Elizabeth Almy

Elizabeth married Dep. Gov. William Ellery 3 Jan 1722/23, Newport, Newport Co., RI. William (son of Capt. Benjamin Ellery and Abigail Wilkens) was born 31 Oct 1701, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 15 Mar 1764, Newport, Newport Co., RI; was buried Aft 15 Mar 1764, Common Burial Ground, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Benjamin married Lucy Barran Aft 1747. Lucy died 12 Oct 1752. [Group Sheet]

Benjamin married Mehitable Redwood 22 Jan 1769, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Mehitable (daughter of Abraham Redwood and Martha Coggeshall) was born 27 Jun 1731, Newport, Newport Co., RI; died 4 Dec 1794, Newport, Newport Co., RI; was buried Aft 4 Dec 1794, Common Burial Ground, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alt. Birth: 11 Dec 1727, Newport, Newport Co., RI
• Alt. Birth: 22 Dec 1727

Notes:

WILLIAM ELLERY

William Ellery, the son of a gentleman of the same name, was born at Newport, on the 22d day of December, 1727.  His ancestors were originally from Bristol, in England, whence they emigrated to America during the latter part of the seventeenth century, and took up their residence at Newport, in Rhode Island.

The early education of the subject of this memoir, was received almost exclusively from his father, who was a graduate of Harvard university; and who although extensively engaged in mercantile pursuits, found leisure personally to cultivate the mind of his son.  At the age of sixteen, he was qualified for admission to the university, of which his father had been a member before him.  In his twentieth year, he left the university, having sustained, during his collegiate course, the character of a faithful and devoted student.  In a knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages, he is said to have particularly excelled, and through the whole bustle of his active life, until the very hour of dissolution, he retained his fondness for them.

On his return to Newport, he commenced the study of the law, and after the usual preparatory course, he entered upon the practice, which for twenty years he pursued with great zeal.  During this period, no other particulars have been recorded of him, than that he succeeded in acquiring a competent fortune, and receiving the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

At an early period of the controversy between Great Britain and the colonies, Rhode Island strongly enlisted herself in the patriotic cause. She was not backward in expressing her disapprobation of the arbitrary measures of the parent country.  Indeed, it is doubtful whether Rhode Island is not equally entitled, with Virginia and Massachusetts, to the honour which they claim, of being earliest in the measures leading to the revolution.  Among the great scenes which led the way to actual resistance, two occurred in Narraganset bay.  The first of these was an attack by the people of Rhode Island, upon the armed revenue sloop, Liberty, in the harbour of Newport, June 17th, 1769.  The second was the memorable affair of the Gaspee, June 9th, 1772, and in which it may be said, was shed the first blood in the revolution.  This latter occurrence excited an unusual alarm among the royal party in the provinces, and gave occasion to Governor Hutchinson to address the following letter to Commodore Gambier:  " Our last ships carried you the news of the burning of the Gaspee schooner, at Providence.  I hope, if there should be another like attempt, some concerned in it may be taken prisoners, and carried directly to England.  A few punished at execution dock, would be the only effectual preventive of any further attempts."

By other acts did the people of Rhode Island, at an early period, evince their opposition to the royal government.  On the arrival in the year 1774 of the royal proclamation prohibiting the importation of fire arms from England, they dismantled the fort at Newport, and took possession of forty pieces of cannon.  Again, on the occurrence of the battle of Lexington, they simultaneously roused to the defence of their fellow citizens, in the province of Massachusetts.  Within three days after that memorable event, a large number of her militia were in the neighbourhood of Boston, ready to cooperate in measures either of hostility or defence.  In the same year she sent twelve hundred regular troops into the service, and afterwards furnished three state regiments to serve during the war.

No sooner was the formation of a continental congress suggested, than Rhode Island took measures to be represented in that body, and elected as delegates two of her most distinguished citizens, Governor Hopkins and Mr. Ward.

During these movements in Rhode Island, Mr. Ellery, the subject of this notice, was by no means an idle spectator.  The particular history of the part which he took in these transactions is, indeed, not recorded; but the tradition is, that he was not behind his contemporaries either in spirit or action.

