Robert Ellyson (abt. 1615 - abt. 1671)

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 28 Sep 1671 at about age 56 in James City, Virginia [uncertain]

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Robert Ellyson resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

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; Davis, Tidewater Virginia Families; Will of Ann Myhill Ellyson; Record of Patents, Book 7, p. 22; Hinshaw, The Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, vol. VI, Henrico Monthly Meeting; Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography; Elizabeth Allison Ervin bible

Biography

Robert Ellyson is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

This profile is part of the Ellison Name Study.

Capt. Robert Ellyson, barber chirurgeon (surgeon) & burgess of Virginia, (previously a resident of Maryland), is sometimes referred to as Dr. Robert Ellyson of James City co. in the colony of Virginia.^[1]

He is considered the patriarch of the Ellysons in Virginia, and was probably born no later than 1620, given the training required for a physician at the time. Robert Ellyson is a qualifying ancestor of the Jamestowne Society.^[2]

According to the Elizabeth Allison Ervin family bible record probably made in the late 1700s, he was the son of Robert Allison and Sarah Spence.^[3] However this relationship has been disputed by some researchers, as discussed in the Research Notes below.

Marriage

Robert Ellyson (b. abt 1615/20 - d. abt 1672) is thought to have married Elizabeth Gerard or Gerrard (b. abt 1627/30 - d. before 1672) by 1658 or before. There is some disagreement among Gerard/Ellyson genealogists regarding the identity of Robert Ellyson's wife.

Wagner, Douglas W., states on pg 48 of The Early Generations of the Ellyson Family, that It is generally assumed that Robert Ellyson married Elizabeth, the daughter of Dr. Thomas Gerrard. However, he goes on to say that, Little is known of Elizabeth, except that on September 12, 1658, she was one of the sponsors of Henry Randolph's son, WIlliam. What Wagner fails to note is that is that the same source identifies her as Mrs. Elizabeth Ellison. Thus, we can be relatively certain that Elizabeth married Robert Ellyson (Ellison) sometime between the time she was transported (1650) and when she is said to have been the sponsor of William Randolph (1658). Wagner then makes an error in calculating the marriage date of Robert Ellyson to Elizabeth when he says, There is no record of the marriage of Elizabeth Gerrard, but it was probably shortly after Thomas Gerrard's removal to Virginia in 1659.^[4]

Doliante, Sharon J., (1991) disputes a marriage between Elizabeth Gerard and Capt. Robert Ellyson (d. 1665/6 x bef. 28 Sep 1671), barber-surgeon & burgess, of James City co., VA, formerly of Maryland, but agrees that Ellyson's wife went by the first name, Elizabeth.^{[5] [6]}

What we contend is that Robert Elllyson did marry an Elizabeth Gerard between 1650-1658, but not the same Elizabeth Gerard that married (1) Neh. Blackistone abt 1669 in Maryland, (2) Ralph Rymer, and (3) Joshua Guibert. We will provide evidence that indicates that there were two different Elizabeth's with connections to Thomas Gerard, each marrying different men.

Children

We contend that the two Ellyson children are not the children of Elizabeth (Gerard) Guibert but the children of a different Elizabeth that married Robert Ellyson. The Ellyson children are not found in the will of Elizabeth (Gerard) Guibert (Spouse of Johua Guibert)

1. Gerard Robert Ellyson.^[5]
2. Hannah Ellison.^[5]

Land

Robert received land for transportation of 12 persons.^[7] His son, Gerrard, later received this land as his heir.^[8]

Research Notes

Disambiguation

NOTE: Robert Ellyson is sometimes confused with other individuals by the same name. See Research Notes, below.

Elizabeth Gerard

1. Robert Ellyson and Elizabeth named their son, Robert Gerard Ellyson, which indicates a possible connection to the Gerard family.
2. The Slye family bible indicates (1666 birth entry) a possible connection of Elizabeth Ellyson to Justinian and Susannah Gerard, and therefore a possible connection of Elizabeth Ellyson to Thomas Gerard.^[9] Susannah Gerard married Robert Slye (m 1652) in Maryland
3. The Irvin family Bible indicates that the wife of Capt Robert Ellyson was named Hannah Gerard, and that she was a daughter of Thomas Gerard ^[9]
4. Elizabeth was one of the sponsors of the baptism of William Randolph (b. 12 Sep 1658), son of Henry Randolph and Elizabeth. The event lists her name as, "Mrs. Elizabeth Ellison."^[10]

