In Search Of David Ross Ellis~

A heavily wooded lot beside a country road, crowded with deadfalls and briar patches.

My 3rd great grandpa was in there and I was going to find him.

I had instructions from two sources and I knew I had the right location.

Or so I hoped..very near the 'Old Ellis Ferry' site.

This was a son of the Ellis line.

David Ross Ellis.

My 3rd Great Grandfather.

There we were, parked alongside the ditch, along a lonely country road..pretty much a 'country mile' from any where..

There was a stand of pine trees before me, that were standing in rows, as if they were planted that way.

To the left of those towering pines was a mass of deadfalls and brambles..

Now I have seen ‘brambles and briar patches’ before, and this was pretty bad.

This graveyard rabbit was up to it.. Not going to keep me from ‘visiting my kin‘!

　

Russ cast me a look that said.. ‘Are you telling me, that you are really going in there?’

I cast him a look right back, that said..‘You Betcha'.

He stayed with the car.

I headed up the road looking for a way in, or a place that looked like an easier entry.

Could not really find one, but went on anyway.

There was a huge pile of limbs and deadfalls that snapped like dry dust underfoot in places.

I made my way through and got to the other side..First major hurdle accomplished.

The rest of the way consisted of pretty easy going for about six feet or so, through high weeds, and then stopping to climb over yet another fallen tree..

Quite a workout.

But I made it.

Further up, there was a slight clearing. I kept looking to the left for a barbed wire fence that I was supposed to climb through..never saw one.

But then, in the dappled sunlight that was cast through the tall trees, I saw something.

I stooped lower and looked in, there was a headstone..sure as can be.

That feeling, at that very moment,

is something very hard

to describe in words.

Discovery...

Lump in the throat...

Very intense happiness... Elation...

Triumph...

"Emotional Triumph", yes, maybe that comes the closest to a real description.

My heart lept! Tears welled. Big smiles.


A big, spoken underbreath, Yes!

The trees were so thick that I began marking my way in, leaving chalk marks on the tree trunks, but I was “home”. Already 'Home'.
　
I reached down and touched the marker of a man I never knew.
A man born and gone long before I came.

In Memory Of David R. Ellis, who departed this life Feb, 13th, 1857 in the 47 year of his age.

"Our life is ever on the wing,

And death is ever nigh.

When we begin to live,

We all begin to die."

*********************************



I never saw a picture of his face, and I do not know what he looks like.

But, I came seeking this man, anyway.

He is important to me.　
He is my family.


David Ross Ellis.
　






　
Also buried here are at least ten family members.





















Ellis Children, laid to rest.



























Philip Vandorn Turner,

Son of Elijah and Edy Turner.

Brother to our 3rd Great Grandmother,

Sarah A. "Sally" Turner.



Also his wife Nancy P. Lancaster.












Arreny Turner Hopper ~

Sister to our great grandmother,

Sarah Turner Ellis and sister to

Philip Vandorn Turner.











She was eight years younger than Philip and six years younger

than Sarah. She died at the age of 34.





Another important person lies beside David Ross Ellis.




His wife, Sarah A. "Sallie" Turner Ellis.



My third Great Grandmother!



I could not find a marker for her. It is lost, apparently.

Also here are Sarah's parents:




Elijah Turner, her father. My fourth Great grandfather.

















Elijah's wife, Edith "Edy" Jane Sarratt.
Sarratt? Yes.

Edith was a sister to Anthony Sarratt. My Fourth Great Grandmother.


　
　
　
Eady Amelia Ellis ~ Daughter of Charles Heberton Ellis and Nancy Turner
She married John W. Brem.
She died in childbirth, apparently. The child is buried along with her. She was only 17 years old.
　　 　
　
　
In the quiet stillness of that deep wooded area, I heard a snap.
A loud, close by snap of a branch.





Alarmed, I stood up, and peered through the trees.
Heart racing. What was in here with me??












And, then, there was Russ.

He just couldn’t stand , not being there.
He half smiled and said.."Well, I had to see, too , didn’t I?"






He had came in after me, through the thick brambles, despite having perfectly good sense.






I smiled.