In the election for delegates to the congress of 1776, Mr. Ellery was a successful candidate, and in that body took his seat, on the seventeenth of May.  Here, he soon became an active and influential member, and rendered important services to his country, by his indefatigable attention to duties assigned him, on several committees.  During this session, he had the honour of affixing his name to the declaration of independence.  Of this transaction he frequently spoke, and of the notice he took of the members of congress when they signed that instrument.  He placed himself beside secretary Thompson, that he might see how they looked, as they put their names to their death warrant.  But while all appeared to feel the solemnity of the occasion, and their countenances bespoke their awe, it was unmingled with fear.  They recorded their names as patriots, who were ready, should occasion require, to lead the way to martyrdom.

In the year 1777, the marine committee of congress, of which Mr. Ellery was a member, recommended the plan, and it is supposed, at his suggestion, of preparing fire ships, and sending them out from the state of Rhode Island.  Of this plan, the journals of congress speak in the following terms:

"If upon due consideration, jointly had by the navy board for the eastern department, and the governor and council of war for the state of Rhode Island, and for which purpose the said navy board are directed to attend upon the said governor and council of war, the preparing fire ships be judged practicable, expedient, and advisable, the said navy board immediately purchase, upon as reasonable terms as possible, six ships, or square rigged vessels, at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the best calculated for fire ships, with all possible expedition; that the said navy board provide proper materials for the same, and employ a proper captain or commander, one lieutenant, and a suitable number of men for each of the said ships, or vessels, of approved courage and prudence; and that notice be given to all the commanders of the continental ships and vessels in the port of Providence, to be in readiness to sail at a moment’s warning: that as soon as the said fire ships are well prepared, the first favourable wind be embraced to attack the British ships and navy in the rivers and bays of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: that the officers of the continental navy there, favour, as much as possible, the design, and use their utmost efforts to get out to sea, and proceed to such cruise, or to such ports, as the said navy board, or the marine committee, shall appoint or order."

During the year that the British army under General Piggot took possession of Newport, where they fortified themselves, and continued their head quarters for some time, the inhabitants sustained much injury in their property. Mr. Ellery shared in the common loss, his dwelling house being burned, and other destruction of property occasioned.

Mr. Ellery continued a member of congress until the year 1785, and indeed, through that year, when he retired to his native state.  Soon after, however, he was elected by congress, a commissioner of the continental loan office, to which was subsequently added, by the citizens of Rhode Island, the office of chief justice of their superior court, a station which he did not continue to hold long.  On the organization of the federal government, he received from General Washington the appointment of collector of the customs for the town of Newport, an once which he retained during the remainder of his life.

On the 15th of February, 1820, this venerable man – venerable for his age, which had been prolonged to ninety-two years, and. venerable for the services which he had rendered his country, was summoned to his account. His death was in unison with his life.  He wasted gradually and almost imperceptibly, until the powers of nature were literally worn out by use.  On the day on which his death occurred, he had risen, as usual, and rested in his old flag bottomed chair, the relict of half a century; he had employed himself in reading Tully’s offices in Latin.

While thus engaged, his family physician called to see him.  On feeling his pulse, he found that it had ceased to beat.  A draught of wine and water quickened it into life, however, again, and being placed and supported on the bed, he continued reading, until the lamp of life, in a moment of which his friends were ignorant, was extinguished.

     "Of no distemper, of no blast he died,
     But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long,
     E’en wonder’d at because he falls no sooner.
     Fate seem’d to wind him up for fourscore years,
     Yet freshly ran he on twelve winters more:
     Till, like a clock worn out with eating time,
     The wheels of weary life at last stood still"

In the character of Mr. Ellery there was much to admire. He was, indeed, thought by some to have been too tenacious of his opinion, and not always free from asperity to others.  But years mellowed down these unpleasant traits of his character, and showed that he had exercised a watchfulness over himself, not entirely in vain.  He manifested an uncommon disregard of the applause of men. It was often upon his lips: "humility rather than pride becomes such creatures as we are."   He looked upon the world and its convulsions with religious serenity, and in times of public danger, and of public difficulty, he comforted himself and others, with the pious reflection of the psalmist, "The Lord reigneth."

