Ellis/Elless
Roger “Toddy”
1782 – 1859
Roger Ellis Mystery
Who were Roger Ellis’ Parents and where did they come from?
It is relatively straight-forward to trace our Ellis ancestry to a man named Roger Ellis. From there, however, the ancestral road becomes much more difficult to follow. This page examines what is known about Roger Ellis and key Ellis families in America at the time.
Roger “Toddy” Ellis was born in Pennsylvania in 1782. The first record found that can be confirmed to be our Roger Ellis was in 1804, when he married Susannah Lewis in Shelby County, KY. Prior to that a tax record shows a Roger Ellis living in Franklin County, KY in 1801. Given the proximity of Franklin County to Shelby County and the fact that the name Roger was not common in the Ellis family, it is likely that Roger Ellis of Franklin County, KY is the same man who lived in Shelby County, KY. However, it remains possible that these were two different men.
Once Roger is married, enough records exist to trace him and Susannah as they moved to Ripley County, IN and lived out their lives. The 1850 Census, which was the first to name all family members living in a household, is essential in tying Roger to our family.
Roger “Toddy” Ellis/Elless, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1782, is our earliest confirmed ancestor. Roger’s parents are unknown; however, several family lines are being investigated. Details about the investigation into the Mystery of Roger Ellis’ parents, theories, and supporting records can be found here.
Roger Ellis’ family apparently used multiple spellings of the name Ellis. A Bible in the hands of Roger’s descendants list the original owner as David Alles, who purchased it in 1797 in Georgetown (believed to be Georgetown, KY). It is not known how this person is related to Roger, but it is believed that he is either a father, uncle or brother. The Bible also lists Richard Elless, David Elless, Ann Elless, James Miller Elless, Elizabeth Elless, Jeremiah Elless, Sarah Elless, John Elless, Nancy Elless, and James Elless. However, many, but not all, records for Roger use the Ellis spelling. Since the later member of our direct line used the Ellis spelling, throughout the text Ellis will be used as a default unless a person is known to have primarily used another spelling.
Marriage
In 1805, Roger married Susannah Lewis of Virginia in Shelby County, Kentucky. Susannah was the daughter of Joseph Lewis and Ms. Beck. Susannah’s mother is believed to have been either Esther or Rebecca. However, it is known that Ms. Beck was the daughter of Edward Beck and Ann Preston.
When Ripley County, Indiana opened land for settlement, Roger purchased land in Brown Township. The purchase was recorded on page 18 of the first book of land purchases for the county. Soon Roger and Susannah moved their growing family to Indiana.
Children
Roger and Susannah’s children include:
- James Lewis Elles [married Matilda Harris, Elizabeth Thompson]
- Nancy Ann [married Isaac East, a brother to David’s wife’s mother]
- John Ellis
- William Ellis or Elles
- Mary Elizabeth [married James Benham]
- Martha Jane [married Strouder/Strawder Long]
- Rebecca [married Ruel O’Neel]
- Wesley W. Elless [married Rebecca Wise]
- Susannah Ellis
The children spread out living in Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota.