I have sent this twice and this is the note I received. Please let me know if this went through. Floreda At 11:37 AM 07/28/2001 -0500, you wrote: >The user that you sent email to does not exist on this server. Please check the email address and try again. > > >Your message reads: > >Received: from lists5.rootsweb.com (unverified [63.92.80.123]) by mail.webdsi.com > (Rockliffe SMTPRA 4.5.4) with ESMTP id <B0018127966@mail.webdsi.com> for <ranper@acadiacom.net>; > Sat, 28 Jul 2001 11:37:47 -0500 >Received: (from slist@localhost) > by lists5.rootsweb.com (8.10.1/8.10.1) id f6SGRV029727; > Sat, 28 Jul 2001 10:27:31 -0600 >Resent-Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 10:27:31 -0600 >X-Original-Sender: tallygators@earthlink.net Sat Jul 28 10:27:31 2001 >Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20010728123015.007ad400@earthlink.net> >X-Sender: tallygators@earthlink.net >X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.6 (32) >Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 12:30:15 -0400 >Old-To: lacalcas-l@rootsweb.com >From: Varick <tallygators@earthlink.net> >Subject: courthouse records >Mime-Version: 1.0 >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Resent-Message-ID: <LZvDtC.A.GQH.zfuY7@lists5.rootsweb.com> >To: LACALCAS-L@rootsweb.com >Resent-From: LACALCAS-L@rootsweb.com >X-Mailing-List: <LACALCAS-L@rootsweb.com> archive/latest/72 >X-Loop: LACALCAS-L@rootsweb.com >Precedence: list >Resent-Sender: LACALCAS-L-request@rootsweb.com > >THis is a good time for some one who knows the courthouse >to give us the "real scoop" on what records are surviving. >From "Handybook for Genalogists" it would appear all records >prior to 1910 are gone (the books names the records that are >available "after 1910". > >Floreda > > > > >At 09:24 AM 07/28/2001 -0500, you wrote: >>Is anyone willing to look up a marriage >>at the Court House in Calcasieu Parish? >> >>Lucy Foshee + ? Walker >> >>Not sure of year: est. 1883-1890 >> >>Thank you very much. >>Harold Gosnell >>gosnell@wnonline.net >> >> > > >

THis is a good time for some one who knows the courthouse to give us the "real scoop" on what records are surviving. From "Handybook for Genalogists" it would appear all records prior to 1910 are gone (the books names the records that are available "after 1910". Floreda At 09:24 AM 07/28/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Is anyone willing to look up a marriage >at the Court House in Calcasieu Parish? > >Lucy Foshee + ? Walker > >Not sure of year: est. 1883-1890 > >Thank you very much. >Harold Gosnell >gosnell@wnonline.net > >

THis is a good time for some one who knows the courthouse to give us the "real scoop" on what records are surviving. From "Handybook for Genalogists" it would appear all records prior to 1910 are gone (the books names the records that are available "after 1910". Floreda At 09:24 AM 07/28/2001 -0500, you wrote: >Is anyone willing to look up a marriage >at the Court House in Calcasieu Parish? > >Lucy Foshee + ? Walker > >Not sure of year: est. 1883-1890 > >Thank you very much. >Harold Gosnell >gosnell@wnonline.net > >

Is anyone willing to look up a marriage at the Court House in Calcasieu Parish? Lucy Foshee + ? Walker Not sure of year: est. 1883-1890 Thank you very much. Harold Gosnell gosnell@wnonline.net

I am trying to locate the father of Robert William Honea b.1872 died 1945. He married Mary Marinda Austin. They lived in Beauregard Parish. He shows up in the 1880 Calcasieu census in the Caleb Bailey household listed as a step child. Mothers name is Malinda Rachel ?. Need information on his Parents.

I am looking for the burial place of James and Sallie Trahan Scott. I have come across some Scotts in the Graceland - Orange Grove Cemetery in Lake Charles that have some similar names to our line of Scotts. If anyone is researching the Scotts in Calcasieu Parish, please contact me at aileron@tcainternet.com I feel that these are connected as there are some Wetherills in the same cemetery which were related to Sallie on her mother's side. James and Sallie's family: Name: James Scott ---------------------------------------- Birth: 1857 Illinois1 (Father born in PA, mother born in England) Death: aft 1910 ?? Calcasieu Parish, LA2,1 Mother: Martha ____ born in England Spouse: Sallie Trahan2 ---------------------------------------- Death: bef 1910 Calcasieu Parish, LA???? Father: Dupre (Dupreville) Trahan (1849-1936) Mother: Amanda Wetherill (1846-1925) Children: ---------------------------------------- 1 M: Herman Daniel Scott2 Birth: 30 Jul 1899 Grand Chenier, LA2 Death: Jul 1982 Dodson, LA3 ---------------------------------------- 2 F: Lillie Bell Scott Birth: 19 Oct 1902 Hayes, LA2 Death: 11 Nov 1988 Ruston, Louisiana Spouse: Joseph Alonzo Mixon Marriage: 17 Feb 1919 Winn Parish, LA Spouse: Everett E Mayerle ---------------------------------------- 3 M: Howard Scott Death: Smackover, AR2 ---------------------------------------- 4 F: Ethyl Scott Death: 28 Feb 1981 New Hampshire2 ---------------------------------------- 5 M: Bill Scott Birth: Lake Arthur, LA2 Death: Clinton, LA2 ---------------------------------------- 6 F: Dennie Scott Birth: Lake Arthur, LA2 Death: Courtland, N.Y.2 Spouse: James White ---------------------------------------- 7 F: Etta Scott Birth: Lake Arthur, LA2 Death: Baton Rouge area Sources 1. "Census, 1910 Calcasieu Parish, LA." 2. "Lillie Belle Scott Mixon Mayerle." 3. Social Security Death Index. Thank you, Jerry Lou Gallagher

