Richard Ellis was the third child of John Ellis & Sarah Reynolds christened March 27th, 1808 at Tibshelf, Derbyshire.
Richard married Mary Staples on June 11th, 1832 at St Martin, Alfreton, Derbyshire. Witnesses at the wedding were Edward Bridgett & Josh Rolley. Mary was christened August 20th, 1809 at St Mary, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, the daughter of Deborah & Joshua Staples.
In 1841 Richard & Mary were living at Stanley Lane End, Stanley, Wakefield, Yorkshire & Richard was a coal miner. They had 3 children – Ann (7), Mary (3) & Emma (1 month).
By 1851 Richard & Mary were living at Jump, Wombwell, Barnsley, Yorkshire & Richard was a pit labourer. At home were children Mary (12), Emma (9) & William (3).
Daughter Mary married James Meyers, a miner, on March 24th, 1856 at Darfield, Yorkshire. In 1861 Mary & James were living in Wombwell with a 1 year old son, Henry. Mary & James emigrated to the US & in 1870 were living in Illinois. By 1880 they had moved to Pleasant, Lucas, Iowa where James was listed as a farmer & they had 3 sons & 2 daughters at home.
An article in the Yorkshire Gazette of July 4th, 1857 reported on a ‘Frightful Coal-Pit Incident at the Chickenley Heath Colliery. Richard & his son William, aged just 10, were finishing their shift in the mine & were ascending to the surface in a cage hoisted by a rope. A few feet from the top the rope broke & the cage crashed to the bottom of the shaft. Richard, aged 49, was ‘horribly mangled & quite dead’ and son William who was ‘fearfully mutilated’ was taken to the surface but died soon afterwards. The rope made of wire it was stated was quite new & a verdict of accidental death was recorded.
Richard & son William died on June 26th & were buried on June 28th, 1857 at St Peter’s, Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.
Widowed Mary was living with daughter Ann & her husband William Liles, an iron moulder, & family at Guide Road, Audenshaw, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire in 1861. Also living with them was Mary’s daughter Emma, aged 19.
Daughter Emma married John Sparkes, a labourer, on January 30th, 1865 at St John the Baptist, Penistone, Yorkshire. Both gave their residence as Crow Edge. They & their family lived in Great Bolton, Lancashire.
Mary continued to live with daughter Ann & family, & in 1871 they were living at Pocket, Rumworth, Lancashire.
The children of Richard Ellis & Mary Staples were:
el.6.3.1 Ann Ellis born at Riddings & christened Sept 29th, 1833 at St Martin Alfreton,Derbyshire; buried April 10th, 1905 in Bolton, Lancashire
el.6.3.2 Mary Ellis born at Portland, Nottinghamshire & christened June 17th, 1838 at Kirby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire; died February 6th, 1915 at Columbia, Iowa, USA
el.6.3.3 Emma Ellis born Stanley, Yorkshire April-June 1841 at Stanley, Yorkshire; died April-June 1909 in Bolton, Lancashire
el.6.3.4 William Ellis born Jump, Wombwell, Yorkshire c1848; buried June 28th, 1857 at St Peter’s, Earlsheaton, Dewsbury, Yorkshire.