Person:Lewis Ellis (5)

Lewis Ellis was baptised on 2nd January 1831 at Streatley in Bedfordshire, son of an agricultural labourer called James Ellis and his wife Hannah. By 1841 the family had left Streatley and moved about seven miles south to the hamlet of Woodside in the parish of Caddington.

On 16th December 1850, aged about twenty, Lewis married Hannah King at Caddington. They went on to have ten children at Caddington between 1851 and 1871. The 1851 census finds Lewis and Hannah living with her parents in Caddington, with Lewis described as a farm labourer.

In 1861 Lewis, Hannah and their children were living at Aley Green, in the part of Caddington parish which was in Hertfordshire at the time. By 1871 they had moved to the neighbouring hamlet of Woodside.

In May 1872, Lewis, his daughter Matilda, her husband Samuel Slough, and Lewis's daughter Mary Ann, were all assaulted by a group of people on the road between Caddington and the nearby town of Luton. There was a string of summonses between each victim and attacker, with the cases being heard through June and July. The main attacker was sentenced to four months imprisonment.

The 1881 census finds Lewis, three of his children and a grandchild living at Woodside. Hannah was not at home on census night; she was visiting her daughter Mary Ann who had moved to London. The 1891 and 1901 censuses each find Lewis and Hannah living together in Caddington.

Lewis died in 1906, aged 75. Hannah survived him by nine years.

1. ↑ England. Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. (FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, Findmypast).

   ch. 2 Jan 1831, Streatley, Bedfordshire: Lewis son of James & Hannah Else

   Needs to be confirmed at Bedfordshire Archives.

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 4; Book 4; Folio 7; Page 9, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: Woodside, Caddington, Bedfordshire
   James Else, male, 35 [1801-6], Ag[ricultural] Lab[ourer], born in county
   Hannah Else, female, 40 [1796-1801], born in county
   Susan Else, female, 15 [1821-6] born in county
   Lewis Else, male, 10 [1830/1], born in county
   Charles Else, son, male, 8 [1832/3], born in county
   Jane Else, female, 4 [1836/7], born in county

3. ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1757; Folio 341; Page 8, 30 Mar 1851.

   Address: Caddington, Hertfordshire
   James King, head, married, male, 41 [1809/10], Farm labourer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Susan King, wife, married, female, 45 [1805/6], b. Wipsnade, Bedfordshire
   Mary King ,daughter, unmarried, female, 16 [1834/5], Platter of straw, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Bethiah King, daughter, unmarried, female, 14 [1836/7], Platter of straw, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Ann King, daughter, female, 8 [1842/3], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Lewis Ellis, lodger, married, male, 20 [1830/1], Farm labourer, b. Stretly, Bedfordshire
   Hannah Ellis, lodger, married, female, 20 [1830/1], Platter of straw, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Matilda Ellis, lodger, female, 1m [1851], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire

4. ↑ England. 1861 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG9; Piece 1015; Folio 90; Page 6, 7 Apr 1861.

   Address: Aley Green, Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Lewis Ellis, head, married, male, 30 [1830/1], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], b. Streatley, Bedfordshire
   Hannah Ellis, wife, married, female, 30 [1830/1], Bonnet sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Matilda Ellis, daughter, female, 10 [1850/1], Bonnet sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Mary Ann Ellis, daughter, female, 8 [1852/3], Bonnet sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Bethia Ellis, daughter, female, 5 [1855/6], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Sarah Ellis, daughter, female, 3 [1857/8], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   John Ellis, son, male, 1 [1859/60], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire

5. ↑ England. England and Wales. 1871 Census Schedules. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG10; Piece 1568; Folio 31; Page 22, 2 Apr 1871.

   Address: Woodside, Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Lewis Ellis, head, married, male, 40 [1830/1], Lab[ourer], b. Streatley, Bedfordshire
   Hannah Ellis, wife, married, female, 40 [1830/1], Hat sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Mary Ann Ellis, daughter, female, 18 [1852/3], Hat sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Bettia Ellis, daughter, female, 15 [1855/6], Hat sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Sarah Ann Ellis, female, 13 [1857/8], Hat sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   John Ellis, son, male, 11 [1859/60], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Tryphena Ellis, daughter, female, 8 [1862/3], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   George Ellis, son, male, 10 [1860/1], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Alfred Ellis, son, male, 3 [1867/8], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Thomas Ellis, son, male, 10d [1871], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire

6. ↑ England. 1881 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands: . (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG11; Piece 1653; Folio 145; Page 22, 3 Apr 1881.