Seeking information on Dr. Greene Wallace Strother Contact: Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org Dr. Greene Strother was a cousin of mine. He captured more Germans than any other soldier, besides the famed Sgt. York, in World War I. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. He also served as chaplain to General Claire Chennault's "Flying Tigers" while in China as a missionary. He was a Southern Baptist missionary emeritus to China and Malaysia. He encouraged me and passed the torch, of the history of Joseph Willis, to me. Rev. Joseph Willis (1758-1854) was the maternal great-grandfather of Dr. Greene Wallace Strother. Greene Strother's (1892-1981) father was John Houston Strother, Sr. (1852-1926). John Houston Strother, Sr. married Carolyn Matilda Willis Strother (1855-1931). She was a daughter of Lemuel Willis (1812) and Eveline/Emeline Perkins. Lemuel Willis was a son of Rev. Joseph Willis. Greene Strother's sister Nellie V. Strother (1899-1984) wrote me in a letter (1983) about her mother: "about Carolyn Matilda Willis Strother - a granddaughter of Joseph Willis. During the Civil War her grandfather Perkins came for her mother [Patsy] and children to live on the plantation. Following her mother's [Patsy] death the children lived there - each had a black nurse. She [Carolyn Willis] was several years younger than the others: Polk, Olive, Sryldia and Liddy. She was given the choice of where to live and she chose Polk [Willis] and his wife Anna. The estate was settled and she and John [Strother], after marriage, settled on her acreage...she was known as pet, mother, mamma, ma, mom." Greene Strother's siblings were Rev. John Houston Strother, Jr. (1873-1950), William (Willie) Strother (1879-1963), Martha Strother Ford (1882-1966), Katie Strother Head (1884-1979), Julius Scott Strother (1889-1966), Harry Winfield Strother (1894-1921), Hattie Bernice Strother (1897-1948), and Nellie Vernice Strother (1899-1984). Greene Strother married Martha Krause. Greene and Martha had four children: Miriam Jean Strother, Greene Wallace Strother, Jr., Joyce Carolyn Strother and Joseph Willis Strother. Their first three children were born in China.

Aimuewell Willis (b. May 1, 1837; d. Sept. 8, 1937) by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org Aimuewell Willis was Rev. Joseph Willis' youngest son. He was born at the old Joe Willis Crossing on the Calcasieu River in Rapides Parish, Louisiana on May 1, 1837. Aimuewell Willis, married twice and settled, in 1925, five miles southeast of Leesville. His first wife was Marguerite Leuemche, and his second wife was Lucy Ann Foshee (b. Jan. 28, 1868; d. Jun 17, 1960). He was a Civil War Veteran (Company D Cres. LA Inf. CSA). He was also known as "Uncle Ame" by his friends. His obituary listed the following surviving children: Luther J. Willis [b. Jul. 19, 1908; d. Apr. 24, 1958], J. E. Willis, Elbert Willis, Earl Willis, Elzie Willis [b. Nov. 20, 1900; d. Nov. 21, 1991], Everett L. Willis [b. Oct. 14, 1875; d. Nov. 14, 1958], Mrs. George [Effie Willis] Titus, and Pearl Willis Haymon. At the time of his death he had 28 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He died, at age 100, on September 8, 1937 and is buried at the Castor Cemetery in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. Rev. John Houston Strother, Jr. interviewed Aimuewell Willis in 1933. The interview was later published in The Baptist Message, on July 8, 1937. I quote: "Then I asked him of his father. He sat up, his voice became mellow, and his expression cheerful. (No memory seemed so rich to him, even when coming back over those 75 years). (With pleasure he told of carrying the wasted form in his arms from bed to chair and back again)." Rev. Strother also stated, that as of 1937, nine descendants of Rev. Joseph Willis had become preachers. I visited with Aimuewell’s daughter, Pearl Willis Haymon, of Denver, Colorado in December of 1980, and a short time later with Aimuewell’s son Elzie Willis, near Leesville, Louisiana. It was a strange feeling talking with someone whose grandfather was born in the 1750’s. Joseph was about 79 when their father was born and, Aimuewell was in his eighties when they were born. No photograph exists of Rev. Joseph Willis. The photograph below from Durham and Ramond’s book, "Baptist Builders in Louisiana" (1934), is of Aimuewell, listed as Rev. Joseph Willis in error.

I am attempting to determine if a pension application exists for a Rev. War Veteran. Where do I look?

Robert Kenneth "Bobby" Willis, Jr., KIA Pearl Harbor by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org My 1st cousin once-removed, Robert Kenneth "Bobby" Willis, Jr., joined the Navy in August of 1939, after graduating from Natchitoches High School. He served for 16-months on the USS Arizona, which arrived at Pearl Harbor on Saturday, December 6, 1941 and was sunk the next morning by the Japanese. He enlisted in the Navy, in Rapides Parish, Louisiana and was the first casualty of that Parish in World War II. The American Legion Post in Pineville, Louisiana was named the Robert K. Willis Jr. Post, in honor of his service and duty to his country. He is entombed in the USS Arizona, at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. On March 25, 1961, Elvis Presley gave a benefit performance in Hawaii, raising $64,696 or over 10% of the total cost to build the Arizona Memorial. Elvis had returned from duty in the Army the year before. Both Col. Tom Parker and Scotty Moore had served in the military in Hawaii. Scotty described the concert as having a "homecoming feel to it". The memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day 1962.

Arthur Phillip Hanks - KIA Korean War by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org My 1st cousin, once removed, Arthur Phillip Hanks was killed in action, February 4, 1952, on a hill called Outpost Kelly, in the Korean War. He was raised in Long Leaf, Louisiana and is buried at the Paul Cemetery in Lecompte, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. There is a wonderful tribute to him at: http://freeweb.pdq.net/mervino/can10-1.html and http://freeweb.pdq.net/mervino/Hanks.html and a photo of the hill he was killed on. My mother said that she only saw my father cry one time in his life and that was when they played Taps at his first cousin, Arthur Phillip Hank's funeral. John Fennimore wrote me: "Randy, I was assigned to Sgt. Hanks training Platoon in 1951 at Ft. Reily Ks. After about 2/3rds. of our 16 week training period Sgt. Hanks was reassigned to Korea, I completed Basic and due to his good training was sent to a leadership school for eight weeks advanced training. I was then also shipped to Korea. Lo and behold when I was assigned to a platoon over there Sgt. Hanks was my platoon Sgt.. again , it was a pleasant surprise to see some one I knew. This was in mid January 1952 I cannot recall the exact date. According to the Army the War had wound down but in our sector no one knew that. We were contacting the Chinese almost daily, by going out on Patrols probing from one to three miles into their territory with much of the action on and around O.P. Kelly. By February 4th we had been on several of these patrols with some but not a lot of casualties. Sgt.. Hanks was a good leader and all the men liked him he took his turn in the lead squad which he did not need to do so often as he did, he was a brave man.The night of Feb. 4th. 1952 we had orders to retake O.P. Kelly , which the Chinese had taken the day before . we were perhaps 50 feet from the top when the Chinese started throwing grenades, firing all kinds of weapons etc.. at us there was also shells and mortars directed at the hill, which were falling on both them and us. Our Lt.. ,and several men were hit I think 5 or 6 men killed. one of these was Sgt.. Hanks. Sgt.. Hanks gave the order to get back down the hill to regroup and then went back to get Lt.. Sittler, this is when he was killed, ,we brought all of the men back with us as we pulled back but Sgt.. Hanks was one of the K.I.A.s. After 50 years hardly a day goes by that I don't think of him and many others, Until the Internet came along I knew of no way to become in touch with anyone as I only knew him as Sgt..Hanks with no address or first name but he was a brave and fine man who cared about his men."

