William Elbridge Sewell

Who was William Elbridge Sewell?

William Elbridge Sewell was a United States Navy Lieutenant Commander, and the 6th Naval Governor of Guam from February 9, 1903 until being transported back to the mainland United States for medical treatment on January 11, 1904. He was born in Colchester, New York and appointed to the United States Naval Academy from that state in 1867. He did not become an Ensign immediately, but served on numerous ships before achieving the rank. He continued serving on a multitude of ships, eventually executive officer or commanding officer at a series of ships and installations. Eventually, he became commanding officer of the Guam flagship, and soon after, governor. As governor, he initiated a series of tax and legal reforms, including many that restored the rights of the native population to practice their culture more freely. He legalized and taxed alcohol and set up a court system that would last 30 years. In March 1904, he feel ill from intestinal troubles and was transported to California for treatment, where he died while still in office.