Hinshaw VI, p. 55 [undated] "Phineas, b 8-26-1773, Bucks Co, Pa; d 7-18-1859 w Sarah, b 11-13-1775, Bucks Co, Pa; d 4-17-1857, bur Walnut Creek; ch Betsy, b 2-13-1802"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "Betsy - b 9-6-1810, Green Co, Ohio" She died on 13 Sep 1893 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa. (62) She was buried in Walnut Creek Friends Cemetery, Penn Twp., Jefferson Co., Iowa. Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859 Betty & minor ch Amon, Isaac, Walter, Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac Sr. roc from [?]"
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
"Isaac, Sr b 2-13-1802; d 3-26-1888; bur PPI
w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston, b 2-13-1802 & d 6-12-1893
ch: Betsy, Jr b 4-24-1843; m John Joseph Ginther"
------------
Received from: Mrs. Sandi French, 8021 Linden Lime Ct., Citrus Heights, Calif 95601
Story written by Flora Smith, 5 Dec 1972 "to pass down to my children."
Eighty years ago last March, I celebrated my 7th birthday in the home of my Grandmother, Betsy Ellis. It was still winter in Nebraska when my mother and I boarded the train back to her old home in southeastern Iowa. How wonderful it seemed to me to see the green grass and budding trees instead of the winter land-scape we had left. How well I remember Grandmother! A tiny, white-haired lady in cap and kerchief, who at 82 was still active and alert altho the work was mostly done by a widowed daughter, who with her two children shared with her the old home.
Besty Heston (Herton?) was b 1810 of English descent, one of a large family most of whom were boys. Naturally this left to Grandmother and her sisters most of the work to do for the household, as her mother was for years an invalid. In those pioneer days in Ohio and Penn., there was little opportunity for schooling, yet in spite of this handicap, Betsy learned thoroughly the art of homemaking as it was understood in her time. Besides the usual routine of housekeeping there was spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, churning, candle making, gardening and if there was anything else, I'm sure little Betsy learned to do it.
Grandmother was in her late teens when the family migrated to Indiana. It was here she became acquainted with a young man by he name of Isaac Ellis, who was a teacher in their local school. Isaac Ellis was of Welsh descent, a native of Tennessee, who apparently did not consider Betsy's lack of education a serious barrier to romance, for two years later they were married.
The first of their large family was a boy they named Mordecai Ellis, then a daughter, Susanna was born, then a son Phineas Ellis, and after him the 1st of three sets of twins: Arah Ellis & Sarah Ellis. About this time Isaac and Betsy, with their five children moved to So. Eastern Iowa, where they bought a farm near the town of Pleasant Plain, Jefferson, Iowa. Here six more children were born: Issac & Betsy (twins), Amon Ellis, Mary & Walter (twins) and finally Eleanor Ellis.
Grandfather Ellis was a man of considerable influence in their community as he was Justice of the Peace for many years and was generally called "Squire" Ellis. No doubt he saw to the discipline of his large family while Grandmother was careful about their spiritual training. My mother told me how Grandma used to put her old side-saddle on one of the farm horses and climbing aboard with a pair of twins in her arms and the older children trooping after her, each Sunday morning saw them making their way to the Quaker meeting in the old Hawkeye School House on the hill. the children loved school and as they became old enough, were a great help to their parents. It had always been Grandma's desire to be able to read and write, but her life had been so full of work, both before and after her marriage, there was little time for anything else. However, when my mother, Sarah Ellis, learned to read and write, she began teaching her mother, and what a joy it was to her when she could read the Bible! She also learned to write beautifully with not a mis-spelled word. There were many happy times for this big family thru the years; spelling bees, quilting parties, singing school, etc. Sarah especially, had grown up to be an attractive girl, with long brown curls and serious gray eyes, yet with a keen sense of humor. She became interested in a black-haired, blue-eyed young man by the name of Aaron Smith. The interest seemed to be mutual, as they set 28 June 1860 as their future wedding date. What a thrill it was for Grandma Betsy to make Sarah's pretty wedding dress! But that was only half of it...Aaron also insisted on his future mother-in-law making his wedding suit!! Since Betsy had learned tailorng, too, she was happy to do it, all by hand, of course. (My father, Aaron Smith told me this story when he was 89 years old.)