The Life and Times Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. & Julia Ann Graham Willis by Randy Willis randy@randywillis.org www.randywillis.org He was born April 2, 1839 and died May 22, 1900 She was born February 22, 1845 and died September 28, 1936 They married on January 5, 1867 in Forest Hill, La. Both are buried in the Graham Cemetery, Forest Hill, La. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was the eldest son of Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. (b. Dec. 28, 1817; d. Mar. 27, 1887) and Anna Slaughter (b. May 29, 1820; d. Mar. 24, 1876). Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. was the son of Agerton Willis and Sophie Story. He was born on Bayou Boeuf in Louisiana and is buried, along with his wife Anna Slaughter Willis, at Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Glenmora, La. He established many churches and was blind the last 22 years of his life. His daughter would read the scriptures and he would preach. He settled on Spring Creek, near Longleaf, La., at a community called Babb’s Bridge. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was also, a great-grandson of pioneer Louisiana Baptist preacher, Rev. Joseph Willis (b. circa 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854). He was the first Baptist preacher west of the Mississippi River. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr.'s siblings were: Eliza Willis, Mary Jane Willis, David Willis, Martha Willis, Matthew Willis, Dempsey Willis, Calvin Willis, and Robert Willis. Daniel was raised near Sugartown, La. and then settled on Barber Creek near Longleaf, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Julia Ann Graham Willis was the daughter of Robert Graham (b. Aug. 20, 1818; d. Feb. 10, 1890) and Ruth Smith (b. Dec. 5, 1813 d. Jun. 2, 1869). Robert Graham moved to Louisiana from Texas in 1841. Soon after marring Ruth Smith (a trapper's daughter) in Natchitoches, La., they moved to Forest Hill, La. He was a successful farmer and cattleman there. Ruth had told Robert that she wished to be buried at the top of a hill on their land near Forest Hill. She was and that hill is known today as the Graham Cemetery. Robert Graham's father was William Graham. Robert Graham had two brothers: another William Graham and Samuel Graham. Robert and Ruth Graham are both buried at the Graham Cemetery. Julia Ann Graham Willis' siblings were: Annie Graham Willis, Emily Graham Butter, Maggie Graham Willis, Demerius Graham Willis, Elizabeth Graham Merchant, Katherine Graham Sermons, Lucy "Ruth" Graham Moore, William Graham, and Lorenzo Dow Graham. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. married Julia Ann Graham on, January 5, 1867, soon after the end of the Civil War. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. in the Civil War Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. enlisted, September 29, 1861, at Camp Moore, La., in the Confederate Army as a Pvt. 5th. Company Battalion, Washington Artillery of Louisiana. He was (Mar. 16, 1864) in Raxdale's Company E, 16th. La. Regiment, Gibson's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. He was promoted to 2nd Sergt. on Mar. 5, 1865. He was captured and made a prisoner of war. Daniel was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 14, 1865. (Also see Andrew B. Booth, "Records of Louisiana Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands," (New Orleans, La. 1920) Vol. I: 1115) Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. fought in many of the great battles of the Civil War, including Shiloh, Bull Run, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. Excerpts from Daniel H. Willis, Jr.'s obituary: Alexandria Town Talk, 23 June 1900: "He participated in all the hard battles of that army and for bravery, soldierly bearing, discipline and devotion to duty, he was unexcelled in his entire Brigade. He was made Orderly Sergeant of his Company at an early period of the war. It has always been said by his surviving comrades that when any particularly dangerous service was required, such as scouting parties to ascertain the position and movements of the enemy, he was always selected for the place, and never hesitated to go, let the danger be what it may. He was for a long time connected with the famous Washington Artillery, and at the battle of Chicamauga so many horses of the battery to which he was attached were killed that they had to pull the guns off the field by hand to keep them from falling in the hands of the enemy. He was paroled at Meridian, Miss., in May of 1865, and brought home with him a copy of General Gibson's farewell address to his soldiers and of him it can be truly said that through the remaining years of his life he followed the advice then given by his beloved commander. His love for the Southern cause, and for the men who wore the gray, was not dimmed by years, but he lived and died firmly convinced of the justice of the cause for which the South poured out so much of her best blood and treasure...Before death he expressed a wish that he might see his children who were at home, especially Randall L., his baby boy, whom he had named in honor of his beloved Brigadier General, Randall Lee Gibson. He also requested that his Confederate badge be pinned on his breast and buried with him." Gibson, later helped establish Tulane University and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1883. I was named after my grandfather, Randall Lee Willis, who was named after Randall Lee Gibson, in 1886. Current, ed., "Encyclopedia of the Confederacy" (also see "Army of Tennessee Louisiana Division The Association and Tumulus" by Jerry Johnson Wier, The Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1999). Can You Feed Her Son? Soon after the Civil War, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr., became the first of four Willis’ brothers to marry four Graham’ sisters. He married Julia Ann Graham on January 5, 1867. (Daniel called her affectingly Julieann). When Daniel asked Julia Ann's father, Robert Graham, for her hand in marriage; Robert asked him if he could feed her. Daniel replied "that he had a horse, a milk cow, a barrel of corn and a barrel of molasses." Robert responded "my goodness son you have enough to marry several of my daughters." They were married at Robert Graham's home near Forest Hill. Later, three of Daniel's brothers would marry three of Julia Ann's sisters. Calvin Willis married Demerius Graham , Robert Willis married Annie Graham and Dempsey Willis married Maggie Graham. A fifth brother, Matthew Willis, also asked a fifth sister, Lucy "Ruth" Graham, to marry him. She said no and later confided in her sisters, "he was just too ugly." Ruth Graham later found her true love, James Moore, and married him. Daniel made good his promise to "feed" Julia Ann and on January 16, 1868 (just a year after their wedding) he sold his father-in-law, Robert Graham, 119 acres "in the fork of Barber Creek," for $350.00. A sum that would have been a years wages for many at that time. When Daniel died, in 1900, he left Julia Ann, $35,000.00 in gold, a home, land, and the woods full of cows, on Barber Creek, near Longleaf. The Law, Cattle, Barber Creek & Home After the end of Civil War, in 1865, Daniel H. Willis. Jr., was made Constable of Spring Hill, Rapides Parish. Julia Ann often spoke of the time Daniel captured an outlaw from Texas who was hid out in the piney woods of Louisiana. She said it was to late to make the horseback trip to the jail, in Alexandria, therefore Daniel handcuffed the outlaw to the foot of their bed for the overnight stay. Daniel told the outlaw he better not make a sound. She said Daniel slept soundly, but she did not sleep a wink all night. He later was a successful rancher. He and his sons would buy cattle in East Texas and then drive them to the railroad at Lecompte, La. to be shipped north. Once, on a cattle drive from Texas, in 1898, the cattle stampeded in the woods. My grandfather, Randall Lee Willis, who was only 12 at the time and riding drag, thought his dad, Daniel, had been killed; but then he could see his father's huge white hat, waving high in the air, in front of the cattle. Julia Ann's grandchildren recalled that she would read her red-lettered New Testament Bible daily on the front porch of the "Old Willis Place" near Longleaf on Barber Creek. She would then open her trunk and pull out Daniel's photo, who had preceded her in death, and a tear would often be seen in her eye. Julia Ann also loved oranges. She would eat them, lay the