Ellen A S Gillespie1,2

#18374, (circa 1828 - 7 April 1900)
Father*Charles Gillespie3 (1792 - 1882)
Mother*Ellen Whelan4 (1802 - 1829)
Step-motherAnna Mary Scravendyke5 (1797 - 1879)

Family

John A Sheaff b. c 1808, d. 1877
Child 1.Elizabeth Sheaff17 (1863 - 1936)
Her married name was Sheaff.1 
Ellen Sheaff is in the will of her step-grandfather William Whelan, named as the granddaughter of his wife Catherine, presumably from a first marriage.6 
Birth*circa 1828She was born circa 1828 at PennsylvaniaG.7,8 
24 August 1850She appeared on the census of 24 August 1850 in the household of Charles Gillespie and Anna Mary Scravendyke, age 20, b. PA.9 
5 June 1860She appeared on the census of 5 June 1860 in the household of Charles Gillespie and Anna Mary Scravendyke, age 28, teacher, b. PA.10 
Marriage*circa 1861She married John A Sheaff, son of John S Sheaff and ____ _____, circa 1861.1 
24 March 1863In William Whelan's will dated 24 March 1863, Ellen A S Gillespie was named as Ellen Sheaff, granddaughter of his deceased wife [presumably the daughter of an unnamed deceased child from Catherine's first marriage; see Note for Ellen Sheaff].11 
25 July 1870She and John A Sheaff appeared on the census of 25 July 1870 at 8th Ward, Dist. 217, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PennsylvaniaG.8 
1 June 1880She appeared on the census of 1 June 1880 at 304 West King Street, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PennsylvaniaG.12 
13 October 1884She was named, as the "full sister" of his wife Catherine, in the will of George Washington Smith on 13 October 1884 at Allegheny Co., PennsylvaniaG.13 
18 May 1895She witnessed the will of Catherine Whalen Gillespie on 18 May 1895, as Ellen A Sheaff.14,15 
Death*7 April 1900She died on 7 April 1900 at 605 West Orange Street, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PennsylvaniaG.2,7 
Burial*April 1900She was buried in April 1900 at Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PennsylvaniaG.16 

