MEET WILLIAM ELLERY OF RHODE ISLAND!

I was told recently by a reader that he did not know and never heard of the person I wrote about.  That is not unusual.  Why?  Because many of those who were in the Continental Congress were ordinary citizens doing what good citizens do; serving their Colony.
William Ellery was born in Newport in 1727.  His father saw to his early education so when he was ready he entered Harvard College where he studied Greek and Latin, graduating at the head of his class.  He then studied law and practiced Law for twenty years, amassing considerable wealth.
He became an active Patriot and heated up the ire of the British so that when Newport was occupied they burned his house and most of his property.
Ellery took an role active in the politics of the day and served in the Continental Congress and was present on August second to sign the Declaration of Independence.
To understand the animosity built up by the British over the years, one only has to look at this example; In 1772 the Gaspee, a British armed vessel sailed into Providence harbor to enforce the revenue laws.  The Captain required every ship entering the harbor to lower her flag.  One ship refused and the Gaspee gave chase and ran aground.  Sailors and Dock hands invaded the Gaspee and captured the crew and burned the ship to the water.
William Ellery served his country on many posts and positions and worked on the treaty of Peace while a justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island.  He was a Patriot and Christian and died in 1820 at age seventy three!...Medicineman!