peals on the window seal and later eat the peals. When asked what she was doing she replied "I don't know for sure, but I think these orange peals are good for you." She once was bitten by a ground rattler, at age 75, and survived. Julia Ann swam in Barber Creek, twice a day, until age 90. There is a huge gravel pit where their home, the "Old Willis Place" once stood. The gravel pit has destroyed the timber and Barber Creek. It became overrun with sand and silt; literally smothered to death. The EPA finally made them shut down, but it was too late. My late cousin, Ilie Willis Close (1907-1995), wrote to me about the Old Willis Place: "The home was a gathering place for all the family. There was always food cooked for family and friends. There was lots of blackberries, huckleberries and fruit of all kinds for good pies. The home was about a quarter of a mile from Barber's Creek, known to be one of the coldest and clearest waters in the area. Grandma [Julia Ann Graham Willis] would walk down and swim sometimes twice a day. She said that was what had prolonged her life. All of the children and grandchildren loved to go swimming with her. She was reared a Methodist but later joined the Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian. She read the Bible daily. We use to joke and say 'she didn't think there would be anyone but Baptist in Heaven.' Her hobby was making quilts and she kept the family supplied with her hand work." Tragedy Daniel and Julia Ann were not immune from tragedy. On a trip away from home in 1880, Julia Ann told Daniel "I feel something is wrong at home." After returning, they found their eight year old son, David Eugene, deathly ill with appendicitis. He soon died. Julia Ann would later tell her grandchildren, that she vowed that if she every lost another child, she would never let herself grieve as she did for David Eugene. The next year, 1881, her four month old baby, Stella, died. Many years later, on December 23, 1935, she lost another son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis, in an auto accident. He was born three years after David Eugene. Julia Ann would live only nine months after his death. Daniel Hubbard Willis Jr. died, from kidney trouble, at his son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis' home near Leesville, La., on May 22, 1900. Julia Ann Graham Willis died of old age on September 28, 1936. Both Daniel and Julia Ann are buried at the Graham Cemetery near Forest Hill, not far from their beloved Barber Creek. Daniel Hubbard Willis Jr. and Julia Ann Graham Children: 1) Henry Elwa Willis was born 6 OCT 1867. He died 18 JAN 1945 of pneumonia. He was a farmer and cattleman. He is buried at the Paul Cemetery in Lecompte, La. He married Sarah F. Duplissey, Dec., 1890. Henry Elwa Willis and Sarah F. Duplissey had the following children: Clarence I. Willis (b. Jan. 18, 1892; d. Dec. 4, 1940), Viola Willis (b. Dec. 28, 1893; d. Dec. 14, 1973), Elbert K. Willis (b. Feb. 26, 1897; d. Dec. 19, 1974), Henry Willis (b. Mar. 30, 1899; d. Sept. 29, 1977), Mae Willis (b. May 1, 1902), Kit C. Willis (b. May 8, 1905), Bessie Willis (b. July 8, 1908), and Frank Willis (b. Dec. 2, 1915). 2) Carvelia S. Willis was born 10 FEB 1869. She died 31 MAR 1941 of liver disease. She never married. She is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. Her date of birth on her grave marker is incorrect by 10 years. 3) Minnie R. Willis was born 7 MAY 1870. She died 18 SEP 1921. She married Charles H. Benedict. She is buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Pineville, La. Minnie R. Willis Benedict and Charles H. Benedict children were: Arthur Charles Benedict (July 4, 1891; d. Jan. 21, 1969), and Lester B. Benedict (d. April 26, 1899; d. May 10, 1918 of meningitis). 4) David Eugene Willis was born 19 JAN 1872. He died 13 FEB 1880 of appendicitis at age eight. He is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 5) Corine Willis was born 27 SEP 1873. She died 6 OCT 1873 as a young baby. She is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 6) Daniel Oscar Willis, MD was born 8 MAR 1875. He died 23 DEC 1935 from injuries sustained in an auto accident at LeBeau, La. He died at the hospital in Bunkie, La. He married his first wife Ella Elizabeth Lamberth (b. Jan. 16, 1871; died July 1, 1921) on Dec. 24, 1895. Daniel and Ella had three children: Murphy Daniel Willis (b. Nov. 13, 1897; d. Oct. 15, 1930 after suffering with Hodgkin's disease for 14 years), Horace Oscar Willis (b. Dec. 30, 1898; d. Sept. 22, 1936) and Pearl Willis (b. Oct. 24, 1900; d. Apr. 20, 1988 in Baton Rouge, La.) Pearl Willis was a music teacher for many years at LSU. Daniel Oscar Willis then married his second wife Mary Hamilton in 1928. They had one child: Hamilton Barrow Willis (b. Nov. 25, 1931; d. Abt. 1990 in St. Francisville, La.). Daniel Oscar Willis was buried on what would have been his and Ella's 40th. wedding anniversary, if they both had not died prematurely. They are both buried in the Leesville Cemetery, Leesville, La. He began his medical practice in 1904 and was the first medical doctor in Vernon Parish, La. He also owned the first automobile in Vernon Parish. He was in United States Army Medical Corps in World War I and was commissioned as a Captain in August of 1917. He owned the Hotel Leesville in Leesville, La. He once (after being slandered by a young lawyer in a trial in Leesville) bodily removed the young lawyer from his room at the Hotel Leesville and through him in the street. The young lawyer's name was Huey P. Long. 7) Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. was born 15 JAN 1877. He died 30 JUNE 1951 of a heart attack. He was a butcher and cattleman. He married Eulah "Eula" Rosalie Hilburn in 1903. Eula was born Mar. 10, 1884 and died Feb. 6, 1919, at age 34, of the flu (she is buried at Lecompte Cemetery). Eula is buried next to her parents, Charles Hilburn (1858-1943) and Francis Hilburn (1860-1930). Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. and Eula Rosalie Hilburn Willis had the following children: Flossie Litton Willis (b. Aug. 5, 1905; d. Sept., 1985 - married a Tomlinson), and Ilie Jewel Willis (b. Mar. 8, 1907; d. May, 1995 - married Carl Close). Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. then married Julia Mae Johnson on Jun. 13, 1922. Julia Mae was born Sept. 4, 1899 and died Feb. 17, 1934, at age 34. Both of Robert's wives died at age 34. Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. and Julia Mae Johnson Willis had the following children: Robert "Bobby" Willis. Jr. (b. Feb. 2, 1923; d. Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor - buried on the USS Arizona), Glenn Dewey Willis (b. May 8, 1924), and Billy Edward Willis (b. Jun. 2, 1925; d. Aug. 6, 1991). He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Pineville, La. 8) Ruthey Madella Willis was born 20 JUN 1880. Ruthey Madella Willis died of cancer. She married her first husband, Henry Buckaliew, on 20 AUG 20 1898. She then married her second husband, H. C. Matthews. Ruthey Madella Willis had one child by her first husband, Illie Jewel Buckaliew (b. Apr. 10, 1900; d. Feb. 3, 1902 - buried in Graham Cemetery). She had one child by her second husband, Willie Matthews. 9) Stella Willis was born 21 AUG 1881. She died 10 DEC 1881 as a young baby. Buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 10) Julia Coatney Willis was born 11 MAR 1883. She died 16 AUG 1945 of a heart attack. She married Harry Scarbrough. She is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, California. They had one daughter named Audrey Ethel Scarbrough (b. Mar. 1, 1907; d. Oct. 22, 1980) who married Kent Hayden (b. Jun. 18, 1906; d. Nov. 16, 1984). Audrey and Kent Kane Hayden, Sr. had two sons named Charles Hayden and Kent Kane Hayden, Jr. 11) Randall Lee Willis (my grandfather) was born 20 MAR 1886 in Forest Hill, La. He died 14 MAY 1940 of stomach cancer. Married Lillie Gertrude Hanks on 11 JAN 1914. Buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. He was named after his father's commanding General in the Civil War: Randall Lee Gibson who founded Tulane University. He was a farmer and logger. He died of stomach cancer and she died of a heart attack. Randall Lee Willis and Lillie G. Hanks Willis had the following three sons: Howard Lee Willis (b. Feb. 15, 1915; d. Oct. 2, 1993), Herman Floyd Willis (b. Sept. 17, 1918; d. May 15, 1977), and my father Julian Everette Willis (b. Oct. 5, 1919; d. Jun. 13, 1995). All three sons are buried in the Butter Cemetery, Forest Hill, La.

