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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02300.14 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of 26 letters from William Ellery to his son, George Wanton Ellery |
| Title | William Ellery to his son George Wanton Ellery discussing his life at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island |
| Date | 12 November 1805 |
| Author | Ellery, William (1727-1820) |
| Recipient | Ellery, George Wanton |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Comments on George's experience seeing the invisible lady, an acoustical illusion of the Enlightenment that appeared to trick the senses by transforming mundane voices into divine utterances. Reassures his son that their is more reality than magic in the device, and explains that it is the invisible lady's inscrutable mode of operation that makes it a popular curiosity. Explains his point through an oppositional example, telling the story of how Christopher Columbus balanced an egg on its small end by using an obvious solution. Praises George for writing without spelling errors and reminds him of the value of his hand writing and arithmetical skills to his future career. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820. |
| Subjects | Education Children and Family Science and Technology Mathematics Literature and Language Arts |
| People | Ellery, William (1727-1820) |
| Place written | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Theme | Children & Family; Education |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |