Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680

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was conferred upon him June 19, 1907, and `that of D. D., June 19, 1908. After a post- graduate course in the University of St. Apol- lenaris he received the degree in course.

ELLIS The tradition in relation to the em- igration of the Ellis family, which was prior to 1724, is that Jere-

miah Ellis and two brothers came over from England, landed at Boston, Massachusetts, and there separated, one going south and settling in North Carolina, another in Ipswich, New Hampshire, and the third at West Greenwich. Kent county, Rhode Island. This surname is spelled in the early records in a variety of ways, such as Elis, Elce, Else, Alice. It has been in use as a surname from the earliest times. The word means stepson, though in some cases the surname may have been de- rived from the baptismal name Elias, which was in common use very early in Normandy before the Conquest. In the Welsh the name is derived from Aleck's, the possessive form adopted in many names of similar origin. In- stead of saying William's David, the Welsh use the expression, "David, William's," and this usage gave rise to such names as Evans, Jones (John's). Edwards, Harris (Harry's). and so through the long category. Many im- migrants of the name are found of early rec- ord in New England, the first being among the Puritans of Plymouth. Another family springs from Dedham, and both sent out a large progeny.

(I) The Ellis family of the line here under consideration is probably descended from John Ellis, of Sandwich, Massachusetts, an English- man by birth and parentage, but the place of nativity, the year of his birth and the exact date of his immigration to the hospitable shore of New England, are not known. He was of. Sandwich as early as 1641, and in 1643 is mentioned in the town records as a person capable of bearing arms. This implies that he was a man of good report in the plantation there, a freeman, and member of the church in good standing. In July, 1657, John Ellis, mentioned as Lieutenant Ellis, was one of the fourteen freemen of Sandwich who signed the agreement to support a minister in the town: "We whose names are hereunder writ- ten do hereby engage ourselves to pay towards the minister's support yearly the several sums as followeth-except as God by His Provi- dence shall disenable us, or any of us remove

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out of Sandwich." To this cause John Ellis promised to pay one pound each year, there being only three of the whole number who pledged a greater sum, hence it may be in- ferred that he was a man of substance as well as of influence among the townsmen. In the same year "the account of Lt. Ellis for drum, muskets &c purchased was rendered," amount- ing to ten pounds six shillings seven pence. In 1658 the lands of the town were described in accordance with an order of the court, and John Ellis, Sr., and John Ellis, Jr., are men- tioned as property owners at that time. His name also appears in 1675, when a meeting was called by Lieutenant John Ellis and Ben- jamin Hammond, the constable, for the pur- pose of granting liberty to "any families that may be necessitated, to repair to the town gar- rison for safety." In the same year the name of John Ellis, Sr., appears among those who could make "appear their just right to the priv- ileges of the town." The "Annals of Sand- wich," in noting events of the year 1677, state that "Mr. John Ellis, the ancestor of those of the name in this town, one of the oldest and first settlers, died this year." To this statement the author of that work adds this note: "He is called Jr., we know not for what reason. He must, we think, have been Sr., of Sandwich. There probably was one of the name older in the colony." In 1645 John Ellis married Elizabeth, daughter of Edmund Freeman, to whom, April 3, 1637, and nine associates, the town of Sandwich was granted. He was the leading proprietor of the town. He was born in England about 1590, and came to New Eng- land in 1635 in company with his two sons, Edmund, Jr., and John, the former of whom was fifteen years old and the latter eight years old at the time of their immigration. Both of them afterward married daughters of Gover- nor Prince. He also brought with him two daughters-Alice, then seventeen, and Eliza- beth, twelve years old. Alice Freeman mar- ried Deacon William Paddy, of Plymouth, the first treasurer of the colony. Elizabeth, third of her father's children, married John Ellis, of Sandwich. It is said of Edmund Freeman that "he was a man of consideration in Eng- land and brought with him much valuable plate:" which last remark, says Mr. Freeman, in his "History of Barnstable County," we suppose was intended to be indicative of his position in society. Such perhaps it might have been at that day, but it would be a poor

