Isaac [Newton] Ellis, who was born on Oct. 29, 1752 in Frederick Co., MD, the son of Ellis Ellis and Ann (Bateman) Ellis. His middle name is enclosed in brackets because there is no evidence that Isaac Ellis had a middle name. By the early 20th centiry, a number of his descendants began to assert that his full name was Isaac Newton Ellis. Perhaps they had access to family documents that can no longer be found. Many DAR and SAR applications were registered with the name, Isaac Newton Ellis. During the late 20th century, a number of descendants began to re-examine the primary documents associated with Isaac Ellis and thus far, neither the name Newton, nor even the middle initial of “N” have been found. During the remainder of this chapter, he will be identified as Isaac Ellis.

A number of descendants, some quite experienced in genealogy, have investigated the Ellis lineage, including such notable people as Congressman Clarence Cannon and U.S. Senator Edward V. Long. Clarence Cannon wrote a series of books about his ancestry, one entitled, “The Whiteside Family”, 1957, which pertains to the family of Isaac Ellis’ older daughter, Eleanor (Ellis) Whiteside. Margie (Ellis) Howell did so much research on the Ellis family history that she wrote a book, “Kinfolks of William Parke and Synah Perry and Josiah Wilson and Margaret Crow; including the related families of Hammonds, Lewis, Stephens, Wheeler, Estes, Lynn, Hopper, Ficklin, Ellis, and others”, 1967, which can be found in many genealogy collections. Another book that deals with this family was “The Downings of Europe and America, 1273-1973”, by Anna May (Cochrane) Gregath, 1976. Others that have contributed to the Ellis genealogy have included Dorothy (Ellis) Meyers, Jean Wall, Jean (Hinds) Dickerman, Marian Wilson, and myself. Most concluded that Isaac Ellis’ parents were Ellis Ellis and Ann Garner. Sen. Edward Long even named a daughter after Ann Garner. The idea made sense because several grandsons of Isaac Ellis was named Thomas G. Ellis. The understanding was that the “G” stood for Garner. Yet, no evidence could be found that indicated Ellis Ellis’ wife, Ann, was a Garner. The world of Ellis genealogy was turned upside down in 1994, when Harold W. Boles of Kalamazoo, MI wrote a book called, “Ellis Ancestors: Some Immigrants, Colonists, and Pioneers”. Boles did a very thorough job of researching original records in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virgina, and Kentucky. His approach to the Ellis lineage was different, in that he was not descended from Isaac Ellis, but was descended from Isaac’s double brother-in-law, John Downing. He makes a compelling case that Ellis Ellis married Ann Bateman. To briefly recapitulate the lineage, as reported by Boles:

The Ellis lineage originated in Bala, County Merioneth, Wales. Ellis married Jane Cadwalader in 1674. They had at least three children, Gwen, Cadawalader, and Humphrey. The term “ap” that separates the given name from the surname is Welsh for “son of”. Surnames were not in common use in Wales at the time and men were usually identified by patriline. Ellis was thus merely the given name of the father of Cadwalader and Humphrey. Ellis died before 1696 and in that year, his widow, Jane, and children moved to the village of North Wales in what is now Gwynned Twp.,Montgomery Co., PA. The area was part of Philadelphia Co., PA until 1784. They were accompanied in this move by Jane’s brother, John ap Cadwalader. They were Quakers. After moving to Pennsylvania, colonial law required that Humphrey and Cadwalader begin to use surnames. Ellis was the logical choice.

Humphrey Ellis was born in 1688. He married Sage Morgan on May 26, 1712. She was born in Swansea, County Glamorgan, Wales in 1678, the daughter of John ap Morgan, and was thus ten years older than him. She became a Quaker after moving to Pennsylvania in 1700. Humphrey Ellis of Whitpain Twp., Philadelphia Co., PA wrote a will on Nov. 3, 1747, which was proven and admitted to probate on May 13, 1748. He named his wife, Sage, eldest son, Ellis Ellis, second son, William Ellis, and youngest son, Isaac. Sage (Morgan) Ellis died Jun. 1, 1761 in Plymouth Twp., in what is now Montgomery Co., PA.
The Welsh had a custom of naming the eldest son after his paternal grandfather, even if it resulted in a name that would be odd looking to English eyes. After the Welsh were forced to adopt surnames, their communities became populated by men with names like Thomas Thomas, William William, Evan Evan, and of course, Ellis Ellis.

Ellis Ellis was born Sep. 15, 1714, presumably at Gwynned Twp., in what is now Montgomery Co., PA. He married Ann Bateman on Dec. 29, 1741 at Gwynned, PA. She was born ca. 1724 in Philadelphia Co., PA, the daughter of John Bateman and Ann (? Mill) Bateman. Ann (? Mill) Bateman died shortly after the birth of her daughter, Ann, and John Bateman married a second wife, Ann Davies, on Oct. 6, 1728 in Christ Church in Philadelphia, PA. Ellis Ellis and Ann (Bateman) Ellis were disowned by the Society of Friends in 1742, after which they moved to the part of Prince Georges Co., MD that became Frederick Co., MD in 1748. Some have hypothesized that Ann (Bateman) Ellis died and Ellis Ellis then married Ann Garner. This theory falls apart when one considers the will of John Bateman. On Jan. 8, 1765, John Bateman of Vincent Twp., Chester Co., PA wrote a will naming among others, “my beloved daughter Anne married to Elis Elis”. This will was proven and admitted to probate on Mar. 9, 1765.

