Ruth Ellis may have been married three times. In 1855 she appears in her father's home as Ruth Willson with William Willson. In 1865 she again appears in her father's home with no husband. In 1870 she appears in her mother's home with Willard Wilson as her husband. In 1875 she appears in the same town, Willsboro, but now as the wife of Nelson Willard, with Emily H. Ellis there as grandmother.