1778 William Ellery, Declaration of Independence Signer, Wartime Autograph, Continental Congress Congressional Free Frank to 1st Governor Rhode Island Nicholas Cooke

William Ellery Declaration Signer Continental Congress early signed/franked postal cover, wrapper, no content--content appears in the Letters of the Continental Congress, 1778, Volume III*), Docketing reads "William Ellery, Esq.  May 18, 1778."  Here Continental Congressman Ellery used his free franking privilege to address the 1st Governor of Rhode Island Nicholas Cooke,  Nicholas Cooke was Governor of Rhode Island from May, 1776 to May, 1778.  The Second Continental Congress organized a new postal service in July 26, 1775 and was the first to use the free franking privilege.  Nice Revolutionary War dated postal history exemplar of the early use of the Congressional frank and the signature of Declaration of Independence Signer William Ellery.

*A letter dated May 18, 1778 from William Ellery to the Governor of Rhode Island appears in the Letters of the Delegates of the Continental Congress Vol. III, 1778. That index shows William Greene in parentheses as the intended recipient, since he became governor when Nicholas Cooke retired due to age and health (age 61) on May 4, 1778. William Greene was governor of Rhode Island from 1778-1786. A copy from the Letters of the Continental Congress also is shown here.