MEET ELBRIDGE GERRY!

This signer of the Declaration was born in Marblehead, Mass. in 1744.  His father was a merchant involved in many businesses.  Elbridge attended Harvard College and earned an AB degree in 1762.  He entered the field of business and soon became a rich man.
He was well thought of by the people because of his good character and intelligence. He watched with great interest the rapid strides of British oppression and spoke out so vigorously the people elected him to the General Court of the province in 1773.  There he joined with John Adams and others in the removal of Governor Hutchinson from office because of the secret letters he had written encouraging English Ministers to enforce heavy penalties on the people to end the unrest building among the Americans.
He was a member of the Provincial Congress and good friends with Dr. and General Warren and ,the night preceding the Battle of Bunker Hill they slept together and parted in the morning, Elbridge to join the Congress sitting at Watertown and Dr. Warren to die on the battlefield.
In January, 1776 he was elected delegate to the Continental Congress.  He served on many committees including the one to visit General Washington at Valley Forge to see just how bad conditions were.  He was forceful and effective in gaining support and money for Washiungton's army.
He retired from Congress in 1785 but not for long.  President John Adams called him back to serve as one of three envoys to the Court of France.  Gerry retired once again but in 1811 was elected Vice-President.  He became very ill and died in November,1814 at the age of seventy..Medicineman!