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William Ellis (author)
Encyclopedia
William Ellis was an English missionary
and author
. He traveled through the Society Islands
, Hawaiian Islands
and Madagascar
, and wrote several books describing his experiences.
of working class parents on 24 August 1794.
His father and a short-lived older brother were also named William.
Not much is known of his mother, except the maiden name of Bedborough, birthplace of Reading, England and wedding date of 13 August 1792.
He developed a love of plants in his youth and became a gardener, first in the East of England, then at a nursery north of London and eventually for a wealthy family in Stoke Newington
. Being of a religious nature, he applied to train as Christian
missionary for the London Missionary Society
and was accepted to the school.
, then in Hampstead, he was ordained in 1815, and married Mary Mercy Moor on 9 November 1815.
He was posted to the South Sea Islands
with his wife, leaving England on 23 January 1816. They arrived at Eimeo, one of the Windward Islands
, via Sydney
and learned the language there. During their stay there several chiefs of nearby Pacific islands who had assisted Pomare
in regaining sovereignty of Tahiti
, visited Eimeo and welcomed the LMS missionaries (including John Orsmond and John Williams
and their wives) to their own islands. All three missionary families went to Huahine, arriving in June 1818, drawing crowds from neighbouring islands, including King Tamatoa of Raiatea
.
Ellis and a small group travelled from Tahiti on the schooner
Mermaid to the Hawaiian Islands
, known then as the "Sandwich Islands". On the same voyage, another small schooner called Prince Regent with six cannons was presented to King Kamehameha II
. They arrived in Honolulu on 16 April 1822, and although the plan had been to visit the Marquesas Islands
, they returned to Tahiti on 27 August 1822.
He was invited to stay, and brought his family to Hawaii, arriving on the Active on 4 February 1823. In June 1823 Ellis joined American Missionaries Asa Thurston, Artemas Bishop and Joseph Goodrich on a tour of the island of Hawaii
, to investigate suitable sites for mission stations. On the way he stopped at Maui
and met Queen Keōpūolani
. Their first stop was Kailua-Kona, where they met the Governor of the island Kuakini, known as "John Adams".
They visited Kealakekua Bay
, and toured the historic sites nearby, such as the Puuhonoua o Hōnaunau
. They traveled south past the Mauna Loa
volcano.
They were some of the first Europeans to visit the caldera of the Kīlauea
volcano, which was active at the time. On the eastern side they visited Hilo and Waipio Valley
, and some of the party continued up snow-covered Mauna Kea
.
Some of the important missions set up as a result of this trip include Mokuaikaua Church
, Imiola Church
, Kealakekua Church, and the Haili Church
.
Returning to Honolulu, he learned the Hawaiian language
, transcribed the language into a roman alphabet and helped set up a printing press.
(1830), and then Chief Foreign Secretary. Mary Ellis died on 11 January 1835, after having four children. He published a biography of Mary Mercy Ellis in 1836.
Ellis remarried two years later, to Sarah Stickney
(1799–1872). She had been brought up a Quaker but had latterly chosen to become an Independent or Congregationalist
, as were many of those involved in the London Missionary Society albeit non-denominational. She also shared her husband's love of books and of writing. Ellis had started to become a successful topographical, historical, botanical and ethnographic author about Polynesia
since returning from the South Seas and the new Mrs Ellis was a highly successful author, primarily of books on women's role in society.
Ellis' most important contribution was Polynesian Researches. This firmly established him as a talented enthographic and geographical writer. The book was reviewed in the Quarterly Review
by Robert Southey
with the flattering words: "A more interesting book we have never perused". This, and similar acclaim for the writing of Ellis from others, is said to have done much to change hostile attitudes from investors towards Missionaries, particularly the LMS missionaries;who were often portrayed as naively raising the expectations, educational level, liberty and status of slaves and native peoples, rather than taking a traditionally hard-headed approach to trade and commerce.
Ellis was asked by the directors of the LMS to write up his studies of Madagascar. It appeared in 1838 as a two volume History of Madagascar. In 1844 the first volume of a History of the London Missionary Society was also published. He resigned from the LMS due to ill health and to spend more time with his wife in their house in the countryside village of Hoddesdon
in Hertfordshire
, twenty miles north of London. Three years later, in 1847 he was offered a post there as pastor of its Congregationalist
worshipers.
for them as their official emissary. Arriving in 1853, his mission was rebuffed and he was refused permission to go to the capital. Basing himself in Mauritius
for a while, he tried again and was again refused entry. A third visit was made in 1856 although the Queen allowed him only a one month stay. In celebration he wrote a book entitled Three Visits to Madagascar, 1858.
On his fourth attempt, in 1861 he was eventually permitted entry. There were said to be issues underlying the delay relating to French influence in the area. Ellis stayed until 1865, and gradually laid the foundations for Christianity. He returned to a great welcome in England in 1865 and was asked to lecture widely about his travels and the religious influence he had left behind. Three years later, in 1868, a Christian Queen ascended the throne of Madagascar.
Ellis wrote books about his experiences and the history and geography of the island - Madagascar Revisited, 1867, and Martyr Church of Madagascar, 1870.
