Roger Ellis Mystery
Kentucky
Kentucky
1800
If Roger’s father went to Kentucky as stated in TME’s bio, he would have left after Roger was born in 1782. It is possible that he was there in 1800. This takes a look at the Ellis families in and around Scott County where the Bible was likely purchased (~1800).
- The 1991 article says the Bible was purchased in Georgetown. However, the 1999 article mentions that the Bible says Georgetown, Kent. and refers to the 1991 article and Lois as the source. If it does say “Kent,” I assume that would mean Kentucky. However, the fact that David identified that state might be important as it may indicate that he knew more than one Georgetown. The 1999 article also implies it could be Kent, Maryland, but I find this less likely.
County boundaries at this time can be seen at https://www.mapofus.org/kentucky/.
Bourbon County
- 1800 Henry
- 1800 Joseph
- 1800 Philip
Fayette County
- 1800 Agnes
- 1800 Hezekiah
- 1800 James
- 1800 Littleberry
- 1800 William, Capt.
Franklin County
- 1801 Roger – This must be our Roger.
- 1801 Elazer
- 1801 Jesse
- 1801 Obediah
Nicholas County
- 1800 James, Nicholas County
- 1800 John, Nicholas County
Pendelton County
- 1800 Ezekiel, Pendelton County
- 1800 Rhodham, Pendelton County
Scott County
- 1800 Richard
Shelby County
- 1800 Isaac
- 1800 John
- 1800 Stephen
- 1800 Thomas
- 1800 William
Woodford County
- 1800 Jesse Sr.
- 1800 Jonathan.
- 1800 Leonard
- 1800 William Sr.
Shelby County, Kentucky
Overview
Since the first confirmed location of Roger is in Shelby County, Kentucky, it seems reasonable to investigate the Ellis families in the area at the time.
One possible clue to Roger’s Ellis line comes from his marriage to Susanna Lewis, recorded in Shelby County, Kentucky in 1804. Susannah’s sister Rebecca had married a Stephen Ellis in Franklin County, Kentucky in 1795. Property records show that Roger, Stephen, and several other Ellis’s near Six Mile Creek in Shelby County, Kentucky. This leads one to believe that it is likely that Roger was a brother or a cousin of Stephen and also somehow related to the other Ellis’ living in the same area.
Fact: Both Roger and Stephen moved to southern Indiana as land opened up for settlement.
Possible Explanation: Since their wives were sisters and at least two of their siblings also made the move, it may be that it was the Lewis family that bound these families together rather than the Ellis family.
Fact: Stephen is not listed in the Bible records.
Possible Explanation: This may mean that he isn’t a brother. However, since he is born before the first records were recorded, it could be that he just isn’t recorded. It is also possible that he was a cousin in which case he likely would not be recorded.
Fact: Roger was born in Pennsylvania and Stephen was born in Virginia.
Possible Explanation: The family could have moved. However, Stephen’s family is closely tied to Virginia.
Other researchers have also attempted to determine the relationship between Roger and the other Ellis families in the area of Six-mile Creek without success. There was an “Ellis Cousin’s Newsletter” that was written and circulated by Bill and Carol Ellis from 1979 through the 1990’s. A Lois Post of Georgia contributed an article to the summer 1999 Newsletter with the same speculation, but no solid conclusion.
It is important to note, however, that with a common name like Ellis, it is quite possible for two Ellis families to live in the same vicinity and not be closely related.
Chart of Families
The table below shows an overview of the Ellis families that were living in Shelby Co., KY in the early 1800’s. It includes an estimate of birth year. For the earliest records, no age information existed so the assumption was that the person was at least 20 years old. Later birth ranges are based on the age range given for the eldest male in the family. This is not always accurate as a younger male could be the head of household, but it gives a reasonable view for most records.
This shows Roger in 1810. The David shown cannot be the David of the Bible unless the date in the Bible transcription is incorrect. However, the Richard Ellis shown is within the age range of the first Richard listed in the family Bible. If both Richards listed in the Bible were from the same family, then it is likely that the eldest Richard died young. However, it is possible that the second was a nephew to the first.
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Marriages
Below is a table showing early marriages in Shelby County, Kentucky. In this table, we see at least one occurrence of David, Richard, Roger, Ann, and Elizabeth. These names are relatively common with the exception of Roger Ellis; therefore, this may be pure coincidence. However, it is reasonable to speculate that other members of Roger’s family might have been living in Shelby County at this time.
Franklin County
Since a Roger Ellis was found in Franklin County, Kentucky in the years just prior to his marriage in Shelby County, Kentucky and the two counties are adjacent, it is worth looking at this county for clues. If this is our Roger Ellis, he would have been only 18 years of age. The table shows that he would have been born before 1780, but that is only on the assumption that to be in the records, the person would be at least 20 years old.
The Ellis Cousins Newsletter (ECN) Summer 1991, pg 45, indicate that the father of Roger Ellis is Obediah Ellis, who is also listed in Franklin County in 1800-1801. However, research hasn’t found a specific tie between Roger and Obediah Ellis.
Chart of Families
Marriages
Kentucky marriage records appeared in ECN Summer & Fall 1989 including a record for Obediah Ellis m. Accah Nicholson on 18 Dec. 1799 in Franklin Co KY. The record had a typed note that was not signed stating, ‘This was a late marriage for both of them, as they were past 40 and each had grown children at the time of this marriage.” “Obediah had the following children b. abt 1772-1790: Eleazeer, Jesse, James, Roger, Nancy, Israel, and Jacob Ellis. Records indicate Obediah was from Maryland. However, the names of the siblings do not match the names in the Ellis Bible. This would indicate that either someone assumed Roger was a son because he was living in the area or that the Roger Ellis of Franklin Co, KY was different than the Roger Ellis of Shelby Co., KY.
