Leaders, Political Leaders |
| Spouses | Abigail Cary, Ann Remington |
| Known as | William Ellery |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Newport |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | William Ellery Sr |
| Mother | Elizabeth Almy |
| Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Born in | Newport |
| Died at Age | 92 |
// Famous Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
William Ellery's photo
Who is William Ellery?
William Ellery was a merchant-cum-lawyer who along with Stephen Hopkins signed the famous U.S. Declaration of Independence on behalf of Rhode Island. Rhode Island was one of those colonial states that had not faced as much oppression at the hands of the British government as had other states such as Massachusetts and New York. Therefore, the patriotic passion of those from Rhode Island did not run as high as compared to others from the more oppressed states but the representatives of the state were in support of the American Revolution. Even though William Ellery was a late entrant into the political field, yet he played a significant role in the revolution. He began his career as a merchant and then entered public service after being appointed a customs collector. He went on to become a Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly where he gained knowledge about legal procedures and deeds. He decided to put this new found knowledge to good use and started studying law. He became a lawyer quite late in life: at the age of 43. By this time he also started participating actively in political activities by getting involved with the Sons of Liberty. He represented Rhode Island in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
// Famous Harvard University
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin
Bertil Gotthard Ohlin was a famous Swedish economist. This biography profiles his childhood, family life & achievements.
Xi Mingze
Xi Mingze is the daughter of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping, Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Susan Sontag
Susan Sontag is an American critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist, political activist, filmmaker and playwright of international repute. Read on to find out more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
William Ellery was born as the second son of Elizabeth Almy and William Ellery Sr., a businessman, in Rhode Island.
His father was a Harvard College graduate who educated his son at home.
Following in his father’s footsteps, he also attended Harvard College where he excelled in Greek and Latin, and graduated in 1747 at the age of 20.
Career
He started his career as a merchant, working alongside with his father in his business. He learnt about the prevalent practices in trade and shipping.
He became a Naval Officer of the Colony of Rhode Island on the basis of the shipping knowledge he had. After a short stint, he became a Master Mason in the First Lodge in Boston.
In 1750, he became a Clerk of the Court where he learnt about legal practices and procedures. He served in this position till 1763.
He helped in co-founding the Rhode Island College in 1764 in his city and acted as one of its incorporators.
When The Stamp Act, which imposed a tax on the colonies of British America, was passed in 1765, it was met with wide spread opposition by the patriots. Ellery, along with others, led a march in Rhode Island to resist the Act.
He decided to expand the legal knowledge he had gained while working as a clerk in the court, and started studying law. He cleared the exams and was accepted into the Bar in 1770.
In the 1770s, he also became active in the Sons of Liberty, a group of patriots who were engaged in the protection of the rights of the colonists.
The British government passed certain disciplinary laws in 1774 which took away from the Massachusetts many of its government and historic rights. These laws were dubbed “Intolerable Acts” and were vehemently opposed by the colonists. Ellery played a significant role in the resistance movement.
By the fall of 1774, emotions, regarding the demand for independence from British rule, were running high in the First continental Congress. Ellery, though not a congress member, was strongly in favour of independence and believed that the colonies were capable enough to govern themselves.
As a lawyer, he was acquainted with several influential people in Rhode Island, and had the means to gather vital information about the British Parliament. He was really frustrated with the way the British were governing America with little concern for the welfare of the people.
By 1775, the American Revolution had already begun, and the Second continental Congress assembled on May 10th. As a fervent supporter of independence, he told the Congress that he would accept the office as a delegate in case a vacancy occurs.
In early 1776, one of the Rhode Island delegates Samuel Ward became ill with smallpox and was dying. The Rhode Island Legislature held an election to choose his replacement, eventually selecting William Ellery.
He attended the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He voted in favour of independence on July 2, 1776. On August 2, 1776, he signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence along with most of the other signers.
After independence, he was placed on the Marine Committee due to his prior experience in shipping. As a member of the congress, he served on several committees while holding this post.
In 1778, he on behalf of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations signed the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the U.S.
Due to his vast knowledge, experience and negotiation skills, he was made a member of the Committee to settle diplomatic problems in 1779. He served as a member of the Congress till 1786.
By 1785, he had gained a reputation for being an abolitionist and wholeheartedly supported Rufus King in his attempts to abolish slavery throughout the U.S.
In 1790, he was appointed as Collector of Customs for the Newport District under the new constitution. He held this post for the rest of his long and productive life.
Major Works
He is mainly famous for being one of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was originally not even a member of the Continental Congress, but had been chosen to replace a deceased delegate.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Ann Remington in 1750. The couple had seven children, of whom five survived to adulthood. Ann died in 1764.
His second marriage was to Abigail Cary in 1767. With her, he had ten more children, many of whom died in their infancy. His second wife died in 1793.
He lived a long and fruitful life and spent his retired years in the company of his numerous children and grandchildren. He died of natural causes on 15 February 1820 at the ripe old age of 92.
