Signer William Ellery Writes His Daughter

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016

Signer William Ellery Writes His Daughter ELLERY, William (1727-1820), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Rhode Island. In 1764, the Baptists consulted with Ellery and the Congregationalist Reverend Ezra Stiles on writing a charter for the college that became Brown University.Autograph Letter Signed "Wm. Ellery," one page, 7.75 x 9.5, March 23, 1815. Letter to his daughter Philadelphia Ellery, penned in the wake of the end of the War of 1812. In part: "I…am glad to find that Belinda is willing to perform her promise to live with us when peace shall take place…the weather has been so cold since you wrote your letter and the roads so bad, and made worse by the snow that fell last night, that it is impossible for me to fix upon the time when I shall be at Providence….Your brother W., and wife and daughter attended by Edward Channing arrived at Newport last Saturday…Be yourself at Providence as soon as you conveniently can." After news of family members, who are coming to Newport, Ellery notes that "Mr. Timmy has gone again to Hartford, and does not mean to live at Newport, the air there not suiting his health so well as that of the country." Addressed on the reverse of the second integral page in his own hand. In very good condition, with intersecting folds, small restored area of seal-related loss at left edge, and the once-removed signature and sentiment now skillfully replaced (along with a square area of paper to its immediate right).

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