Two Prominent Patriots
TWO
PROMINENT PATRIOTS
July seems
to be the month in which we honor pioneers and patriots.
Our family
(like many) has several of both whose lives we honor and whose sacrifice we
appreciate. As you view these two portraits of patriots, one will be familiar
to most of you, my father, Alfred Byron Wade whose life we paid tribute to in
our Grandparent Chronicles August 3, 2018- “Happy Birthday Big Al!” and June
13, 2023-“A
Father’s Day Tribute to Dad”. (We commend both to your re-reading.) On August
6, 2025 we will celebrate dad’s 100th Birthday! He passed in 2013
but his was a life worthy of celebration and remembrance.
The other
portrait, with obvious family features, is that of his 2nd cousin 6
times removed. His is a story that you’ve probably never heard, but one worth
telling.
William
Ellery was born on Dec. 22, 1727. He attended Harvard College at the age of 16
and graduated in 1774. He married Ann Remington in 1750. Together they had 7
children. Ann died in 1764 at the age of 39. In 1767 he married Abigail Cary
(we are related thru this line) together they had 12 children. Of his 19
children only 7 lived to adulthood.
Upon graduation from Harvard, he joined his
father’s mercantile business but politics became his interest and he helped
lead a riotous march of Rhode Islanders through Providence in resistance to the
Stamp Act of 1765. Growing fond of law he passed the bar and entered practice
in 1770.
William was
elected to the 2nd Continental Congress in Philadelphia where he
voted for the resolution for Independence on July 2nd and signed the
Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. William Ellery was a rather small
man at 5’5” and slight of build. At the signing, it has been reported that
Benjamin Harrison, a rather large man, said to the thin framed Ellery, “I shall
have a great advantage over you Mr. Ellery, when we are hung for what we are
now doing. From the size and weight of my body, I shall die quickly, but for
your lightness of body, you will dance for some time before you are dead.”
Thankfully, the British were defeated and none of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence faced the gallows. Many however, still paid a heavy
price. William Ellery’s house in Newport, Rhode Island was burned to the
ground.
In 1778,
William signed the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the
United States. In 1785, Ellery supported Rufas King in efforts to abolish
slavery throughout the country. In 1790, President George Washington appointed
William Ellery as Collector of Customs for the Newport District, a post he
retained until his death 30 years later.
Of the 56
signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Ellery is one of only 3 who
lived into his 90’s, the others being John Adams and Charles Carroll.
William was
an avid reader and is quoted as saying. “Blessed is the man who invented
printing. For this important art I am thankful to that glorious being from whom
all our blessings flow.” On February 15, 1820, William died at home in his chair
while reading. At his passing the world
lost a Founding Father and a true patriot.
We hope that
our posterity will cherish the memory of the many pioneers and patriots in
their ancestry and honor their memory by the way they live their own lives,
with service, sacrifice and integrity.
Much Love-
The Grandparent Chronicles
Sources-
Descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence- dsdi1776.com
Wikipedia-
William Ellery
Family
Search- William Ellery
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