In conversation, Mr. Ellery was at once interesting and instructive.  His advice was often sought, and his opinions regarded with great reverence. In letter writing he excelled, as he did in fine penmanship, which latter would be inferred from his signature to the declaration of independence. In stature, he was of middling height, and carried in his person the indications of a sound frame and an easy mind.  In the courtesies of life, he kept pace with the improvements of the age; but his conversation, and dress, and habits of life, plainly showed that he belonged to a more primitive generation.

from: http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/delegate.html

William married Ann Remington 11 Oct 1750, ____, ____, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Ann (daughter of Judge Jonathan Remington and Lucy Bradstreet) was born 19 Feb 1723/24, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA; died 7 Sep 1764, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

William married Abigail Cary 28 Jun 1767, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI. Abigail (daughter of Nathaniel Cary and Elizabeth Wanton) was born 12 Nov 1742, Bristol, Bristol Co., RI; died 7 Jul 1793, Newport, Newport Co., RI; was buried Aft 7 Jul 1793, Common Burial Ground, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Ann married Rev. John Burt 17 Nov 1768, Newport, Newport Co., RI. John died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Christopher married Mary "Polly" [--?--] 2 Dec 1760, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Mary (daughter of Samuel [--?--] and Miss [--?--]) died 3 Sep 1776, Providence, Providence Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Christopher — Rachel King. Rachel died 20 May 1790, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 11 Dec 1820, Providence, Providence Co., RI; Providence Gazette

Notes:

Obituary:
Abraham R. Ellery, Esq., attorney-at-law, formerly of Newport, at Bay of St. Louis.

Abraham married Sarah Charlotte Weissenfels 24 Jul 1802, New York, New York Co., NY. Sarah (daughter of Major Charles Frederick Weissenfels and Rhoda Salter) was born 23 Dec 1784, Newport, Newport Co., RI; died 23 Dec 1837, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA. [Group Sheet]

Martha married Christopher Grant Champlin 14 Apr 1793, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Christopher died Bef 1847. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth married Hon. Francis Dana, L. L. D. 5 Aug 1773, Hampton, Rockingham Co., NH. Francis (son of Richard Dana and Lydia Trowbridge) was born 13 Jun 1743, Charlestown, Suffolk Co., MA; died 25 Apr 1811, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Lucy married William Channing 9 May 1773, Newport, Newport Co., RI. William was born 11 Jun 1751, Newport, Newport Co., RI; died 21 Sep 1793. [Group Sheet]

Almy married Hon. William Stedman, A. M. 24 Oct 1790, Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA. William (son of Capt. Ebenezer Stedman and Mary Smith) was born 20 Jan 1765, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA; died 31 Aug 1831, Newburyport, Essex Co., MA; was buried Aft 31 Aug 1831, Old Hill Burying Ground - Newburyport, Essex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

William married Abigail Shaw 2 Sep 1798, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Abigail (daughter of Capt. William Shaw and Miss [--?--]) was born Abt 1780; died 10 Apr 1818; was buried Aft 10 Apr 1818, Common Burial Ground, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alt. Birth: 2 Nov 1763, Newport, Newport Co., RI
• 1800 Census: 1800, Newport, Newport Co., RI
• 1810 Census: 1810, Newport, Newport Co., RI
• 1820 Census: 1820; not located
• 1830 Census: 1830, Newport, Newport Co., RI
• 1840 Census: 1840; not located
• Residence: 1846; Newport, Newport Co., RI
• Alt. Burial: Aft 24 Mar 1847, Swan Point - Providence, Providence Co., RI

Notes:

1800 Census:
p. 234
Edmund T. Ellery   10010 - 20020 - 20

1810 Census:
p. 236
Edmund T. Ellery  31010 - 21210 - 0

1830 Census:
p. 17
Ellery, T. Edmund 000 000 000 1000 - 000 000 000 0000

Edmund married Catherine "Katy" Almy 30 Sep 1792, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Catherine (daughter of Capt. Benjamin Almy and Mary Gould) was born 7 Apr 1770, Newport, Newport Co., RI; died 8 Dec 1863, Providence, Providence Co., RI; was buried Aft 8 Dec 1863, Common Burial Ground, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Mehitable — Mister Redwood. Mister died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alt. Death: Unknown