Citations

  1. [S1664] William Whelan (March 1863), Will and Probate of William Whelan, Philadelphia Court (1863) No. 536, online Ancestry.com. The will first provides one-eighth part (either directly or in trust) to each of six children of William (and presumably of Catherine). It then provides one eighth part "in trust for the sole and separate use of Catherine Feran, daughter of my deceased wife," revealing that Catherine had been married before her 1807 marriage with William. It goes on to provide the "remaining eighth part. . . in trust for the sole and separate use of Catharine Smith and Ellen A. Sheaff, granddaughters of my said wife in equal shares." This would appear to indicate that grand daughters Catharine and Ellen were not the daughters of Catherine Feran (who if they were would be receiving a greater share than her half-siblings) and were probably sisters, again proving for equal shares to eight offspring and their heirs. It is unlikely, but possible, that the Catherine, wife of William in the1850 census, is a second Catherine, but this genealogy will presume the first case, and presume that Catherine who married William in 1807 was a widow of another Whelan.
  2. [S2709] The Lancaster Examiner, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Wed., 11 Apr 1900, p. 5.
    "The death of Mrs.. Ellen A. S. Sheaff occurred Saturday evening at her home, No. 605 West Orange street, after an illness of about a week from typhoid fever. Deceased was the widow of John A. Sheaff, of this city, and was in her seventy-third year. She was a daughter of the late Charles Gillespie, of this city, and was a well-known and highly-esteemed woman. Mrs. Sheaff was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic church. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Elizabeth T., at home.
    The funeral took place Tuesday morning, with mass in St. Mary's church and interment in St. Mary's cemetery."
  3. [S2709] Lancaster Examiner, Wed., 11 Apr 1900, p. 5. "The death of Mrs. Ellen A. S. Sheaff occurred Saturday evening at her home, No. 605 West Orange street, after an illness of about a week from typhoid fever. Deceased was the widow of John A. Sheaff, of this city, and was in her seventy-third year. She was a daughter of the late Charles Gillespie, of this city, and was a well-known and highly-esteemed woman. Mrs. Sheaff was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic church. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Elizabeth T., at home.
    "The funeral took place Tuesday morning, with mass in St. Mary's church and interment in St. Mary's cemetery."
  4. [S238] 1810 U.S. Federal Census.
  5. [S2709] Lancaster Examiner, Wed., 8 Oct 1879, p. 2, Obituary. "At nine o’clock last night Mrs. Anna Maria Gillespie, wife of Charles Gillespie, died at her residence, No. 128 North Lime street, of pneumonia. Mrs. Gillespie was in her 82d year, and has made this city her home for over 50 years. Mrs. Gillespie’s maiden name was Scrarendike Wed., 8 Oct 1879, p. 2, Obituary. "At nine o’clock last night Mrs. Anna Maria Gillespie, wife of Charles Gillespie, died at her residence, No. 128 North Lime street, of pneumonia. Mrs. Gillespie was in her 82d year, and has made this city her home for overWed., 8 Oct 1879, p. 2, Obituary. "At nine o’clock last night Mrs. Anna Maria Gillespie, wife of Charles Gillespie, died at her residence, No. 128 North Lime street, of pneumonia. Mrs. Gillespie was in her 82d year, and has made this city her home for over 50 years. Mrs. Gillespie’s maiden name was Scrarendike Wed., 8 Oct 1879, p. 2, Obituary. "At nine o’clock last night Mrs. Anna Maria Gillespie, wife of Charles Gillespie, died at her residence, No. 128 North Lime street, of pneumonia. Mrs. Gillespie was i[sic], and she was born in Philadelphia, in which city one of her brothers at present resides. She was the mother of five children, one son and four daughters, all of whom are living. Her son Charles, who formerly kept a jewelry store in this city. is at present residing in Pittsburg. One of the daughters is the wife of Mr. Ambrose McConomy, another is married to Mr. Harry Decker, and the third is wedded to Mr. Thomas Sheehan, of Pittsburg. She also had two stepdaughters, one of whom is the widow of the late John Sheaff, and the other is married to Mr. Washington Smith, of Pittsburg. She will be buried from her late residence on Monday morning next, and Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church."
  6. [S520] VWH.
  7. [S2710] The New-Era, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Mo., 9 Apr 1900, p. 2. "Mrs. Ellen Sheaff, widow of John Sheaff, died at her home, No. 605 West Orange street, on Saturday evening, from typhoid fever. She was in the seventy-third year of her age. Deceased was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and was a most estimable woman. A daughter, Elizabeth, survives."
  8. [S18] 1870 U.S. Federal Census. John (56), b. PA, civil engineer, real estate value $8,000, personal estate $15,000; Ellen (40), b. PA, keeping house.
  9. [S20] 1850 U.S. Federal Census. Charles (57), b. Ireland, boot and shoe maker; Ann M (42), b. PA.
  10. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Charles (69), b. Ireland, shoemaker, real estate value $6000, personal estate $300; Ann M (61), b. PA, real estate value $2600.
  11. [S1664] Will and Probate of William Whelan, Philadelphia Court (1863) No. 536: 1. Names daughters Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady as Executors and Administrators, and assigns his house at 623 Spruce Street to the family residing there, viz. Susan, Frances and Amelia; the children of Amelia; and niece Nancy. 2. Annuity of $300 to niece Nancy Whelan. 3. Income from the estate for one year to daughters Susan and Amelia. 4. Residual of estate, one-eighth to each of four children, viz. son William Whelan and daughters Elizabeth R. Edwards, Susan C. Whelan and Amelia A. Brady; one-eighth part in trust for dau. Lucy G. Scravendyke; one-eighth part in trust for daughter Frances J. Whelan; one-eighth part to Catherine Feran, daughter of deceased wife; one-eighth part, in equal parts, in trust for Catharine Smith and Ellen A. Sheaff, grand daughters of deceased wife. 5. Appoints as Executors son William, son-in-law John Scravendyke, daughters Susan and Amelia, and friend Thomas Feran. Witnesses John C. Mitchell and George W. Shepherd.
  12. [S17] 1880 U.S. Federal Census. Ellen (50), b. and mother b. PA, father b. Ireland, keeping house, general debility.
  13. [S1666] Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, index and images, online Ancestry.com, Butler Co. Will Book P, pp. 492-494, imgs. 535-536/543. Last will of Geo W Smith, deceased of Allegheny Co. PA, 13 Oct 1884. Names sister Sarah Maria, res. West Vine St., Lancaster PA; wife Catharine; bother Harmany's two children; sister Mary of AZ; daus. Ellen Bayne (Bellevue, Allegheny Co.) and Lucy Hemmick; sons Christian W and A Lincoln, and names Davis Hostetter as Guardian for son A Lincoln.
  14. [S2718] Probate Records (District of Columbia), 1801-1930, (publisher) online Ancestry.com, Wills, Boxes 0168 Cardella - 0172 Sullivan, Ellen, 1897 > imgs. 969-974. File No. 1897-393, Probate of Katharine W Smith. Last will of Katharine Whelan Smith, Washington DC, 18 May 1895. Names children Lincoln A, Christian W, Lucy Hemmick and Ellen Bayne; sister Ellen Sheaff; granddau. Katherine Hemmick; cousin Rev. Charles McKenna. Names as executors sons Christian W and Lincoln A. Witn. Blanche Darr, Elizabeth A Miles and Virginia Ewing. Filed 6 Oct 1897, proved 23 Oct 1897.
  15. [S2355] The Evening Star, Washington, D.C.
  16. [S1628] FindAGrave.com, online findagrave.com, Large shared memorial. John A Sheaff, d. 30 Apr 1877, age 68; Ellen A Gillespie, wife of John A Sheaff, b. 9 Jun 1828, d. 7 Apr 1900; John S Sheaff, d. 23 Feb 1862, age 82; Christiann C Sheaff, d. 16 Apr 1902, age 86. Memorial 159025323, created by and photo added by Susan Bealefeld Rozar.
  17. [S18] 1870 U.S. Federal Census.