Misc. Notes
Sources & Information:
Original Certificate of marriage on file in the Ellis Family History maintained by Edward Dale Ellis. This Certifies that on the Thirtieth day of January IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1872 Mr. Geo. A. Ellis and Miss Emma N. Gould were by me united in MARRIAGE at Brattleboro, Vermont. In the presence of Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Buzzell. Rev. M. H. Harris, Paster of First Universalist Church, Brattleboro, Vermont.
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ELLIS REGIMENT HISTORY 16TH VERMONT at GETTYSBURG,GEORGE ABBOTT 8 ELLIS, MEMBER OF I CO. , 16TH VERMONT AT GETTYSBURG. Mustered into Federal Serve September 20, 1862 to serve nine (9) months. The regiment spent the first eight (8) months of service in training and guard duty in the Washington area. When General Lee invaded Pennsylvania with the Confederate Army in July of 1863 the 16th Vermont was ordered to join the Union Army in the field. The 16th Vermont arrived during the second day of the battle and as it was a green unit (never in action) was stationed in the very center of the Union battle line.
On the third day of the battle General Lee launched a large attack on the center of the Union Army, the greenest troops in the Union ranks were those now closest to the enemy. As the Confederate force drew abreast their position, the Vermont regiment under the command of General Standard opened a heavy fire. The attack caused many losses and compelled the attacking force to drift to the left.
As the Confederates paraded past them, the 16th Vermont executed a wheeling motion that swung them around so that they no longer faced the enemy front ally but sideways. They advanced firing until they were delivering a telling fire from only fifty yards. All this while taking many losses in return.
Their flank movement helped to crack the enemy flank and contributed to the defeat of the Confederate Army at Gettysburg.
After the battle since the 16th Vermont was so close to discharge, some men went into action with less than a week remaining. The Regiment was returned to Washington and then to Vermont where it was discharged by company in early August 1863.
Have original poster of I Co., 16th Regiment, Vermont State Volunteer Infantry, containing names of commanding officers and enlisted men, this entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1862, By N. B. Adams, in the clerks office of the District of Maryland. Schroeder & Sanders, Chrome Lithograph, 117 Baltimore St., Baltimore. This original has since been reproduced with a 8 1/2 x 11 size color negative is available for further reproduction. The reproductions actually came out better than original in bringing up all the original colors. Five copies have been made to date with four framed and presented to Michael Edward Ellis, John Francis Ellis, Timothy Dale Ellis and Thomas Joseph Ellis great-grandchildren of George Abbott Ellis. The fifth unframed copy given to Susan Jane Duffy and further given to her son Stephen Andrew Duffy, a great-great-grandson.
In the book PICKETT'S CHARGE, a micro history of the final attack at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, by George R. Stewart, copyright renewed 1987 by Theodosia B. Stewart, has various references to the 16th Vermont. These can be found on page 51, 61, 62, 65, 199, 200, 210, 229, 232, 251, 252, 269 and 271 of this publication.
Certificate of Death, George A. Ellis, Month of April 1896, No. 250, Record on file in the Detroit Department of Health, City of Detroit, Michigan. See Ellis Family History for original of the certificate.
Certificate of Death, Emma Newell (Gould) Ellis, Register No 197, on January 5, 1938, record on file in the Detroit Department of Health, City of Detroit, Michigan. See Ellis Family History for original of the certificate.
GEORGE ABBOTT ELLIS George Abbott 8 Ellis is son of Ebenezer Burt 7 Ellis & Mary Ward Stiles, born 24 February 1844, Rindge, New Hampshire. (Ebenezer the son of John 6 Ellis, Seth 5, John 4, John 3, Manoah 2, Lt. John 1) George married Emma Newell Gould of Newbury, VT. on 30 January 1872 at Brattleboro, VT., and died 4 April 1896, Wayne County, Detroit, MI. at age 52 years. His wife Emma was born 10 June 1849, Newbury, Vermont and died 5 January 1938, Wayne County, Detroit, MI. at age 88 yr.
The early life of his family starts in Worcester Co., Hardwick, MA., where George's older brother Asahel E. 8 Ellis was born 1 August 1842. The family then moved north into Cheshire Co., Rindge, New Hampshire George's birthplace along with brother Elmer L. 8 Ellis born on 5 June 1848. Elmer did not live long as he passed away on 30 March 1849.
On July 8, 1997, Kathleen (Kay) and I (Edward D. 10 Ellis) visited Rindge, N. H. for purposes of obtaining further data on the Ellis Family having lived in that area. Through the Office of Selectmen and Amy Raymond, Secretary, Board of Selectmen, were able to locate grave site of George's brother Elmer L. Ellis. A photo of Elmer's gravestone may be found in the Ellis Family history.