George married Mary Goddard Bef 19 Nov 1823, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Mary (daughter of Thomas Goddard and Frances Weaver) was born 18 Dec 1799; died 15 Mar 1885. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth married Samuel Vernon, III 1 Jan 1785, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Samuel died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Mary married Asher Robbins Bef 24 Dec 1791, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Asher died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Martha married Elbert Jefferson Anderson Bef 3 Oct 1825, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Elbert was born 25 Oct 1800, ____, ____, NY; died 13 Feb 1888, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Charlotte married Marius Panon 1 Oct 1830. Marius was born 14 Apr 1798, Marseilles-lès-Aubigny, ____, Centre, France; died 16 Nov 1870, London, Middlesex, England, UK. [Group Sheet]

Orleana married Walden Pell 2 Sep 1837, New York, New York Co., NY. Walden was born 2 Oct 1809, ____, ____, NY; died 14 Mar 1863. [Group Sheet]

Francis married Sophia Willard 1802. Sophia (daughter of Josiah Willard and Miss [--?--]) was born Abt 1773; died 1840. [Group Sheet]

Martha married Washington Allston 1 Jun 1830, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. Washington was born 5 Nov 1779, Brook Green, ____, SC; died 9 Jul 1843, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: Poet and Author
• Graduation: 1808; Harvard College

Richard married Ruth Charlotte Smith 11 May 1813, St. John's Church - Providence, Providence Co., RI. Ruth (daughter of John Wilson Smith and Susanna Tillinghast) was born 18 Nov 1787, Taunton, Bristol Co., MA; died 10 Feb 1822, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Francis married Susan Cleveland Higginson Nov 1806. Susan (daughter of Hon. Stephen Higginson and Susanna Cleveland) was born 20 Apr 1783, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA; died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Ann married Washington Allston 1800. Washington was born 5 Nov 1779, Brook Green, ____, SC; died 9 Jul 1843, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

William married Ruth Gibbs 1814. Ruth died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Mary — Mister Gibbs. Mister died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Walter — Barbara Higginson Perkins. Barbara (daughter of Samuel Gardner Perkins and Barbara Cooper Higginson) was born Abt 31 Dec 1795; died 1822. [Group Sheet]

Lucy — William W. Russell. William died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

George — Elizabeth Parsons Sigourney. Elizabeth died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Edward married Henrietta Abby Shaw Ellery 6 Apr 1826, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Henrietta died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• 1830 Census: 1830
• 1860 Census: 23 Jun 1860, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• Directory: 1861, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• 1870 Census: 15 Jun 1870, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• 1880 Census: 1880, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• Death Registration: Aft 23 Apr 1890, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA; Vol. 411, p. 144
• Obituary: 24 Apr 1890, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA; Los Angeles Times

Notes:

Francis Dana Stedman was a member of the General Court in 1874.  In 1875, he was a Senator from Suffolk County.

1830 Census:
Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA, p. 11

1860 Census:
Ward 4, pp. 102-103
Chas H. Stedman       54  M   Physician            ----  ----   Mass
-----  p. 103  -----
Francis D. Stedman   56  M   Travelling Agent  ----  ----   Mass
Lucy              "           50   F                                                 "
Harriet R.       "           50   F                                                 "
Francis D.      "   jr.     17   M                                                "         school
Lucy               "          13   F                                                 "            "
Henry R.         "          10   M    Son of C. H. S.                     "            "
Walter R         "           10  M    Son of F. D. S.                      "            "
Catharine Hussey      30   F    Domestic                            Ireland
Ellen            "              24   F            "                                    "

Directory:
Stedman, Francis D., 45 Water, b. 87 Waltham

1870 Census:
Boston PO, Ward 9, p. 100
Stedman, Francis B    68  M  W  Life Ins Agent  ----  ----   Mass                                              citizen
---, Harriet R               60   F  W  Keeping house                   "
---, Walter R                20  M  W  at home                           Tennessee
Mency, Margaret        23   F  W  Domestic help                  Ireland         parents foreign born

1880 Census:
National Archives Film T9-0560     Page 119D

               Relation  Sex  Marr Race Age   Birthplace
Francis D STEDMAN   Self M    M    W    79     MASS   Occ: Retired Ins Agent  Fa: MA  Mo: RI
Harriet R STEDMAN   Wife F    M    W    71     MASS   Occ: Keeping House    Fa: MA Mo: MA
Walter R STEDMAN         ASon M    S    W    29     TENN   Occ: Banker                 Fa: MA   Mo: MA
Achsah BARNES       Other     F    S    W    50     NH      Occ: School Teacher     Fa: NH  Mo: NH
Mary A SPENCER      Other     F    M    W    50     RI      Occ: Domestic Servant  Fa: RI     Mo: RI

Death Registration:
Francis D. Stedman, widower, age 89 years, 2 months, and 13 days, died 23 April 1890 at his home 62 Winthrop St. Boston, of Old Age. He was an Insurance Agent. He was born in Lancaster to William and Almy Stedman, both born Lancaster.

