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- RICHARD ELLIS [#46], b. Dublin, Ireland Aug. 16, 1704, d. Ashfield, MAOct. 7, 1797, m(1) 1728 JANE PHILLIPS (dau. of John PhillipsandElizabeth Drake), b. July 1, 1709, d. abt. 1760, m(2) 1772 MaryHenry.
According to his own account, Richard Ellis was born on August 16,1704in Dublin, Ireland. His mother was Irish and his father was fromWalesand was in one of the British armed forces. Richard spent hisyouth inDublin but seems to have traveled in other parts of Ireland.When he was13, his father being dead, his mother decided to send himto Virginiawhere he had an uncle with whom he could find a home. Shetherefore paidhis passage to this country, but the ship's captainlanded in theMassachusetts Bay and sold the boy into servitude untilhe came of age.Richard said he became a member of the family of amiller who was oftenvery harsh to his own family but showed Richardhis utmost considerationand kindness. He always spoke highly of hismistress, especially herefforts for his mental and moral improvement.He had had some educationin Dublin but said nothing of this so histeacher would give him moreattention. On several occasions he excitedher surprise by pronouncingdifficult words in advance of herinstructions.[1/910]
After Richard obtained his majority, he went to Easton, MA wherehemarried Jane Phillips in 1728. They moved about 1740 to Deerfield,MA.Richard's father-in-law, Capt. John Phillips of Easton, was one ofthesoldiers in the expedition against Quebec in 1690 and consequentlywasamong those who became entitled to rights of land which is whatprobablyled Richard and his family to settle in Ashfield, MA in 1745(then calledHuntstown). Richard's son John, born in 1742, said hisfather removed toAshfield when he was three years of age. Ashfield wasat that time just awilderness of which Richard Ellis was the firstsettler.[1/10] Richardwas a loyal subject of the King of England in1754 when war broke outbetween England and France and spread to thiscountry as one of theFrench and Indian Wars. He was for about threeyears an officer in thecommissary department of the English orColonial service in New Englandand New York.[1/13]
It was said that he was a man of strong will and remarkable memory.Hisphysical vigor and mental powers were retained to a high degree upto thelast years of his life.[1/13] At 80 years of age he could jumpupon ahorse from the ground as easily as a boy (pg.16). About the year1764Richard Ellis kept a country store in Colerain, a town about 15milesnortheast from Ashfield. According to his books, the largest partof payfor his goods were ashes, which he converted to pot and pearlashin hisashery. Richard was also engaged in the milling business inpartnershipwith Chileab Smith, Sr. This mill, located on Bear River,was the firstone built in that section. About 1760 Richard's wifedied, and 12 yearslater he married Mary, the widow of John Henry ofDeerfield. He was atthis time of Colerain but around the time of therevolution returned toAshfield where he spent the rest of hisdays.[1/1314] It's said thatRichard Ellis was an ardent Protestant.The first minister in Ashfieldmarried Remember, second daughter ofRichard Ellis, in 1756. Richard diedat the home of his grandsonRichard on Oct. 7, 1797 in his 94thyear.[1/15]
REF: [1] Richard Ellis and his Descendants - E. R. Ellis, 1888 Children:
1. Reuben, b. Nov. 5, 1728, d. Ashfield, MA April 21, 1786, m. June 4, 1749 Mehitable Scott, b. Sunderland, MA May 3, 1722, d. Ashfield Dec. 2, 1804 2. Benjamin, b. Sept. 26, 1730, d. Nov. 17, 1730 3. Mary, b. March 28, 1732 4. Remember, b. May 1, 1735, d. Ashfield Sept. 15, 1795, m. July 1, 1756 Ebenezer Smith, b. South Hadley, MA Oct. 4, 1734, d. Stockton, NY July 6, 1824 5. Jane, b. Easton, MA Nov. 11, 1737, d. Marlborough, Vt. July 1, 1832, m. John Phillips, b. Easton May 21, 1734, d. Feb. 14, 1805 6. Matthew, b. Dec. 19, 1739 7. John, b. Deerfield, MA Jan. 23, 1742, d. Ashfield Aug. 17, 1827, m. July 19, 1763 Mary Dimick, b. Barnstable, MA Dec. 6, 1738, d. Ashfield Sept. 8, 1827 8. Hannah, b. Oct. 13, 1750, d. Guilford, Vt. 1839, m. 1772 James Fulton, b. May 24, 1749, d. Colerain, MA March 20, 1834 9. Caleb, b. Aug. 16, 1754, d. Ellisburg, NY March 1813, m. abt. 1779 Mary Crouch, b. Aug. 4, 1757, d. Ellisburg, NY April 1813
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1704 - 1797 (93 years)
