Samuel Ellis

M, #182, b. circa 1733, d. 11 July 1794
Reference 5G Grf x2, 182 & 190
Charts Pedigree starting with Jack (representing the grandchildren) - incorporates the branches below - largest chart (#1)
Pedigree starting with Jack (representing the grandchildren) - incorporates the branches below - largest chart (#2)
Pedigree for John Jewett Garland (#1)
Pedigree for John Jewett Garland (#2)
Birth*circa 1733 Samuel Ellis was born circa 1733 probably born no later than 1733 if he were at least 21 when he married.
     In the 2nd half of 18th century, in NYC, there were two men named Samuel Ellis, each with a wife named Mary; one was a butcher, so identified in his will ... The documents suggests that samuel the butcher had no children, and this, plus his trade distinguishes him from "our" Samuel Ellis who is called joiner, farmer, shopkeeper, merchant, gentleman. It is possible that the two men could hae been related, but evidence of ths has not been found. The origins of "our" Samuel Ellis are unknown.
     In May 1951, Mrs Adele Miller Clifton wrote a covering statement when she placed "the will of Samuel Ellis ... for safe keeping in the Museum of the City of New York." She claimed that "Samuel Ellis incidentally was British," which may well be correct, but she gave no proof or source for her statement.
     Besides the two Samuels, there were a number of other men in New York City at the same time named Ellis. Some were English, some of Dutch origin. Nothing has been found to link Samuel Ellis to any of them. The only solid evidence relating him to anyone in New York is the reference in his will to "my kinsman William Ryley," and Ryley's origin remains equally obscure.1 
Marriage*3 February 1754He married Maria Brouwer, daughter of Everardus Brouwer and Mary Pettit, on 3 February 1754 at New Amsterdam/NY Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, New York Co., New York.2,3 
Event-Misc*7 November 1757Samuel Ellis had the following event: became a Freeman on 7 November 1757 at New York City, New York Co., New York.1 
Event-MiscFebruary 1761He had the following event: on "A Copy of the Poll List, Election for Assemby" in February 1761 at New York City, New York Co., New York.1 
Deed* Owner of Ellis Island in New York Harbor, he bequeathed the island to the unborn child of daughter Catherine Westervelt. 
Source*30 January 1785Source(s): This is the Samuel Ellis who owned Ellis Island. There is a lot in the beginning of the article showing the attempt to trace how he came in possession of the island. He owned it by 1785 because he offered it for sale then, though it wasn't sold. He left it by bequest in his will of 1794. The eventual chain leading to it being owned by New York State, is told in the article. on 30 January 1785.4 
Laiason*He had a laiason Catherine Dempsey the first hints that Samuel Ellis was the father of Catharine's children Catharine, Jane, and Samuel, came in his will when he did not give the girls' surname, when he was very generous with them and their mother, and when he made the rather unusual - in in the case of his will, unique - statement that his bequests went to Catharine and he "issue lawful or unlawful". 
Will*4 July 1794Samuel Ellis left a will 4 July 1794 In the article, the transcript is literal but edited; the redundancy of certain phrases has been largely omitted, and paragraphing added.
He mentions:
Granddaughters children of Samuel Ellis deceased - Mary Ellis, Avis Ellis, and Dollly Ellis.
Wife Mary. Grandchild Catharine Van Wy the daughter of daughter Mary deceased wife of Peter Van Why [sic].
Elizabeth wife of George Ryerson.
Grandson Samuel Ellis Ryerson, son of daughter Elizabeth wife of George Ryerson.
Samuel, Nawtee and Mary, children of daughter Elizabeth

Godchild Jane, daughter of Elias Burger.
Catharine wife of Daniel Westervelt (weaver), mentions that she's separated from her husband.
Catharine & Jane, the daughters of above Catharine.
The child that Catharine is now pregnant with, if a son, Oyster Island commonly known by the name Ellis Island. If girl, the equal shares.
Daughter Rachel wife of John Cooder.
John, Edmund and Rachel, children of daughter Rachel.
Samuel Ellis Ryley the son of William Ryley (not stating the relationship).
"Kinsman" William Ryley.
Executors: Elias Burger of NYC (dock builder), Simon van Antwerp of NYC (ironmonger), William Rylery now living on my Island in Hudson's River.
[signed] Samuel Ellis L.S.
[witnesses] Margaret Ryley, abraham Lines Jr, John Molleneux.5



