HOLLIS, Nelson A. (1806-1885) and Polly (c. 1815-after 1885)

A Vermont farmer and clock repairer, Nelson Hollis preached for the Millerites in the mid-1840s. In 1849 he became a Sabbathkeeper, and for the next two or three years the Review carried reports of his preaching itineraries, mostly in Vermont. For reasons largely unknown, Hollis almost severed his connection with the movement in 1857. However, according to his obituary in 1885, “he still clung to the Sabbath” and “for the last few years he appeared to be gaining ground.” In 1851 the perilous spiritual condition of Nelson Hollis was shown to Ellen White in vision. He had been involved in spreading a number of accusations that James White was misappropriating “church” funds for personal use.1EGWLM 846.5

See: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “Nelson A. Hollis,” Vermont, Caledonia County, Wheelock, p. 119; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Nelson A. Hollis,” Vermont, Caledonia County, Wheelock, p. 1; Harvey Childs, “From Bro. Harvey Childs,” Present Truth, December 1849, p. 39; W. [James White], “Our Tour East,” Advent Review, August 1850 (No. 1), pp. 14, 15; G. W. Holt, “From Bro. Holt,” Review, July 22, 1852, p. 46; S. Pierce, “Conference in Wolcott, Vt.,” Review, Mar. 5, 1857, p. 144; obituary: “Nelson A. Hollis,” Review, Apr. 14, 1885, p. 239; Theodore A. Bingham, The Bingham Family in the United States, Especially of the State of Connecticut (Easton, Pa.: Bingham Association, 1927), vol. 2, p. 289; Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], pp. 145-147; Lt 6, 1851 (Apr. 1).1EGWLM 847.1