   Address: Woodside, Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Lewis Ellis, head, married, male, 50 [1830/1], Ag[ricultural] lab[ourer], b. Streatley, Bedfordshire
   Sarah Ellis, daughter, unmarried, female, 23 [1857/8], Bonnet sewer, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Alfred Ellis, son, male, 13 [1867/8], Horse keeper, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Thomas Ellis, son, male, 10 [1870/1], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire
   Nellie Ambrose, granddaughter, female, 4 [1876/7], Scholar, b. Caddington, Hertfordshire

7. ↑ England. 1891 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG12; Piece 1275; Folio 132; Page 4, 5 Apr 1891.

   Address: Caddington, Hertfordshire
   4 rooms occupied
   Lewis Ellis, head, married, male, 60 [1830/1], Agricultural laborer, b. Streatley, Bedfordshire
   Hannah Ellis, wife, married, female, 60 [1830/1], b. Caddington, Hertfordshire

8. ↑ England. England. 1901 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG13; Piece 1519; Folio 113; Page 20, 31 Mar 1901.

   Address: Aley Green, Caddington, Bedfordshire
   4 rooms occupied
   Lewis Ellis, head, married, male, 70 [1830/1], Ordinary agricultural labourer, b. Streatley, Bedfordshire
   Hannah Ellis, wife, married, female, 70 [1830/1], b. Aley Green, Bedfordshire
   George Ellis, son, single, male, 38 [1862/3], Ordinary agricultural labourer, b. Aley Green, Bedfordshire
   Thomas Ellis, son, single, male, 28 [1872/3], Ordinary agricultural labourer, b. Aley Green, Bedfordshire

9. ↑ Deaths index, in General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration. (London: General Register Office).

   d. Lewis ELLIS, March Quarter 1906, Luton Registration District, Volume 3b, page 259, aged 75 [1830/1]

10.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 1 Jun 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    A Game at Caddington.
    Ann Bell, Sarah Sutton, and Rebecca Randall, of Caddington, were severally charged with assaulting Samuel Slough, of the Folly, Caddington on the 22nd May.
    Prosecutor said he went past the defendants at twenty minutes past ten, just before he got to Caddington. His father was with him. Randall and Slough gave him a slap as he passed them, and Bell clapped her hands before his face and called him a d--d old cadger; and told him to hold his head up. They did nothing to him but jostle him.
    Mrs Sutton said she did not speak to prosecutor at all.
    Lewis Else, labourer, Woodside, said he was with Slough when they were "insulted." He saw somebody push Slough and tell him to hold his head up. Mrs Randall said there had been a merry making at Caddington, and there might be 30 on the green when the prosecutor came up.
    Mary Else, daughter of last witness, said she was with them, and when they got up several persons pushed them, and said -"Here they come." The three defendants were there, hooting them. Did not see them strike Slough.
    Slough, re-called, said he had on a previous occasion to take out a summons against one of the defendant's husbands. Witness was a sort of foreman for Mr. Twidell.
    A boy named Currant was called for the defence. He said the defendants opened to let the others pass, and did not shove them.
    Fined 18s. each, or in default 14 days' imprisonment; allowed 14 days to pay.

11.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 8 Jun 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    Assaults.
    Eli Bell and Alfred Currant, of Caddington, were charged with assaulting Mary Ann Ellis, at Luton, on the 27th of May; and Rebecca Randell and Eli Bell were charged with assaulting Matilda Slough, of Caddington, at Luton, on the same day.
    The defendants were remanded until Monday next.
    ...
    More Assaults from Caddington
    William Sutton, (29,) and Richard Randall, (26), labourers of Caddington, were charged with assaulting Lewis Ellis, of Woodside, Herts, on the 27th of of [sic] May.
    Remanded for a week.
    Assault.
    Mary Ann Bell (26), Richard Randall (26), Alfred Currant, (20,) and Eli Bell, all of Caddington, were charged with assaulting Samuel Slough, gamekeeper, also of Caddington, on the 27th of May.
    Remanded.

