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Robert Elliott was a Scots-Irish Presbyterian clergyman who served as the chaplain of the United States House of Representatives (1806–1807) and Chaplain of the Senate of the United States (1808–1809).

Prior to 1779, Elliott along with Rev. Edward Markland, founded a classical school at Easton, Maryland. This school was combined in 1779 with a school conducted by Rev. John Bowie to form the Easton Academy. In this venture, Elliott was professor of mathematics, history and geography. The venture was not a lasting success due to the incompatible temperaments of the various professors.

Thereafter Elliott relocated to Strasburg, Pennsylvania, where in late October 1802, he advertised the opening of an academy under his superintendence, on January 1, 1803. Elliott remained there until he and his wife sold their house and moved to Washington, D.C., so that Elliott could accept the responsibility of chaplain to Congress.

On December 1, 1806, Elliot was appointed chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. Reverend Elliot later served as Chaplain of the Senate. In Washington, Elliott was also the principal of the Eastern Academy school on Capitol Hill, which opened on May 19, 1806.

Personal life

On April 12, 1800, he was married to Eliza King, Daughter of Robert King, Esq., of Chestnut Level, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Francis Allison Latta.

References

1. Church-State Relationships in Education in Maryland, by Leo Joseph McCormick, page 95
2. ^ Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Volumes 29-32, by Lancaster County Historical Society (Pa.), page 16.
3. Presbyterian Historical Society, Montreat, NC.; see: http://www.phcmontreat.org/ThisDayInHistoryIndex-December.htm
4. ‘’Lancaster Journal’’, April 23, 1800

v t e Chaplains of the United States House of Representatives
Linn Blair Green Lyell Parkinson Laurie Elliott Brown Lee Snethen Lee Brown Cone Allison Campbell Sparks Brackenridge Bascom Post Gurley Post Stockton Smith Stockton Comstock Tustin Reese Bates Braxton French Maffitt Tiffany Tinsley Daily Milburn Sprole Gurley Morgan Gallaher Milburn Stockton Channing Boynton Butler Townsend Poise Harrison Power Lindsay Milburn Haddaway Bagby Couden Montgomery Braskamp Latch Ford Coughlin Conroy Kibben
Listed in chronological order of succession

v t e Chaplains of the United States Senate
Provoost White Claggett McCormick Gantt Sayrs McCormick Elliott Wilmer Brown Addison Brackenridge Lee Glendy Dwight Hawley Clark Post Ryland McIlvaine Staughton McIlvaine Staughton Ryland Johns Durbin Pise Hatch Higbee Goodman Slicer Cookman Tustin Slicer Butler Slicer Dean Hill Gurley Sunderland Bowman Gray Newman Sunderland Bullock Huntley Butler Milburn Prettyman Muir Prettyman Hale Pierce Prettyman Muir Phillips Harris Marshall Harris Elson Halverson Ogilvie Black
Listed in chronological order of succession

• Chaplains of the United States Senate
• Chaplains of the United States House of Representatives