The Ellis Family
-- My paternal grandparents were Calvin Stoey Graham and Ruth Etta Barr.
-- My grandma Graham was the daughter of Harvey Joseph Barr and Sarah Henrietta Ellis. Harvey trace his heritage directly to Melchoir Bär III, and his wife Eva Elizabeth Christman, who settled in Lehigh Valley.
-- The Ellis family research papers, and family directory
-- Also, the family photo collection has some of the oldest photos in the Taylor ~ Graham library.
James Ellis (1816 - 1865)
-- My 3rd paternal great grandparents were James Ellis and Mary Ann Luxeon.
James Ellis was born July 2nd 1816 in St. Austell, Cornwall, England.
He was a laborer and miner in both the iron ore and clay mines the region of St Austell and Roche parishes of Cornwall, England.
On September 24th 1836 James Ellis and Mary Ann Luxeon married in St. Austell, Cornwall, England. The marraige was
witnessed by John Julyan and William Gilbert at the Parish Church of Holy Trinity in St. Austell, Cornwall England. James signed his marriage certificate and Mary Ann made her mark.
Mary Ann Luxeon was born August 9th 1816 to John Luxon and Jenifer Rous in Cornwall, England. Mary was baptized on December 22nd1816 in the clay mining village of Carn Rosemary in the St Austell region of Roche, Cornwall.
-- The parish of St. Austell is in the Deanery and Eastern Division of the Powder Hundred. It was originally bounded on the north by the parishes of Roche and Luxulyan. Here are other Ellis and Luxeon names from the St. Austell Parish area.
James was a laborer, and between 1838 and 1840 the family lived in Caudle Down located in St. Austell, Cornwall, Great Britain (England). In 1841-1844 the family lived in Stenalees in St. Austell. Also in the 1841 Stenalees Census record, a 25 year old John Ellis was a tin miner living with a 30 year old Anne Ellis. These two people could be relatives of James Ellis.
By the time their son William was born, and baptized, the family moved to South Caudel Down, where James was a clay agent.
James was a miner in Cornwall area of England and one day he put on his Sunday church suit to go to the coal mines. When questioned about his attire, he reported that "Queen Victoria was coming to visit the mine that day." The Ellis, Toms, and Eden families were friends prior to their immigration to Pennsylvania.
The Ellis family left Liverpool, Great Britain, on the ship George Thacker, and entered America through the ports of Philadelphia in April 1849. When the ship arrived, the passenger list indicated; James 34 years old; Mary Ann 32 years old; Betsy 11 years old; Jane 9 years old; James 7 years old; William 4 years old; and Ann 1year old.
The 1855 naturalization papers show the family living in Shannonsville, today it is known as Audubon, Lower Providence Township Montgomery County Pennsylvania. Shannonsville was north of Philadelphia, and present day King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on Route 422 - the old Pottstown Road. When the family moved to the Pottstown area, they most likely traveled using this road.
James worked as a laborer, something digger, quarryman, engineer, and fireman. Besides residing briefly in Shannonsville in Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County. The Ellis family settled in the Pottstown and Boyertown areas of Montgomery County,and later in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
In 1860 the family lived in Dale, (near Boyertown) Colebrookdale Township, Berks County Pennsylvania. Later during the 1860s the family’s residence was at 765 West Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown Pennsylvania. While living here, James Ellis died on January 21st 1865, Aged 51 years, 6 Months, and days.
-- As transcribed from James's will dated June 21st 1865, relating to the death of James Ellis: "...On Saturday morning last, about 4 o'clock, as we learn from the Pottstown ledger, a fire was discovered in the two story frame building used as an engine house, at the mines of the Phoenix Iron Company, at Boyertown, Berks County. The flames had progressed so far, when discovered, that it was impossible to quench them, and the building was entirely destroyed. After the fire, the shocking discovery was made that the night engineer and fireman, James Ellis, had perished in the conflagration. His station was in the second story of the building, and it is supposed that the flames were ignited from the furnace below, in some manner unaccountable, and that the fire had progressed so far, when he discovered it, that his escape was rendered impossible. The deceased was a man pretty well advanced in years. He leaves a wife and several children residing in Boyertown..."
After James died, Mary Ann lived with her daughter Jane Ellis-Quick in the Reading 102nd District, Berks County Pennsylvania. She lived with them until her death, at age 65, on Sunday, October 9th 1881. She is buried in the Ellis family plot at the Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading Berks County Pennsylvania.
