Edward was educated at Richmond Grammar School, and went on to graduate at Oxford University in 1792 (BA) and 1795 (MA), and became a Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford, in 1803. He was curate at North Cerney, Gloucester, in 1792, Rector of Theale nr Reading from 1831-1851, and perpetual Curate of Sevenhampton, Gloucestershire, from 1825 until his death.
In 1825 he founded an annual prize of 20 guineas, open to all members of Oxford University attaining their first degree, in order to encourage theological learning. In 1832 he joined with Dr Edward Pusey (Canon of Christ Church) and his brother Philip Pusey in founding the three Pusey and Ellerton Hebrew Scholarships open to all members of the university. In 1848 he founded the Ellerton Scholarship at the University of Durham and also established an exhibition for boys educated at Richmond School.
Harry Speight's 1897 book Romantic Richmondshire records that Edward was one of the founders [in 1814, along with his brothers Richard and Christopher, paying a ground rent of 6d per year to Lord Bolton] of the Free School in Downholme, "which he supported and maintained at his own expense till the year 1851, when he invested, instead of that support, the sum of £513 6s 10d in stock three per cent consols, for the benefit of the school".
Both the 1841 and 1851 censuses records Edward living at Theale Rectory with 3 servants (and an "assistant curate" Charles Henry Ridding in 1851).
Edward had shares in the newly-formed Kennet & Avon Canal and property in various parts of the country. According to the Images of England website the Vicarage at Sevenhampton, Gloucestershire, was "built c1860 [sic, unless built after his death] almost entirely at the expense of Rev Edward Ellerton" and is now a listed building. A History of the County of Berkshire (vol.23, 1923) states that Edward purchased 8 acres of land at Theale to be used as garden allotments: "The rents of the allotments, averaging £11 a year, are applied in accordance with the scheme in aid of the coal and clothing clubs and in prizes to the holders of the best cultivated allotments".
Edward died in 1851 at his curacy at Theale and was buried on the south-west side of All Saint Church at Theale. The inscription on a plain tombstone reads: "Sacred to the memory of Edward Ellerton D.D. [Doctor in Divinity] 48 years Fellow of Magdalene College, Oxford, and 20 years Minister of this Parish. He was born January 30th 1771 and ceased to be mortal December 26th 1851. John xi 26 whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die". An obituary was published in the Jan-June 1852 edition of the Gentleman's Magazine, and this obituary formed the basis of the entry for Edward in the Dictionary of National Biography. His grave is currently the only one in the grounds, and a small wall plaque has been dedicated to his memory.
His will of 18th June 1851 was proved in 1852 appointed the Rev Chas Townsend (of Thorpe, Notts.) and Rev John Calcott (Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford) executors. He left freehold estate called Lipscombs in Horspath, Oxford, - a full biography and transcription of his will was published in "A Register of the Presidents, Fellows, ..." (University of Oxford, 1863).
A letter written in 1857 by Edward Ellerton (1784-1870; a descendant of John Ellerton born c1630) states that "Richard, the doctor's father and my father [also an Edward] often met at Richmond and called themselves cousins but his wife a Whitlock was nearer related".
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The above photograph (courtesy of Judith Brown, a ggg-niece of Edward) is "probably an early calotype and was in a small gilt frame". It has been donated to Richmond Museum and has been used in lectures on photography. |
Edward was known at Oxford as "The Bull" due to his large head, and a gargoyle (allegedly dedicated to Edward, much to his annoyance) was built high up on the side of the university's library building by some undergraduates. |
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Page last updated:
March 2008
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