Grandfather James Ellis married Peggy Hopper. He and his brother came from Massachusetts, his brother settling in Lincoln County, N. C. James settled near Ellis' Ferry, Cleveland County, on Broad River. His children were born as follows: Mary Ellis, 1764; William, 1767; Ann, 1769; Rebecca, 1771; James, 1773; Elizabeth, 1776; Jane, 1778; Benjamin, 1782; Lettie, 1785; Absalom and Nancy dates not at-hand.
