Thursday, March 31, 2011

Three Brothers

Probably 70 to 80 % of Family Legends start with, "Three brothers came to America from _______."   So I will start my account of the Ellises with that premise.

Information taken from NEW ENGLAND FAMILIES--Genealogical and Memorial Volume. 1.  Joseph Ellis(Ellice), probably the youngest of the Ellis brothers who settled in Dedham and Medfield, MA. was born about 1635 and doubtless came from England to live with one of his brothers.  He was a taxpayer as early as 12-6-1659 and his name appears next to that of Richard Ellis (Ellice) on the list in that year.  He continued on the tax list until 1671.  In that year he probably died, for in the year 1672 his widow Ruth takes his place as a taxpayer.  He drew land with Sargent Richard Ellis and Michael Metcalf, 3-23-1662/63.  The following extract from the Dedham town records relates to his appointment as schoolmaster, "in consideration of the present want of a schoolmaster and the weakly estate of our brother, Joseph Ellis (Ellice), he being willing and we being hopeful he may do some good in teaching some children to read English, so for the present and until one more able may be attained; do so agree that he shall have 6s. a week so long as he shall so teach." (March 23, 1663/64).  He received his salary, amounting to 15 pounds, 12 shillings Feb. 10,1665 and made a similar contract for 1666.  The records show he was paid for part of the year of 1666.  An account of his service, similar to this, is given in the book "Schools and School Teachers of Dedham."
    My research shows that Joseph was born in Wrentham, Suffolk, England around 1631.  Joseph married Ruth (last name unknown) September 19, 1650 in Dedham. To this marriage one child was born, Joseph Ellis II.  Joseph II was born in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts 1666.

No comments:

Post a Comment