Born on January 17, 1790, at Red Hill Farm in Amherst County, Virginia,[1] Ellis graduated from Washington Academy (now Washington and Lee University) in 1809, received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1810 from Dickinson College and graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1814,[2] where he studied law.

[2] Ellis was appointed as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate from Mississippi to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Senator David Holmes and served from September 28, 1825, to January 28, 1826, when a successor was elected and qualified.

[1] He was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1827, to July 16, 1832, resigning to accept a judicial position.

[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 14, 1832, and received his commission the same day.

[1] One account in The Green Bag stated that Ellis was a descendant of Pocahontas.