Ellis Ellis lived on the western frontier of Maryland, close to the Pennsylvania border. His family became closely associated with the Ulster-Scot (or Scots-Irish) community. In 1775, Ellis Ellis and family moved to the Redstone settlement of Ulster-Scots in the District of West Augusta, VA. Their home community was called Catfish Camp. In 1784, Pennsylvania and Virginia reached an agreement on the state border west of the Appalachians. The residents of Catfish Camp, which was by then located in Yohogania Co., VA, found that they were now living in Washington Co., PA, at the site of the future town of Washington. Pennsylvania would not honor their Virginia land claims. Satisfaction was made when Virginia granted them land in what is now Kentucky. Ellis Ellis of the Redstone settlement in the District of West Augusta, wrote his will on Jul. 13, 1776, which was proven and admitted to probate on Nov. 20, 1776. He named his wife, Ann, sons Isaac, Thomas, John, and daughter, Anne. Each of these received special bequeathments. His will stipulated that after the death of his wife, his remaining estate was to be divided “amongst all my Children”. Some have interpreted this as an indication that there were other unnamed children. Harold Boles supported the conclusion made by earlier genealogists that Ellis Ellis and Ann (Bateman) Ellis had children named William, Susannah, and Mary. Ann (Bateman) Ellis died after 1776 in either Washington Co., PA or in Kentucky.

So could there be an Ann Garner in the family background? Possibly. Although no evidence has been found, Ann Bateman’s middle name could have been Garner, or her mother could have been Ann Garner. Another possibility involves the ancestry of Nancy Downing, the wife of Isaac Ellis.
On May 18, 1779, Isaac Ellis married Nancy Downing “at the home of her father near Catfish Camp, Washington Co., PA”. The date and place were reported in Isaac Ellis’ pension file (W10013). Nancy was a nickname for Ann. Ann Downing was born Oct. 16, 1762, in Ayr Twp., Cumberland Co., PA, the posthumous daughter of James Downing and Susanna (_____) Downing. James Downing died in Jun. or Jul. 1762 in Ayr Twp., Cumberland Co., PA. Within a few weeks of his death, his widow, Susanna, married Joseph Wells. On Aug. 13, 1762:

“Letters of Administration were granted to Joseph Wells and Susannah his wife of the goods and chattels of James Downing, Deceased.”

If this probate record pertains to our family, it suggests that Susanna had married a second husband before Ann (Downing) Ellis was born. The DAR Patriot Index shows that James Downing (born ca. 1729, died before 1788, married Susannah). He was a Private from Pennsylvania. Before Harold Boles published his research, most Ellis genealogists considered him to be the father of Ann (Downing) Ellis. The Revolutionary War service has been demonstrated to actually be that of the brother of Ann (Downing) Ellis –James Downing (1750-1822).

This isn’t the only discrepancy that needs to be resolved here. In his 1833 pension, Isaac Ellis stated that he married Nancy Downing at the home of her father in 1779. How could this be, if her father died in 1762? What really is known about the siblings of Ann (Downing) Ellis? There is ample evidence that she had brothers named John Downing, Robert Downing, and Timothy Downing. Many details of the John Downing were entered into a Family Bible and then copied by his son-in-law into a document known as the “Barclay Family Record”. The record states:

“John the Son of James and Susanna Downing was born May 10th 1749

“Was Joined in Marriage Feb. 19th 1770 to Susanna the daughter of Ellis and Nancy Ellis, she Was born Sept 8th 1750.”

This alone does not prove that the James Downing, who died in 1762, was the father of the above children. A strong preponderance of evidence can be found if one studies the biography of Susanna’s second husband. Joseph Wells and Susanna (_____) (Downing) Wells moved from Ayr Twp., Cumberland Co., PA to Tyrone Twp., Bedford Co., PA prior to 1773. By the late 1770s, Joseph Wells and family had settled at Catfish Camp, in what is now Washington Co., PA. In his pension application, Isaac Ellis stated that during the Revolutionary War, he was stationed at the home of Joseph Wells. Pennsylvania land patents show that the adjacent tracts were owned by John Downing and Timothy Downing, with James Downing [Jr.], and Robert Downing nearby. In 1787, Joseph and Susannah Wells sold their land in Washington Co., PA and moved to what became Mason Co., KY. The families of Robert Downing, John Downing, and Timothy Downing accompanied them in this move. Susanna (_____) (Downing) Wells died sometime after 1794, probably in Mason Co., KY.
Who was Susannah? Perhaps she or her mother was the Ann Garner that tradition places in the background of Isaac Ellis.

Harold Boles changed a few significant aspects of the Ellis heritage. But was he right? The science of y-chromosome DNA testing has provided evidence that supports the Boles theory. I persuaded a 3rd cousin of mine, James Ellis, who happens to be a patrilineal descendant of my great-great grandfather, Isaac Ellis (1823-1888), to take the DNA test. Of all of the people with the Ellis surname who have taken the DNA test, his only relevant match was to Lloyd Ellis, a proven descendant of Cadwalader Ellis, brother of Humphrey. This match verifies the authenticity of every patrilineal link, from Humphrey Ellis down to James Ellis. No room is left for doubt. This still doesn’t resolve the issue of how the tradition of Ann Garner came into being.