The family remained a short period in Rindge, N. H. before moving further on to Windham Co., Dummerston, Vermont. It is there that two more children were born: Jennie Mary 8 Ellis on 20 November 1852 and Elmer Orville 8 Ellis on 16 September 1856. On May 8, 1980, Kay and Edward Ellis arrived in Brattleboro, Vermont with the intention of looking further into the life of "Ebenezer Burt Ellis and family. A U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Topography map survey in 1889, covering the Brattleboro, Dummerston, and Guilford areas, had been passed on to family by Walter Henry 9 Cheney. On map Walter had noted the exact location of the first farm in Dummerston during 1850-1867, the farm in Guilford during 1867-1878 and the location of Jennie Mary 8 (Ellis) Cheney and Walter's home in West Brattleboro. We also had and early tintype picture, in a brown envelope, indicating that it was the home of Grandfather Ellis of Vermont.
This now brings us to Dummerston Center where Prospect Hill Cemetery or Dummerston Center Cemetery is located. The following burials may be found: Ebenezer Burt Ellis, his wife Mary Ward (Stiles) Ellis, her parents Samuel Stiles and Polly W. (Washburn) Stiles, along with George's brother Asahel E. Ellis.
On our stop at Dummerston, we had conversation with a Richard R. Virkstis, schoolteacher and President of the Dummerston Historical Society. The tintype picture was discussed with exact location of old farm discovered to be on Black Mountain Road. This place was now known as, Hicken's Mountain Mowings Farm and Greenhouses, operated by a Frank and Mary Hicken. On going to the farm and talking with Mr. Hicken, going over his abstract of the property, it was found that we were indeed on the old Ebenezer Burt Ellis farm where our subject George grew up. We found a portion of the greenhouses covering section of a basement stone foundation from a previous building and now houses an apple press for cider. Part of this property was in Ebenezer and Mary's name but some parcels were separately in Mary Ward (Stiles) Ellis name. This probably represented an investment by her parents, Samuel Stiles and Polly Washburn Stiles, who lived with Ebenezer and Mary for a period prior to their deaths.
Very little is known about George's education. Any early formal education George may have received came through the home. Perhaps from a small country schoolhouse or even to Dummer- ston Center. It is believed that much may have been expected of the children in helping to maintain the farm. One way of saying the children did not like the farm came by an expression passed on by Mary A. (Stiles) Ellis. "Elmer Orville Ellis and his wife Mary (Davies) Ellis left the farm because she did not want to live in the woods, after having been born in the City of New York". Mary is reported as being a seamstress.
The Civil War was not unlike other insurrections or disputes between countries in that it skimmed off the cream of manpower to fight a cause. In this George, age 18 and his brother Asahel, age 20 enlisted. They were mustered into Federal Service on 20 September 1862, in I Co., 16th Vermont Volunteers, for a period of 9 months. To enlist is called your duty, to country, to family and the dictates of ones own personal conscience as to the right of doing so.
Dyer's Compendium states, Sixteenth Regiment Infantry, organized at Brattleboro and mustered in October 23, 1862, for nine months. Moved to Washington, D.C., October 24-27. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie's Division, Military District of Washington, to February, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Casey's Division, 22nd Army Corps, to April, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie's Division, 22nd Army corps, to June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, July, 1863.
Service-At East Capital Hill, Washington, till October 30, 1862, March to Munson Hill October 30, thence to Hunting Creek November 5. At Camp Vermont, near Hunting Creek, till December 12. Picket duty near Fairfax Court House to January 20, 1863. At Fairfax Station till March 20. Defense of Fairfax Court House from attack by Stuart's Cavalry December 29, 1862. At Union Mills March 24 to June 1. At Bristoe Station, Catlett's Station and Manassa till June 15. At Union Mills till June 25. March to Gettysburg, Pa., June 25-July 1. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 4-18. Moved to Brattleboro, VT., July 18-21. Mustered out August 10, 1863.
Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 23 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 48 Enlisted men by disease. Total 73. The Regiment spent the first eight (8) months of service in training and guard duty in Washington, D. C. and Virginia area surrounding the Nations Capitol. Just prior to General Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania with the Confederate Army in July of 1863. Asahel E. Ellis died in army hospital, at Union Mills, Virginia on 9 April 1863 of Typhoid Fever. He did not reach Gettysburg as did his brother George A. Ellis. The historical record of this unit is such that numerous pressed marches in inclement weather caused unhealthy conditions and sickness.
