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[[File:{{Founding Fathers|image=Ellery.jpg|rightState:=Rhode Island |thumb|200pxReligion:=Christian- Congregationalist <ref>http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html</ref>| Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]]}}'''William Ellery''' (December 22, 1727 – February 15, 1820) was a Founding Father of [[America]], a [[lawyer]] and a Supreme Court judge of [[Rhode Island]]. He represented Rhode Island in the [[Continental Congress]] in 1776 and signed the [[Declaration of Independence]] and the [[Articles of Confederation]].

'''William Ellery''' (b. December 22, 1727; d. February 15, 1820) a founding father of [[America]], a lawyer, a Supreme Court judge of [[Rhode Island]], represented Rhode Island in the [[Continental Congress]] in 1776 and signed the [[Declaration of Independence]].  ==Early Lifelife==William was born to the prominent Benjamin Ellery, who had immigrated from Bristol, [[England]]. He received much education from his father, a Harvard graduate. Like his father, William would also attend Harvard, at age 16. He became fluent in Greek and Latin. At age 20, William returned to his home in Newport and studied law. He worked as merchant, then a collector of customs, and later as the Clerk of the Rhode Island General Assembly. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/ellery.htm William Ellery, USHistory.org]</ref> In 1770, Ellery started his law practice at the age of 43. Around the same time Ellery became active with the [[Sons of Liberty]], which increased his prominence among those holding anti-British sentiments.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl4W-TKv2Q8C&pg=PA9 Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1]</ref>

Mr. Ellery continued as a member of congress until the year 1785, then retired to Rhode Island. The people of Rhode Island elected Ellery to the office of chief justice of their superior court. <ref>[http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/founders/ellery.html William Ellery, laughtergenealogy.com]</ref> When [[Rufus King]] was elected to congress in 1785, Ellery joined King in his vocal advocacy for the abolition of slavery.

After leaving Congress, Ellery was appointed by [[George Washington]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WWl2CQAAQBAJ&pg=Death==On PT186 Rhode Island's Founders: From Settlement to Statehood]</ref> to be the 15tb first customs Collector of February, 1820, William died at the age port of 92 years oldNewport, a position he held until his death.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bl4W-TKv2Q8C&pg=PA11 Memoir of William Ellery Channing: With Extracts from His Correspondence and Manuscripts, Volume 1]</ref>

==NotableFamily and legacy==*In 1785, 1750 Ellery became a strong married Ann Remington and vocal advocate for the abolition of slaverytogether they had 7 children. *<ref>[http://colonialhall.com/ellery/elleryAnn.php Ann Remington Ellery]</ref> Ann passed in 1764, and he remarried in 1767 to Abigail Cary. Together, they had 10 children.<ref>[George Washingtonhttps://www.dsdi1776.com/signers-by-state/william-ellery/ William Ellery]</ref> His eldest daughter Elizabeth married [[Francis Dana] appointed Ellery first customs Collector ] who also signed the [[Articles of Confederation]]. On the port 15th of February, 1820, William died at the age of 92 years old. His tomb is at the Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery in Newport, a position he held until Rhode Island.<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ghosts_of_Newport/OXd2CQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT17 Ghosts of Newport]</ref> He has several notable descendants, including his deathgrandson, the theologian [[William Ellery Channing]].

<references/>{{reflist|2}} {{Declaration of Independence}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellery, William}}