Roger Ellis Mystery

Names listed in Bible:  The following is an analysis of the names in the Bible and possible matches to these people.

Note: The 1999 article says that all the names are listed as Elles, Elless, or Ellefs (which is really a way of writing Elless); however, each name is not reflected uniquely in the 1991 article.  (Oh, what I would do for a picture of the Bible pages)

Richard 1779:

• Richard Ellis – Scott Co, KY where the Bible was purchased . . . was there in 1800, but not in future census records

  Richard Ellis  – Shelby Co, KY

• 1810 Richard Ellis Shelby Co, KY of the correct age range
• 1820 Richard Ellis Shelby Co, KY of the correct age range
• It is very possible that this is the same Richard as was in Scott Co, KY in 1800

   Richard Ellis  – Switzerland/Jefferson Co, IN

• 1830: There is a Richard Ellis in Switzerland Co, Indiana; however, this Richard is far too young to be Richard 1779.  It is perhaps his son because there is a woman in the household the correct age to be Richard 1779’s wife.  The woman is 50-59 and the next oldest male (assume Richard) is 20-29. So, perhaps Richard 1779 died and for whatever reason his wife moved the family to Switzerland Co.  There are two other children in the household.  Also, it appears that there may be a mark for a man 70-80 years, but that wasn’t transcribed and it is unclear if it is an actual mark, from the reverse side, or a stray mark.
• 1840: There is a Richard Ellis in Madison, Jefferson Co, Indiana.  This might be the same family having a male 30-39, a woman 60-69, and a younger male.  However, now there is a male 60-69.  So, is it Richard 1779?  Is it a different family?
• See Richard 179x for more analysis of the younger Richard.

      Richard Ellis of Casey County, KY

• He arrived that area by 1800.
• Some researchers think he marries a woman named Elizabeth Jones in Harrison County (Next to Scott  County where the Bible was possibly purchased).
• DNA matches with someone who claims him as an ancestor and another Ellis from Casey County
• At least one record lists his name as Elless.
• It says birth 1770, but I think that is an estimate as I found no proof.  Still, it says he was a pioneer and came to Casey/Lincoln County at age 17.  If it was our Richard, age 17 would be the year after he married in Harrison County, which seems to make sense.  He married and moves out on his own. If he was really born in 1770, age 17 would be 1787 and that would mean that he moved to the area, then went back to Harrison County and married, and then returned to Casey//Lincoln County.  That is also feasible.

David 1780:

• If this is the David that owned the Bible and given the Bible ended up in the hands of Roger’s offspring, it would seem reasonable that David died without any children or that they were young when he died and he gave his Bible to Roger.  It also seems most likely that David was a brother to Roger.  It would also imply that David died prior to Roger’s son James’ departure to Minnesota since the Bible ended up in the hands of James’ descendants.
• If he is the David that owned the Bible, he died sometime after Nov 27 1797.
• In 1810, there is a David Ellis in Bourbon County, KY.  There is a male in the household the right age for David; however, this family has slaves and none of the other possible matches have slaves.  This one appears to continue to live in Bourbon County in 1820.
• In 1820, there is a David Ellis in Shelby County, KY.  There is a male of the correct age range to have been born in 1780.  Additionally, there is a female 26-44 and a female 16-25.  It would seem that one of these women is likely not a direct member of his family.  Perhaps she is a sister-in-law, sister, or someone else. There are two children – a male and a female under age 10.  These could be children of this David.
• In 1830, there is a David Ellis in Shelby County, KY that may match the family from 1820, but there is enough change in the family that it is hard to draw a strong conclusion.
• In 1840, there is no David Ellis in Shelby County, KY.  There are two in Dearborn, IN, but both are too young to be this David.

Roger 1782:

Roger’s family will be discussed in a separate section.

Ann 179x:

• There is a will for John A. Ellis in Ripley Co, IN 1856.  He mentions his daughter Ann Hatfield.  He also mentions Sarah M. Mascoe, Richard B. Mascoe,  Samuel Masco, Roger Ellis (executor), and Rebecca Ellis(witness)
• There is an Ann Ellis that married Peter Masco in 1810 in Boone Co, KY, which is on the KY border not far from Ripley County. This marriage date could work if she was born 1795 or earlier.
• Researchers claim Ann and Peter were the parents of John Ellis Mascoe, which makes sense that he might be named after Ann’s father.
• In 1850, John Mascoe and John A. Ellis are living in Trimble Co, KY on the northern KY border.  The three oldest kids living with John Mascoe are Richard, Samuel, and Sarah.  However, there are other children.  Perhaps John Ellis was not aware of the other children or for some reason selected only the oldest.  It also means that John was listing great grandchildren in his will.  This was possible as the 1850 census indicates he was born about 1770. So at 80, he could have great grandchildren.
• Peter Masco is listed in 1812 in Franklin Co, Indiana (nearby). He is also listed in War of 1812 records and subsequently given 160 acres of land.
• The name Peter Mascoe shows up in relationship to Arkansas land office and in 1875 in Minnesota.  If this is the same man and he is still living, then Ann and him would have divorced if she was a Hatfield at the time of the writing of her father’s will.
• John Ellis Mascoe was born about 1812, perhaps their only child.
• The 1850 census also states that John Ellis was born in Pennsylvania, making him a likely candidate for Roger’s brother.
• John A. Ellis was listed in Trimble Co, KY in 1840 with the spelling Elles.  It lists him, his wife, a 20-29 male and a 30-39 female.  Perhaps the female is his daughter Ann, although she should be over 40 at the time.
• A good question is, “Why is his will in Ripley, IN when it appears he lived for a long time in Trimble, KY?”
• In 1860, there is an Ann and John Hatfield of Illinois.  This Ann was born 1796 in KY.  It is possible that John is the same John Hatfield mentioned under Jeremiah.  The birth years aren’t the same, but are relatively close. However, if this is the correct birth year, she married at age 14. There is also an Ann Hatfield in Laurel County, KY who does not appear to have a spouse.  That Ann was born in 1790.

