- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
William Ellery
William Ellery
ELLERY, William, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Newport, R.I., 22 Dec., 1727; died there, 15 Feb., 1820.
He was graduated at Harvard in 1747, studied law, and began practice in Newport. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776, and signed the Declaration of Independence. He served in Congress until 1785, and was active in committee work and in support of the war effort.
After the Revolution he was appointed collector of customs at Newport, a position he held for many years. He was a man of scholarly tastes, and wrote essays and articles on political and religious subjects.
Ellery was noted for his integrity, patriotism, and devotion to the cause of liberty. His long life and public service made him one of the most respected figures in Rhode Island.
Source:
Wilson, James Grant, and John Fiske, eds. Appleton’s Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1887. Patriot Echoes Archive