Died
at about age 61
in New York City, New York, New York, United States
Problems/Questions
Profile last modified
| Created 20 Apr 2019
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Biography
Samuel Ellis is Notable.
Samuel Ellis was born about 1722 in Wrexham, Wales. He immigrated to America. January 20, 1785, he bought an island in the waters of New York area.
It was called Oyster Island but would eventually take on his name. [1][2]
After he bought the island, he turned it into a picnic spot. He then decided that he did not want to keep it and tried to sell it. No one wanted it so it remained his. After he passed away in July 11, 1794, his family was given the property. They did not want it so they sold it to New York goverment. They named it Ellis Island, after Samuel. The U.S. Government bought it from them and turned it into the immigration station we know it to be.[3][4]
Research Notes
...as per his will, the ownership of Ellis Island passed to his daughter Catherine Westervelt's unborn son, who was also named Samuel. When the junior Samuel died shortly after birth, ownership passed to the senior Samuel's other two daughters, Elizabeth Ryerson and Rachel Cooder.[5]