Isaac Ellis moved to Jefferson Co., KY in 1784 and in 1791, moved to what became Shelby Co., KY, and in 1829, moved to Owen Co., KY. Isaac Ellis died on May 14, 1833 in Owen Co., KY and is supposedly buried across the Kentucky River in Cane Run Cem. near Port Royal, Henry Co., KY. His widow, Ann (Downing) Ellis moved with her son, Duncan Ellis, to a farm just north of Auburn, Lincoln Co., MO. She died on Jun. 28, 1851 and is buried in Ellis Cem., just west of the Mill Creek Baptist Church.

Service: Isaac Ellis was a Private, Orderly Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain under Maj. McCullock, Col. Shepherd, and Col. David Williamson, all in what is now Washington Co., PA.

In 1833, he applied for a pension under the Act of 1832. His pension application (W10013) contains a lot of data:

“State of Kentucky)
“County of Owen) Sct.

“On the 7th day of February 1833 personally appeared before Jacob H. Smith, a Justice of the Peace in & for the said county of Owen in the state of Ky. and one of the justices of the court of said county which is a court of record, Isaac Ellis a resident of the said county of Owen and State of Kentucky, aged 80 years, who from bodily infirmity is unable to appear in court and who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

“That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated that is to say being a resident of the County of Washington in the western part of the State of Pennsylvania, he did in the early part of the month of June in the year 1777 enter the service of the United States as a drafted militia man in the Company of Capt. David Williamson upon a tour of two months and was immediately thereupon appointed orderly sergeant of his said company and served as such during the whole of the said tour –that immediately after his entry into the service as above named, he was detached with 38 or 40 other men composing as part of his afsd company under the direction & command of Lieut. Eleazor Williamson who was lieut. Of the said company to Cross Creek about two miles from its head in Washington County Pennsylvania at the house of one Joseph Wells and there he was kept stationed during the whole of his said tour assisting in the erection of a fort or station for the protection & safety of the citizens of that vicinity who were exposed to the hostile incursions of the Indians who about that time had become exceedingly troublesome, that during his said tour he was several times absent for a short time from the fort on small scouting and spying parties against the Indians but that he was during the principal part of said tour at work on said fort. He states that he thus continued in the service till the expiration of his said tour of duty which happened about the first of August in the year 1777. He states that he was not under the command of any field officers during this tour –that the country was a frontier, thinly inhabited and the settlement mostly made within the period of a few years and according to his present best recollection there was but little system observed at that time in the militia regulations there, -that those who were able to bear arms within the circle of his acquaintance in that part of the country were under the direction and control of Capt. Williamson who made calls upon them whenever the settlements required defense from the hostile Indians.

“He further states and declares that the danger from the Indians continued to increase, instead of diminishing, and that immediately upon the expiration of his above named tour to wit in the early part of the month of August in the year 1777, he again entered the service of the United States as a militia man under the command of Capt. David Williamson and was continued in the office of orderly sergeant to his said company, that this tour was for one month and immediately after he entered upon it, he was detached from the fort at Joseph Wells’ with ten or 12 men (privates) under the command of lieut. John Jones to a fort at Richard Well’s situated on Cross Creek about seven miles below the fort at Jos. Wells’, where he was stationed during the whole of his said tour as a guard to the fort –that upon the expiration of his said tour of one month he was not discharged but was again called on to perform another tour of one month.
“And he further states and declares that he did in conformity to said call in the early part of the month of Septr. In the year 1777 again enter the service of the United States as a drafted militia man under the comman of Capt. David Williamson upon a tour of one month that he was still continued in the office of orderly sergeant to his company and being at the time at the fort at Jos. Wells’ on Cross Creek he was detached from thence with 15 or 20 men the whole under the command of Lieut. John Jones to Cox’s fort at the mouth of Cross Creek in Virginia where he remained stationed except when absent on scouting parties during the whole of his said tour of one month and was then discharged and returned to his place of residence in the said county of Washington, Penn.

“He further states and declares that about the first of March in the year 1778 he again entered the service of the United States as a drafted militia man & private soldier upon a tour of one month under Capt. Williamson and was stationed during his said tour at the fort at Jos. Wells’ under the command of Lieut. John Jones who was the lieutenant of his said company –that he was during this tour at the fort of Richd Wells’ and was upon various small scout & spying parties in the vicinity of the said two forts –that he was mainly however at the fort at Jos. Wells’ as above named that being the point that he was required to assist in guarding against the Indians –that he continued thus employed until the expiration of his said tour when he was discharged and permitted to return to his residence, which not far distant from said Fort, in the said county of Washington, Penn.
“He further declares that about the 1st of May in the 1778 as well as he now remembers he again entered the service of the United States as a militia man & private soldier under the command of Capt. Timothy Downing upon a tour of one month –that he was gain placed in the fort at Joseph Wells’ with some other men as a guard for it –that the times in that section of the country were exceedingly difficult and the Indians were numerous and making frequent inroads upon the frontier settlements laying them waste and butchering the inhabitants insomuch that the settlements were in an almost constant state of alarm. He continued in the discharge of his duty till the expiration of his said term of service and was then discharged and returned to his residence in Washington County.