criterion now. It is said, moreover, that he acted as the "confidential agent" of certain of the "merchant adventurers." This would seem to be corroborated by his correspondence with Mr. Beauchampe, "a London merchant and valuable friend to the colony," who also was brother-in-law to Mr. Freeman. Mr. Free- man was not only conspicuous in town affairs, but from 1640 to 1646 inclusive was assistant in the government of the colony. He lived to be ninety-two years old, dying in Sandwich in 1682. His sons, Edmund and John, also were prominent, both being deputies to the general court, and the latter, who removed to Eastham, became assistant. Children of Lieu- tenant John Ellis and Elizabeth Freeman: Bennet, born 1649; Mordecai, 1651, made freeman 1681, died 1715, married Rebecca Clark; Joel, 1655; Nathaniel, 1657: John, mentioned below ; Samuel; Freeman, admitted freeman 1681, married Mercy - -, and had sons Joel, Ebenezer, Mordecai and Gideon.

(II) John (2), sixth son of John ( 1) Ellis, had several sons, of whom little record can be found. There can be little doubt that the fam- ily traced below is derived from the family of John (1) Ellis, many of whose descendants cannot be traced because of the imperfect rec- ords of Plymouth and Bristol counties, Massa- chusetts.

(III) The first record of Jeremiah Ellis, which a long and diligent search revealed, is found in Greenwich, Rhode Island. This town was divided in 1740, constituting East and West Greenwich, and he resided in that part which is now the latter town. He had a wife Judith, and the birth of his fourth daughter. Sarah, is recorded in West Greenwich as oc- curring February 21, 1727. No other children are recorded there, and the place whence he came to Greenwich is still a matter of mystery.

(IV) Gideon, son of Jeremiah Ellis, was born in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, in October, 1724, and died there September 30, 1793. He was born, lived and died at the fam- ily homestead. He was a soldier in the revo- lution. He married ( first) Jemima Austin. February 14. 1745 : she died October 11, 1755. Children : Elinor, Wait. Gideon, Jr., who was a pioneer of Cayuga county, New York, and some of his descendants are now living at Au- rora and Ithaca, New York ; Rufus, Germania. He married (second), April 11, 1756, Lydia Reynolds : she died September 13, 1758. Chil- dren : Welton and John. He married (third),

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March 21, 1762, Elizabeth Manchester, born in 1737, died August 22, 1807. Children : Ar- nold, born September 6, 1763, died in Rhode Island; Lydia, born April 1, 1765, died in New Jersey ; Ann, born July 25, 1767; Oliver, July 2, 1769, was accidentally drowned at Herki- mer, New York, his widow, Hannah (Rey- nolds) Ellis, afterward settled with some of her children near Malloryville in Dryden; John, see forward; Solomon, born February 7, 1773, died in Rhode Island ; Peleg, born May 9, 1775, emigrated to Dryden, Tompkins county, New York, died at Ellis, New York, May 9, 1859. All these children were born at .West Greenwich, Rhode Island.

(V) John (3), son of Gideon and Elizabeth (Manchester ) Ellis, was born May 22, 1771, died at Dryden, New York, April 10, 1846. His prominence in the political history of the town of Dryden is unrivalled, he having held the position of school superintendent, com- missioner of highways, and other offices, in addition to having been supervisor twenty- seven years, fourteen of which were consecu- tive; member of assembly twice, and judge of the court of common pleas of Cayuga and Tompkins counties. Judge Ellis was a large land owner and acted as the agent of a few non-resident holders of Dryden real estate, notably the Mckay and Howland estates. At one time he was connected in land specula- tions with Daniel J. Shaw, at that time one of the merchants of Dryden. In 1801, prior to his settlement in Dryden, he was a resident of Malloryville, from whence he removed to Ellis Hollow a few years later. He married (first), in Rhode Island, Rhoda Rathburn, born April 18, 1773, died July 11, 1819, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Rathburn. He married (second) the widow of Jacob Hiles, ancestor of the Hiles family in Dryden, New York, and took up his residence on the farm now owned by Wesley Hiles, where his death occurred. Children by first wife: Jason, see forward; Betsey, born October 16, 1793, married James McElheny; Nancy, born July 26, 1797, mar- ried John Southworth ; Charlotte, born August 16, 1799, married Israel Hart; Ira, born March 2, 1802; Amelia, born June 3, 1804, married M. Wigdan; John Jr., born September 19, 1806; Willet, born November 29, 1808; Peleg, born July 10, 1811 ; Lydia, born May 8, 1814, married Warren D. Ellis.