Two Elizabeth Gerards

1. Fact: Robert Ellyson and Elizabeth _____ had at least two children, Gerard Robert Ellyson (or Robert Gerard) and Hannah (Ellyson) Armistead. The Ellyson children are noticeably absent from Elizabeth (Gerard) Guibert's will. This would seem to indicate that Elizabeth Ellyson and Elizabeth Guibert are two different persons.
2. There is no mention of Elizabeth or the Ellyson children in the 1672/73 will of Thomas Gerard however, it is not uncommon for grandchildren not to be named in a grandparent's will. It is believed that Elizabeth Ellyson died prior to 1672.
3. The Elizabeth that married Robert Ellyson (1615/20 - 1671/72) must have died prior to 1671, since the Ellyson children are said to be orphans after the death of Robert Ellyson (d abt 1671/72).
4. There is no mention of Neh Blackistone marrying the "widow" of Robert Ellyson. Most sources give the marriage to Blackistone as being Elizabeth Gerrard's first.
5. Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families gives Ekizabeth's marriage date to Blackiston as 6 May 1659
6. Genealogist S J Doliante expressed doubts that Elizabeth Gerard married Robert Ellyson, but did accept that her given name was Elizabeth.^[5]
7. Based on the documented evidence, Elizabeth married Ellyson/Allison by or prior to 1658. Robert Ellyson is said to have died about 1671. Elizabeth is said to have married Neh Blakiston in 1669. If these dates are correct it could not have been this Elizabeth Gerard (Gerard-896) that married Ellyson.
8. Elizabeth Gerard was transported by her father Thomas Gerard 1650 who we believe may have been the Elizabeth Gerard that married Blakiston, Rymer and Guibert. Thomas Gerard also transported two nieces, Winifred and Bridget (dau of his brother Marmeduke) in 1658, then in 1659 Thomas Gerard transported the 2nd Elizabeth Gerard (possibly another niece). Elizabeth Gerard is also thought to have been born c. 1640-45. The Elizabeth Gerrard that married Robert Ellyson was born abt 1627-30. Source: The New Early Settlers of Maryland lists two Elizabeth's. One Elizabeth Gerard transported in 1650 (daughter of Thomas Gerard) and the other Elizabeth Gerrard transported by 1659.
9. Elizabeth (Gerard) Guibert died abt 1716 in Maryland according to probate records. Elizabeth (Gerard) Ellyson died in Virginia prior to her husband (by 1671/72). In Oct, 1672 the court of James City Co,, VA ordered that Thomas Viccars be the guardian of Gerrard Robert Ellyson, son and heir of Major Ellyson.
10. It is estimated that Elizabeth (Gerrard) Blackiston was born abt 1640-45 (Neh. Blackiston b 1636) and she died in Maryland 1716
11. It is estimated that Elizabeth (Gerrard) Ellyson was born abt 1627-30 (Robert Ellyson b 1615-20) and she died in Virginia bef 1672

Disambiguation

Robert Ellyson is sometimes confused for other persons of similar name and proposed origin. Among them are:

• Robert Ellison (1614 - 1678), MP for Newcastle, son of Cuthbert Ellison III (bp. 31 Jan 1579/80) & Jane Ile (bur. 23 Mar 1618/9 St. Nicholas).

• Robert Ellison (b. 27 Apr 1648 Newcastle; living 1676), Merchant Adventurer & Hostman, son of Robert Ellison (1614-1678), MP for Newcastle & Elizabeth Gray (d. 30 Jun 1665), dau. of Cuthbert Gray (d. 24 Apr 1623) and Elizabeth Huntley (d. 1636 or aft. Nov 1644).

• Robert Allyson or Allison (bp. 07 Sep 1589 Newton Reigny, co. Cumb), son of Thomas Allison of Newton Reigny, co. Cumb., England.^[11]

What is certain is that Ellyson is NOT the son of the married couple, Elizabeth Gray (d. 30 Jun 1665) & Robert Ellison (1614 - 1678), MP for Newcastle, co. Northumb.

Neither did he have any ties to Elizabeth Grey of Morpeth & Deanham (dsp c. 1656 or later), dau. of Catherine le Strange & Edward Grey of Howick, co. Northumb, England. She died single and left a will, dated 11 Oct 1656.^[12]

Original Profile Archive

The original profile for Robert Ellyson as it existed prior to the rewrite has been archived in its entirety. It may be accessed at the following link: Space:Robert Ellyson (abt. 1615 - 1671)

Origins

Windyedgee, Avondale, Lanark, Scotland,

JOHN ELLISON was born 1585 in Windyedgee, Avondale, Lanark Scotland, and died 1660 in Virginia. He married ELLIN HAMILTON, daughter of SR. ROBERT HAMILTON. His son,

ROBERT ELLISON died 1656. He married SARAH SPENCE, daughter of WILLIAM SPENCE. His son,

(Dr) ROBERT ELLYSON (ELLISON) born 1612, and died September 01, 1671 in New Kent Virginia. He married HANNAH GERRARD, daughter of SAMUEL GERRARD and JANE ?

