Sources & Information:

Item 1. Source: John H. Schultz, North Tonawanda, New York.

Item 2.Katherine "Kate" Turner Vavala, Wilmington, Delaware. 31 August 2000.

Item 3.Benjamin came to Lebanon, Connecticut with his parents in 1748. His first land was purchased in Lebanon on December 10, 1753 (Lebanon Deeds). He probably married shortly after this time to Phebe Woodward, daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Guild) Woodward. Both were members of the Lebanon "North Society" Church, which was located near or in the town of Lebanon. Their first two or three children were probably born there. About this time the excitement of new lands being opened up, new opportunities, and new vistas began to draw some of the Lebanon citizens westward. The "Six Mile Square" tract in Canaan, New York, was purchased from the Stockbridge Indians in 1758 and is registered in Massachusetts because their jurisdiction over this area had not yet been cancelled. One of those involved in this purchase was Asa Couglas, who settled in the northern part of Canaan, then returned to Connecticut to induce some of his friends to bring their families there, too. Samuel and Phebe Woodward removed early this same area. Benjamin and Phebe Ellis and their friends, the Ezra Murray family, followed. Their fifth child, William, was born in New York on February 2, 1771. However, on June 7, 1781, a Connecticut land record (Lebanon, pt. 7, 13-161, film #1812) shows that "Benjamin and Phebe Woodward of Kings District in County of Albany, New York for 100 pounds gave to Benjamin Ellis of Connecticut in Lebanon 16 and one-quarter acres in Lebanon...signed and sealed in the presence of Ezra Murray and Eliezer Ellis." This same land was sold June 21, 1781 (ibid, pt. 7, 13-231): "Know all men by these presents that I Benjamin Ellis of King's District in the County of Albany and State of New York do for the Consideration of ninety-five pounds lawful money to me paid by Asall Clark Jr. of Lebanon in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, the receipt of which I do acknowledge"...16 and one quarter acres of land. (1) 2. Names of Children of Benjamin and Phebe (Woodward) Ellis from: John H. Schultz, North Tonawanda, New York).

Item 4.Source: THE ELLIS FAMILY written by Harry H. Ellis, Colonel, U.S. Army Retired (Deceased). Document #161-B. Received by Katherine T. Vavala from Patricia Geisler, March 2000

Item 5.IGI RECORD---<familysearch.org>.
Benjamin Ellis, male, birth 19 Apr 1732, Plymouth, Plymouth, Ma.
Parents: Father: Benjamin Ellis. Mother: Hannah Gibbs.
Source Info: Film No. 536999, Pg. No. 12, Ref. No. 6365.