There had been sorrows as well as joy in the lives of Grandpa and Grandma Ellis thru the years as two young daughters; Arah and Sarah [Susanna?] had died in their early teens. Then came the Civil War... It was a soul-searching time for a Quaker family who did not believe in war. Even so, many Quaker lads gave their lives for their country, among them Amon & Phineas Ellis. Uncle Amon died of fever before getting into combat, while Uncle Phineas was killed at the Siege of Vicksburg. He was marching directly behind the flag bearer when the latter was killed. Uncle Phineas sprang forward, caught the flag and carried it until he, too, was shot down. Grandma ad Grandpa's youngest son, Walter Ellis enlisted and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, but he came home without a scratch. Incidentally, Uncle Walter, upon returning home, became interested in photography, and a photo of Grandmother and her spinning wheel was some of his work. (Several years later).
Aaron and Sarah Smith, with four children, moved in 1869 to "Far West"...to Nebraska, where Grandmother came to vist them at one time, Grandfather having died years before. Betsy Heston Ellis lived to be 84 years old."
Children were:
i.
Phineas Ellis was born on 22 May 1832 in Indiana. He died on 22 May 1863
in Vicksburg, Mississippi - Civil War. He was buried after 22 May 1863 in National
Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi.(63)
ii.
Mordecai Ellis(64) was born in 1834
in Indiana. He died before 1893.
iii.
Susanna Ellis was born on 19 Jul 1836 in Indiana.
(65) She died on 1 Aug 1851 in Jefferson Co., Iowa.
(66) She was buried in Walnut Creek Friends Cemetery, Penn Twp., Jefferson
Co., Iowa. Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=N
iv.
Arah Ellis (twin)(67) was born on
26 Sep 1838 in Indiana. She died on 1 Jul 1851 in Jefferson Co., Iowa.
v. Sarah
Ellis (twin)(27)
(68)(25) was born on 26 Sep
1838 in Indiana.(69) She was SEENOTES
in Friends Church, Spring Bank, Nebraska. She died in Plainview, Nebraska.
(70) Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis"
(undated)
"Isaac Sr. roc from [?]"
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
"Isaac, Sr b 2-13-1802; d 3-26-1888; bur PPI
w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston, b 2-13-1802 & d 6-12-1893
ch: Betsy, Jr b 4-24-1843; m John Joseph Ginther"
Hinshaw VI, p 119 "3-25-1882 Aaron & w Sarah & ch gct Spring Bank MM, Nebr" "4-14-1883 Aaron & w Sarah & ch Isaac, Amon E, Mary B, & Mattie E trans Spring Bank MM"
Sarah lived with her husband Aaron Smith in Dixon Co., Nebraska before Apr 1889.
Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=N
vi.
Amon Ellis(25) was born on 25 Feb
1841 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa.(71)
He died on 10 Apr 1863 in Steamer "A. D. January" - Civil War.
(72) He was buried after 11 Apr 1863 in National
Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi.(73)
Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859 Betty & minor ch Amon, Isaac, Walter,
Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=Y
vii.
Isaac Ellis Jr. (twin)(74)
(25) was born on 24 Apr 1843 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa.
(75) He died in Dinuba, California.
(76) Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859 Betty & minor ch Amon,
Isaac, Walter, Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "5-11-1878 Ada, Sarah, Estella & Charles E, minor ch of Isaac & Martha recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "5-12-1866 Isaac, Jr dis for engaging in military service"
"5-11-1878 Isaac, Jr recrq"
undated "Isaac & ch Ada, Sarah, Estella, & Charles recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 33
"Isaac, Jr, son of Isaac, Sr & Betsy; b 4-24-1843, & w Martha E, dt of Abel & Nancy Roberts, b 4-3-1852
ch: Ada b 1-14-1873, Ia
Sarah b 7-31-1874, Ia
Estella b 3-11-1876, Ia
Chas Elmer b 7-23-1877, Ia
Grace b 12-15-1878, Ia
Mary Louisa b 9-1-1880, Ia
Joseph Arthur b 5-1-1884, Ia
Wm Albert b 9-9-1886, Ia
Jesse Raymond b 7-30-1888, Ia d 8-26-1889; bur Walnut Creek Cem
Della b 5-23-1891, Ia
Ora b 4-28-1894, Ia
Hinshaw VI, p. 33 "5-10-1902? Isaac, Jr & w Martha & 10 ch gct Ames MM.
Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=Y
viii.
Betsy Ellis (twin)(77)
(78)(25) was born on 24 Apr
1843 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa.(79)
She died on 17 Dec 1916. She was buried in Walnut Creek Friends Cemetery,
Penn Twp., Jefferson Co., Iowa. Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859 Betty &
minor ch Amon, Isaac, Walter, Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
"Isaac, Sr b 2-13-1802; d 3-26-1888; bur PPI
w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston, b 2-13-1802 & d 6-12-1893
ch: Betsy, Jr b 4-24-1843; m John Joseph Ginther"
Hinshaw VI, p. 44 [undated] John Joseph &: w Betsy, dt of Isaac & Betsy Ellis; b 4-24-1843, Ia; ch M Rosetta m [?] Mick"
"4-10-1886 John & w Betsy gct Richland MM, Ia"
"4-8 1893 John J & w Betsy rocf Richland MM, Ia, 5-6-1893 [sic] 5-13-1893"
Betsy Ellis and her husband J. J. Ginther lived in Keokuk Co., Iowa as early as Apr 1889.
Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=N
ix.
Walter Ellis (twin)(25) was born on
6 Mar 1846 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa.
(80) He died on 26 Feb 1920 in Jefferson Co., Iowa.
(81) He was buried in Walnut Creek Friends Cemetery, Penn Twp., Jefferson
Co., Iowa. Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859 Betty & minor ch Amon, Isaac,
Walter, Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
Hinshaw VI, p. 34 "9-8-1865 Walter & w Nancy dis"
"5-12-1866 Walter dis for engaging in military service"
LAND: Jefferson Co., Iowa Deedbook 25, p. 490, Deed - 15 Apr 1889. "Sarah Smith & Aaron Smith her husband of Dixon Co., Nebr; Eleanor Emry & John Q. Emry her husband of Knox Co., Nebr; Betsy Ginther and J. J. Ginther her husband of Keokuk Co., Ia; Isaac Ellis & Martha E. Ellis his wife of Jefferson Co., Ia; Mary Jones, a widow , of Jefferson Co., Ia; Betsy Ellis, a widow of Jefferson Co., Ia." "said Sarah Smith, Eleanor Emry, Betsy Ginther, Isaac Ellis, & Mary Jones being children and -- Betsy Ellis being widow... of Isaac Ellis deceased, late of Jefferson Co., Ia". to Walter Ellis, their interest in Isaac Ellis land, $1025.
Flags: Foreign Born=N, Military=Y
x.
Mary Ellis (twin)(82)
(25) was born on 6 Mar 1846 in Pleasant Plain, Jefferson Co., Iowa.
(83) She died on 26 Feb 1896. She was buried
in Richland Cemetery, Keokuk Co., Iowa. Hinshaw VI, p. 32 "2-12-1859
Betty & minor ch Amon, Isaac, Walter, Betsey, Mary, & Eleanor recrq"
Hinshaw VI, p. 32, "Ellis" (undated)
"Isaac H & w Betsy, dt of Phineas & Sarah Heston
ch: Sarah b. 9-26-1838 m. Aaron Smith
Amon b. 2-25-1841 d. 4-10-1863 in Army
Isaac b. 4-24-1843 m. Martha Roberts
Betsy b. 4-24-1843 m. John J. Ginther
Walter b. 3-6-1846
Mary b. 3-6-1846
Eleanor b. 10-4-1852"
Hinshaw VI, p. 83 [undated] "Jesse b 10-19-1839; w Mary b 3-6-1846
ch: Oran b 6-23-1869"
"7-13-1872 Jesse & Mary & minor ch Oren & Elma gct Richland MM, Ia"
[undated] "Jesse & w Mary, dt of Isaac & Betsy Ellis; Mary d 2-26-1896 bur Richland Cem, Ia
ch: Elma m ? Sanders
Harvey b 5-20-1881"
Hinshaw VI, p. 84 "Mary & minor ch Elma & Harvey rocf Richland MM, Ia, 7-3-1866"
Flags: Foreign Born=N
9 xi.
Eleanor Ellis.
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