1804
James Ellis (William's father) married a Miss Ann Webb of Bristol at St. Peter's, Exeter. James served in the 18th Royal Irish Regiment and later the 1st Dragoon guards with whom he was stationed at Dundalk, Clonmel and Dublin Ireland.
1807
William Webb Ellis Born in Salford, Manchester as second son to James Ellis and Ann (Webb). Note: No birth certificate has been located so far but William himself recorded that he was born in Manchester in the 1851 census.
He was christened at the Sacred Trinity church was originally built as a chapel-of-ease to serve the growing population of Salford in 1635. Most of the current building dates from 1752. It is a 2* listed building with many original features. It was restored in 1877-74 and adapted for more flexible use in the 1980’s. Sir Humphrey Booth raised the money for the original church. His grandson, also Humphrey Booth, set up a trust to maintain the church and help the ‘poor of Salford’.
1808
James moved to Manchester which was the regiments depot.
1809
James Ellis brought a commission in the 3rd Dragoon guards for 735 pounds and proceeded to the Peninsular war.
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