12.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 15 Jun 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    Caddington Beauties.
    William Sutton, 29, Rueben Randal, 26, and Rebecca Randal, all of Caddington, Herts., were charged with assaulting Lewis Ellis, on the 27th or May.
    Mr. Shepherd was instructed for the prosecution, and Mr. Annesley for the defence in the following cases:
    Richard Randall, Alfred Currant, Eli Bell, and Mary Ann Bell, were charged with assaulting Samuel Slough, of Caddington, Herts., on the 27th of May.
    Alfred Currant and Eli Bell were charged with assaulting Mary Ann Ellis on the 27th of May.
    Eli Bell and Rebecca Randall were charged with assaulting Matilda Slough on the 27th of May.
    All the cases were remanded for a week, and the men were locked up, bail being refused: the women were allowed to go out on the same bail as before. This course was taken because Mr. Shepherd desired to alter the information so as to charge them all with each offence.

13.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 22 Jun 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    The Caddington Case.
    Four-and-twenty summonses had been served upon the following defendants since last Monday. They were all charged with being concerned in the assaults, on the principle that if half-a-dozen men go out for an unlawful purpose, and a crime is committed by one of the number, they are all guilty.
    Eli Bell, Alfred Currant, Rebecca Randall, Mary Ann Bell, Richard Randall, and William Sutton, all of Caddington, were charged with assaulting Matilda Slough, on the 14th of June.
    The defendants were also severally charged with assaulting Lewis Ellis, of Caddington, on the 27th of May, at Luton.
    They were also charged with assaulting Mary Ann Ellis on the same day.
    They were further charged with assaulting Samuel Slough, gamekeeper, on the same day.
    William Sutton, Richard Randall, and Rebecca Randall, were charged with assaulting Matilda Slough, on the 27th May.
    Mr. Shepherd stated that Mrs. Slough's life had been in danger, and she was not now able to attend. He put in a certificate from Dr. Kerr of that fact.
    Mr. Annesley applied for bail, submitting that it would be a great hardship to the men to be locked up another week.
    Bail granted to all but Bell.