(VI) Jason, son of John (3) and Rhoda (Rathburn) Ellis, was born February 10, 1792,

died April 25, 1854. He married (first) Elsie Thomas, who died in 1813. They had one child, Marenus, born July 7, 1813, died at Freeville, New York, November 9, 1886. He married (second) Nancy Hart, born Septem- ber 27, 1796; died at Bath, New York, April 15, 1866. Children: Orren, see forward; George, Ella, Chester, William M., Albert, Doctor J., Sarah F., married John Wagoner, of Avoca, New York; Joseph H. and Je- rome B.

(VII) Orren, son of Jason and Nancy (Hart) Ellis, was born June 13, 1816, died February 16, 1887. He married, January 31, 1838, Sarah Bowlby, born July 29, 1816, died February 13, 1890. Children: 1. Orren Em- met, born November 28, 1838, died from dis- ease, March 29, 1862; he was a sergeant in Company F, Seventy-sixth New York In- fantry. 2. Charles Bowlby, born July 2, 1840, died July 31, 1873; he was a member of Com- pany F, One Hundred and Ninth New York Infantry, and honorably discharged at end of his enlistment. 3. George Doctor, born De- cember 30, 1841. 4. Ealon Jason, born Octo- ber 8, 1843, died December 7, 1865. 5. Sarah Roselia, born December 8, 1845, died January 25, 1866. 6. Albert Marenus, see forward. 7. Gustina Frances, born November 12, 1849; married, December 28, 1868, John C. Stewart ; three children ; they reside at Bath, New York. 8. James Henry, born June 14, 1852; resides at Denver, Colorado. 9. Edward Fitts, born March 18, 1858, died January 26, 1866. 10. Nancy Amelia, born May 3, 1858; resides at Bath, New York. Charles B. Ellis, the sec- ond son, married, June 4, 1866, Laura Griffin : of their children, Minnie married Foote, and lives at Concord, Nebraska ; R. Eu- genia and Jessie reside at Denver, Colorado ; Jessie married Marvin J. Valentine.

(VIII) Albert Marenus, son of Orren and Sarah (Bowlby) Ellis, was born January 9, 1848, in Dryden, New York. He attended the public schools and Dryden Academy. He worked on the farm with his father for some years, then entered commercial life as a trav- eling salesman, handling a line of ladies' shoes, and continued the same vocation for more than four decades. He represents P. W. Minor & Son, of Batavia, New York, his sales being confined chiefly to the larger cities of the western states. He is a member and warden of the Episcopal church, a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of Baltimore, New

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York, and a Democrat in politics. He married, June 28, 1876, at Ellicottville, Anna Maria, born July 3, 1857, daughter of Joshua King and Hannah (Saxton) Skinner, who were married October 1, 1851. Joshua King Skin- ner, born December 5, 1817, died June 16, 1882, was a son of Elisha W. Skinner, born October, 1800, died November 7, 1863, mar- ried, November 26, 1816, Anna Maria King, born 1797, died May 6, 1882, daughter of Gen- eral King, of the revolutionary army, and as- sociated with the capture of Major Andre. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have resided in Ellicottville ever since their marriage. Their children are: I. Ruth Dixon, born November 14, 1879; mar- ried Taylor B. Johnson, of St. Louis, Mis- souri; no children ; Mr. Johnson is a prominent life insurance agent in Buffalo, New York, where they reside. 2. John Webster, see for- ward. 3. Howard King, born July 12, 1890; attended Ellicottville high school, graduated from Chamberlain Military Institute, Ran- dolph, New York, 1909, now in his sopho- more year at Colgate University (1911) ; he is a prominent athlete, having made the Var- sity football and baseball teams at Colgate. 4. Alberta Anna, born April 19, 1892, died March 6, 1894.

