Ellor, James

Composer

b Droylsden, Lancs (Gtr Manchester) 1819, d Newburgh, New York, USA 1899. A self-taught musician who worked in a Droylsden hat factory and at the age of 18 was leading the local Wesleyan chapel choir. He also worked on the construction of the NW railway in his county, but emigrated to N America to resume his original trade. In later years he lost his eyesight; he died at the home of his son and was buried in Bloomfield, New Jersey. In spite of strong competition from Shrubsole’s MILES LANE, his one surviving tune wedded to the unique Perronet/Rippon text has remained popular, not least in its composer’s adopted homeland. No.281(ii).