 William Scollay's sister, Priscilla married Colonel Thomas Melvill, a participant in the Boston Tea Party.Thomas and Priscilla's grandson was author Herman Melville.Scollay was the Deputy Grand Master of the Freemasons of Massachusetts in 1795 when a box containing an assemblage of commemorative items was deposited under the corner of the Massachusetts State House on 4 July 1795 by Governor Samuel Adams, assisted by the Grand Master, Paul Revere, and Deputy Grand Master.