14.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 29 Jun 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    Caddington Assault Case.
    The most serious charge was proceeded with first. William Sutton, Richard Randall, Alfred Currant, Eli Bell, were charged with assaulting Matilda Slough.
    Mr Shepherd was for the prosection.
    Matilda Slough said she was the wife of Samuel Slough, of Caddington. On the 27th of May I was with my husband and others at the court. I was not a witness. My husband was the prosecutor against Mary Ann Bell, Rebecca Randall and Mary Ann Sutton. Left the court about one o'clock, and went on the way up Farley Hill towards Caddington. With me and my husband were my father (Jarvis Ellis) and my sister Mary Ann Ellis. After we passed "The Compasses" near the bottom of Farley Hill, I heard some one calling after us. Saw Alfred Currant and Eli Bell calling. They and several others cam after us out of "The Compasses." We were against a row of cottages on the right-hand side when they caught up to us. I think I had hold of my husband's arm at the time. Eli Bell and Alfred Currant took hold of my husband and pulled him away. Bell said -"You b- now we've got you, and will kill you on the spot;" and speaking to Randall, he said -"We'll do for this b-- if you do for the other;" meaning my father. I then saw Randall hit my father several times on the head. I saw Sutton his my father with a stick which my husband had dropped. I missed my husband, and heard some one say he had gone into one of the cottages. I went in, and there I saw Mrs. bell pulling my husband's hair, slapping his face. Some people were there I don't know. I called out to Bell -"That's my husband's stick, and I insist upon having it. He then hit me on the face with his hand and on my head with the stick. I caught hold of the stick before he hit me. He threw me down in the room, and stamped upon me with both feet several times. He threw himself upon me purposely saying -"I'll smash your inside out, before I let such a b-- as you go." Rebecca Randall came up to me after I had got up and slapped my face twice and said -"You are not served bad enough, you b--, if I was a man I would serve you a b--y sight worse." I went out of the house and called "murder," and saw my father getting up off the ground. Blood was streaming from his head; and his shirt was covered with blood. I and my father went down Farley Road, and Eli Bell ran after us with my husband's stick. Eli Bell said as he was running after us -"Stop the b--, and if I can catch her, I'll kill her. On the following day I called in Dr. Kerr, and have been under his treatment ever since - it was in consequence of what occurred on the previous day. I have been confined to my bed several days.
    By Mr Annesley: Between one o'clock and four o'clock that Monday we had been at "The Vine" having bread and cheese. We then went to Mr Smith's public house at the bottom of Farley-road. I remember passing "The Compasses." We were at "The Vine" an hour. My husband did not whistle to Bell and the others and beckon them to come on.
    Kerr, surgeon said I was called in to attend Mrs Slough on the 28th June. I found one bruise below the left eye, apparently like a blow from a fist. There was another bruise above the left eye, such as might have been caused by a stick. There was a semi-circular bruise on the under surface of the back forearm. On the left hip a bruise four inches in circumference. She could not stand upright, and had great difficulty in breathing, and pain in micturating. There were slight scattered marks on the left side of the body from the fifth rib downwards to the thigh. There was great tenderness on the lower part of the spine. These were all the external appearances. I have attended her up to the present time. It would be impossible to speak dogmatically of the internal injuries, but there certainly was considerable extravastion of blood, as if the party had been crushed. This was attended by a slight degree of inlammation which was checked. The appearances could not have been occasioned without considerable violence.
    I was also called to attend Mr Slough, who had a bruise on the hip, externally. Internally the hip was much swollen. Behind the left ear, extending three inches back there was an extensive bruise. There was a bruise on the breast bone, or sternum. There was another bruise over the right corner of the right eye one inch long by ¾inch broad. There were two bruises half an inch long over the left eye.
    By Mr Smyth: There were no dangerous bruises.
    By Mr Shepherd: The bruises on the breast bone might have been made by the fist, but the others appears to have been made by a harder weapon like a stick. Most of them must have been done violently.
    I went to see Jarvis Ellis who had two wounds on the front bone of the head, probably by a stick.
    I also examined Mary Ann Ellis on the same day. She had a bruise on the left forehead and on the left hip, and a piece of skin was torn off the under surface of the left thumb about three-quarters of an inch square.
    Samuel Slough said he was a labourer, and worked for Mr. Twidell. He appeared at this court on the 27th of May as a complainant against Mary Ann Bell, Rebecca Randall, and Sarah Sutton. Upon that occasion his wife, Mary Ann Ellis, and his sister were here. The stick produced was the one he had at the time. When upon on the Farley Hill Alfred Currant laid hold of his collar on one side, and Eli Bell on the other. Randall came up and snatched the stick away from him. Eli Bell struck him with his fists, Alfred Currant struck him on the back of his head. Bell hit him once with the big end of the stick on his mouth. In consequence of what occurred he ran into a woman's house. Mrs Bell catched hold of the hair of his head, and hit him several times on his face. After Eli Bell struck him, he saw him kneeling over his wife - a knee each side. Did not see him or hear him do anything to her. Randall struck him very sharply on the chest. Went for the police, and when he got back, his wife complained of being hurt in her body where they had stamped on her.
    Jarvis Ellis, laborer, Woodside, said Slough married his daughter. He and Slough had had beer but they were not "toxicated." He did not notice Eli Bell there. Randall hit him with his fist. Never noticed any body else particularly. Randall said -"What lies have you been telling today in court. Witness replied -"None at all." Randall then had a "scrimmage;" he caught hold of him, and they had a up and down together, could not say which it was struck him on the back of the neck.
    By Mr Annesley: He said he hoped if the case was not settled soon, the court house would be full.
    Mary Ann Ellis said Alfred Currant kicked her after she was knocked down. Saw Bell on the top of her sister. Tried to get the stick away from Bell, and he hit me over the eye with it. She had never had any quarrel with any of them.
    George Bryant said he lived on Farley Hill. He had come a considerable distance to attend this court. I was sitting in the parlour, and my mother called me to see what was going on. Upon that I went into the road and saw a number of people scuffling about 100 yards off my house, I saw Slough there, and so I went down. When about 300 yards off I saw one of the men - Bell - strike Slough. It appeared as if he had something in his hand, but could not swear to it. Slough's sister asked him and Mr Brown to protect them, and the promised to do so, or he believed Mrs Randall would have created a disturbance with her. I saw Slough afterwards with the blood running down
    Frederick Brown saw the quarrel begin and corroborated the evidence of the last witness.
    Arnold, plait merchant, Flamstead, gave corroborative evidence.
    It being now 5 o'clock the case was adjourned to next week, all the defendants being liberated on bail.

