William Ely

  Noted events in his life were:

• Family History: From Ely Ancestry by Moses S. Beach & Rev. William Ely, Page 38, 1902. William Ely, the eldest son of Richard, had gone to the West Indies, perhaps to visit an uncle residing there, about the time his father emigrated to America. Two years after his settlement in America, Richard sent for his son William, who arrived in Connecticut from the West Indies about 1670. He resided in Lyme, married Elizabeth Smith, and was for many years Judge of the County Court of New London. William Ely died in February, 1717, aged 71 years. The monument in the Lyme cemetery, erected to the memory of his father, also commemorates his name.

In connection with the statement that William Ely visited an uncle in the West Indies about 1670, it is of interest that the Colonial Records of New York are said to mention the fact that in 1650 a certain William Ely. a merchant doing business in the West Indies, complained to Governor Stuyvesant of an injustice done him by the Spanish authorities, and petitioned the Governor to redress his injuries.

Possibly this may have been an uncle of William Ely, the son of Richard, the emigrant.

The "Mail and Express" of September 10, 1898 published the following query, which mentions a different date for the marriage than the one generally accepted. It is probably an error:

Does anyone know who were the parents of Elizabeth Smith, of Lyme. Conn.? She married William Ely. first, of Lyme. September, 1670.

There is a tradition that Judge Ely was twice married, but, if so, the name of his second wife is not known, nor those of the children.

Children of William Ely and Elizabeth Smith.
1. Anne, b. 1682; died in infancy.
2. Elizabeth, b. 1683; died in infancy.
3. Richard, b. 1690: d. 1707; m. 1714. Ruhama Thompson; m. 1730. Margarett Olcutt, Hartford.
4. Daniel, b. 1693; d. March 14, 1776; m. 1st. Marr Ann Champlin: 2nd. Ruth Wells: 3rd. Mary Rose: 4th. Ruhama Turner.
5. William, d. 1760; m. Hannah Thompson, b. 1690, d. 1733.
6. James, or Joseph (?), b. 1713; d. May 12, 1760.
7. Elizabeth, m. Samuel Smith.
8. Mary. m. Moses Noyes.
9. Deborah, m. 1st. Ebenezer Dennis; 2nd. Captain Walter Butler.
10. Joanna, b. 1700: d. 1766: m. Nathaniel Matson.

• Family History: From Additional Beckwith Notes, Frederick H Beckwith, Stratford, Connecticut, 1956, page 24. 2. Capt. William, son of Richard, bapt. 15 Oct. 1647, Will 3 Feb. 1717 m. Elisabeth Smith 1670 b. 1645 dau. of Simon Smith of Haddam, Conn.

CHILDREN
1 - Ann b. 12 Mar. 1681/2
2 - Elizabeth died young
3 - Richard
4 - Daniel
5 - William
6 - James
7 - Elizabeth b. 26 May 1683 m. Samuel Smith
8 - Mary b. 12 Mar. 1682/3
9 - Deborah
10 - Joanne

Will of William Ely, Lyme, Conn. - 3 Feb. 1717 to son Richard, my mansion house, barn, orchards, gardens and yard; with wharf and landing place upon 6 Mile Island Farm, with all my upland between said house and my brother, Richard's Land, Son Reub. Ely and Daniel Ely (land). Son William Ely my dwelling house at Brigg's meadow 1/2 of twenty acres, that is to be laid out to me and l/2 of meadow in Saybrook, etc., to my daughter Smith - To my grandson William Smith 40 acres of land ana in case he should die before he comes of age, then my granddaughter Elizabeth Smith shall have it forever, Richard, Daniel and William appointed executors - presented pro¬ bate 9 April 1718.

Ref: The Ely Ancestory by Mosses S. Beach & Rev. William Ely.

• Gravestone: From Find a Grave, Feb 1717, Lyme, New London, Connecticuit. William Ely
Birth: 15 Oct 1647 Plymouth, Plymouth Unitary Authority, Devon, England
Death: 23 Feb 1717 (aged 69) Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, USA
Burial: Ely Cemetery, Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, USA
Memorial #: 28721090
Bio: William Ely died in his 71st year.

The son of Richard and Joanne (Phipps) Ely, he married Elizabeth Smith on May 24, 1681.

As documented in "Ely ancestry: lineage of Richard Ely of Plymouth" by Moses Beach, pg. 39-40. The first, Elizabeth Smith, born ca. 1645 born, died ca. 1700 and the mother of his children; the second, maiden name not known, born ca. 1660 and died 1750 is likely the one noted as his wife on findagrave. The burial details of the first Elizabeth are unknown.
Inscription: Here lies the body of William Ely who died on February 23, 1717 the 71st year of his age.
Family Members
Parents
Richard Ely 1610-1684
Joane Phipps Ely 1614-1660
Spouse
Elizabeth Smith Ely 1661-1750
Siblings
Richard Ely 1656-1698
Children
Capt Richard Ely 1684-1761
Mary Ely Noyes 1689-1764
Maj Daniel Ely 1693-1776
William Ely 1695-1760
Deborah Ely Butler 1697-1760
Joanna Ely Matson 1700-1776
Created by: V. Nareen Lake (46613568)
Added: 2008-08-02T11:56:51.000Z
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28721090/william_ely
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28721090/william-ely: accessed September 27, 2024), memorial page for William Ely (15 Oct 1647–23 Feb 1717), Find a Grave Memorial ID 28721090, citing Ely Cemetery, Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, USA; Maintained by V. Nareen Lake (contributor 46613568).

William married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Simon Smith and Elizabeth Bateman. (Elizabeth Smith was born on 16 Aug 1661 in Haddam, Connecticut and died on 10 Oct 1750 in Lyme, New London, Connecticuit.)