Newport in Newport County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Site of William Ellery House
circa 1979
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Signers of the Declaration of Independence series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 2, 1776.
Location. 41° 29.606′ N, 71° 18.939′ W. Marker is in Newport, Rhode Island, in Newport County. It is on Thames Street south of Poplar Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Thames St, Newport RI 02840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay and in Newport and Aquidneck Island. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Tree of Liberty (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
Also see . . . Wikipedia article about William Ellery.
William Ellery (December 22, 1727 February 15, 1820) was a Founding Father of the United States, one of the 56 signers of the United States Declaration of Independence, and a signer of the Articles of Confederation as a representative of Rhode Island.(Submitted on February 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)
In 1764, the Baptists consulted with Ellery and Congregationalist Reverend Ezra Stiles on writing a charter for the college that became Brown University. Ellery and Stiles attempted to give control of the college to the Congregationalists, but the Baptists withdrew the petition until it was rewritten to assure Baptist control. NeitherEllery nor Stiles accepted appointment to the reserved Congregationalist seats on the board of trustees.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 691 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
