Samuel Ellis was the third child of John Thorpe Ellis & Ann Mills born February 26th, 1865 at Clay Cross, Derbyshire & christened April 12th, 1865 at North Wingfield, Derbyshire.
Samuel & his parents had moved to Tibshelf, Nottinghamshire by 1871 & were living at the Cottage. Samuel had 2 older sisters, Eliza & Sarah Ann & a 1 year old cousin was visiting, Sarah A Nix.
In 1881 Samuel was still living at home with his parents at Hoyland, Hoyland Nether, Yorks. Samuel was a coal miner like his father.
There is a marriage for a 22 year old Samuel Ellis, father John Ellis and both miners, on December 26th, 1887 at the National School, Tibshelf. His spouse is given as Mary Ann Green, aged 16 and three quarters whose father was John Green, a miner. Both gave their residence as Tibshelf. Witnesses at the wedding were Eleanor & John Reddington. However, censuses list Samuel’s wife as Maria. Maria was born c1871 at Nottingham which would make her the same age as Mary Ann Green. Confusion arises with the registration of their children. The surname of their mother is always given as Peck. The exact identity of Mary/Maria remains to be ascertained. (There is a Maria of the appropriate age, daughter of Ellen & Thomas Peck, living in Normanton-on-Trent, Notts in the 1871 & 1881censuses. Father Thomas died in 1880 & mother Ellen died in 1884. It is possible therefore that Maria was cared for by John Green & hence gave his name at her marriage.)
In 1891 Samuel & Maria were living at 12 Queen St, Ryhope, Co. Durham & Samuel was still a coal miner. In the Electoral Register of Ryhope 1892 Samuel was still at 12 Queen St, and living with him & his family was Samuel’s brother-in-law John Dimmock with his wife Eliza & family. In 1894 Samuel & Maria had a daughter Martha Ann who sadly only lived for 1 hour.
Samuel & his family continued to live at Queen St until 1900. In 1901 Samuel & Maria were living at 5 West Terrace, Ryhope & he was now described as a coal miner/hewer. They had 2 children – Florence (5) & John (2).
By 1911 Samuel & Maria had moved to 9 Sunderland Terrace, Ryhope & Samuel was now a coal miner examiner. They had 4 children at home – Florence, John, William (8) & Edith (5). They also had a boarder James Phillips, a coal miner, from Stonebroom, Derbyshire.
In the Electoral Register of Ryhope Colliery 1913 Samuel was living at 9 Sunderland Terrace & continued to live there with Maria until her death in 1919.
Maria died in Jan-March 1919 in Ryhope, aged 48.
Samuel continued to live at 9 Sunderland Terrace after Maria’s death & in 1920 it was noted on the Electoral Register of Ryhope that son John was living with him.
Daughter Edith married Charles Oliver on June 21st, 1924 at St Mark's, Sunderland.
An article in the Sunderland Daily Echo of June 6th 1931 reported that Samuel of 9 Sunderland Terrace slipped & fell in Fawcett St, Sunderland due to the greasy pavement. He was detained in Sunderland Royal Infirmary.
Daughter Florence, of 9 Sunderland Terrace died suddenly aged 38 at 22 Tunstall St, Ryhope on November 4th, 1934. Her cortege left from 2 Wraith Terrace, Ryhope.
The 1939 register shows Samuel living at 2 Wraith Terrace, Ryhope & now a retired underground deputy. He was living with daughter Edith, & husband Charles Oliver, a labourer at the water company, & their family.
Samuel died in Jan-March 1944, aged 79, his death being registered in East Durham.
The children of Samuel Ellis & Maria Peck (Mary Ann Green) were:
el.6.4.2.3.1 Martha Ann Ellis born August 1894 at 12 Queen St, Ryhope, buried
August 7th, 1894 at St Paul’s, Ryhope
el.6.4.2.3.2 Florence Ellis born Oct-December 1895 at 12 Queen St, Ryhope,
& christened May 20th, 1896 at St Paul's, Ryhope, Co. Durham; died November 4th, 1934 at 22 Tunstall St, Ryhope
el.6.4.2.3.3 John Ellis born June 26th, 1898 at 12 Queen St, Ryhope, Co. Durham
& christened August 17th, 1898 at St Paul's, Ryhope; died April 2nd, 1969 in Durham
el.6.4.2.3.4 William Ellis born June 8th, 1902 at Ryhope, Co Durham; died Oct-December 1976 at Chorley, Lancs
el.6.4.2.3.5 Edith Ellis born January 23rd at 17 West Terrace, Ryhope & christened
April 11th, 1906 at St Paul’s, Ryhope; buried October 21st, 1985 at Ryhope Cemetery,