The immigration island today known as Ellis Island did not actually begin as a port for immigrants at all. This island first and foremost was known to the American Indians by the name of Kioshk, or Gull Island, named for the birds that were its only inhabitants for years. For many years there was really nothing to this three acre island. On July 12, 1630, the island was purchased by governors of New York (then New Amsterdam). These new owners renamed it Little Oyster Island due to an abundance of oysters found on its shores. During the 1700s the island was known as Gibbet Island because of the criminals and pirates who were executed by being hung from gibbet trees. For many more years, the island was thrown into the hands of dozens of other owners.
Sooner or later, the island fell into the hands of a man named John Samuel Ellis. Ellis was a New York merchant who, for many years to follow, tried unsuccessfully to sell the island. John was born on May 1, 1822 in North Carolina. His parents, Jesse and Nancy gave birth to thirteen children in total in which four of them died in their infancy. John was married three times and fathered many children. When John dies in 1794, he was still the rightful owner of the island. In his will he left the island to his next born, male grandchild, under the condition that he be named after him. Since the next grandchild was in fact a girl, family members quarreled over ownership of the island. Thankfully, on April 21, 1794, the island was placed into the ownership of the city of New York. These new owners saw it as a perfect harbor for defense from the British. They turned the island into a military fort but its name still remained Ellis Island until this very day.
Sooner or later, the island fell into the hands of a man named John Samuel Ellis. Ellis was a New York merchant who, for many years to follow, tried unsuccessfully to sell the island. John was born on May 1, 1822 in North Carolina. His parents, Jesse and Nancy gave birth to thirteen children in total in which four of them died in their infancy. John was married three times and fathered many children. When John dies in 1794, he was still the rightful owner of the island. In his will he left the island to his next born, male grandchild, under the condition that he be named after him. Since the next grandchild was in fact a girl, family members quarreled over ownership of the island. Thankfully, on April 21, 1794, the island was placed into the ownership of the city of New York. These new owners saw it as a perfect harbor for defense from the British. They turned the island into a military fort but its name still remained Ellis Island until this very day.