James and Mary Ann had seven children.
i. Elizabeth (Betsy) Ellis was born October 15th 1838 in St. Austell, Cornwall England. She died October 17th 1913 in Berks County Pennsylvania. She married William Toms, and lived in Boyerstown Berks County.
ii. Jane Ellis was born about 1840 in St. Austell, Cornwall England. She married William Quick. In 1911 she and William lived in Reading Pennsylvania. Married someone named Quick, lived in Reading Pennsylvania in 1911.
iii. James Luxeon Ellis (1843-1899). He 1st married Sarah V. Boyer, and then Sarah's sister, Rosa Ann (Annie) Boyer.
iv. William Henry Ellis (1845 - )
v. Annie Luxeon Ellis was born August 6th1847 in St. Austell, Cornwall England. When her father died in 1865, she was assigned a guardian, Amos Brower. She married Jonas Burns Reifsneider. Annie died November 4th1911 in Pottstown Montgomery County Pennsylvania.
vi. George D. Ellis was born about 1850 in Pennsylvania. When his father died in 1865, he was assigned a guardian, Ephraim Gabel.
vii. Mary Ann Ellis was born 1854 in Pennsylvania. When his father died in 1865, he was assigned a guardian, David Gabel.
In 1860 the family lived in Dale, (near Boyertown) Colebrookdale Township, Berks County Pennsylvania. Later during the 1860s the family's residence was at 765 West Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown Pennsylvania. While living here, James Ellis died on January 21st 1865, Aged 51 years, 6 Months, and days.
James Luxeon Ellis (1843-1899)
-- My 2nd paternal great grandparents were James Luxeon Ellis and his 1st wife, Sarah V. Boyer.
James Luxeon Ellis was born August 24th 1842 to James Ellis and Mary Ann Luxeon in St. Austell, Cornwall England.
James 1st married Sarah V. Boyer in 1865. Sarah was born June 21st 1846 in Exeter Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania to William Boyer and Henrietta Ritter. She was the 4th child of 14 children.
James worked as a locomotive machinist, and lived in Pottstown Montgomery County, Reading in Berks County, and Dauphin County at both Derry Street and Berry Hill Street Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
By 1870 the family moved to the city of Reading, Berks County. A one month old child with no name was listed in the 1870 census, and a nurse lived with them named Afediah Moser 55 years old. The unnamed child would be Isaac. At that time the value of their real estate as $11,400, and their personal estate was $100.00.
Sarah Boyer-Ellis died in Reading Pennsylvanian June 9th 1877. She was laid to rest in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, PA, in the Ellis Family Plot, adjacent to the Boyer Family Plot.
-- "... Sarah Ellis, wife of J. L. Ellis and daughter of Wm. and Henrietta Boyer, aged 30 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her funeral on Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock, from her late residence 821 Green Street without further notice. Services at St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church, interment at Charles Evans Cemetery..."
-- Sarah was survived by her parents, her husband, 5 children: James B. Ellis, age 12; Henry H. Ellis, age 8; Isaac Boyer Ellis, age 7; Sarah Henrietta Ellis, age 4; and William Boyer Ellis, age 17 months.
-- Also Sarah was survived by 2 brothers, and 6 sisters.
-- She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
James L. Ellis and Sara V. Boyer had seven children.
i. James L. Ellis was born in Pennsylvania about 1866, he married Annie. They lived at 925 Washington Street Reading Pennsylvania. They had: Baby, still born August 11th1884, and was buried at the Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Berks County Pennsylvania.
ii. Henry Harry Ellis was born October 1868 in Reading, Berks County Pennsylvania. He died in 1947 while living in Reading, Berks County Pennsylvania. In 1891 he married Sarah A Miller, who was born January 1869, and died in 1942. Together they were the parents of one child. Harry Miller Ellis (1892-1948).
iii. P. Albert Ellis was born and died in 1869. He was buried in the Ellis family plot at the Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading Berks County Pennsylvania.
iv. Isaac Ellis was born in Pennsylvania about 1870.
v. Sarah (Sally) Henrietta Ellis was born in Pennsylvania about 1873 to James Ellis and Sarah Boyer. Sally married Harvey Joseph Barr on April 7th1892 in Reading by Reverend Bouseman. The application date was April 1st 1892, and their license date was April 7th1892. Harvey was 21 years old, and his residence was Pottstown Pennsylvania. Sarah was 19 years old, and she listed her residence as Reading Berks County Pennsylvania.
vi. Albert Boyer Ellis was born and died in 1874. He was buried in the Ellis family plot at the Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading Berks County Pennsylvania.
vii. William Boyer Ellis was born February 1876. William died March 25th1878. "...In this city, on the 25thinstant, William Boyer Ellis, aged 2 years, 2 months and 16 days. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the parent's residence, 821 Green street, on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Services at the home. Interment at Charles Evans Cemetery..."
James L. Ellis then married Sarah's sister Rosa Ann (Annie) Boyer on January 19th 1882. Rosa was the younger sister of James's 1st wife Sarah Boyer.
-- Rosa was born June 30th 1851 to William Boyer and Henrietta Ritter of Pennsylvania.
-- Rosa died giving birth on August 11th 1884, age 33 years, 1 month, and 11 days.
viii. Baby Girl Ellis, stillborn, died August 11th 1884. The infant was laid to rest in the Charles Evans Cemetery at the St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church.