Richard 179x:

• One Richard that might fit this Richard was in the poor house in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 census due to the fact that he was blind. It is especially interesting since David had a son that was blind.  However, the cause of blindness could be for different reasons.
• 1850 lists him as born 1790 KY
• 1860 lists him as born 1795 KY
• 1870 lists him as born 1795 VA
• There is a Richard Ellis in the  1830 census for Switzerland County with a male 20-29 and a woman 50-59.  This could be the same man although it would appear the record is for a younger man.  The wrong column could have been checked.  There is also a James with the same column checked and it might be James Miller Ellis.  Also, it appears that there may be a mark for a man 70-80 years, but that wasn’t transcribed and it is unclear if it is an actual mark, from the reverse side, or a stray mark.
• 1840: There is a Richard Ellis in Madison, Jefferson Co, Indiana.  This might be the same family having a male 30-39, a woman 60-69, and a younger male.  However, now there is a male 60-69.    Is it a different family? Or was the father temporarily missing in the 1830 census?

James Miller 1798:

• Married Mary Hill Switzerland Co, IN in 1818. The marriage record has his full name, so we know this is him.
• There is a James Ellis listed in the 1830 census for Switzerland Co, IN, but the age range is 20-29 and it should be 30-39.  Is it him?
• There is a James Ellis listed in the 1840 census for York, Switzerland Co, IN, but the age range is 30-39 and it should be 40-49.  Is it him?  It seems likely since he is in the same location in 1850.
• 1850 Census:  James (52), Mary, Margaret (18), and Jeremiah(14) in York, Switzerland Co, IN.  It lists his birthplace as Ohio. Ohio may make sense based on a family listed below as a possible match for Roger’s family.
• What happened to this family?  They seem to disappear after 1850 and I can’t find them anywhere. There is a Mary Ellis that married a James Cotton in 1851 and based on census records could be approximately the right age for James’ wife.

Elizabeth 1801:

• There is an Elizabeth Ellis that married John Winters 1822 in Switzerland County.
• There is an Elizabeth Ellis that married John Ellis 1830 in Switzerland County.
• There is an Elizabeth Ellis that married Joseph Voyles 1820 in Jefferson County.
• Family trees show that Stephen Ellis and Rebecca Lewis had a daughter Elizabeth.   Trees show her to be born with a different birthdate in 1800 and being the Elizabeth that married Joseph Voyles.
• No matches found with any level of confidence.

Jeremiah 1804:

• Jeremiah of this age was living with Roger in 1850.
• In 1855, a Jeremiah Ellis filed a will in Ripley County.  Names included his wife Lukana/Luhanna/Lewhana, son(s) John R. Ellis and John B. Ellis(Note: on close reading of the will this appears to be the same person as it refers to the same land description), and Alphonso Hatfield.  I believe Alphonso is his wife’s brother.   In 1850, Lukany Hatfield is living with Alphonso Hatfield and John Hatfield, who would be the age to be Lukany and Alphonso’s father or grandfather.
• Since John A. Ellis’ will is the year after Jeremiah’s, is Jeremiah John’s son and is Jeremiah’s death what brought John to Ripley county?
• Jeremiah m. Nancy Mattock 1825. Is this the same Jeremiah?

Sarah 1807:

• There is a Sarah Ellis that married Elias Heustis in 1831 in Dearborn County.
• There is a Sarah Ellis that married Henry Low in 1833 in Dearborn County.
• No matches found with any level of confidence.

John 1804:

• In 1830, there is a John Eliz in Ripley County, IN age 20-29.  There is also a female of the same age range and a female under age 10.
• In 1840, there is a John Elles in Ripley County, IN age 20-29.  There is also a female of the same age range and a male under age 10.  I assume this is not John listed in the Bible, but perhaps Roger’s son John.  This John is too old to be Jeremiah’s son.
• Not sure if any of the following are this John or not.
• John Ellis married Nancy Dowers 1848 in Ripley, IN.
• John Ellis married Cynthia Faught 1828 in Ripley, IN.
• John Ellis married Eliza Skeen in 1843 in Ripley, IN.

Nancy 1800:

No matches found with any level of confidence.

James 1805:

This appears to be Roger’s son or at least the James that we believe to be Roger’s son.