Roger Ellis Mystery

Who were Roger Ellis’ Parents and where did they come from?

is relatively straight-forward to trace my 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.

The Census form from Ripley Co. Indiana shows a 67 year old Roger “Elless” who was born in Pennsylvania. with a 65 year old Susan (his wife) from Virginia, a 32 year old Rebecca, a 25 year old Susan (his daughters) and a 45 year old Jeremiah.  Roger’s property was valued at $2000.  Just prior to Roger’s family in the census record is a 47 year old David “Elless” (b Ky) and his family.  It is from David that our family descends.  From this and other census and property records, most of Roger’s  immediate descendants can be identified.