In 1872 he caught a cold while on a train journey and died on 9 June 1872. Mrs Sarah Ellis died seven days later on 16 June. After thirty-five years of marriage, they died within a week of each other.
Ellis is buried in a venerated spot in the Congregationalists' non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery
in London where Isaac Watts
once lived. His intricately carved hip tomb is perfectly aligned with its chapel. His independently minded wife preferred to be buried near their country home. A biography written by his son John and Henry Allon
was published soon after his death.
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. He traveled through the Society Islands
Society Islands
The Society Islands are a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. They are politically part of French Polynesia. The archipelago is generally believed to have been named by Captain James Cook in honor of the Royal Society, the sponsor of the first British scientific survey of the islands;...
, Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
and Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, and wrote several books describing his experiences.
Early life
He was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
of working class parents on 24 August 1794.
His father and a short-lived older brother were also named William.
Not much is known of his mother, except the maiden name of Bedborough, birthplace of Reading, England and wedding date of 13 August 1792.
He developed a love of plants in his youth and became a gardener, first in the East of England, then at a nursery north of London and eventually for a wealthy family in Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington is a district in the London Borough of Hackney. It is north-east of Charing Cross.-Boundaries:In modern terms, Stoke Newington can be roughly defined by the N16 postcode area . Its southern boundary with Dalston is quite ill-defined too...
. Being of a religious nature, he applied to train as Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
missionary for the London Missionary Society
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
and was accepted to the school.
Mission to Polynesia
After attending Homerton CollegeIndependent College, Homerton
Independent College, Homerton, later Homerton Academy, was a dissenting academy just outside London, England, in the 18th and early 19th centuries.-Background:...
, then in Hampstead, he was ordained in 1815, and married Mary Mercy Moor on 9 November 1815.
He was posted to the South Sea Islands
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
with his wife, leaving England on 23 January 1816. They arrived at Eimeo, one of the Windward Islands
Windward Islands (Society Islands)
The Windward Islands are the eastern group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean.-Geography:...
, via Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and learned the language there. During their stay there several chiefs of nearby Pacific islands who had assisted Pomare
Pomare II
Pōmare II, King of Tahiti , fully Tu Tunuieaiteatua Pōmare II or in modern orthography Tū Tū-nui-ēa-i-te-atua Pōmare II , was the second king of Tahiti between 1782 and 1821. He was installed by his father Pōmare I at Tarahoi, February 13, 1791...
in regaining sovereignty of Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
, visited Eimeo and welcomed the LMS missionaries (including John Orsmond and John Williams
John Williams (missionary)
John Williams was an English missionary, active in the South Pacific. Born near London, England, he was trained as a foundry worker and mechanic...
and their wives) to their own islands. All three missionary families went to Huahine, arriving in June 1818, drawing crowds from neighbouring islands, including King Tamatoa of Raiatea
Raiatea
Raiatea , is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. The island is widely regarded as the 'center' of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to Hawaii, Aotearoa and other parts of East Polynesia started at...
.
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
Mermaid to the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, known then as the "Sandwich Islands". On the same voyage, another small schooner called Prince Regent with six cannons was presented to King Kamehameha II
Kamehameha II
Kamehameha II was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu Iolani...
. They arrived in Honolulu on 16 April 1822, and although the plan had been to visit the Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
, they returned to Tahiti on 27 August 1822.
He was invited to stay, and brought his family to Hawaii, arriving on the Active on 4 February 1823. In June 1823 Ellis joined American Missionaries Asa Thurston, Artemas Bishop and Joseph Goodrich on a tour of the island of Hawaii
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
, to investigate suitable sites for mission stations. On the way he stopped at Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
and met Queen Keōpūolani
Keopuolani
Kalanikauikaalaneo Kai Keōpūolani-Ahu-i-Kekai-Makuahine-a-Kama-Kalani-Kau-i-Kealaneo was a queen consort of Hawaii and the highest ranking wife of King Kamehameha I.-Early life:...
. Their first stop was Kailua-Kona, where they met the Governor of the island Kuakini, known as "John Adams".
They visited Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is located on the Kona coast of the island of Hawaii about south of Kailua-Kona.Settled over a thousand years ago, the surrounding area contains many archeological and historical sites such as religious temples, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places listings on...
, and toured the historic sites nearby, such as the Puuhonoua o Hōnaunau
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Puuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The historical park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu could avoid certain...
. They traveled south past the Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, and the largest on Earth in terms of volume and area covered. It is an active shield volcano, with a volume estimated at approximately , although its peak is about lower than that...
volcano.
They were some of the first Europeans to visit the caldera of the Kīlauea
Kilauea
Kīlauea is a volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, and one of five shield volcanoes that together form the island of Hawaii. Kīlauea means "spewing" or "much spreading" in the Hawaiian language, referring to its frequent outpouring of lava. The Puu Ōō cone has been continuously erupting in the eastern...
volcano, which was active at the time. On the eastern side they visited Hilo and Waipio Valley
Waipio valley
Waipio Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaii. "Waipio" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language.It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian alii up until the time of King Umi...