On the third day of the battle General Lee launched a large attack on the center of the Union Army, the greenest troops in the Union ranks were those now closest to the enemy. As the Confederate force drew abreast their position, the Vermont regiment under the command of General Standard opened a heavy fire. The attack caused many losses and compelled the attacking force to drift to the left. As the Confederates paraded past them, the 16th Vermont executed a wheeling motion that swung them around so that they no longer faced the enemy front ally but sideways. They advanced firing until they were delivering a telling fire from only fifty yards. All this while taking many losses in return. Their flank movement helped to crack the enemy flank and contributed to the defeat of the Confederate Army at Gettysburg.
After the battle since the 16th Vermont was so close to discharge, some men went into action with less than a week remaining. The Regiment was returned to Washington and then to Vermont where it was discharged by company in early August 1863. Original Discharge for George A. Ellis, from United States military service, is located in Ellis Family History along with two excellent uniform photos. The discharge is dated the 10th day of August 1863, at Brattleboro, Vermont, for reason of expiration of Term Service. There is a United States Military Record, Co. I, 16th Regiment, Vermont State Volunteer Infantry, listing all original members. An original of this lithograph is in the possession of Edward D. Ellis and 5 copies have been reproduced in color to its fullest size 25" x 20". An 8" X 11" color negative is available for further reproduction.
Following the war George apparently spent some 8 Ω years back on the farm prior to marriage. This according to original certificate of marriage that states the following: "This Certifies that on the Thirtieth day of January, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1872, Mr. Geo. A. Ellis and Miss Emma N. Gould were by me united in MARRIAGE at Brattleboro, Vermont, in presence of Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Buzzell, Signed Rev. M. N. Harris, Paster of First Universalist Church, Brattleboro, Vermont". George being about 27 years and Emma 22 years of age at marriage.
With in just two years of marriage we find George and Emma Ellis in Jersey City, New Jersey, where their 1st child Edith Adeline 9 Ellis was born 27 March 1874. This location being just across the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay, from New York City. This also near his younger brother Elmer Orville 8 Ellis and wife Mary (Davies) Ellis, mentioned earlier as not wanting to live in the woods, but now located at 414 W. 42nd St., New York City, N. Y. There next child Florence Harriet 9 Ellis was born 21 July 1875 in either Jersey City or Mahwah, N. J. Then a third child a son Francis Allen 9 Ellis was born 1 September 1876 in Mahwah, N. J. about 40 miles N.N.W., as the crow flies from Mahwah. George now has a son and the following letter will let you in on a bit of personality concerning this man.
"Mahwah, Sept 3rd 1876Dear mother Gould
Our boy has come to town riding on a______ to the tune of Yankee Doodle and is going to vote for Hayes & Wheeler if he can get his papers in season for the election. He was born without any help from outside parties until after he had sounded his trumpet in this small world of ours. He seems to be a manly fellow scorning to disturb his friends and neighbors with petty troubles of his own. We must tenderly nurse him and rear him with care for he may be candidate for the presidency in time to come. He was born the first 2 o'clock P.M. had a quick passage and calm sea.
Mrs. Brown was to come the 4th so I expect her tomorrow to relieve me of the job of nurse, Emma is getting along nicely. Emmoline is here and Sarah also so you see we are all right. Edith and Florence are well and in their little bed's fast asleep. Em sends lots of love to all.
Yours with love Geo" The move of George and Emma Ellis family to Michigan has a couple interesting items surfacing, such as a write up of their son Francis Allen Ellis, indicating their arriving via New York and Jackson, Michigan. The mention of New York is not surprising, as their location in NJ was just across the border, but the reference of Jackson, Michigan is amazing. On check of City of Detroit, Michigan Directories covering the period 1878 to 1918 we found the following. The first listing of George Abbott Ellis is in 1880, as a machinist, employed at Detroit Electrical Works and living at 521 E. Fort Street. He then continued for a number of years at Detroit Electrical Works as machinist or Toolmaker, while maintaining residence at 504 and 508 Trumbull Ave. In 1889 George appears as Foreman, Electrical and Machinery Co. In 1890 he is indicated as toolmaker, Fisher Electric Co, while still living at 508 Trumbull Ave. His further listings up to the time of his death on 4 April 1896 are as a machinist, living at 1209 Jos Campau Ave., Detroit, Michigan.
