The Ellyson family of Virginia is with little dispute but just as little certainty descended from the colorful Doctor Robert of Maryland and Virginia. Theories on the particulars abound. One centers on a Robert of Newcastle born in 1589. Another involves Cuthbert of Hakwell in Northumberland. The most likely candidate is a Scot. Connecting these dots, however, is dicey and dubious and after all not even a minor sidenote in the scheme of things. Three men of the name appear early on in America — John, William, and Robert. The first two were in Virginia in 1624 and the third died there in 1656. Documentation over the 150 years after that is fragmentary. The accuracy of this chart therefore begins in 1770 with Onan, the presumed and (if so) illegitimate son of Gerrard of Chesterfield.
generation no. 1
John Ellyson, born c 1585 in Windyedge, Avondale, Lanark, Scotland, died between 1649 and 1669 in New Kent Co. VA. Emigrated on the Prosperous in 1623, living at Archer's Hope, James City Co. 1625. Married Ellin Hamilton, born c 1585, daughter of Minister Sir Robt Hamilton, arrived on the Charity.
Source: Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, p. 58
William Ellyson, born 1581 in England, arrived in Virginia 1624 age 44 on the Swan, servant of Mary Salford, 24, who arrived on the Bono Nova 1620.
Source: Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, p. 65
Robert Ellyson, born 7 September 1589 in Newton Reigny, Cumberland, died 1656 in Virginia. Married Elizabeth Grey of Howick, Northumberland, born c 1591.
generation no. 2
Robert Ellyson, born possibly c 1615, appears as an adult in St. Mary's Co. MD in 1642, shortly thereafter moved to Virginia, vestryman of St. Peter's parish, New Kent Co., died before 28 September 1671. Married possibly Sarah Spence daughter of William.
Sources: Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia 1622-1632, 1670-1676, October 2, 1672, p. 276; Pleasants, Proceedings of the Court Leet and Court Baron, 1659-1672; Merritt, Proceedings of the Provincial Court 1679-1680, vol. 69
generation no. 3
Major Robert Ellyson, born 1635. Married Hannah Gerrard, daughter of Samuel, not Sir Thomas.
Sources: Will of Thos Gerrard 1672; indenture of Robt Slye 1654; will of Robt Slye 1670; will of Daniel Hutt 1673; Maryland Historical Magazine, vol. 46, pp. 189-206; Will of Elizabeth Gerard 1715
generation no. 4
Gerrard Robert Ellyson I, Quaker, born c 1657 in New Kent Co. Cited as son and heir in 1688 who "patented lands in New Kent Co. VA, granted to his father Robert Ellyson in 1656." Vestryman of St. Peter's parish. Married.
Sources: October 2, 1672: "Mr. Thomas Viccars bee Guardian to Gerrart Robt Ellison, Sonn & Orphan of Major Ellison," Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia 1622-1632, 1670-1676, p. 276; Will of Ann Myhill Ellyson; Record of Patents, Book 7, p. 22; Hinshaw, The Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, vol. VI, Henrico Monthly Meeting; Elizabeth Allison Ervin bible; Davis, Tidewater Virginia Families
generation no. 5
John Ellyson [collateral], born 1668, married Elizabeth Matthews in 1691. Daughter's name corroborates possible descent from John of Scotland.
Sources: Taunton and Parkes, Winston County and Its People, pp. 76-77; Hawes and Norton, A South Carolina Family, p. 64
Gerrard Robert Ellyson II [collateral], Quaker, born c 1672, died 16 December 1749. Married Sarah by 28 February 1700, when as a couple they witnessed marriage of Thos. Loukford and Martha West. Slave Tamar and her daughter Lucy, left to his widow Sarah, she gave by deed to her son Robert.
Sources: Bedell, Dr. Robert and Elizabeth Ellyson; Society of Friends records, Henrico Monthly Records, 1st month 8th 1700, 2nd 7th 1726, 3rd 6th 1738; Virginia Genealogies and Biographies, "Maryland and Virginia Colonials," vol. 1, pp. 235-56
Thomas Ellyson, Quaker, born 1674 in New Kent Co. VA, died c 1761 in Chesterfield Co. Married c 1703 Elizabeth Crew.
generation no. 6
Gerrard Ellyson of Chesterfield Co., left will dated 1770 naming wife Sarah, three nephews, as well as Frances Moody and her four children (see will).
generation no. 7
Onan [Moody] Ellyson from Virginia served as ensign in 1777.
generation no. 8
William Ellyson, born c 1774, of Chesterfield and Powhatan Co. VA. Married 14 February 1799 Susannah Elam.