“He further states and declares that about the first of July in the year 1778 he again entered the service of the United States as a militia man and private soldier upon a tour of one month under the command of Capt. Conrad Stroups. John Jones was the Lieut. Of the company –that he was marched immediately with his said company to Van Metre’s fort on Short Creek in Virginia that from thence he was marched to Wheeling, Va. at which place there was at the time a small fort, thence to the Beech Bottom up the Ohio River and continued in the service securing the country in the vicinity of those forts till the expiration of his term of service when he was discharged and returned home.

“He further states and declares that about the month of April in the year 1779 he again entered the service of the United States upon the call of David Williamson, who had been promoted to the office of Colonel as this declarant understood, for the services of the militia, that the number of men able to bear arms had increased in that vicinity insomuch that there was at that time enough for two companies and they were consequently divided and then men when called into the service had the privilege given them (under what regulation or by what authority this declarant does not know) of choosing their own company officers and he this declarant as soon as the said company was made up was elected captain thereof & served as such during his tour of duty which was for two months –that John Jones as well as he rem[em]bers was chosen Lieut. And served accordingly. He states that he did not receive a commission at all but served as Captain by the voice and election of said company –that he was stationed with a part of his said company at the fort at Joseph Wells’ and the balance of his company was stationed at the other small forts in the vicinity –that Col. Williamson had the command and direction of this operation, and that the squads of men stationed at the said forts to guard & protect the frontier were frequently engaged in scouting parties against the Indians and this declarant frequently headed and conducted parties of this kind. He continued in the service the period above named and at the expiration, thereof he and his men were relieved by other militiamen of the neighborhood and they returned to their homes.

“He further states and declares that in the month of March 1780 as well as he rem[em]bers at this distance of time he was compelled by the danger from the Indians to move his wife from his residence (he having married in the year 1779) in Washington County, Penn. to the fort at Joseph Wells’ in order to have her in a place of some security and soon afterwards he thinks about the last of that month he again was called upon and entered the service of the United States upon a tour of one month as a militia man & private soldier and was immediately thereupon again elected by his company Captain thereof and served as such during his said tour –that Timothy Downing was Lieut. –that he did not receive a commission –that the militia in that quarter were still under the control and command of Col. David Williamson –that he this declares was, by the order of Col. Williamson, stationed with a small portion of his said company at the fort at Joseph Wells’ & there remained principally during his said tour –that he was in the course of it at the fort at Richard Wells’ upon one or two occasions –that there was as before mentioned various small forts in the neighborhood which had been erected to protect the settlements and were only a few miles a part –that they were thus erected near each other in order that aid might be drawn from each upon any emergency –and that inroads might not be made or attempted by the Indians without a great prospect of intelligence being obtained at these points. He states that he thus continued in the service as Captain until the expiration of his said term of service and he was then relieved by the entry of other militia into the service.

“He further states and declares that about the first of July 1780 he was again called into the service of the United States upon a tour of one month and entered therein accordingly and was again immediately elected Captain of his company by the free voice thereof and served as such during the whole of said period, that Col. Williamson was still the commander of the military in that quarter –that he spent a portion of his time at the fort at Joseph Wells’ and was engaged during the residue of his said tour in scouting the country in the vicinity of Cross Creek –that he served out his time faithfully and fully and at the termination of his said tour he again engaged in his usual avocations –that his family were still at the station or fort at Joseph Wells’ and he spent the most of his time at that point with his family assisting in guarding the fort as a private individual after the expiration of his said term of service till...

“About the month of Sept. 1780 when according to his present best recollection he again entered the service of the United States as a militia man and private soldier and was again immediately elected by the company to which he was attached Captain thereof and served as such during the whole of his tour of duty which was for one month –that he was stationed mainly during this tour at Jos. Wells’ fort where his family still was, with a small portion of his said company –that during the tour he was sometimes engaged in scouting parties, scouring the country and ridding it of the Indians –that he was at Richard Wells’ fort, also at a fort called West Liberty and also at the fort at Wheeling during this tour –that he served it out fully and faithfully as a Captain as aforesaid and at the termination thereof he carried his family to his place of residence which was distant about 3 miles from the fort at Joseph Wells’ –that during the winter season the Indians scarcely ever molested the settlements and he remained with his family upon his land until the spring following when he again moved them to the fort at Joseph Wells’ for their security –that he attempted the cultivation of his land in the spring & summer of 1780 & succeeded in raising a small crop –that he spent as matter of necessity the principal part of his time during that spring & summer at said fort assisting in guarding it for although the Indians were not so numerous and inclined to mischief as they had been during the previous years, yet they were sufficiently numerous and hostile to keep the inhabitants on the alert and almost constantly on guard.

“He further states and declares that about the month of August in the year 1781 he was again called into the service as a drafted militia man and accordingly entered the service of the United States and was immediately thereupon elcted by the company to which he belonged Captain thereof and served as such during the whole of his tour which was for the term of one month –that his company were cantoned at the different small forts in the neighborhood for the purpose of guarding & protecting them –that he himself took his station at the fort of Joseph Wells’ with a small number of his said company –that during the period of this tour he was at some times at most of the forts in the vicinity and was with the men under his command in active employment during its whole period –that at its termination he again carried his family to his home (the Indians having crossed the Ohio River) where he remained with them till about the first of March 1782 when he again carried his family to the said fort at Joseph Wells’.