Obituary:
Prominent Bostonian Dead.

BOSTON, April 23.-- Hon. Francis Dana Stedman died at his home this morning, aged 89 years. Stedman was the last surviving grandson of William Ellery, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and was a son of Hon. William Stedman.

Francis married Harriet R. Rockwood 13 Nov 1826, Lancaster, Worcester Co., MA. Harriet (daughter of John Rockwood and Edith "Ede" Page) was born 10 Sep 1808, Groton, Middlesex Co., MA; died 12 Apr 1886, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA; was buried Aft 12 Apr 1886, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Graduation: 1829; Harvard College, M.D.
• 1830 Census: 1830
• 1840 Census: 1840, Chelsea, Suffolk Co., MA
• 1850 Census: 24 Sep 1850, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• 1860 Census: 23 Jun 1860, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA
• Directory: 1861, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA

Notes:

Charles Harrison Stedman (named for Gen. Charles Harrison, an intimate friend of William Stedman and first husband of Madam Esther Sprague of Dedham) did not finish an academic course at Yale, but had an honorary AM.  He received his M. D. from Harvard in 1829.

He was appointed by President Jackson as Surgeon for the U.S. Marine Hospital from 1830-1840.  He was Superintendent of the Boston Lunatic Hospital 1842-1851.  he was in the Massachusetts Senate in 1855; Governor's Council, 1856.  He was Senior Surgeon for Boston City Hospital from 1861 till his death in 1866.

1830 Census:
Chelsea, Suffolk Co., MA, p. 5

1840 Census:
p. 11
Charles H. Stedman   010 101 000 0000 - 000 004 000 0000

1850 Census:
Ward 12, p. 385
Chas. H. Stedman    45  M  (MD) Supt B. Lunatic Asylum   ---  Mass
Lucy R.                    40   F                                                             "
Chas. E.                   19  M                                                             "         school
Francis D.                  8  M                                                             "            "
Lucy                          3   F                                                             "
Henry R.                    1  M                                                              "
.... Many Staff and Patients

1860 Census:
Ward 4, pp. 102-103
Chas H. Stedman       54  M   Physician            ----  ----   Mass
-----  p. 103  -----
Francis D. Stedman   56  M   Travelling Agent  ----  ----   Mass
Lucy              "           50   F                                                 "
Harriet R.       "           50   F                                                 "
Francis D.      "   jr.     17   M                                                "         school
Lucy               "          13   F                                                 "            "
Henry R.         "          10   M    Son of C. H. S.                     "            "
Walter R         "           10  M    Son of F. D. S.                      "            "
Catharine Hussey      30   F    Domestic                            Ireland
Ellen            "              24   F            "                                    "

Directory:
Stedman, Charles H., physician, house 2 Dover.

Charles married Lucy Rust Ingalls 20 May 1829, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. Lucy (daughter of Dr. William Ingalls, M. D. and Lucy Myrick Ridgway) was born 31 Jan 1809, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA; died 12 Nov 1884, Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Mary married Samuel Jennison, Jr. 15 Oct 1815, Providence, Providence Co., RI. Samuel (son of Samuel Jennison and Sarah "Sally" Fiske) was born 24 Feb 1788, Brookfield, Worcester Co., MA; died 11 Mar 1860, Worcester, Worcester Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

William married Jane Mackie Bef 1838. Jane was born Abt 1810, ____, ____, NY; died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Elizabeth married Robert Sedgwick, Esq. 21 Aug 1822, Newport, Newport Co., RI. Robert died Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Christened:
Recorded at the Second Congregational Church of Newport as Edward Coakley, of Edmund T. and Catharine, April 8, 1807.

Conrad married Harriet Sherman Easton 21 May 1836. Harriet (daughter of James Easton and Henrietta Sherman) was born 7 Oct 1816, Newport, Newport Co., RI; died 13 Oct 1877, Providence, Providence Co., RI. [Group Sheet]