(IX) John Webster, son of Albert Mare- nus and Anna Maria (Skinner) Ellis, was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, November 22, 1883. He graduated from Ellicottville high school in 1901, and then took a post-graduate course in the Masten Park high school of Buffalo in 1902. He gradu- ated from the law department of the Univer- sity of Buffalo with the degree of LL. B. in 1904, and was admitted to the bar of New York state in 1905, since which time he has been engaged in the general practice of law at Ellicottville, New York. He was elected jus- tice of the peace to fill an unexpired term of two years, then re-elected for a full term. He was appointed village clerk in 1906, which po- sition he still retains. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. He is a member of the Episcopal church and a Democrat in politics.

Mr. Ellis married, September 7, 1905, Esther Carolyn Harns, born September 19, 1886, daughter of Franklin and Anna (Kennedy) Harns, and granddaughter of William and Esther Harns and of Thomas and Ella Ken- nedy. One child, Albert Marenus, born May I, 1909, at Ellicottville, New York.

FULLER

This is a surname derived from the occupation of a fuller "one who thickens and whitens

cloth." The name has been most worthily borne in both England and America. In the United States the name is connected with the first coming of the "Mayflower," and the re- cent death of Chief Justice Melville W. Ful- ler, of the United States supreme court, has again brought the name into prominence. Ed- ward Fuller was a passenger on the "May- flower" and the twenty-third signer of the "Compact." Of him Governor Bradford wrote: "Edward Fuller and his wife died soon after they came on shore." He left an only son, Samuel, who was reared by his uncle, Dr. Samuel Fuller, of Plymouth, one of the Pil- grim fathers. From these two sources spring all the Fullers of early colonial descent. The family herein recorded was founded in New York state by Jepotha Fuller, a descendant of the Pilgrims, who lived in Ulster county. He served in the revolutionary army, enlisting in the Second Regiment, Ulster county militia, as a private. He married Sarah Daggett, March 10, 1736, and had issue.

(II) Amos, son of Jepotha Fuller, was born September 14, 1739. He lived for a time in Little Nine Partners, Dutchess county, New York; later was a pioneer farmer of the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer county, New York, settling there when it was a wilderness. He cleared a farm, married and reared a family. He died on his homestead in Rensselaer county. His children were: Lewis, Daniel, Ezra, Amos, Stephen, Rhoda, married Brown; Mary, married Gideon Palmer.

(III) Daniel, son of Amos Fuller, was born January 9, 1763. He married Rhoda Pringle, born March 13, 1764, and had issue.

(IV) Ezra, son of Daniel Fuller, was born in Rensselaer county, New York, February 19, 1793. He was educated in the district schools of South Berlin. He was in the war of 1812 under Colonel Gideon Palmer, who later be- came his brother-in-law. He settled in South Berlin, same county, in the house with his Grandfather Fuller, and here two children were born. He then moved to Herkimer county, where he located at West Canada Creek and operated a dairy farm. He later moved to Jefferson county, New York, where he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres, four miles from Adams Center. In 1835 he settled in the town of Yates, Orleans county, on the

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Lake Shore road, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, which he cultivated until 1844. He then sold and bought a small farm of sixty acres west of the village of Lyndonville, in Yates; remained there four years, then spent four years on a farm in the village. In 1852 he bought a half interest in a farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres near Medina, New York, holding this until 1866, when he sold and went to the state of Michigan. He did not long remain west, but returned to Orleans county, in the town of Shelby, where he died. He married Mary God- frey, born February 20, 1794. Children : I. Maria, born 1818, died 1907; married Orrin Heath, of Jefferson county. 2. Amos, born 1820, died 1842. 3. Moses, born 1824; mar- ried (first) Lucinda Barnum ; (second) Susan Sherman. 4. George, born 1827, died August, 1889; married Maria Haynor. 5. Darwin, of whom further. 6. Russell, born July 28, 1840 ;. married Laura Russell.