, and some of the party continued up snow-covered Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall—significantly taller than Mount Everest...
.
Some of the important missions set up as a result of this trip include Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church
Mokuaikaua Church is the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands.Its address is 75-5713 Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, coordinates .-History:...
, Imiola Church
Imiola Church
Imiola Church is a historic wood structure in Waimea, on the Island of Hawaii, coordinates .-History:The church was designed by its first pastor, Lorenzo Lyons....
, Kealakekua Church, and the Haili Church
Waiakea Mission Station-Hilo Station
The Waiākea Mission Station was the first Christian mission on the eastern side of the Island of Hawaii. Also known as the Hilo Station, the latest structure is now called Haili Church.-The first mission:...
.
Returning to Honolulu, he learned the Hawaiian language
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
, transcribed the language into a roman alphabet and helped set up a printing press.
In England
In August 1824 he had to return to England since Mrs. Ellis was in poor health, so took a ship via America. Back in London, he published his narrative of travels in Hawaii. Ellis became Assistant Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary SocietyLondon Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
(1830), and then Chief Foreign Secretary. Mary Ellis died on 11 January 1835, after having four children. He published a biography of Mary Mercy Ellis in 1836.
Ellis remarried two years later, to Sarah Stickney
Sarah Stickney
This article is about the English author. For the Canadian children's writer, see Sarah Ellis .Sarah Stickney Ellis was a Quaker turned Congregationalist who was the author of numerous books, mostly written about women's role in society...
(1799–1872). She had been brought up a Quaker but had latterly chosen to become an Independent or Congregationalist
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, as were many of those involved in the London Missionary Society albeit non-denominational. She also shared her husband's love of books and of writing. Ellis had started to become a successful topographical, historical, botanical and ethnographic author about Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
since returning from the South Seas and the new Mrs Ellis was a highly successful author, primarily of books on women's role in society.
Ellis' most important contribution was Polynesian Researches. This firmly established him as a talented enthographic and geographical writer. The book was reviewed in the Quarterly Review
Quarterly Review
The Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
by Robert Southey
Robert Southey
Robert Southey was an English poet of the Romantic school, one of the so-called "Lake Poets", and Poet Laureate for 30 years from 1813 to his death in 1843...
with the flattering words: "A more interesting book we have never perused". This, and similar acclaim for the writing of Ellis from others, is said to have done much to change hostile attitudes from investors towards Missionaries, particularly the LMS missionaries;who were often portrayed as naively raising the expectations, educational level, liberty and status of slaves and native peoples, rather than taking a traditionally hard-headed approach to trade and commerce.
Ellis was asked by the directors of the LMS to write up his studies of Madagascar. It appeared in 1838 as a two volume History of Madagascar. In 1844 the first volume of a History of the London Missionary Society was also published. He resigned from the LMS due to ill health and to spend more time with his wife in their house in the countryside village of Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon is a town in the English county of Hertfordshire, situated in the Lea Valley. The town grew up as a coaching stop on the route between Cambridge and London. It is located southeast of Hertford, north of Waltham Cross and southwest of Bishop's Stortford. At its height during the 18th...
in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, twenty miles north of London. Three years later, in 1847 he was offered a post there as pastor of its Congregationalist
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
worshipers.
Mission to Madagascar
After five years, Ellis recovered his health and he accepted an offer from the LMS to travel to MadagascarMadagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
for them as their official emissary. Arriving in 1853, his mission was rebuffed and he was refused permission to go to the capital. Basing himself in Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
for a while, he tried again and was again refused entry. A third visit was made in 1856 although the Queen allowed him only a one month stay. In celebration he wrote a book entitled Three Visits to Madagascar, 1858.
On his fourth attempt, in 1861 he was eventually permitted entry. There were said to be issues underlying the delay relating to French influence in the area. Ellis stayed until 1865, and gradually laid the foundations for Christianity. He returned to a great welcome in England in 1865 and was asked to lecture widely about his travels and the religious influence he had left behind. Three years later, in 1868, a Christian Queen ascended the throne of Madagascar.
Ellis wrote books about his experiences and the history and geography of the island - Madagascar Revisited, 1867, and Martyr Church of Madagascar, 1870.
Death
Ellis is buried in a venerated spot in the Congregationalists' non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park in Stoke Newington, in the London Borough of Hackney, is a historic parkland originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney and Dr. Isaac Watts, and the neighbouring Hartopp family. In 1840 it became a non-denominational garden cemetery, semi-public park arboretum, and...
in London where Isaac Watts
Isaac Watts
Isaac Watts was an English hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymnwriter, he was recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 750 hymns...
once lived. His intricately carved hip tomb is perfectly aligned with its chapel. His independently minded wife preferred to be buried near their country home. A biography written by his son John and Henry Allon
Henry Allon
Henry Allon , English Nonconformist divine, was born on 13 October 1818 at Welton, Elloughton-cum-Brough, near Hull, in Yorkshire.Under Methodist influence Henry Allon decided to enter the ministry, but, developing Congregational ideas, was trained at Cheshunt College, Hertfordshire and became...
was published soon after his death.