William Elbridge Sewell

William Elbridge Sewell (November 16, 1851 – March 17, 1904) was a United States Navy Lieutenant Commander and the 6th Naval Governor of Guam from February 9, 1903, until he returned 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 served on numerous ships before becoming an ensign, and eventually became executive officer or commanding officer of a series of ships and installations. He then became commanding officer of the Guam flagship, and soon after, governor of Guam. 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 lasted 30 years. In January 1904, he fell ill from intestinal troubles and was transported to California for treatment, where he died while still in office.

Life Sewell was born November 16, 1851, in Colchester, New York. He married Minnie Moore on October 14, 1890, and had three daughters. His wife died in 1901 when their children were still young. His daughter Helen Sewell later became a famous children's book illustrator.

Naval career Sewell was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1867 by Congressman William C. Fields. He graduated the academy in 1871.

Governorship During his term as governor, Sewell issued twenty-four orders, most of them concerned with taxes. He conducted major overhauls of the taxation, criminal code, and prison system. He also repealed a number of laws limiting the practice of native Guamanian culture, including once again allowing United States military personnel to live among the Chamorro people and allowing the Caroline Islands to wear native clothing and participate in cockfights. Under his administration, the first telegraph cable reached the island. On March 18, 1904, Sewell died while in office.