 
Death*11 July 1794He died on 11 July 1794 at Bulls Ferry, Bergen Co., New Jersey, date from Dear Cousin, date & place from Ellis book (which says date was written on a copy of his will).2,3 
Probate12 July 1794His estate was probated on 12 July 1794 at New York City, New York Co., New York, the will being proved in NYC suggests that he died there.1 
Probate*22 July 1794His estate was probated on 22 July 1794 at Bergen Co., New Jersey.1 
Probate9 August 1794His estate was probated on 9 August 1794 inventory filed 9 Aug 1794, consisted of property at Bulls Ferry and Ellis Island, and taken by John Cooden and George Ryerson (a near kinsman of the dec'd) and signed by Simon Van Antwerp, one of the executors. Inventory 23 Oct 1794 of property at Newburgh, Ulster Co, taken by Dnaiel Smith and William Bloomer, at request of Simon Van Antwerp. 
Deed*3 February 1812 On 3 February 1812 There is a quit claim deed between "Eli Knapp, guardianof Maria Cooder, toJames Wood" of New York. The deed describes a parcel of property once owned by Samuel Ellis which is now the " No. 7 World Trade Center building on the site of the towers that collapsed in the "911" attack. 

Family 1

 Maria Brouwer b. 8 Feb 1733, d. 4 Jul 1794
Marriage*3 February 1754He married Maria Brouwer, daughter of Everardus Brouwer and Mary Pettit, on 3 February 1754 at New Amsterdam/NY Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, New York Co., New York.2,3 
Children 1.Rachel Ellis+ d. a 10 Nov 1809
 2.Mary Ellis d. b 4 Jul 1794
 3.Elizabeth Ellis+ d. a 12 May 1802
 4.Samuel Ellis d. b 27 Nov 1793

Family 2

 Catherine Dempsey
Laiason*Samuel Ellis had a laiason Catherine Dempsey the first hints that Samuel Ellis was the father of Catharine's children Catharine, Jane, and Samuel, came in his will when he did not give the girls' surname, when he was very generous with them and their mother, and when he made the rather unusual - in in the case of his will, unique - statement that his bequests went to Catharine and he "issue lawful or unlawful". 
Children 1.Catharine Ellis b. c 1789, d. b 12 Jun 1844
 2.Jane Ellis b. c 1791, d. bt 12 Jul 1852 - 19 Jul 1854
 3.Samuel Ellis b. 13 Sep 1794, d. Jun 1799
Last Edited 18 Jan 2010

Citations

  1. [S98] Samuel Ellis of Ellis Island in NYGBR, C. G. Judith Miner Hine Luedemann Volume 119, Numbers 2, 3 & 4 SLC 974.7 B2n, pg 67.
  2. [S97] Dear Cousin: A Charted Genealogy of the Descendants of Anneke Jans Bogardus (1605-1663) to the 5th Generation, William Brower Bogardus , Anneke Jans & Everardus Bogardus Desc. Assoc.: Wilminton OH, 1996 SLC 929.273 B633bw.
  3. [S98] Samuel Ellis of Ellis Island in NYGBR, C. G. Judith Miner Hine Luedemann Volume 119, Numbers 2, 3 & 4 SLC 974.7 B2n.
  4. [S98] Samuel Ellis of Ellis Island in NYGBR, C. G. Judith Miner Hine Luedemann Volume 119, Numbers 2, 3 & 4 SLC 974.7 B2n, pg 65+.
  5. [S98] Samuel Ellis of Ellis Island in NYGBR, C. G. Judith Miner Hine Luedemann Volume 119, Numbers 2, 3 & 4 SLC 974.7 B2n, pg 67 & 68.
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