Joseph Willis and General Francis Marion AKA the "Swamp Fox" by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org "The British soldier trembles When Marion's name is told." -- Bryant. The movie "The Patriot" was filmed in Chester, York, Charleston, and Georgtown counties in South Carolina. The biggest part was filmed on the Guy Darby Farm on the Chester/York county line. Just as the movie portrays, Joseph Willis and General Francis Marion also operated out of the South Carolina swamps. Joseph Willis was a Patriot during the Revolutionary War. Joseph and a friend from Bladen County, Ezekiel O’Quin, left North Carolina for South Carolina to join up with General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox." Marion operated out of the swampy forest of the Pedee region in the lower part of South Carolina. His strategy was to surprise the enemy, cut his supply lines, kill their men and release any American prisoners they might have. He and his men then retreated swiftly back again to the thick recesses of the deep swamps. They were feared, very effective and their fame was widespread. They also took great pride in themselves. Marion’s orderly book states, "Every officer to provide himself with a blue coatee, faced and cuffed with scarlet cloth, and lined with scarlet; white buttons; and a white waistcoat and breeches…also, a cap and a black feather…" Joseph would later proudly tell the family, "We were called Marion men." The lessons learned with Marion would serve him well his entire life. Joseph was proud of his service under Marion, and risk his life to be a Patriot, for at the time in Bladen County, 1777, it was estimated that two-thirds of the people were Tories. An oath of allegiance to the state was required in North Carolina and those refusing to take it were required to leave the state within sixty-days. How did Marion, a scrawny, semi-literate man, become one of the greatest generals of the American Revolution? The American colonists and soldiers loved him and he earned the nickname "Swamp Fox" from the British soldiers. Marion was so popular that children and cities were named after him. Francis Marion was born in 1732 in what was to become South Carolina. As a baby, Marion was tiny, frail and sickly, and it was said he was no bigger than a lobster. It is probably not surprising that he was a sickly child due to the swampy areas around which he grew up. As Marion got older, he enjoyed playing in the swamps. He learned about the local Indians, how they fought and survived in the swamp. He knew the swamps like the back of his hand and it was said that he never got lost. Little did he realize how much this would help him in the future. At the age of 15, Marion wanted to become a sailor. So, against the wishes of his family, he set sail on a ship bound for the West Indies. On his first voyage, the ship sank and Marion, along with several other crewmen, were adrift at sea for a week before their lifeboat finally drifted aground. It was lucky for Marion, who didn't know how to swim. By 1760, the Cherokee War hit South Carolina and Marion became a lieutenant in the militia. He proved himself to be a good horseman and marksman, again qualities that were to be of use in the future. After this brief war, Marion retired to the life of a farmer, becoming quite successful and owning lots of land. But the growing storm that was to become the Revolutionary war brought Marion out of retirement. Like many others, he considered himself a Patriot and loved his freedom. Based on past experience, Marion was made Captain in the Continental Army. Because of his success, he climbed the promotional ladder to Major, Colonel, and, eventually, to General. Marion decided the only way to effectively battle the British was with guerrilla tactics. Many of his officers and men questioned this style of fighting at first. To them, it wasn't honorable to strike, then retreat without giving a full fight to the English army. Eventually, they realized that this was a smart way to fight and was the best suited to their style of warfare. Marion and his soldiers would concentrate their attacks on British supply camps and the supply lines themselves. They would rest during the day and march at night, quite often attacking at midnight. Marion was able to cut the supply lines linking the British occupied cities and chased and harassed various British leaders, most notably Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Marion displayed a natural talent for strategy and tactics and was known for his personal bravery. He is considered by most to be the father of the U.S. Army Special Forces because of his unique innovations. For example, scouts would always ride ahead to prevent ambushes. Some of them would hide in the top of tall trees and signal with shrill whistles. This was done at night when Marion would march and attack. If a bridge had to be crossed near an enemy post, blankets would be laid on the wooden planks to muffle the horses hoofs. A campfire was never used twice and when planning a raid, Marion kept the target to himself until the last moment. This strategy bewildered the British who would chase after Marion into the swamps, only to loose him. The British complained that it was an unfair method of fighting a war and they felt that the Americans didn't play by the rules of "civilized warfare." Eventually, British Colonel Tarleton, who often chased Marion into the swamps, gave Marion the nickname of the "Swamp Fox." "The devil himself could not catch that old fox," said Tarleton. This name stuck and colonists thought it was humorous that their hero was compared to a fox. As the Revolutionary War raged on, Marion's success grew. He fought in battles at Kings Mountain, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, Georgetown, and finally Eutaw Springs in August 1781. All of this led up to the British surrender in October of that same year. After the war, Marion retired back to his plantation where he married Mary Videau. Marion also showed his love and loyalty to country by serving terms in the South Carolina Senate until South Carolina became a member of the union. Marion lived the rest of his life on his farm. He was loved by the community and often helped his fellow veterans in time of need. As the memory of war faded, Marion's exploits became more famous. What were once small skirmishes turned into big battles. He became a hero of the Revolution, second only to George Washington. On Feb. 27, 1795, Francis Marion died at the age of 63. He was remembered as an honorable citizen as well as a gallant soldier. Marion epitomized the successful citizen-soldier. For this reason, years after the war, thousands of parents named sons Francis Marion. Not only were children named after him, but scattered over the present United States, there are over 29 cities and towns and 17 counties named after Marion. If you'd like to learn more about Francis Marion, there is a complete history available: http://foclark.tripod.com/revwar/marion.html Notes: Over the years, numerous descendants of Rev. Joseph Willis have asked me if any "absolute" proof exist of Joseph Willis' service in the Revolutionary War. Most have desired this information to join: Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution , National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and/or National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). Marion's troops were basically a guerrilla force, raised irregularly from the backwoods of South Carolina, no roster was kept. The only published record of the men who fought under him comes from the claims that were later filed for militia pay against the state of South Carolina. Joseph Willis, Richard Curtis and Ezekiel O'Quinn said they fought under Marion in the Revolutionary War; but none of them filed for militia pay. William W. Broddie complied a book, from the stub indents of the militia pay, entitled "Marion's Men, A List of Twenty-five Hundred" (1938). Only those who filed for militia pay are in it. Several early-1800 and mid-1800 authors, including W.E. Paxton, recorded that Joseph was a Marion man; but more important is Joseph Willis' own testimony to his friends, children and grandchildren. In addition, many courthouses with vital records were lost, eight decades later, in the Civil War as a result of General Sherman and other northern forces burning the courthouses.

