Ellery, William (1727-1820) to George Wanton Ellery
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02300.06 Author/Creator: Ellery, William (1727-1820) Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 June 1803 Pagination: 3 p. + addr 21 x 17 cm + docket Order a Copy
Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Mentions Dr. Pearson, a professor at Harvard College, who visited Wickford. Uses George's fishing mishap, a dogfish snapping his line, as a metaphor to teach a lesson about dog-like men giving one trouble in life. Corrects his spelling and grammar, but also commends George for his improved spelling and writing. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.
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