The move to Detroit would have made George 36, Emma 31, Edith 6, Florence 5 and Francis 4. In 1880 Adeline A. (Hurlbutt) Gould (Widow of Allen) is shown as living at 521 E. Fort St. and then with the Ellis family at their above address's until 1897 when she is shown as being at The Thompson Home. Adeline stayed there until her death on 3 August 1905 and internment at Woodmere Cemetery, in Ellis Family plot.
http://www. WoodmereCemeteryResearch.com/process.Php.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Haemorrhage. Undertaker: Roberts. Burial Section D, Section Block/.lot; Lot 37. Late Residence: 1209 Jos Campau., Detroit, Michigan.
Emma N. (Gould) Ellis, does not show up until 1899 through 1903 and as Emma N. (Widow George A.) Ellis, living at 1209 Jos Campau Ave., Detroit.
There was a time when a diary was something many persons maintained and Edith Adeline Ellis, daughter of George A. Ellis was no exception. The diary often gives a glimpse into the thinking, experiences, observations and feelings of individuals. In this Edith did well, as 1 March 1895 finds she, Florence and Papa (George) playing Pedro. You find them often spending time at the piano and singing songs, with family and friends. Edith recorded the following regarding her father's death.
"God called our darling to rest Saturday April 4, 1896 he folded the tired body in his strong everlasting arms. Mama had been house cleaning Friday so Saturday morning Papa called me and said we would let mama sleep so we got breakfast together and all sat down to eat. We had a very jolly time and Papa kissed us good bye as usual. Went at twenty after six (for work) and we all went the same as usual to our work. About nine, Mama heard a heavy and quick step and went to the door there was Papa with a boy holding him, so very sick. Mama said why Papa you are sick but he did not look up as he usually did, they got him in and on the chair near the door. Then he wanted to spit so they took him to the sink but he was to sick, they got him on the lounge but it disturbed him and he wanted to go up stairs. Mama does not know how they got him up but God must have helped him in bed. When Mama tore his shirt he said O, Mama don't tear my shirt. Never mind Papa you have better ones, then he became sick to his stomach and insensible and troubled and at quarter past twelve he went to Jesus arms. Mrs. Jeffers helped manner so nicely. Florence got home at 20 minutes to twelve and Charlie got Francis and Doctor Olin but he would not let them go for me so at two they sent for me.
Dr. Olin said he had never seen any one die so quietly before. Papa wanted it so and God gave him his best."
Certificate of Death George A. Ellis states the following; date of death as 4 April 1896, age 51 years, 3 months 2 days, place of death, at home, 1209 Jos Campau, Detroit, Michigan. Cause of Death Cerebral Hemorrhage, lasting about 4 hours, but had first attacks about 2 or 3 years before. Date of birth given as 24 January 1845, place of birth Gilford, NH (date & place of birth in conflict), place of burial Woodmere Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday 7 April 1896. Occupation as Machinist, Father Ebenezer Ellis, mother Mary Ellis, wife Emma N. Ellis, Undertaker T. H. Roberts, Physician R. C. Olin, M.D., residence 110 Henry St., Detroit, Michigan, Burial Permit No. 61729.
Folio 414, Detroit, Mich., May 1st 1896, invoice for Funeral Furnishing and Burial of George A. Ellis, Funeral Director, T. H. Roberts, 25 Adams Ave., East, East Grand Circus Park, Detroit, Michigan. Total itemized cost $119.28. See original invoice Pg. 78-4 Ellis Family History.
Original "Certificate of Ownership", issued by Corporation of Woodmere Cemetery, to Mrs. Emma N. Ellis, of Section D, Lot 316 and 317 consisting of six graves, in the possession of Edward D. Ellis (grandson). The original Certificate was turned over to him via letter dated 12 September 1956 by Mrs. Edith A. (Ellis) Conn. A Letter dated 23 August 1997 was further delivered to Woodmere Cemetery, 9400 W. Fort St., Detroit, Michigan 48209, concerning transfer of title along with necessary copies of papers regarding Section D, Lot 316 and 317, by Edward D. Ellis.
The original Pension Certificate, issued by United States of America, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, No. 432 234, under Act of June 27, 1890, dated 24 October 1896, is in the collection of Edward D. Ellis. The survivor's benefits to Emma N. Ellis for services rendered by husband George A. Ellis, a Private, Co. I. 16th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War.
Edward D. Ellis
March 5, 1999, United States Department of Interior, National Park Service, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, announced by letter to John F. Ellis, that the image he donated of George A. Ellis to be placed on the "Wall of Faces" Exhibit, is now on display in the Park's Visitor Center. This done by John F. Ellis through strict documentation as required by National Park Service.
About the last picture taken of George Abbott Ellis