George Ellis
(1821 - 1905)
of
Heathfield, Sussex in England
of Meadows, and Hyde Park in South Australia
by Robyn Fisher
George Ellis is my great great grandfather.
George was born in Heathfield, Sussex, England, on 17 September 1821, the son of George ELLIS (1788-aft 1871) and Elizabeth KNIGHT (1793-aft 1871). I am not sure about his date of birth as in Florence Smith (nee Ellis), his grand daughter's birthday book, his birthday is given as 11 June 1820. He was christened on 28 October 1821 in the Independent Non-Conformist Church in Heathfield, near Horsham, Sussex.
George emigrated from London, England, I understand aboard the Rajasthan, a 3 masted ship, arriving at Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 6 February 1840. Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, there is not a complete passenger listing available for this arrival of the Rajasthan.
On 7 June 1847 when George was 25, a labourer, George married Sophia Ransom MAIDMENT, in the Macclesfield Chapel, Macclesfield, South Australia. They were married on the same day and place as Sophia's sister, Harriet MAIDMENT married John William WHEELER.
Sophia Ransom MAIDMENT was born in Westbury, Wiltshire , England, on 3 October 1828, the daughter of Charles MAIDMENT (1795-1865) and Esther Fanny DOEL (1800-1866). She was christened on 22 May 1829 in the Old Independent Church, Westbury, Wiltshire. In these church records her name is registered as Sophia Rauson Maidment.
She emigrated, with her parents and siblings aboard the Charles Kerr arriving in Adelaide , South Australia on 17 June 1840. According to the South Australian Archives, the Hodge Index- Application for Passage #6941 - 4 - 2 - 1840 Sophia is listed with father Charles MAIDMENT aged 35, mother, and 2 male chn aged 5yrs/3wks and 4 females aged 13, 12, 8 and 2 yrs.
Prior to arriving in Australia, Sophia lived with her family in Westbury, in Wiltshire England. At the time of her marriage in 1847, the Maidment family were living at Bugles Ranges, near Macclesfield.
Bruce Marshall, a Maidment relative, has a copy of the Marriage Certificate of W. J. Maidment and Hannah Rogers who were married on 5 February, 1855 , by the Minister J. B. Austin. They were married at the private dwelling of Mr. Maidment Senr at Bugle Ranges near Macclesfield and the witnesses were George Ellis (brother in law), W. Hogben (brother in law), Sarah A. Maidment (sister in law). William Joseph Maidment was Sophia's brother and Sarah Maidment (nee Hogben) was married to another of Sophia's brothers, Charles.
Together George and Sophia had the following named children: Ellen (1848-1923), William (1849-1916), Charles (1851-1926), George (1853-1930), Benjamin (1855-1937), Edwin (1857-1925), Fanny (1859-1937, Frederick (1862-1927), Emily (1866-1937), Mary (1867-1945), and Louie (or Louey)(1869-1948). I understand there was another unnamed stillborn son born but do not know when he was born.
George's occupation in a number of later records is recorded as a butcher, farmer, and storekeeper in Meadows.
George and Sophia Ellis were later to reside in Malvern, Semaphore and later at Fasoda Street in Hyde Park in South Australia.
George Ellis died in Hyde Park, South Australia, on 17 July 1905; he was 83. His death certificate noted his cause of death to be that of senile decay. His passing was noted in the Advertiser on 18 July 1905.
George was buried in Woodville, Cheltenham, South Australia, on 18 July 1905. According to the Enfield Record Office, this site is at the Cheltenham Cemetery Section C Path #13 Lot 31. It is my understanding the grave has since been "re-used".
Sophia Ransom Ellis died in Hyde Park, South Australia, on 25 October 1906; she was 78. Her death was noted in the Advertiser on 26 October 1906.
According to the Enfield Record Office she was also buried in Cheltenham Cemetery - Section C Path #13 Lot 31.
On 6 January 1912 the Adelaide Observer noted the “Family gathering of the complete family of George Ellis (dec) who arrived in South Australian in 1840”.
The Ellis children together with their spouses were later to gather in Adelaide at Christmas 1919. The families included the various Ellis families, Jury, Hamlyn, Finlayson, and Murray families.You can download a photostory of the photo taken at the time which identifies each of the siblings in turn.
Back to the Ellis family page.
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