1769 William Ellery Signed Receipt – PSA/DNA Certified, NM-MT 8

This historical document, dated June 8, 1769, is a handwritten receipt signed by William Ellery (1727–1820), one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. The document, penned in Newport, Rhode Island, acknowledges a transaction for twenty-five pounds of old tenor (a form of colonial currency) from Samuel Maryott, indicating the settlement of an account. The aged paper and elegant colonial-era script highlight its authenticity as an original 18th-century financial record.

William Ellery was a prominent Rhode Island statesman, merchant, and later a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1776, he became the second signer from Rhode Island to sign the Declaration of Independence, boldly affixing his name beneath John Hancock’s. Unlike many other signers, Ellery watched as his fellow delegates signed, noting the determination on their faces despite the grave risks of treason. During the American Revolution, British forces burned his Newport home, yet he remained steadfast in the cause for independence. He later served as a federal judge, continuing his legacy in shaping the early Republic.

This remarkable pre-Revolutionary War artifact is encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA, receiving a Near Mint-Mint 8 (NM-MT 8) grade, ensuring exceptional preservation. As 18th-century documents signed by Declaration signers are exceedingly rare, this piece stands as an important collectible for American history enthusiasts, early colonial document collectors, and those fascinated by the Founding Fathers.