Disputed Origins

While onomastics suggest that he is a member of the Ellyson (or Ellison) family of Newcastle, co. Northumb., England,^[4] some believe that Ellyson is related to the Alisons of Avondale, Scotland.^[13]

Northumberland, England theory

Ellyson of Hawkwell

According to Wagner (1964)^[4], Dr. Robert Ellyson (fl. 1640 - 1670) of Maryland and Virginia, descended from Robert Ellyson of Hawkwell, co. Northumb., England.^[14] Wagner (1964), is probably referring to Robert Elyson of Hawkwell, near Stamfordham, in co. Northumb., England, who lived during the reign of Henry VII and was the father of Cuthbert and Rowland (living 16 Dec 1494). ... Rowland was apparently married to Isabel, dau. of John Harbottle of Bitchfield, co. Northumb.^[15]

Ellison of Newcastle on Tyne

Wagner (1964), also asserts that the American Colonist was a cousin of Robert Ellison, MP for Newcastle (b. c. 1613/4 - d. 1677/8). The latter's first wife was Elizabeth Gray (d. 30 Jun 1665), daughter of Cuthbert Gray of Newcastle [and Backworth] (d. 24 Apr 1623) and Elizabeth Huntley (d. 1636 or aft. Nov 1664). The MP sat during the Long Parliament but was later pardoned.^[4][16]

Avondale, Scotland theory

While Doliante (1991) and Wagner (1964), are confident that Dr. Robert Ellyson was from England, another popular tradition seen in family trees, connect him to the Alisons of the Cairnduff estate in Avondale, co. Lanark., Scotland.^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ Hardy, S.P., (1958). 'Colonial Families of the Southern States of America; a History and Genealogy of Colonial Families Who Settled in the Colonies Prior to the Revolution, pp. 23-25, 448. Baltimore: Southern Book Co, HathiTrust.org. eBook
2. ↑ Jamestowne Society: Ellyson/Ellison, Robert - A2410; died 1665-66, James City Co.: 1656, 1660-65 (Burgess). accessed 27 August 2020
3. ↑ Laurens Tenney Mills et al, A South Carolina Family: Mills-Smith and Related Lines, (s.p., 1960), 64; digital images, Internet Archive, (https://archive.org/details/southcarolinafam00mill : accessed 29 Dec 2021) (Transcription of Elizabeth Allison Ervin Bible Record, obtained from Julia Ervin, Darlington S.C., 1958).
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Wagner, Douglas W. Ellyson, "The Early Generations of the Ellyson Family in Virginia." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 72, no. 1 (1964): p 42-49; Accessed November 9, 2020, JSTOR (http://www.jstor.org/stable/4246997); also FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/349469-redirection).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Doliante, S.J. (1991). "Ellyson," in Maryland and Virginia Colonials. Genealogical Publishing Co.
6. ↑ see also: "Memories," in Elizabeth Gerard FSID# L5TM-M85. (NOTE: identity of wife of Rbt. Ellyson of James City still unresolved).
7. ↑ Land Patents: "Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Vol. III"
   Foley, Louise Pledge Heath. Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Vol. III (James City County & Surry County, Virginia). Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 49136 #32405 (accessed 20 November 2022)
8. ↑ Land Patents: "Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Vol. III"
   Foley, Louise Pledge Heath. Early Virginia Families Along the James River: Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Vol. III (James City County & Surry County, Virginia). Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 49136 #32420 (accessed 20 November 2022)
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} See documentation in Gerard-1379
10. ↑ Descendants of Henry Randolph. (1895). The William and Mary Quarterly, 4(2), 125-127. JSTOR. doi:10.2307/1915057
11. ↑ "Robert Allyson (bp. 07 Sep 1589 Newton Reigny, co. Cumb), son of Thomas Allyson. FHL microfilm 0924749 IT 1.[1]
12. ↑ see: Elizabeth Grey (Grey-1837) of Morpeth & Deanham, co. Northumb. (will 11 oct 1656).
13. ↑ Archive.org Allison of Avondale, Scotland. eBook.
14. ↑ see also: Rowland Ellison of Hawkwell, co. Northumb., whose eldest son was Cuthbert Ellison, Merchant Adventurer of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This Cuthbert married twice: m.1 Isabel; m.2 Ann.
15. ↑ Hodgson, J. (1840). A History of Northumberland, Part II, 3, pp. 346.[2]
16. ↑ Elizabeth Gray's husband Robert Ellison, was MP for Newcastle on 01 Dec 1647 and 11 Apr 1660. He survived Gray and remarried to the widow of James Briggs, a late sheriff of the same place.
17. ↑ for family trees w/ Alisons of Avondale, see FS & GlennCourt.com

• Laurens Tenney Mills et al, A South Carolina Family: Mills-Smith and Related Lines, (s.p., 1960), 64; digital images, Internet Archive, (https://archive.org/details/southcarolinafam00mill : accessed 29 Dec 2021) (Transcription of Elizabeth Allison Ervin Bible Record, obtained from Julia Ervin, Darlington S.C., 1958).

• Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Ellyson Allison,Genealogy,com
• https://www.geni.com/people/Capt-Dr-Robert-Ellyson/6000000006769180939
• The Ellyson Family of Virginia, HGC. © 1993-2010, <glenncourt.com>