The Old Willis Home Place by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org Ilie Close (b. 1907) wrote to me about the Old Willis Place: "The home was a gathering place for all the family. There was always food cooked for family and friends. There was lots of blackberries, huckleberries and fruit of all kinds for good pies. The home was about a quarter of a mile from Barber's Creek, known to be one of the coldest and clearest waters in the area. Grandma [Julia Ann Graham Willis] would walk down and swim sometimes twice a day. She said that was what had prolonged her life. All of the children and grandchildren loved to go swimming with her. She was reared a Methodist but later joined the Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian. She read the Bible daily. We use to joke and say 'she didn't think there would be anyone but Baptist in Heaven.' Her hobby was making quilts and she kept the family supplied with her hand work. She was bitten by a ground rattler at the age of 75 and survived with home remedies. Her son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis, said at the time she would live to 90 and she lived to be 92. She was a very wonderful and a remarkable woman, a real pioneer." Another grandchild of Julia Ann, my uncle Howard Willis, told me she would sit on the front porch of the Old Willis Place and eat an orange and latter eat the orange peal. He ask her why she ate the peal and she said "I don't know, I think it's good for you." He said "she would read her red-lettered Bible on the front porch and then sometimes pull out her late husband Daniel's Civil War picture and get a tear in her eye.' He died 36 years before her. The Old Willis Place is gone and replaced with a huge gravel pit. Barber's Creek is full of sand and gravel from the pit. The tall pine trees that surrounded the old place have long since been harvested. About The Old Willis Home Place Photo at www.randywillis.org (1906) Babbs Bridge [extinct], Louisiana (near present-day Long Leaf, Louisiana) Robert Kenneth "Ken" Willis Sr. (b. 1877 d. 1951) has the reins in his hands, Robert's first wife Eulah Hilburn Willis (b. 1884 d. 1919 of the flu) is in the back seat, Julia Ann Graham Willis (b. 1845 d. 1936) is holding a fish and standing and Robert and Eulah's baby girl Flossie Litton Willis (b August 5, 1905) is held by an unknown lady. Flossie told me that this photo was taken on her first birthday. Footnote: Ken Willis, after Eulah's death, married May Johnson, and had three sons. One of those sons Robert (Bobby) Kenneth Willis was the first soldier killed in action in World War II from Rapides Parish. The Pineville American Legion Post is named in his honor. He was killed on December 7, 1941, and his body lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Arizona.

