clmroots: July 2026

Saturday, July 4, 2026

You are related to a signer...

Yesterday, I received an interesting email from FamilySearch.org. It read:
"You're related to a signer of the Declaration of Independence"

Since that was news to me, I opened the email and read: You're related to William Ellery. Not familiar with the name, I clicked on the See Relationship button. The following relationship chart popped up (after I had logged onto my FamilySearch.org account).

Relationship chart between
William Ellery and Nathan Cole
3rd cousins Once removed

On the above chart, I show up six generations below Nathan Cole who is on the bottom left side. William Ellery and Nathan Cole are 3rd cousins once removed to each other. My relationship back to Nathan Cole (my 5th great-grandfather) is well documented and proven with both records and DNA. The DNA runs out with the Nathan Cole generation, but the line from Nathan Cole back to Thomas Cornell is very well researched. So, I am comfortable claiming my relationship to William Ellery.

I am exited to be related to a signer of the Declaration of Independence! Looking at a copy of the Declaration of Independence, William Ellery's signature shows up on the right hand side, sixth from the bottom.

Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776

William Ellery Signature

William Ellery (1727–1820)

William Ellery was a dedicated merchant, lawyer, and statesman from Newport, Rhode Island, who became one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. After graduating from Harvard College in 1747, he engaged in various business ventures and practiced law before throwing himself into the American revolutionary cause. In 1776, Ellery was chosen to succeed the late Samuel Ward as a delegate to the Continental Congress. He fiercely championed colonial rights, signed the Declaration of Independence alongside Stephen Hopkins, and later contributed to the drafting and signing of the Articles of Confederation, establishing himself as a foundational architect of the new nation.

William Ellery by H.B. Hall

Related Posts:

Nathan Cole - Patriot

Nathan Cole’s Button

Revolutionary War Ancestors

Note: This is a re-post of my 2008 blog post about our Revolutionary War Ancestors. This year it is important that we remember and be thankful for our Revolutionary War Ancestors on this the --

250th Anniversary of our Independence

Our family has many direct line ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War or helped the cause of freedom and are considered patriots. In order to join the Daughters of the American Revolution, I have documented and proven lineage to one of our ancestors: Revolutionary War Patriot, Nathan Cole.

Direct Line Ancestors (many found in DAR or SAR):

Name of Patriot, Family line, DAR #, Colony served from
Nathan Cole (Wilson line) DAR#A024205; Served from RI 1775/1776 abt 6 months, re-enlisted in Hancock, MA.

Robert Carothers (Wilson line) DAR#A019364; Served in Mecklenburg County, NC Militia.
David Wilson (Wilson line) DAR Roster of Soldiers of NC in the Revolutionary War, P. 401-2
Jonas Goble (Wilson line) DAR#A045835; Continental Army, Waggoner from Morristown, NJ
Ezekiel Goble (Wilson line) DAR#A045827; Sergeant in Eastern Battalion, Dunmore's War, NJ Militia
Andrew Cox (Cock) (Wilson line) DAR#A026969; Soldier, Patriotic Service, Montgomery County, VA Militia
William Jay (Wilson line) DAR#A061803; 96 District, SC, Patriotic Service - furnished supplies
William Whitley (Baldwin line) Scout and soldier in the Virginia Troops
Isaac West (Baldwin line) South Carolina, Patriotic Service, Attacked by British at Kings Mountain
John Belk (Baldwin line) North Carolina, Civil Service
George Brown (Baldwin line) Virginia (Died in TN - headstone states he served in Revolutionary War)
Robert Box (Leffel Line) DAR#A012968; 96 District South Carolina, Patriotic Service - Furnished Supplies
Balzar Leffel (Leffel line) DAR#A069001; Oath of Allegiance, 1778 Berks Co. PA
John Leffel (Leffel line) DAR#A132153; Patriotic Service, 1783 Berks Co., PA

Other direct line ancestors who may have fought (some research needs to be done on these men):

James Thompson (Wilson line) ??some say he fought at CowPens, SC or Guilford Courthouse, NC??

Randolph Whitley (Baldwin line)
Thomas Lindley (Baldwin line) served from North Carolina -- must prove correct service
Phillip Peery (Leffel line)
Benjamin Johnson (Leffel line) -- He received a military land grant

Note: The above are direct line ancestors -- many of their family members (brothers, uncles & cousins) also served by fighting in Revolutionary War or serving the cause of freedom in some other capacity. See below.

Other family members (not direct line) who served in the Revolutionary War:

William Cole (brother to Nathan Cole) Private, 4th Regiment, NY line, Continental Army
Royal Cole (brother of Nathan Cole) Allowed pension. Enlisted July, 1776. SAR
Samuel Abenschon (brother to Margaret Abendschon Leffel) Private, Berks Co. Militia, Capt San's Co, 5th-6th Battalions
Zacchaeus Wilson (brother to David Wilson) Captain at Battle of King's Mountain, Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence at Convention 20 May 1775.
Robert Wilson (brother to David Wilson) and seven sons (7 of 11 sons) are known to have participated in the Revolutionary War. See blog post about Robert's wife, Eleanor Wilson.
John Box (Leffel line) South Carolina Revolutionary War Rolls
Edward Box (Leffel line) Served under Capt Robert Manfield, Col Worton
Samuel Box (Leffel line) Capt Sanders, Col Moultrie, 1776, Taken Prisoner at fall of Charleston 1780

If any of you know of any other Patriots in our family line, please let me know, and I will add them to the list.

Click here to view my post about the Daughters of the American Revolution or you can visit the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) website to take advantage of their online research system or investigate how to submit forms for membership;

go to: DAR Genealogical Research System or DAR Daughters of the American Revolution.

America's 250th Anniversary

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we honor the birth of our nation and the enduring principles of freedom, liberty, and opportunity that have shaped the American story. This year is especially meaningful as we commemorate America's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—a remarkable milestone that invites us to reflect on the courage, vision, and sacrifice of those who founded our country and the generations who have worked to preserve and strengthen it.

My History is America's History

As I have researched my family history, I have gained a greater appreciation for this amazing country we live in and a greater appreciation for all the generations of my ancestors who have preserved our freedoms. As noted in the 2008 Welcome section sidebar of this blog, "My ancestors were the colonists, frontiersmen, pioneers, and cowboys - with a few scallywags thrown in - who helped establish, preserve, and settle this great country we live in." The family stories posted on this blog have connected me to the history of our nation. And, they are the reason this blog is named "History of an American Family."

Now as our county celebrates the Fourth of July 2026, I proudly honor 250 years of the American spirit - a legacy built on courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in freedom.

America's 250th anniversary is a time each of us can celebrate not only our own rich history, but also the strength, resilience, and unity that continue to define our nation. As families, friends, and communities gather this Independence Day, may we renew our appreciation for the blessings of liberty and our shared commitment to the values that bind us together. Let us proudly fly our flag, honor our heritage, and look to the future with confidence, gratitude, and deep pride in the United States of America.

Happy Fourth of July, and God bless America

This 4th of July remember our ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. To see a list, click here.