Lt. Elisha Ellis
- Born: 11 Mar 1738/39, Sandwich, Barnstable, MA 5,65
- Christened: 22 Apr 1739, Sandwich, Barnstable, MA 65
- Marriage: Mary Swift on 5 Nov 1761 in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA 65,380
- Died: Bef 20 Jul 1779, Sandwich, Barnstable, MA 65
General Notes:
LT. ELISHA5 ELLIS (Mordecai,4 John,3 Lt. Mordecai,2 Lt, John1), born in Sandwich 11 March 1738/9, died there, testate, probably shortly before 20 July 1779.
He married there, 5 Nov. 1761, MARY5 SWIFT, born 8 Sept. 1743, died after 14 July 1783, daughter of Josiah4 and Mary (Morey) Swift. Her brother, Jesse5 Swift, married Elizabeth5 Ellis, daughter of Josiah4 Ellis (No. 34 above).
As the only surviving son he doubtless received by deeds during his father's life time most of the latter's real estate. There was evidently an instrument recorded in the deed registry whereby this son agreed to support his parents during their life-times. This is clearly implied in his will (below). He must have been relatively well off until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
As early as 29 Sept. 1775 he was serving as Ensign in Capt. Ward Swift's 2nd Sandwich Co., 1st Barnstable County Regiment. He later became a 2nd Lieutenant of the 8th Company in the same regiment. He petitioned the Council, 5 Feb. 1779, stating that he was no longer able to serve on account of ill health, explaining that he had procured a man to serve a turn in his behalf and asking that his resignation be accepted. This was ordered in Council, 4 March 1779, and his resignation. was accepted (Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1899), vol. 5, p. 301).
The will, dated 12 March 1779, of Elisha Ellis of Sandwich, gentleman, gives "to my beloved wife Mary Ellis, in lieu of Dower," the real and personal estate during the term of her widowhood, "she providing for my mother as I am obliged to do. To my three daughters: Sarah, Hannah & Mercy, 20 Spanish milled dollars and all household goods at age 21 or marriage. To my oldest son Mordecai Ellis one half my real Estate ... to my three sons, Elisha, Nathaniel & Edmund Ellis" the other half of the real estate (and if one or more die before 21, the survivors to inherit). Witnesses: Stephen Ellis, Ebenezer Covel and (the Rev.) Abraham Williams (Barnstable County Probate, vol. 10, p. 44).
Meanwhile the widowed mother, Hannah (Fish) Ellis in her will, dated 20 July 1779, made provisions for the children of her recently deceased son. The will of Lt. Elisha5 Ellis was proved 29 Nov. 1779 by the executrix, Mary (Swift) Ellis (ibid.). On 10 June 1783 the will of the widow, Hannah (Fish) Ellis, was presented for probate. The Court noted that the testatrix had failed to name an executor and. the daughter-in-law, Mary Ellis, was appointed administratrix of the estate (ibid., vol. 23, p. 6). She posted bond in that capacity the same day and presented the inventory 14 July 1783 (ibid., vol. 23, p. 250).
By the last date it seems that the two elder daughters, Sarah and Hannah, had married, and we find that the youngest daughter, Mercy, became the ward of Mary (Ellis) Ellis "of Sandwich, wife of Stephen Ellis Junr.," 3 Oct. 1783. On the same date Thomas Burgess of Sandwich, was appointed guardian to Mordecai6 Ellis, also described as a minor child of Elisha Ellis, deceased. Similarly guardianship appointments were made for the other minor sons: Nathaniel, Edmund and Elisha (ibid., vol. 22, p. 24-8).
On 4 Feb. 1784 John Smith, gentleman, Josiah Ellis, gentleman and Thomas Swift, yeoman, all of Sandwich, were appointed "to make division of the estate of Elisha Ellis, gentleman, late of Sandwich, deceased." This was accomplished by "setting off the ½ for quantity & quality of the sd Real Estate to Mordecai Ellis, son of the sd. deceased," including "the Westerly half of the dwelling house, ... &c. ... bounded by Stephen Ellis' land ... also a lot in Plymouth by the Peaked Cliff, ... running to the Plymouth line" (ibid., vol. 23, p. 198-200).
[Lt. John & Elizabeth (Freeman) Ellis of Sandwich, Mass by Lydia B. (Phinney) Brownson, of Duxbury, Mass & Maclean W. Mclean, of Pittsburg, PA]
Noted events in his life were:
• Will, 12 Mar 1779, Sandwich, Barnstable, MA. 65
Elisha married Mary Swift, daughter of Josiah Swift, Jr. and Mary Morey, on 5 Nov 1761 in Sandwich, Barnstable, MA 65.,380 (Mary Swift was born on 8 Sep 1743 in Wareham, Plymouth, MA 65,380 and died after 14 Jul 1783 65.)
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