William Ellis

Cotton spinner of Castlefield, Yorks., awarded the compensation for Plantation Profit in British Guiana with R. Ramsden and Adam Hodgson (both of whom q.v.) as executors of Lister Ellis (q.v.), almost certainly William Ellis' brother. 

1. William Blakey Ellis, the son of Lister and Frances Ellis, was baptised at Keighley on 02/01/1777. Will of Lister Ellis (1778-1829, also son of Lister and Frances Ellis) of Liverpool proved 30/12/1829. 

2. Lister Ellis and William Ellis appear as partners in the firm of Watson, Blakeys and Smith, cotton twist-spinners at Greengate Mill within Kighley [sic], which became Watson, Blakeys and Marriner and then Watson Blakeys Marriner and Ellis. William Ellis withdrew on 03/12/1804 and Lister Ellis on 03/12/1805. Frances Watson is reported as having transferred her share to her son Lister Ellis of Kighley at her death: presumably this is Frances Ellis née Blakey having remarried (to Rowland Watson, an original partner). 

3. William Ellis of Castlefield in the parish of Bingley was declared bankrupt after the failure of Colbeck, Ellis & Co., flax spinners of Westhouse, Fewston, Yorkshire. The partnership between William Ellis and George Ellis, carrying on business as cotton spinners at Castlefield in the parish of Bingley under the firm of W and G Ellis, was dissolved 12/05/1864. This second firm , if connected, must presumably be the next generation (see below). 

4. In 1851 William Ellis aged 70 born Keighley was living at Castlefields Bingley with inter alios son George aged 35 'cottonspinner etc.'  

T71/885 British Guiana claim no. 631 (Plantn Profit); T71/1256 shows him as cottonspinner of Castlefield Yorkshire. 

1. West Yorkshire Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1512-1812 (a second baptism at Keighley for a William son of the same parents indexed to 04/10/1780 appears to be a mistranscription of 'William' for 'Ellis'); PROB 11/1763. 

2. London Gazette, Issue 16588, 31/12/1812, p. 624. 

3. London Gazette, Issue 17248, 06/05/1817 p. 1099; London Gazette, Issue 22857, 24/05/1864 p. 2742. 

4. 1851 census online.