BENJAMIN DABNEY ELLETT
Benjamin Ellett was the son of Mary (Anderson) and Benjamin Ellett. He was the Sheriff of Mercer County and a Lumber Merchant. A history of Benjamin Ellett is given in the Keithsburg Township section of the History of Mercer County, Illinois, 1882.

Benjamin was born near Richmond, Virginia and was raised on a farm. In the Spring of 1836 he emigrated to Illinois and for a short time settled in Henderson County. On April 19, 1838 he moved to Mercer County where engaged in dry goods merchandizing. At the time of his second marriage
Mr. Ellett was filling the position of Sheriff of Mercer county. After his official term was over, he permanently located in Keithsburg and then engaged in the lumber business, which he continued untill his death.

FIRST WIFE: Benjamin was married first to Grace Eliza Jack, daughter of Ann (Robbinson) and Charles Jack, an early settler in Mercer County. She was born May 8, 1820 in Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia and she died October 15, 1850 leaving three living children behind. Benjamin and Grace actually had five children together, but only one, Mary Jack, lived to adulthood.

CHILDREN OF BRNJAMIN & GRACE WERE:
Charles W. Ellett; b.8/28/1840, d.6/5/1844 age 3 yrs
Henry Ellett; b.6/6/1843, d. 6/27/1843 age 21 dys
Mary Jack Ellett; b.12/31/1846, d.1/16/1942 age 95
Charles D. Ellett; b.11/25/1848, d.12/4/1850 age 2 yrs
Grace Elizabeth; b. 4/15/1850, d. 8/20/1851 age 16 mo
Grace's children; Charles W. Henry both proceeded her in death and little Charles D. died soon after then little Grace Elizabeth died 10 months after her. All are buried in the New Boston Cemetery.

MARRIAGE NOTICE 2nd MARRIAGE: After the death of his first wife Benjamin married Orpha Binkley Myers, daughter of Col Andrew and Mary (Lloyd) Myers On 9/9/ 1851. I found Benjamin & Orpha's Marriage Notice on this Henderson County, Illinois History & Geneology website: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/il/county/henderson/ruth/mrg2.htm It Reads:

ELLETT, Benjamin D, Sheriff of Mercer Co
MYERS, Orphey B

9 Sept 1851 at the residence of Col Andrew Myers by Rev Crittenden.

ELLETT HOUSE: The "Ellett House" in Keithburg was built by Benjamin for his growing family in the year 1853. He and Orpha raised their nine children in this comfortable home. The home was restored in the 1980's and is once again a beautiful piece of history.

CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN & ORPHA WERE:
Frank A. Ellett - b. 1852, d. 1948
Minna E. Ellett - b. 1854, d. 1942, m. Martin Rice;
Nellie Ellett - b. abt 1856, m. C. S. Frick;
William Benjamin Ellett - b. 3/5/1857, d.1944
Bertha (Betty Virginia) Ellett - b. 1/2/l859, d. 7/6/1949 in the same house she was born in.
Harry Brook Ellett - b. 11/23/1860, d. 1951
Edwin Myers Ellett - b. 1864, d. 1955 age 91
Fredrick D. Ellett - b. Jun 1866, d. 1941
Thomas A. Ellett - b. 1868

ORPHA & BENJAMIN ELLETT FAMILY CENSUS INFO
The family is found in Sunbeam in the 1860 Census: Benjamin P. Elliott (sic), 46, laborer, born Virginia; Orpha B., 32, born Ohio; Mary J, 14 (daughter of Grace Jack Ellett); Frank, 8; Minna, 6; Nellie, 4; Willie, 3; Bertha, 1; all born Illinois.

In the 1870 Census they are found in Keithsburg: Benjamin Elliott, 57, lumberdealer, born Va; Orpha B. Elliott, 46, born In; Frank A., 28, at school; Minnie, 16; Nellie, 14; Willie, 13; Betty, 11; Harry, 9; Eddie, 6; Freddy, 4; and Tom, 2.

PLEASE NOTE:. Their name is shown as Ellett in the Mercer County History and on their marriage record, but is shown as Elliott in 1860 and 1870 census records, but as Ellett in 1880.