“He further states and declares that soon afterward to wit: in the month of March in the year 1782 he was again called upon and accordingly entered the service of the United [States] as a militia man –that he was immediately thereupon elected by his company as lieutenant and served as such during the whole of the residue of the spring and summer & part of the fall of said year 1782 –that Timothy Downing was selected as the captain of said company and the tour was for three months –he states that Col. Williamson had left that part of the country and one Major McCullock took the command of the militia –that the Indians were more troublesome and hostile than they had been during any previous year and it was therefore necessary that a corresponding degree of diligence should be used –he states that was again stationed at the fort at Joseph Wells’ –that he was however compelled frequently to engage in scouting parties and upon several occasions was at other of the small forts in the neighborhood in expectation of attack from the Indians –he states that the service during this tour was of the most active & laboring kind, that he was constantly engaged in a routine of military duty, and was in the frequent expectation of attack from the Indians.

“He further states and declares that upon the expiration of the above named tour, the danger from the Indians had rather increased than diminished and the services of the whole of the able-bodied men were absolutely required to protect the country and defend it from the attacks of the savages –he was therefore together with his said company required to continue in the service which he did do and continued to act as lieutenant to his said company –that he was actively engaged as above set forth with the men under his command during the whole of the summer and on the 4th day of Septr 1782 being still in the service as above named and being there at the fort at Jos. Wells’ he was detailed by Major McCullock together with all the men that could be spared from that point and the forts in its immediate vicinity amounting in all to about 40 men –that Capt. Boggs had the command of the company and Major McCullock kept with the men in person as far as Short Creek & he then returned, this declarent was Lieut. of the company –and they were marched with great expedition to the fort at Wheeling which was then besieged by the Indians underthe command of Col. Butler as this declarent was then informed –this declarent has even at this time a distinct & clear recollection of this occurrence and the day of the week on which they marched which he thinks was Wednesday –they started very early in the morning and by an exceedingly expeditious movement they reached the vicinity of Wheeling at about 10 or 11 o’clock on the same day by a circuitous and unused route –that they were unable to get into the fort and were constrained to remain on the outside thereof at some distance concealed till about 11 o’clock on Saturday when an opportunity presented itself and they forced a passage into the fort and the siege thereof was just before they entered the fort raised –he states that the Indians had kept up an almost incessant fire on the fort day and night from Wednesday morning till the party headed by Capt. Boggs of which he this declarent was one entered the fort on Saturday –that the fort was commanded by Dan’l Sullivan –he states that a Mr. Abram Zanes was the owner of the property and had his residence at the fort in a building on the outside of it –that when the siege commenced himself and family consisting of his wife & a few servants and also one Andrew Scott & Robt Scott were in the house and their retreat to the fort was cut off but they barred up the doors and windows and having a number of muskets & cartrisges in the house, they were enabled by the exercise of almost unprecedented courage and skill to maintain the possession of the house in spite of all the efforts of the enemy –immediately upon the raising of the siege the Indians crossed the Ohio –this attack on Wheeling was the third which had been made by them on that place during the year 1782 as this declarent was informed –he further states that he remained at Fort Wheeling only a few hours and then returned to the fort at Joseph Wells’ –he states that in the above named siege there was none of the Americans killed and but one wounded –that after he returned to the fort at Jos Wells he there remained in the performance of military duty till about the first of Oct 1782 when there being no appearance of danger from the Indians he returned with his family to his home.

“This declarent states that from the great lapse of time and the many tours of duty he performed and the many services combined with his great age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the times at which his tours of duty were performed but from his present best recollection he served in the manner and at the time and for the periods above mentioned and indeed he is sure that he served a great deal more than he has above mentioned –he is satisfied that he performed many tours of duty which he cannot now recollect with sufficient precision & certainty to detail –he thinks that during the spring and summer months of every year from the year 1777 to 1782 inclusive he was in active service though he is now unable from loss of memory to detail the particulars in relation to all of his tours –he states that he is confident that he did not serve in the Revolutionary War less than four months as an orderly sergeant, three months as a private militia soldier, six months as a Captain of Companies, and seven months as a lieutenant –he states that there were no regular officers in the part of the country where he served nor were there any field officers belonging to the militia except Col. Shephard, Col. Williamson and Major McCullock that this declarent has any recollection of –he states that he never received any commission himself but acted as Capt. & Lieut. as above named by the choice of his Companies –he states that he has no documentary evidence of his said services nor does he know of any person now living by whom he can prove them, or any part of them except his wife, Ann Ellis, whom he married in the year 1779, but he hardly thinks it right to take her testimony unless it should be required by the _____ -he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency or any state. He states that he is so infirm in body that he cannot attend the Court of Owen County to make his application for a pension –that he resides at the distance of about eighteen miles by the usual route from Owenton, which is the seat of Justice for Owen County and the place at which courts are held.

“Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
“Isaac Ellis

“Interrogation put to Isaac Ellis the above-named applicant by Jacob H. Smith, the aforesaid Justice of the Peace:

“1st Where and in what year were you born?
“Answer –I was born on the 29th Oct. 1752 in the County of Frederick, now Washington County and State of Maryland according to the best information which I have on the subject.

“2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
“Answer –I have a record of my age now in my house in my Bible which I made from the information gave me by my mother.

“3rd Where were you living when called into the service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
“Answer –My father moved from the County of Frederick in the State of Maryland to the County of Washington in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1775 near to a place which was then called Catfish Camp but which is now called Washington where I continued to live until the year 1784, so that each time when called into service I was a resident of Washington County, Penn. In the year 1784 I moved to Jefferson County, Ky. where I remained till 1791 and then moved to that part of the same county which now composes a part of Shelby County, Ky. and there I continued to live till the year 1829 and then I moved to the place whereon I now live in Owen County, Ky.

“4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute, for whom?
“Answer –I considered at the time that I entered the service that I did so as a drafted militia man though I but seldom drew –upon most occasions I entered upon the service without the formality of drawing, believing it to be my regular turn.

“5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.
“Answer –There were no regular officers or soldiers with the troops when I served nor were there any militia or continental regiments except the one to which I was myself attached. I do not recollect to have seen whilst in the service any field officers except Col. Williamson, Col. Shephard, and Major McCullock who were the officers who had control of the militia in the section of the country where I lived. I lived on the western frontier of Pennsylvania and the whole of my services were performed against the Indians and at the small forts in the section of the country where I lived –I was frequently on the bank of the Ohio River and in the back parts of Virginia upon scouting parties against the Indians, the only skirmish of any note in which I was personally engaged was in Septr 1782 at the raising of the siege of Wheeling.

“6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so what has become of it, and by whom was it given?
“Answer I recollect to have received a discharge upon several occasions, which were signed by my officers but I have lost them.

“Did you ever receive a commission and if so by whom was it signed and what has become of it?
“Answer –I never did receive a commission. I served as Captain six months, and afterward as a Lieutenant about seven months, my companies elected me to these offices and my commanding officers certified their choice but I never received a commission.

“State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
“Answer –I will name William Ball and John Whittaker as persons who live in my neighborhood and to whom I am known.
“Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
“Isaac Ellis

“We William Ball, a clergyman residing in the County of Henry and State of Kentucky, and John Whittaker, residing in the County of Owen, Ky., hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Isaac Ellis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 80 years of age, that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion, and we further certify that it is our opinion and belief that the said Isaac Ellis from bodily infirmity is unable to attend the court to make his declaration.

“Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
“William Ball
“John Whitacre

“And I Jacob H. Smith, Justice of the Peace and member of the Owen County court as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after executing the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a revolutionary officer and soldier and served as he states –And I further certify that the said Isaac Ellis the above applicant is unable by reason of bodily infirmity to attend the proper court to make his declaration and that the above proceedings have in consequence thereof been had at his house in Owen County, Ky. before me –And I further certify that William Ball, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in Henry County about 3 miles distant from the house of said Isaac Ellis and that John Whitaker, who has also signed the same, is a resident of Owen County, Ky. and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I further certify that there is no clergyman living in Owen County in the neighborhood of said Isaac Ellis. In witness of all which I have hereto set my hand & seal this 7th Feb. 1833.
“Jacob H. Smith (seal)”

Some may notice that never in Isaac Ellis’ testimony did he mention anything about fighting the British. The only enemy he mentioned consisted of Indians. Some may even wonder why he was pensioned for Revolutionary War service. Was it just the timing? The answer becomes obvious when one examines the history of the siege at Wheeling, which was the most precisely described battle that he mentioned. The following article was found on the West Virginia Division of Culture and History website and was originally printed as the “Story of Fort Henry”, by A. B. Brooks, 1940:

“Second Attack on Fort Henry

“In September 1782, occurred the last siege of Fort Henry, regarded by some as the last battle of the Revolution. A force of forty irregular British soldiers and 238 Indians, under Captain Bradt, made the attack. Between the former siege and this one, the homes of the settlers had been rebuilt, including that of Ebenezer Zane. His dwelling contained a store of surplus ammunition and arms and it had been decided to occupy it in case of another attack. Being notified of the approach of the enemy by John Lynn, a scout, preparations were speedily made for the expected attack. Those who demained within the Zane house were Andrew Scott, George Green, Elizabeth Zane (Colonel Zane's wife), Molly Scott, Miss McCulloch, a sister of Major Samuel McCulloch, a negro slave and his wife, "Daddy Sam" and Kate. From all other homes the occupants had entered the fort. Although Colonel David Shepherd was superior officer in the county it appears that Colonel Silas Zane was again in command.

“The Indians approached carrying the British flag and asked for surrender (underlining mine), which was refused. During the night of the attack the garrison of Fort Henry was re-enforced by the arrival of a few men who had come down in a boat from Pittsburgh. They carried some cannon balls, some of which were taken and used in the real cannon which had been substituted for the wooden one, the rest being appropriated by the attackers.

