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Ellison was the 'youngster' of the crew (other than the midshipmen), signing on as an able seaman at the age of 17 (he stated he was 18, the minimum enlistment age for AB's). He was a stocky little fellow, only 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a fair complexion and dark hair. He had his name tattooed on his right arm, and dated 'Oct. 25, 1788'. Ellison served with Bligh aboard the 'Britannia'. He was a protege of Duncan Campbell, and Bligh had recorded that he was becoming a good seaman.

During the mutiny, confused, he had unsuccessfully sought the council of others, and finally joined the mutiny enthusiastically. He served as Christian's servant after the mutiny, until their arrival at Tahiti. He chose to stay on Tahiti when Christian decided to sail east.

When the 'Pandora' arrived, he was encouraged to surrender without a fight by his much older comrades, probably suspecting that his age at the time of the mutiny would work in his favor. After his capture, while sailing aboard the 'Pandora', he joined with Morrison, the inveterate activist, in protesting the conditions under which the prisoners were being kept. The two men were tied down and not allowed to move, or to speak with the other prisoners until they arrived at Coupang 4 days later.

In his appeal to the court, Ellison made the following plea: 'This...is the real truth of all I know about this unhappy affair and I hope your honour will take my inexperienced youth into consideration, as I never did or meant any harm to anyone, much more to my Commander to whose care I was recommended...(he) took great pains with me and spoke to Mr. Samuel, his clerk, to teach me writing and arithmetic and I believe would have taught me further had not this happened. I must have been very ungrateful if I had in any respect assisted in this unhappy affair against my Commander and benefactor, so I hope, honorable gentlemen, you'll be so kind to take my case into consideration as I was no more than between 16 and 17 years of age when this was done.'

What unquestionably led to his conviction and execution was his childish mocking of Bligh after the mutiny was underway. Here was a youngster caught up in the excitement of the moment, and involved with men twice his age. This is not to say that he was a blameless child. He no doubt came from the same rough circumstances as did his fellow crewmembers, but indeed, the tragedy is that he was convicted due to his failure to exercise good judgement, when many mutineers were acquitted or pardoned after taking a much more active part in the mutiny.