Trivia
The famous Unitarian preacher, William Ellery Channing is one of his descendants.
He is one of the three signers of the Declaration of Independence who lived into his nineties.
// Famous Political Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
William Ellery biography timelines
- // 22nd Dec 1727William Ellery was born as the second son of Elizabeth Almy and William Ellery Sr., a businessman, in Rhode Island.
- // 1747Following in his father’s footsteps, he also attended Harvard College where he excelled in Greek and Latin, and graduated in 1747 at the age of 20.
- // 1750 To 1763In 1750, he became a Clerk of the Court where he learnt about legal practices and procedures. He served in this position till 1763.
- // 1750 To 1764He married Ann Remington in 1750. The couple had seven children, of whom five survived to adulthood. Ann died in 1764.
- // 1765When The Stamp Act, which imposed a tax on the colonies of British America, was passed in 1765, it was met with wide spread opposition by the patriots. Ellery, along with others, led a march in Rhode Island to resist the Act.
- // 1767 To 1793His second marriage was to Abigail Cary in 1767. With her, he had ten more children, many of whom died in their infancy. His second wife died in 1793.
- // 1770He decided to expand the legal knowledge he had gained while working as a clerk in the court, and started studying law. He cleared the exams and was accepted into the Bar in 1770.
- // 1774The British government passed certain disciplinary laws in 1774 which took away from the Massachusetts many of its government and historic rights. These laws were dubbed “Intolerable Acts” and were vehemently opposed by the colonists. Ellery played a significant role in the resistance movement.
- // 1774By the fall of 1774, emotions, regarding the demand for independence from British rule, were running high in the First continental Congress. Ellery, though not a congress member, was strongly in favour of independence and believed that the colonies were capable enough to govern themselves.
- // 1775By 1775, the American Revolution had already begun, and the Second continental Congress assembled on May 10th. As a fervent supporter of independence, he told the Congress that he would accept the office as a delegate in case a vacancy occurs.
- // 1776In early 1776, one of the Rhode Island delegates Samuel Ward became ill with smallpox and was dying. The Rhode Island Legislature held an election to choose his replacement, eventually selecting William Ellery.
- // 1776He is mainly famous for being one of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was originally not even a member of the Continental Congress, but had been chosen to replace a deceased delegate.
- // 2nd Jul 1776 To 2nd Aug 1776He attended the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He voted in favour of independence on July 2, 1776. On August 2, 1776, he signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence along with most of the other signers.
- // 1778In 1778, he on behalf of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations signed the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the U.S.
- // 1779 To 1786Due to his vast knowledge, experience and negotiation skills, he was made a member of the Committee to settle diplomatic problems in 1779. He served as a member of the Congress till 1786.
- // 1785By 1785, he had gained a reputation for being an abolitionist and wholeheartedly supported Rufus King in his attempts to abolish slavery throughout the U.S.
- // 1790In 1790, he was appointed as Collector of Customs for the Newport District under the new constitution. He held this post for the rest of his long and productive life.
- // 15th Feb 1820He lived a long and fruitful life and spent his retired years in the company of his numerous children and grandchildren. He died of natural causes on 15 February 1820 at the ripe old age of 92.
// Famous Sagittarius Celebrities peoples
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell is an American singer and songwriter. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.
Jacelyn Reeves
Jacelyn Reeves is a former flight attendant who once had a fling with Clint Eastwood. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Edmund Kemper
Edmund Kemper is a convicted serial killer from America who murdered ten people. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, crimes and other facts about him.
Pietro Boselli
Pietro Boselli is an Italian model, engineer, teacher, and fitness athlete who became famous as the ‘world’s sexiest math teacher’. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Niqoles Heard
Lil Niqo is an American rapper and musical artist. Let’s take a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, girlfriends, and fun facts.
Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent is a hard rock musician known for his hits ‘Stranglehold’ and ‘Cat Scratch Fever’. This biography of Ted Nugent provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
William Ellery's FAQ
What is William Ellery birthday?
William Ellery was born at 1727-12-02
When was William Ellery died?
William Ellery was died at 1820-02-15
Where was William Ellery died?
William Ellery was died in Newport
Which age was William Ellery died?
William Ellery was died at age 92
Where is William Ellery's birth place?
William Ellery was born in Newport
What is William Ellery nationalities?
William Ellery's nationalities is American
Who is William Ellery spouses?
William Ellery's spouses is Abigail Cary, Ann Remington
What was William Ellery universities?
William Ellery studied at Harvard University, Harvard College, Harvard University
What was William Ellery notable alumnis?
William Ellery's notable alumnis is Harvard University
Who is William Ellery's father?
William Ellery's father is William Ellery Sr
Who is William Ellery's mother?
William Ellery's mother is Elizabeth Almy
What is William Ellery's sun sign?
William Ellery is Sagittarius