LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25236

Declaration Signer William Ellery Doc. Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Declaration Signer William Ellery Doc. Signed
<B>Declaration Signer William Ellery Document Signed.</B></I> One page, 16.75" x 13", Newport, Rhode Island, May 20, 1776. A Signer of the Declaration of Independence, he was sent by Rhode Island to the Continental Congress in 1776, where he remained until 1786 except for 1780 and 1782. He ended his political career to straighten out his personal finances, which were ruined by the war. In 1790, Washington appointed Ellery customs collector of Newport, a position he held for three decades. In part, the document reads, "To all people to whom these presents shall come William Channing of Newport in the county of Newport and colony of Rhode Island send greeting, KNOW YE, that the said William Channing for and in consideration of the sum of eighty pounds lawful money to me. In Hand, before the ensealing hereof, well and truly paid by William Ellery of Newport aforesd Esq. The receipt of whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself therewith fully satisfied, contended and paid; and thereof, and of every part and parcel thereof…lot of land…two acres and one quarter be the same more or less and bounded Northerly on a driftway Easterly on a high way Southerly on land of George Gibbs and Westerly on the land of Christopher Ellery…" <BR><BR>Overall restoration including infill to losses. Excellent appearance. We know of only three other existing documents, and all sold almost 15 years ago at Christie's. A similar endorsement sold for over $8000. An ALS in the same sale brought over $120,000. The third piece, a journal, sold for nearly $19,000. The docketing on the back is in Ellery's hand and includes a beautiful signature.
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