“The first efforts of the enemy were toward destruction of the fort by battering it in every way possible. The first day was spent in futile attempts in this direction. The Indians placed their chief reliance upon burning and during the night made many attempts to burn both the fort and Colonel Zane's house. The negro slave detected the approach of an Indian and killed him as he was about to set fire to the residence. The cannon was brought into play, firing sixteen times during the attack. Being impressed by the effectiveness of the cannon, the Indians and soldiers made one of their own out of a hollow tree which they wrapped with chains found in a blacksmith shop and loaded with the balls taken from the Pittsburgh boat. When they fired it the explosion did no damage to the fort but killed and injured several persons who stood about.

“It was during the second siege that the ammunition ran low in the fort and a volunteer, Elizabeth Zane, sister of Ebenezer Zane, ran to the cabin and returned under fire with a supply of powder, thus doing her part toward defense, and furnishing the background for a much-repeated story of pioneer days.
“At the end of three days the Indians were thoroughly discouraged and, soon after, when Captain Boggs arrived with seventy men, they gave up and turned their attention to Rice's Fort, in the vicinity, where they lost heavily again.

“Thus Fort Henry not only saved a large proportion of the inhabitants of the young colony at Wheeling, but played an important, though minor, role in the closing days of the American Revolution. The Second Siege was the last formidable raid of Indians into West Virginia.”

The Indians in this siege were obviously fighting for the British. One can infer that this was probably the case in all of Isaac Ellis’ encounters or conflicts with the Indians from 1777 to 1782. A pension of $256.66 per year was authorized for Isaac Ellis on Jun. 26, 1833. Ironically, he died the month before (May 14, 1833) and never saw a dime of his pension. On Dec. 10, 1833, Ann (Downing) Ellis applied for a widow’s pension. The descendants of Isaac Ellis can be grateful for the fact that he lived long enough to apply for a pension, because without his testimony, his activities in the Revolutionary War would be lost to the winds of time.

Family: (Generation 7) The 1790 census of Jefferson Co., KY and the 1800 census of Shelby Co., KY no longer exist. The 1810 census of Shelby Co., KY (p. 198) showed the Isaac Ellis family as 30101-21101- This household contained one male born before 1765, one female born before 1765, one male born 1784-94, one female born 1784-94, one female born 1794-1800, three males born 1800-10, and two females born 1800-10. The Thomas Lane family was listed next to them.

The 1820 census of Shelby Co., KY (p. 131) showed the Isaac Ellis family as 012201-01201- This household contained one male born before 1775, one female born before 1775, two males born 1794-1804, two females born 1794-1804, two males born 1802-04, one male born 1804-10, and one female born 1804-10. He owned 8 slaves. The families of David Jeffries, Thos. Ellis, Seth Stratton, Isaac Whitesides, Caty Downing, and Wm. Ellis were living nearby.
The 1830 census of Owen Co., KY (p. 327) showed the Isaac Ellis family as 000010001-000001001- This household contained one male born 1760-70, one female born 1760-70, one female born 1790-1800, and one male born 1800-10. Isaac Ellis was obviously placed in the wrong age category. He was 77 when the census was taken. The families of John Price and Duncan Ellis were listed next to Isaac Ellis.

Isaac Ellis died on May 14, 1833, in Owen Co., KY. The will of Isaac Ellis (Owen Co., KY Will Book A, p. 469) was dated Mar. 6, 1832, and entered into probate in Jun. 1833. His will named: his wife Ann Ellis, heirs of Leny Whiteside, daughter Ann Lane, son Thomas Ellis, daughter Catherine Downing, daughter Mary Grigsby, heirs of Sarah Jeffries, heirs of William Ellis, daughter Jane, daughter Elizabeth Downing, daughter Sarah Stratton, son John Ellis, daughter Nancy Price, and son Duncan Ellis. The inheritances for each child were apparently listed in the age order of his children. He left a third of his property to his wife, Ann, which after her death was to descend to his son Duncan Ellis. He left almost everything else to his son, Duncan Ellis, who was named Executor. The only error in his will is the name of his daughter, Sarah Stratton. Her name was really Susannah.

The 1840 census of Shelby Co., KY…

In 1846, Duncan Ellis and family moved to Lincoln Co., MO. On Sep. 22, 1846, Ann Ellis appeared before William D. Hall, a Justice of the Peace for Lincoln Co., MO, and made a petition that her pension be transferred from Kentucky to Missouri. The 1850 census of Dist No. 49, Lincoln Co., MO (p. 439) showed her living with her son, Duncan Ellis:
Duncan Ellis 42 Ky.
Nancy 41 “
John P. 20 “
Jacob D. 19 “
William 18 “
Isaac 17 “
Margaret A. 14 “
Sarah J. 12 “
Thomas G. 10 “
Martha 8 “
Mary E. 6 “
Henry C. 3 Mo.
Ann 89 Ky.
Jane 56 Ky.

Nancy (Downing) Ellis died on Jun. 28, 1851 just north of Auburn, Lincoln Co., MO. Many of the children and grandchildren of Isaac Ellis and Nancy (Downing) Ellis moved to Lincoln Co., MO, where the family grew in numbers and became rather prosperous and prominent. Isaac and Nancy (Downing) Ellis do not seem to have favored the use of family names, at least among sons. They did NOT name any sons Isaac, James, Ellis, or Humphrey. This is important because researchers should NOT try to find the names of ancestors in the following list of children. The sons were obviously named after men named Thomas Garner, William, John J., and Duncan, but the identities of who these men were remains obscure.

