Richard Spencer Ellis 1819-1901

Per death record, Richard died on April 7, 1901 of paralysis (2 weeks duration) at his residence. He was buried on April 9, 1901.

Richard Spencer Ellis was born on September 17, 1819 (or Sept 16 according to stone) in Delmar, Tioga, Pennsylvania to Asaph and Amanda (Spencer) Ellis. When Richard was about 15, in about 1834, the Asaph Ellis family moved to Allegany County, New York. The family lived there about a year, then sometime in 1835, they moved by raft down the Allegany River to Sharpsburg, PA. A few months later, they settled in Bell Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania (Nov. 5, 1835). Richard married Julia Ann Avery in 1839 (or possibly 1840/41 according to the 1900 census). Julia Ann was the step-daughter of Richard's Aunt Lucretia (Ellis) Avery. Lucretia was half sister to Richard's father Asaph. Richard and Julia resided in Bell Township and had seven children. In September 1850, Richard was constable in Bell Township. In June 1870 census they were living in Eagle Point, Chippewa, Wisconsin. They were back in Bell Township by the late 1870's. The 1880 census shows that Richard "worked on farm", but was also listed as "maimed, crippled, bedridden or otherwise disabled". His youngest son Deroy lived with them and helped until their death. Several of Richard and Julia's sons were in the Civil War: Horace A. (wounded twice, received congressional medal for bravery), Asaph A. (died of consumption contracted in the army) and John (killed at Fort Stevens-1864).

Children of Richard Spencer and Julia Ann (Avery) Ellis:

Horace A. Ellis (Congressional Medal for Bravery-Civil War)

Asaph A. Ellis (in Civil War)

Amanda Ellis

John Ellis (died in Civil War battle @ Fort Stevens)

Warren Benjamin Ellis

Maria Jane Ellis

DeRoy Ellis

Richard's 4th great grandfather was Rev. John Eliot, Apostle to the Indians

4th cousin 1x removed - poet Emily Dickinson

5th cousin 3x removed - Sir Winston Churchill

Research and Bio by Dee ~

updated on 8/9/2017; 3/5/2024

Additions are welcome. Please provide sources.