On Friday November 8, 2019 the Williamson County Historical Society sponsored the re-dedication of a plaque between the DAR and Williamson County Illinois Courthouse.
In 1977 the Daughters of The American Revolution, Daniel H. Brush Chapter presented a memorial plaque to the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in this county to the Williamson County Courthouse to commemorate the Bi-Centennial. The DAR also placed similar plaques in Franklin, Jackson and Perry Counties as their Bi-Centennial project.
This summer it was brought to our attention that another soldier, John Ellis, was not on this list. With 42 years passing since the original dedication, the plaque was forgotten and with modern technology was blocked from easy view by a metal detector. Sharon Vansaghi coordinated with WCHS volunteer and DAR member LeeAnn Johnson and Jim Marlo, County Commissioner, to place Ellis’ name alongside fellow soldiers. Commissioner Marlo also decided to find a better place to display the memorial for all to see and it now hangs in the Administration Building on the first floor.
Coordinating a date for the event to include, John Ellis descendants was moved several times and the date Nov 8 was selected however, I do not think any of us realized at the time the significance, as November 11 would be Veterans Day.
With attendance in the board room of more than 60 people, the ceremony began with the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard marching in and posting the flags, Jim Marlo introduced LeeAnn Johnson to lead the group in the pledge.
Mr. Marlo gave a short biography on John written by Mary Beth Roderick in 2013 who was a volunteer at the Historical Society at the time and has done extensive research on him and his family.
Jill Rendelman, Regent of the DAR gave the history of the plaque, and
Mr. Marlo acknowledged descendants present. Tina Swayne-Johnson attending from California spoke for the family and revealed the plaque with her 5x grandfathers name added. She also accepted on behalf of the John Ellis descendants certificates from Dave Severin from the 101st General Assembly House of Representatives, Dale Fowler, State Senator, presented a framed Illinois Senate Certificate of Recognition, and a representative for Rep. Mike Bost of the Illinois 12th Dist. presented a certificate to recognize John Ellis at the House of Representatives.
Also speaking for the family was William Perkins of Colp.
Sharon Vansaghi WCHS Coordinator told about the depiction of John Ellis drawn by Bob Jackson In 2013 who at the time was President of WCHS. The image he created was from one he was given of his grandson, William Albert Ellis that moved along with his brother Levi and raised their families in Altamont, IL. Mr. Marlo read the names on the plaque listed as follows; Francis Cabot, James Campbell, John Chandoin, Lewis Corder, John Dameron, Archibald Daniel, John Ellis, John E. Ferges, Benajah Gill, Benjamin Gill, John Hendrickson, Moses Jones, John G. Lumpkins, Abel Mann, Joseph Newton, John Painter, John Robinson, Phillip T. Russell, John G. Simpkins and Mark A. Whitaker.
Connie Boyles DAR, filled in for the chaplain by giving the closing prayer and the SAR Color Guard retired the colors.
A 3rd great grandson, Robyn L. Haithcock Sr. who was scheduled to speak for the family was detained because of a flat tire however, he was able to attend just after the ceremony finished. Attending with Robyn was his mother Louise Haithcock, who traveled from Virginia for the ceremony, wife Lisa M. Haithcock, and son Robyn L. Haithcock II of St Louis. Louise and Tina’s great aunt, Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh are the oldest living direct descendants that we know of and even though they are living on opposite sides of the country, they have common ground here in the middle of southern Illinois in New Denison.
John Ellis was a free man of color born in Virginia and moved with his mother to North Carolina as a child. On April 27, 1776 John enlisted in the 10th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. In the first year of his service he guarded the North Carolina Legislature while it was in session at Hillsborough. Along with his regiment, he marched to Chatham Co., N.C. on the Pee Dee River where they attacked the Tories, killing and wounding many and taking about 50 prisoners. They marched back to Hillsborough where he was discharged on July 31st, 1779 after serving 3 years, two months and four days. For his service on August 23, 1820 he received a bounty land warrant for 228 acres which he sold for $114. The first account of the John Ellis in the area was in 1828 on a pension application listing him as a resident of Franklin County. The county was split and Williamson County was formed from Franklin in 1839. His family consisted of his wife Elizabeth, sons William, James and Henry and daughters Polly and Mahala. His sons William and James owned 160 acres each of adjoining property in New Denison which included their homes, farm land, and on James property a building was erected and used as a church/school, along with a cemetery that holds family members and a recently placed VA Military marker for John Ellis’ service. John died in 1850 and his children received the pension for his service.
We are grateful for the service of John Ellis and all soldiers past and present.
Sharon Vansaghi
WCHS Coordinator/Curator