(V) Darwin, son of Ezra Fuller, was born at Rodman, Jefferson county, New York, May 13, 1831. Soon afterward his parents settled in the town of Yates, Orleans county, where he was educated in the common schools. He worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-five years old, since which time he was continuously engaged in farming on his own account, or in business, until his retire- ment. He has lived a busy, useful life. He resides in Medina, where he is retired from all active business. He is a Republican in pol- itics and has held local offices.

He married, September 20, 1855, Rosalind I. Weld, born October 2, 1832, daughter of Andrew Weld, of Vermont descent. Children : I. Flora J., born January 9, 1857, married, March 4, 1885, A. Blair Poler, a farmer of Ridgeway ; children : Jessie Irene, born Octo- ber 27, 1887, married J. Cornelius Possom, and Darwin, born April 1, 1890, married Zoie Compton. 2. May E., born September 26, 1860, died September 19, 1881.

David Kelley was of Yarmouth,

KELLEY Massachusetts, where he was admitted a freeman and took the oath of fidelity in 1657. The records of that day call him "David O'Kelley, the Irish- man." In 1676 he was taxed two pounds six shillings and five pence "toward the charge of the late war." He had two grandsons who were known to be Quakers, and the supposi-

tion is that the earlier generations were of that society and came to America from the north of Ireland to escape the persecution that everywhere was meted out to all members of that faith in the early years of their estab- lishment. David names in his will, proved 7 mo. 19 day, 1697, wife Jane; sons: Jeremiah, Joseph, David, Benjamin; daughters: Sarah and Elizabeth. He had a son John, who died in 1690.

(II) Jeremiah, son of David and Jane Kel- ley, was of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, where he died 8 mo., 30 day, 1728. His wife Jane died in 1727. In his will he names sons: Jo- seph, Eleazer, Seth. John; daughters: Mrs. Sarah Carpenter, Mrs. Hannah Eldridge and Mrs. Deliverance Baker. A son Jeremiah died in 1727. Seth and John Kelley were known to be members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), and the entire family were most likely members.

(III) Joseph, son of Jeremiah and Jane Kel- ley, was born in 1684. He married, in 1717, 12 month, 19 day, Tabitha Baker, born in 1700. Children : Joseph, Jeremiah, Anna, Sarah, Ste- phen.

(IV) Stephen, son of Joseph and Tabitha (Baker) Kelley, was born about 1730. He set- tled in Otsego county, New York, moving later to Cortland county. He served in the revolu- tionary army, enlisting in the First Regiment of minute-men, Suffolk county militia, Colonel Josiah Smith. He enlisted from Otsego county, and is the only Stephen Kelley on the list. He married Hannah, daughter of Gideon Wells, whose family were early settlers in the Wyoming valley. Pennsylvania, and all lost their lives in the Wyoming massacre, Gid- eon only escaping, being at the time away from the valley. Children : John, Phoebe, married Robert Sloat; Stephen, Amy, married Earl Pierce ; Edie, of whom further; Polly, married Simeon Evens ; Ezekiel.

(V) Edie, son of Stephen and Hannah (Wells) Kelley, was born October 16, 1796, died in April, 1882, aged eighty-five years. He grew to manhood on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He moved with the family to Cortland county, later he went to Chautauqua county, finally settling in the town of New Albion, Cattar- augus county, where he lived the remainder of his days. He married, in Cortland county. New York, Betsey Parker. Children : I. John. married Rachel -, and they reared a

