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Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400
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This Lot is CLOSED for Absentee Bidding.
William Ellery Signer of the Declaration of Independence Autograph Letter Signed Three Times Includes: “Negroes Passage from Jamaica to this Place” for Transporting Slaves (Newport, Rhode Island)

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WILLIAM ELLERY (1727-1820). Signer of the Declaration of Independence for Rhode Island, member “Sons of Liberty,” 1776 Delegate to the Continental Congress from Rhode Island and on its Marine Committee, Naval Officer for the Colony of RI, Signer of RI Currency Notes, and appointed as Continental Congress Loan-Office Commissioner for the State of RI, etc.

November 26, 1761-Dated Colonial Era, Autograph Letter Signed THREE Times, "William Ellery, junr.," 2 pages (1 sheet written on both sides), measuring 7.25” x 12”, Fine. This Letter is well written in rich brown ink on laid period paper having some fold splitsDelegate sealed with apparent archival tape, bottom corner selvage torn not affecting any written text. An extensive letter with a full long explanation of the shipments and debt due. This handwritten letter is to William Taylor of St. Ann's, Jamaica, demanding payment of a highly detailed bill. Here, Ellery is clearly extremely annoyed about the late payment. This letter reads, in small part:

"I never met with so much Difficulty in the Transaction of any Business as in this, and never was represented in so dishonorable a Light; but however it is some Comfort to Me to find notwithstanding all your Misrepresentations, my Character stands fair with your Countrymen as I would have it do with all Mankind.” *Of special content note is payment for Mr. William Taylor’s:

“Negroes Passage from Jamaica to this Place (Slaves shipped to Newport, Rhode Island) 44 Dollars @ 7 Pounds (each) = 308 pounds”.

Ellery Signs a total of Three times at the concluding portions of this extensive two page letter, in the heading of the summary of the bill for 1412.9.5, and following a postscript.
Keywords: WILLIAM ELLERY, Declaration of Independence, Signer, Rhode Island, Sons of Liberty, Delegate, 1776, Continental Congress, Negroes, Black, Slaves,
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Estimate Range: $1,800 - $2,400
Early American History Auctions, Inc.
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