"Ellis' school-house is located in the forks of the Swedes' Ford road and the Centre Square and Norristown turnpike road, and was first built on ground deeded September 10, 1787, by Isaac Ellis, Andrew Knox and wife, Isabella, containing six and one-half perches, for the sum of six shillings. The persons to whom the deed was given resided in the townships of Whitpain, Norriton and Plymouth, and the sum of forty-seven pounds was raised towards building a house, which was built the same season."
- Thomas Bean, History of Montgomery County, Volume 2
The Founders of the Ellis School
Isaac Ellis
Isaac Ellis (1720-1788) was the youngest son of Humphrey Ellis (1688-1748) who emigrated to the New World from Wales, and made his will in 1747 where he would give his youngest son Isaac 50 acres in Whitpain. Isaac would later purchase 95 acres in Whitpain in addition to his 50 acres. After his death, the 50 acres of land in Whitpain was passed on to his son Amos Ellis (1759-1833). It was said that his home was located near the Ellis School, concluding that Isaac Ellis's home was where Amos lived in. According to the PA Historical Resource Survey Form, the home was built in 1800, even though it looked like it was built prior to that year. It is a Federal-style home, that was a common architectural style in Whitpain during the 18th century. Today the home was demolished for development.
Andrew Knox
What Does the Ellis School Look Like?
Similar to the Franklinville School, the desks were next to the walls, facing the front of the teacher. There would be a huge wood-stove in the middle of the school house. The school house was possibly made of stone. Before the 1834 Free School Law was passed by the PA Legislature, the usual subjects taught in schools were spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Bibliography
Bean, Theodore Weber. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume 2. (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884): 1172-1173.
Hopkins, G.M. Atlas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Page 031, 1871.
"Isaac Ellis Farmhouse." Philadelphia Architects and Buildings. Accessed December 3, 2022. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/432780.
"Local History Sketch. Interesting Local Matter Collected by 'E.M.' A Story of Whitpain--The Knox Family--Andrew Knox, Revolutionary Patriot, Rendered Valiant Service--Andrew Knox, Jr., who Later Purchased the Porter Place." Ambler Gazette. June 12, 1913. Page 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_9468.
"Local History Sketch. Interesting Local Matter Collected by 'E.M.' The East Corner of Norriton--The Michael Farm--The Big Peach Orchard--Agustus Styer--Jesse Roberts--Susanna Michael." Ambler Gazette. August 27, 1908. Page 7. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_5582.
Morris, William E, and Smith & Wistar. Map of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania: from original surveys. [Philadelphia: Smith & Wistar, 1849] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/2012590207/.
"The Enrollment of Whitpain in the Revolution." Ambler Gazette. March 28, 1895. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_12140.
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