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very large family. 2. Job, married Betsey children : Esther, Joseph and Joseph- ine, twins. 3. Nelson, married Anna Whip- ple ; children : Warren, Mary, John. 4. Han- nah, married George Smith; children: Gert- rude, Frank and Ellen. 5. Stephen, married (first) Eliza Baunds; children : Alonzo and Louise. He married (second) a widowed sis- ter of his first wife, Mrs. Jane B. Selick ; child, Edward. 6. Ransom, married a Miss Smith. 7. Emma, married (first) Jackson Evans ; children : Neil and George. She mar- ried (second) Jonathan Givens ; children : Earl and Edna. 8. Ezekiel, of whom further. 9. Betsey Ann, married Henry I. Green; chil- dren : Ole, Fred, Frank, Edward, Harry. 10. Mary Elizabeth, born June 26, 1840; married, February 25, 1867, Polk Parmelee, born August 14, 1840. Children : i. Belle, born Feb- ruary 16, 1868, died November 5, 1890; mar- ried, December 26, 1882, Rowland Roberts ; child, Ethel. ii. Fred, born October 3, 1871. iii. Earl, born July 5, 1881. 11. Ellen, married Munroe Kenyon; children: Philip and Blanche.

(VI) Ezekiel, eighth child of Edie and Bet- sey ( Parker) Kelley was born in Virgil, Cort- land county, New York, October 25, 1833. He was educated in the public schools, and all his active life followed farming. In early life his parents removed to Erie county, and later set- tled in the town of New Albion, Cattaraugus county, where he remained until 1859, when he moved to the town of Mansfield (same county), where he was engaged in farming until 1909, when he retired and has since made his home with his son, Elmer E., in Little Val- ley. He married Sarah, daughter of Sylvester Hinman. Children : Elmer E., of whom fur- ther mention ; Bert D., born January 20, 1865, died February, 1891, married Vesta Hollings- worth ; child, Cecil B.

(VII) Elmer E., eldest son of Ezekiel and Sarah (Hinman) Kelley, was born in Mans- field. Cattaraugus county, New York, December 25, 1861. He was educated in the public schools, Ten Broeck and Franklinville academies, fin- ishing at Chamberlain Institute, whence he graduated, class of 1882. He began business life with the lumber firm of H. J. Brooks, making a specialty of heavy southern timber for bridge work. In 1887 he connected with the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company of Little Valley, New York, traveling for them until 1888. In that year he purchased an interest

in the company, was elected secretary and also continued to represent them on the road as traveling salesman. He still retains his inter- est in the company, of which he is a director and secretary. On October 20, 1905, he was elected president of the Cattaraugus County Bank of Little Valley, which position he now most ably fills. Since 1890 Mr. Kelley has been a director of the George W. Korn Razor Company. He is a Republican in politics; in 1900 he was elected clerk of Cattaraugus county, served three years, and in 1903 was re-elected for a second term. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Little Val- ley Lodge and Chapter ; Salamanca Command- ery, Knights Templar; Ismailia Temple, No- bles of the Mystic Shrine, Buffalo. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is an attendant of the Presbyterian church.

He married, June 15, 1883, Clara M., born December 17, 1864, daughter of W. W. Henry, born April 18, 1837, died March 30, 1910; married, May 15, 1859, Amy A., born July 15, 1839, daughter of Samuel and Sabra ( Dake) Aldrich. W. W. Henry was son of Sylvester H. Henry, who was born May 29, 1798, died December 12, 1887, married Sally B. Hutchinson, born March 22, 1799, died August 23, 1887. Children of W. W. and Amy A. (Aldrich) Henry: 1. Grace, born April 23, 1860; married M. F. Higbee; chil- dren : Carrie, married Jackson Case; Frances, married Leo Kaumpf. 2. Clara M., married Elmer E. Kelley. 3. Claude S., born Febru- ary 21, 1870; married Kittie Collins; child, Luella May. 4. Carl Wilson, born January 22, 1872, died September 1, 1873. 5. Jennie P., born August 22, 1873; married, May 26, 1896, Leon Gorsline, born November 9, 1872; child. Aldrich, born June 6, 1907. 6. Bertha Aldrich, born July 28, 1875; married, May 19, 1898, William A. Miller ; child, Russell H., born January 21, 1903. 7. Itha May, born May 28, 1877, died October 11, 1877. Child of Elmer E. and Clara M. (Henry) Kelley : Edna, born April 7, 1884.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680