Isaac Ellis and Nancy (Downing) Ellis had 14 children.

1. Eleanor Ellis (born May 30, 1780, died Jan. 27, 1811, in Shelby Co., KY, married Apr. 11, 1799, in Shelby Co., KY to Isaac Whiteside (born ca. 1775, died ca. 1820). The town of Whiteside in Lincoln Co., MO was founded and named after their son, William Whiteside. Notable among Eleanor’s descendants was Congressman and genealogist Clarence Cannon.

2. Ann Ellis (born Jan. 25, 1782, died May 25, 1848, in Harrison Co., IN), married Apr. 10, 1799, in Shelby Co., KY to Thomas Lane (born Jun. 5, 1763, died Aug. 18, 1835, in Boone Co., IN).

3. Thomas Garner Ellis (born Nov. 14, 1783, died Jan. 11, 1848, in Ralls Co., MO), married Nov. 18, 1802, in Shelby Co., KY to Mary Jeffries (born Jun. 18, 1785, died Nov. 15, 1872).

4. Catherine Ellis (born 1785, died after 1859 in Lincoln Co., MO), married Dec. 9, 1806, in Shelby Co., KY to her cousin, Thomas Downing (born ca. 1783, died 1815, son of Robert and Jane Downing). Notable among their descendants was U.S. Senator and Compatriot, Edward Vaughan Long.

5. Mary Ellis (born 1787, died _____), married Jan. 13, 1817, in Shelby Co., KY to Wilkerson Grigsby (born/ died).

6. Sarah Ellis (born 1789, died ca. 1829 in Jennings Co., IN), married Mar. 4, 1808, in Shelby Co., KY to David Jeffries (born ca. 1788 in Nelson Co., KY, died Apr. 28, 1868, in Jennings Co., IN).

7. William Ellis (born 1791, died Feb. 7, 1824, in Shelby Co., KY), married Mar. 31, 1812, in Shelby Co., KY to Hannah Stratton (born May 6, 1789, died Jan. 25, 1852, in Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO). [age 16-26 with father in 1810]

8. Jane Ellis (born Jun. 29, 1793, died Mar. 6, 1851, in Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO). She was described as “insane” in her father’s will. [age 16-26 with father in 1810, age 16-26 with father in 1820, age 30-40 with father in 1830]

9. Elizabeth Ellis (born Jan. 4, 1795, died Dec. 26, 1888, in Mason Co., KY), married Feb. 18, 1817, in Shelby Co., KY to her double first cousin, Reason J. Downing (born Nov. 18, 1793, died Sep. 9, 1849, in Washington, Mason Co., KY, son of John Downing and Susanna (Ellis) Downing). [age 10-16 with father in 1810]

10. Susannah Ellis (born Jul. 4, 1800, died Jun. 7, 1876 in Butlerville, Jennings Co., IN), married 1) Jan. 30, 1821 in Shelby Co., KY to Seth Stratton (born Aug. 25, 1797, died Jan. 8, 1860), married 2) James Myers (born/ died). [age 0-10 with father in 1810, age 16-26 with father in 1820]

11. John J. Ellis (born after Jan. 27, 1802, died before Nov. 19, 1838 in Parke Co., IN), married Jan. 30, 1823 to Shelby Co., KY to Sarah Elliott (born Aug. 27, 1804 in Shelby Co., KY, died Feb. 21, 1871 in Parke Co., IN). [age 0-10 with father in 1810, age 16-26 and age 16-18 with father in 1820]
12. _____ Ellis (born ca. 1802, died after 1830/ before Mar. 6, 1832, in Owen Co., KY). His existence was indicated by the 1810, 1820, and 1830 censuses.

No other Ellis genealogists have acknowledged his existence. Based on his estimated age, he may have been a twin to John J. Ellis. Since he was omitted from the will of Isaac Ellis, he was probably deceased at the time. [male age 0-10 with father in 1810, male age 16-26 and age 16-18 with father in 1820, male age 20-30 with father in 1830]

13. Nancy Ellis (born ca. 1805, died Nov. 12, 1852, in Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO), married Feb. 12, 1828, in Shelby Co., KY to John Whiteside Price (born/ died). [age 0-10 with father in 1810, age 10-16 with father in 1820]

14. Duncan Ellis (born Jan. 17, 1807, died Feb. 17, 1889, in Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO), married Jan. 29, 1829, in Shelby Co., KY to Nancy Elliott (born Jan. 10, 1808, in Shelby Co., KY, died Mar. 23, 1877, in Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO, daughter of William and Margaret (Elliott) Elliott). His son, Julius Caesar Ellis, was Sheriff of Lincoln Co., MO (1893-96) and Associate Judge of Lincoln Co., MO (1902-06). Duncan Ellis contributed land for the Mill Creek Baptist Church and Cemetery. From the perspective of my heritage, this was more than an incidental contribution. The Mill Creek Cemetery is the final resting place of my parents, Raymond and Ella Louise (Robinson) Peterman, my Robinson grandparents, my Ellis great grandparents, and Ellis great-great-grandparents. [age 0-10 with father in 1810, age 10-16 with father in 1820].