15.   Luton Times and Advertiser, in United Kingdom. The British Newspaper Archive
    Saturday 6 Jul 1872.

    PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.
    The Caddington Cases.
    Eli Bell, Alfred Currant, Richard Randall, Mary Ann Bell, an Wm. Sutton were charged on remand with assaulting Matilda Slough, of Caddington, Herts., at Luton, on the 27th of May last; and further with assaulting Lewis Ellis, Mary Ann Ellis, and Samuel Slough, at the same time and place.
    Mr Shepherd appeared again for the complainants, and Mr Annesley for the prisoners.
    Mr Annesley applied for summonses for Mary Ann Bell, for an assault upon her by Samuel Slough, on the 27th of May; also for a summons for another of the prisoners against one of the complainants.
    The Chairman said the court could not entertain the applications - they came too late.
    -- Lynes, Maria Fisher (of the Compasses public-house, Farley-hill,) Mr Weatherhead, and Louisa Cooper gave evidence in support of the prosecution, corroborating that given last week.
    Dorcas Dunckley said they "clawed" each other, but there was no fighting. Some of the persons ran into her house, and when Mrs Slough left she did not appear to have much the matter with her, and she walked down the hill as well as witness could. Mrs. Slough was struck down upon the couch. The persons were not in her house altogether five minutes.
    By Mr Annesley: I saw Slough slap Mrs Bell's face, when the latter was trying to pull her husband back. No stick was used, as she saw, in the house.
    Mr Annesley, for the prisoners, remarked upon Mr Shepherd taking out 24 summonses against the prisoners after they were in custody, in order that each might be included in all the charges, instead of the prisoners having, according to the original summonses, only to reply to individual charges. There could have been no necessity for new summonses to be issued, as the prisoners were in custody. The effect of this was that the mouths of his clients had been shut, and he would ask the court to listen to the evidence of dis-interested witnesses, and not that of interested persons. As regarded the prisoner Sutton there was nothing against him. As to the women they had only tried to keep their husbands back. The only evidence against them was thatof Ellis and his daughter. The principal charge seemed to be against Eli Bell, who it was stated had fallen upon Mrs Slough and struck her, and, if true, such treatment would deserve severe punishment; but he maintained the evidence of Mrs Slough had not be confirmed. Sutton, Currant, and the two women, should never have been put into the box.
    Elizabeth Mardell, of Caddington, sister to Bell, was at the Compasses and saw Slough and his party pass. Slough turned round and whistled to the prisoners coming out of the house; Ellis waived his hat, for the prisoners to come up the hill, as she understood. The female prisoners tried to keep their husbands back. She followed Bell, and heard him ask Slough what he wanted, and Slough struck Bell upon the mouth. Mrs Bell caught hold of her husband, and Slough struck her upon the back of her head with a stick and upon the mouth with his fist, and knocked her back. Bell had a mark upon his mouth. Bell took the stick from Slough and threw it down. When Slough knocked Bell down the others fell over him. Currant was upon the ground, and pulled Ellis off Bell. She had not seen Currant do anything.
    Mary Ann Hill, of Caddington, went up the hill with Currant. Eli Bell was before them. She saw Bell, Ellis, and Slough upon the ground scrimmaging together.
    The Bench, after 25 minutes' deliberation, returned into court, when Mr Annesley put in letters as to prisoners' character.
    The chairman said they were bound to protect persons seeking justice in that court - it was their duty to do this, and in no instance could their protection be called for more than on this occasion. Something similar to the case before the court had occurred in London a short time since, when the prisoners were sentenced to penal servitude for life. The prisoners before the court would therefore see the heavy penalty they incured by tampering with proecutors and witnesses. There was a difference between the offences committed on the 27th May, and the Court thought Sutton might be discharged, as also would the women Randall and Bell, for there was no doubt that at the commencement of the assault they endeavoured to keep back their husbands. They would be discharged with a caution to be more guarded in future. With regard to the other prisoners, Eli Bell had been guilty of a most serious assault upon a woman, who was still suffering from the injuries she had received. The court had hesitated whether they should not commit him for trial at Bedford, and if they had done so he might have been sent to penal servitude. The sentence of the court was that he be imprisoned four months' with hard labour. With regard to Randall, he would be given the option of a fine. He would be fined £5, including costs; and in default of payment be committed for six weeks with hard labour. It had not been shown that Currant had been in the house when the assault had been committed, but it was evident he had been mixed up with the other parties outside. He would also be fined £5, including costs; in default, one month's imprisonment. The four prosecutors would be allowed 2s. 6d. a day, as also the other witnesses, and the attorney a guinea.