ELLIS, SAMUEL (1803 - 1852), engineer

Born at Melinrhyd near Cyfronydd, Montgomeryshire, in the spring of 1803, one of the eight children of Hugh Ellis, miller, millwright, and builder. He went to school at Castle Caereinion and as a child showed natural aptitude for mechanical contrivances. In 1826 he went to Manchester, and in 1832 he entered into partnership with a Mr. Norton as millwrights and iron-founders. The partnership was dissolved in 1838 and Ellis purchased a large iron-foundry - the Irwell works, Salford. In June 1843 he obtained a patent for improved railway turntables and weighing machines. He was thus brought to the notice of Robert Stephenson who introduced him to the capitalist Kennard. In 1847 he perfected an invention for better adapting travelling cranes for general use on railways. In 1848 he bought the Palace mill at Llan-ym-Mawddwy. He took part in public affairs and was a member of Salford town council. He died 6 April 1852 and was buried in Pendlebury churchyard, Manchester.

Author

• Elwyn Evans

Sources

• R. Williams, Montgomeryshire Worthies (1894)

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q20734385

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-RUU/1.0/