-- "...Daughter of William Boyer (1819-1893) and Henrietta D (nee Ritter) Boyer (1822-1888). She married her brother-in-law, James L. Ellis, in 1882, after her older sister, Sarah, died in 1877 leaving James to raise 5 motherless children. She was a member of St Paul's Memorial Reformed Church where her husband was a Deacon. She died in 1884 while giving birth to her only child, a daughter, who was stillborn. She was survived by her husband, her parents, 2 brothers, and 4 sisters. She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 4 sisters..."
After Rosa died, James married a 3rd time to Amanda S. Kline on January 1st 1887. Amanda was born December 21st 1858.
Amanda and James Ellis tried to have children, but their children all died at birth.
ix. Luther K. Ellis was born and died in 1889. He was laid to rest in the Charles Evans Cemetery at the St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church.
x. Baby Girl Ellis was born and died January 28th 1894, and was laid to rest in the Charles Evans Cemetery at the St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church.
James L. Ellis died January 15th 1899, aged 56 years, 4 months, and 22 days. He was laid to rest at the Charles Evans Cemetery at the St. Paul's Memorial Reformed Church.
After James died in 1899, Amanda married William A. Mengel. She died January 5th 1939, while living in Wyomissing Hills, Berks County.
John Luxon (1788 - 1842)
-- My 4th paternal great grandparents were John Luxon and Jenifer Rous.
John Luxon was born about 1788 in Cornwall, England. He married Jenifer (a.k.a. Jane) Rous on December 1st 1811 in the clay mining village of Roche Cornwall England. Jenifer was born to Joseph and Jane Rous, and baptized October 10th 1790 in Roche Cornwall England.
John was a tin miner, and the family lived in the clay mining village of Carn Rosemary St Austell region of Roche Cornwall England.
Sometime after the birth of their daughter Rachel was born in 1833, the family moved to Gun Barrow in the district of Roche.
In 1840 the family lived in Gun Barrow, a small mining village in the district of Roche.
John Luxon, 51,Tin Miner (born about 1790)
-- Jenifor Luxon,49 (born about 1792)
-- Joseph Luxon, 18, Clay Laborer (born about 1823)
-- John Luxon, 20, Clay Laborer (born about 1821)
-- Nancy Luxon, 16 (born about 1827)
-- Jenifor Luxon, 13 (born about 1828)
-- Rachael Luxon, 8 (born about 1833)
-- Charles Luxon, 3 (born about 1838)
Jane Luxon was 56 years old, living in Gun Barrow, when she was laid to rest June 23rd 1846.
John Luxon was 54 years old when he was laid to rest March 6th 1842 in the district of Roche. At the time of his death John lived in the village of St Austell Cornwall England.
I believe John and Jenifer Luxon had twelve children. With the exception of their first and last child, the children were born and baptized in the clay mining village of Carn Rosemary, Cornwall, England.
i. William Luxon was born 1812. William was a laborer and bachelor living in the village of St Austell when he married Mary Ann Cock, a spinster living in Roche, in the district of Roch on October 1st 1836. Witnesses included; Jonathan Cock and Nicholas Peters.
-- Mary Ann was baptized December 29th 1816 in Hendra Mill located within the district of Roche. Her parents were Jonathan and Mary Cock. Jonathan was a miner. We could not locate any other children of Jonathan and Mary Cock who were baptized in Cornwall. William was 29 year old laborer living in Carbus Common in the district of Roche Cornwall England when he was laid to rest February 19th 1841.
ii. Jane Luxen was baptized on Trinity Sunday, May 21st 1815.
iii. Mary Ann Luxen was baptized on December 22nd 1816.
iv. John Luxen was baptized January 6th 1819. He was with the family in 1841. John was 46 years old and lived in Rosevear St Austell, Roche, when he was laid to rest June 11th 1864.
v. Joseph Luxen was baptized May 6th 1821. He was with the family in 1841. Joseph was 48 years old and lived in Gunbarrow, Roche, when he was laid to rest May 7th 1859.
vi. Amy Luxen was baptized March 14th 1824. She died shortly after birth.
vii. Emmeline Luxon was born January 1824. She was eight months old when she was laid to rest September 19th 1824 in the district of Roche. Her family lived in Carn Rosemary.
viii. Nancy Luxon was baptized December 25th 1825. She lived with the family in 1841.
ix. Amy Luxon was baptized October 9th 1827. She was not with the family in 1841.
x. Jenepher Luxon was baptized January 24th 1830. She was with the family in 1841.
xi. Rachel Luxon was baptized June 30th 1833. She was with the family in 1841.
xii. Charles Luxon was baptized April 8th 1838 in Gun Barrow, a small mining village in the district of Roche. Charles was with the family in 1841.