Hilliard and Feraby Rountree Ellis sold Ellis Chapel for the nominal sum of $7.50 the half-acre parcel of land upon which Ellis Chapel Free Will Baptist Church was eventually built. Ellis Chapel’s cornerstone cites the church’s founding as 1882. This deed, however, is dated 26 April 1881 and shows the church had already formed at that time.

Deed book 18, pages 559-560, Wilson County Register of Deeds office.

The confusion may stem from the registration date of the deed —  16 June 1882.

Hat tip to Melanie Nelson Ellis for this copy of the deed.