Sources: Chesterfield County Will Book 29, indenture, p. 122; Powhatan County VA tax lists 1833- 1835-1836; marriage witness Haley Cole; Chesterfield County Marriage Records 1770-1800, p. 107, Reel 215, Frame 0122, Frames 01; Henrico County Marriage Bonds 1782-1853
generation no. 9
Onan Ellyson II, born 1797-1801 in Henrico Co. VA, wheelwrighr, died 1859. Married 3 January 1822 Jane Huot in Howardsville, Albemarle Co.
Sources: Ellyson family papers; McGhan, Virginia Vital Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly; Virginia newspaper records; Richmond 1863 city directory; Henrico County Marriage Bonds 1782-1853
generation no. 10
Henry Keeling Ellyson, born 31 July 1823, died 27 November 1890. Mayor of Richmond, revived Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper. Married in 1843 Elizabeth Pinkney Barnes, born in Philadelphia 1813, raised in Richmond. Buried in Hollywood Cemetery.
generation no. 11 (brothers)
Henry Theodore Ellyson (Theo), born 25 November 1844, died 25 February 1919. Newspaper man with Richmond Times Dispatch. Married 6 October 1869 Elizabeth Mathilda (Lizzie) Walker, born 5 June 1850, died 12 October 1929, of Richmond, daugher of Alexander Walker and Maria Elizabeth Slater. Buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA.
William Ellyson [collateral], born 24 May 1851, died 25 November 1919. Married 12 October 1887 Mollie Morris Johnson of Lousia VA, born 1866, died 9 September 1957. Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA.
generation no. 12 (first cousins, brothers)
Theodore Gordon Ellyson (Spuds), born 27 February 1885, died 27 February 1928 in night air crash over Chesapeake Bay. USNA 1905. First naval aviator. Married on 15 November 1912 in Alexandria VA Helen Mildred Lewis Glenn, two weeks after meeting at a wedding at St. Paul's Church in Richmond VA.
Stiles Huot Ellyson [collateral], born 3 February 1889, died 3 November 1966. Married 19 October 1915 Belle Gayle.
William Ellyson Junior [collateral], born 16 August 1903, died 14 May 1961. Married 20 February 1936 Louise Withers of Richmond VA.
generation no. 13 (sisters, cousins)
Helen Garrard Glenn Ellyson, born 21 July 1914 in Manhattan NYC, died 9 October 1973 in Bethesda MD. Married (1) 1936 Wordon Churchill Tyler, born 1912, died 1980, divorced; (2) 1947 Daniel Webster Abercrombie III, born 1914, died 12 November 2006. Issue.
Mildred Lewis Ellyson, born 10 April 1916 in Manhattan NYC, died 24 February 2005 in West River MD. Married (1) December 1937 Kenneth Perry Schulz of Chicago, born 1915, died 1986, divorced; (2) 18 April 1942 in Annapolis MD John Martine Court usna. Issue (see p. 119).
Elizabeth Gordon Ellyson, born 19 January 1922 in Chevy Chase MD, married 25 October 1944 John Harllee Carmichael usna. Issue.
Stiles Huot Ellyson Junior [collateral], born 30 September 1926 in Richmond VA. Married 1953 Ora Green Campbell.
William Gaines Ellyson [collateral], born 5 January 1938. Attorney. Married Catherine Jordon.
generation no. 14 (second cousins)
William Jordon Taylor Ellyson, born 3 July 1971. Married Janelle Sutton.
David Stuart Ellyson, born 8 June 1962. Married 9 November 1985 Gail Williams.
To wife Sarah, her right of dower. To Frances Moody, for life, 100 acres in the fork of Mansfield, being part of land I bought of Col. Archibald Cary, also 2 negroes. She also to have sufficient dwelling house built for her. Frances Moody and her four children to continue at my dwelling as long as my executors think proper for education of the children: Onan Moody, Enos Moody, Mene Moody & Elme Moody. Also to Frances Moody, certain items. Edward Hill shall have his smiths work for his plantation done at my smiths shop for life, free, in consideration of service done in my family.
Gerrard Ellyson
Executors: trusty friends Abraham Sally, Capt. Thomas Branch, Daniel Weisiger and Onan Moody
Witnesses: Henry Woodstock, Thomas Wooldridge, Richard Cheatham
Source: Chesterfield Co. Virginia, Wills 1749-1774, p. 87
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