General Randall Lee Gibson (b. 10 SEPT 1832; d. 15 DEC 1892) & Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. (b. 2 APR 1839; d. 22 MAY 1900) in the Civil War by Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org Randall Lee Gibson was born in Versailles, Kentucky to Tobias and Louisiana (Hart) Gibson. His father was a prominent sugar planter in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Young Gibson graduated first in the class of 1853 from Yale College, studied law at the University of Louisiana in 1855, and traveled Europe before becoming a planter in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana in 1858. He had three sons by his marriage to Mary Montgomery on January 25, 1868. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Gibson, a Democrat, became aide-de-camp to Governor Thomas O. Moore of Louisiana. (Also see Randall Lee Gibson's Congressional Biography http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=G000165">GIBSON) In August 1861 he became colonel of the 13th Louisiana Regiment and soon became known for his discipline. He performed well while commanding the 4th Louisiana brigade at the battle of Shiloh and suffered enormous casualties at Hornet's Nest. He distinguished himself at Perryville in 1862. In 1863, Gibson also participated in the Tennessee battles of Murfreesboro and Missionary Ridge and commanded a brigade at Chickamauga. On January 11, 1864, he was promoted to brigadier general. He subsequently fought with distinction in the Atlanta campaign (1864) at the Battle of Bald Hill. At the Battle of Ezra Church (outside Atlanta) Gibson's brigade was decimated. He fought at the Battle of Jonesboro and again had severe losses. In the Nashville campaign (1864) he protected the rear of Hood's army on its retreat. In the spring of 1865, he held the Spanish Fort at Mobile. He surrendered and was later paroled in May 1865 along with my great-grandfather Daniel H. Willis, Jr. After the war, Gibson returned to planting and practiced law in New Orleans. He was elected (but not seated) as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1872; he was reelected and seated two years later and served continuously until 1882. From 1883 to 1892, he served in the U.S. Senate. In 1886, my great-grandfather Daniel H. Willis, Jr. named his youngest son, Randall Lee Willis, after his former commander in the Civil War, General Randall Lee Gibson. I was named after my grandfather Randall Lee Willis. Gibson was an agent for Paul Tulane in founding Tulane University, of which Gibson was the first president of the board in 1885. He died December 15, 1892, on a vacation in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Yale in the Civil War; Fortier, A History of Louisiana, I. Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy, Walkelyn. My great-grandfather, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr., enlisted, September 29, 1861, at Camp Moore, La., in the Confederate Army as a Pvt. 5th. Company Battalion, Washington Artillery of Louisiana. He was (Mar. 16, 1864) in Raxdale's Company E, 16th. La. Regiment, Gibson's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. He was promoted to 2nd Sergt. on Mar. 5, 1865. He was captured and made a prisoner of war. Daniel was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 14, 1865. (Also see Andrew B. Booth, "Records of Louisiana Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands," (New Orleans, La. 1920) Vol. I: 1115) . Current, ed., Encyclopedia of the Confederacy (also see Army of Tennessee Louisiana Division The Association and Tumulus by Jerry Johnson Wier, The Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1999). Also see LOUISIANA HISTORY, the journal of the Louisiana Historical Association, vol. 28, pp. 245-262 and vol. 36, pp. 389-411. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. fought in many of the great battles of the Civil War, including Shiloh, Bull Run, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. He was for a long time connected with the famous Washington Artillery, and at the battle of Chicamauga so many horses of the battery to which he was attached were killed that they had to pull the guns off the field by hand to keep them from falling in the hands of the enemy. Excerpts from Daniel H. Willis, Jr.'s obituary: Alexandria Town Talk, 23 June 1900: "He was paroled at Meridian, Miss., in May, 1865, and brought home with him a copy of General Gibson's farewell address to his soldiers and of him it can be truly said that through the remaining years of his life he followed the advice then given by his beloved commander. His love for the Southern cause, and for the men who wore the gray, was not dimmed by years, but he lived and died firmly convinced of the justice of the cause for which the South poured out so much of her best blood and treasure...Before death he expressed a wish that he might see his children who were at home, especially Randall L., his baby boy, whom he had named in honor of his beloved Brigadier General, Randall Lee Gibson. He also requested that his Confederate badge be pinned on his breast and buried with him."

The Life and Times Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. & Julia Ann Graham Willis by Randy Willis randy@randywillis.org www.randywillis.org He was born April 2, 1839 and died May 22, 1900 She was born February 22, 1845 and died September 28, 1936 They married on January 5, 1867 in Forest Hill, La. Both are buried in the Graham Cemetery, Forest Hill, La. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was the eldest son of Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. (b. Dec. 28, 1817; d. Mar. 27, 1887) and Anna Slaughter (b. May 29, 1820; d. Mar. 24, 1876). Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. was the son of Agerton Willis and Sophie Story. He was born on Bayou Boeuf in Louisiana and is buried, along with his wife Anna Slaughter Willis, at Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Glenmora, La. He established many churches and was blind the last 22 years of his life. His daughter would read the scriptures and he would preach. He settled on Spring Creek, near Longleaf, La., at a community called Babb’s Bridge. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was also, a great-grandson of pioneer Louisiana Baptist preacher, Rev. Joseph Willis (b. circa 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854). He was the first Baptist preacher west of the Mississippi River. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr.'s siblings were: Eliza Willis, Mary Jane Willis, David Willis, Martha Willis, Matthew Willis, Dempsey Willis, Calvin Willis, and Robert Willis. Daniel was raised near Sugartown, La. and then settled on Barber Creek near Longleaf, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Julia Ann Graham Willis was the daughter of Robert Graham (b. Aug. 20, 1818; d. Feb. 10, 1890) and Ruth Smith (b. Dec. 5, 1813 d. Jun. 2, 1869). Robert Graham moved to Louisiana from Texas in 1841. Soon after marring Ruth Smith (a trapper's daughter) in Natchitoches, La., they moved to Forest Hill, La. He was a successful farmer and cattleman there. Ruth had told Robert that she wished to be buried at the top of a hill on their land near Forest Hill. She was and that hill is known today as the Graham Cemetery. Robert Graham's father was William Graham. Robert Graham had two brothers: another William Graham and Samuel Graham. Robert and Ruth Graham are both buried at the Graham Cemetery. Julia Ann Graham Willis' siblings were: Annie Graham Willis, Emily Graham Butter, Maggie Graham Willis, Demerius Graham Willis, Elizabeth Graham Merchant, Katherine Graham Sermons, Lucy "Ruth" Graham Moore, William Graham, and Lorenzo Dow Graham. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. married Julia Ann Graham on, January 5, 1867, soon after the end of the Civil War. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. in the Civil War Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. enlisted, September 29, 1861, at Camp Moore, La., in the Confederate Army as a Pvt. 5th. Company Battalion, Washington Artillery of Louisiana. He was (Mar. 16, 1864) in Raxdale's Company E, 16th. La. Regiment, Gibson's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. He was promoted to 2nd Sergt. on Mar. 5, 1865. He was captured and made a prisoner of war. Daniel was paroled at Meridian, Mississippi on May 14, 1865. (Also see Andrew B. Booth, "Records of Louisiana Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands," (New Orleans, La. 1920) Vol. I: 1115) Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. fought in many of the great battles of the Civil War, including Shiloh, Bull Run, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. Excerpts from Daniel H. Willis, Jr.'s obituary: Alexandria Town Talk, 23 June 1900: "He participated in all the hard battles of that army and for bravery, soldierly bearing, discipline and devotion to duty, he was unexcelled in his entire Brigade. He was made Orderly Sergeant of his Company at an early period of the war. It has always been said by his surviving comrades that when any particularly dangerous service was required, such as scouting parties to ascertain the position and movements of the enemy, he was always selected for the place, and never hesitated to go, let the danger be what it may. He was for a long time connected with the famous Washington Artillery, and at the battle of Chicamauga so many horses of the battery to which he was attached were killed that they had to pull the guns off the field by hand to keep them from falling in the hands of the enemy. He was paroled at Meridian, Miss., in May of 1865, and brought home with him a copy of General Gibson's farewell address to his soldiers and of him it can be truly said that through the remaining years of his life he followed the advice then given by his beloved commander. His love for the Southern cause, and for the men who wore the gray, was not dimmed by years, but he lived and died firmly convinced of the justice of the cause for which the South poured out so much of her best blood and treasure...Before death he expressed a wish that he might see his children who were at home, especially Randall L., his baby boy, whom he had named in honor of his beloved Brigadier General, Randall Lee Gibson. He also requested that his Confederate badge be pinned on his breast and buried with him." Gibson, later helped establish Tulane University and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1883. I was named after my grandfather, Randall Lee Willis, who was named after Randall Lee Gibson, in 1886. Current, ed., "Encyclopedia of the Confederacy" (also see "Army of Tennessee Louisiana Division The Association and Tumulus" by Jerry Johnson Wier, The Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1999). Can You Feed Her Son? Soon after the Civil War, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr., became the first of four Willis’ brothers to marry four Graham’ sisters. He married Julia Ann Graham on January 5, 1867. (Daniel called her affectingly Julieann). When Daniel asked Julia Ann's father, Robert Graham, for her hand in marriage; Robert asked him if he could feed her. Daniel replied "that he had a horse, a milk cow, a barrel of corn and a barrel of molasses." Robert responded "my goodness son you have enough to marry several of my daughters." They were married at Robert Graham's home near Forest Hill. Later, three of Daniel's brothers would marry three of Julia Ann's sisters. Calvin Willis married Demerius Graham , Robert Willis married Annie Graham and Dempsey Willis married Maggie Graham. A fifth brother, Matthew Willis, also asked a fifth sister, Lucy "Ruth" Graham, to marry him. She said no and later confided in her sisters, "he was just too ugly." Ruth Graham later found her true love, James Moore, and married him. Daniel made good his promise to "feed" Julia Ann and on January 16, 1868 (just a year after their wedding) he sold his father-in-law, Robert Graham, 119 acres "in the fork of Barber Creek," for $350.00. A sum that would have been a years wages for many at that time. When Daniel died, in 1900, he left Julia Ann, $35,000.00 in gold, a home, land, and the woods full of cows, on Barber Creek, near Longleaf. The Law, Cattle, Barber Creek & Home After the end of Civil War, in 1865, Daniel H. Willis. Jr., was made Constable of Spring Hill, Rapides Parish. Julia Ann often spoke of the time Daniel captured an outlaw from Texas who was hid out in the piney woods of Louisiana. She said it was to late to make the horseback trip to the jail, in Alexandria, therefore Daniel handcuffed the outlaw to the foot of their bed for the overnight stay. Daniel told the outlaw he better not make a sound. She said Daniel slept soundly, but she did not sleep a wink all night. He later was a successful rancher. He and his sons would buy cattle in East Texas and then drive them to the railroad at Lecompte, La. to be shipped north. Once, on a cattle drive from Texas, in 1898, the cattle stampeded in the woods. My grandfather, Randall Lee Willis, who was only 12 at the time and riding drag, thought his dad, Daniel, had been killed; but then he could see his father's huge white hat, waving high in the air, in front of the cattle. Julia Ann's grandchildren recalled that she would read her red-lettered New Testament Bible daily on the front porch of the "Old Willis Place" near Longleaf on Barber Creek. She would then open her trunk and pull out Daniel's photo, who had preceded her in death, and a tear would often be seen in her eye. Julia Ann also loved oranges. She would eat them, lay the peals on the window seal and later eat the peals. When asked what she was doing she replied "I don't know for sure, but I think these orange peals are good for you." She once was bitten by a ground rattler, at age 75, and survived. Julia Ann swam in Barber Creek, twice a day, until age 90. There is a huge gravel pit where their home, the "Old Willis Place" once stood. The gravel pit has destroyed the timber and Barber Creek. It became overrun with sand and silt; literally smothered to death. The EPA finally made them shut down, but it was too late. My late cousin, Ilie Willis Close (1907-1995), wrote to me about the Old Willis Place: "The home was a gathering place for all the family. There was always food cooked for family and friends. There was lots of blackberries, huckleberries and fruit of all kinds for good pies. The home was about a quarter of a mile from Barber's Creek, known to be one of the coldest and clearest waters in the area. Grandma [Julia Ann Graham Willis] would walk down and swim sometimes twice a day. She said that was what had prolonged her life. All of the children and grandchildren loved to go swimming with her. She was reared a Methodist but later joined the Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian. She read the Bible daily. We use to joke and say 'she didn't think there would be anyone but Baptist in Heaven.' Her hobby was making quilts and she kept the family supplied with her hand work." Tragedy Daniel and Julia Ann were not immune from tragedy. On a trip away from home in 1880, Julia Ann told Daniel "I feel something is wrong at home." After returning, they found their eight year old son, David Eugene, deathly ill with appendicitis. He soon died. Julia Ann would later tell her grandchildren, that she vowed that if she every lost another child, she would never let herself grieve as she did for David Eugene. The next year, 1881, her four month old baby, Stella, died. Many years later, on December 23, 1935, she lost another son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis, in an auto accident. He was born three years after David Eugene. Julia Ann would live only nine months after his death. Daniel Hubbard Willis Jr. died, from kidney trouble, at his son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis' home near Leesville, La., on May 22, 1900. Julia Ann Graham Willis died of old age on September 28, 1936. Both Daniel and Julia Ann are buried at the Graham Cemetery near Forest Hill, not far from their beloved Barber Creek. Daniel Hubbard Willis Jr. and Julia Ann Graham Children: 1) Henry Elwa Willis was born 6 OCT 1867. He died 18 JAN 1945 of pneumonia. He was a farmer and cattleman. He is buried at the Paul Cemetery in Lecompte, La. He married Sarah F. Duplissey, Dec., 1890. Henry Elwa Willis and Sarah F. Duplissey had the following children: Clarence I. Willis (b. Jan. 18, 1892; d. Dec. 4, 1940), Viola Willis (b. Dec. 28, 1893; d. Dec. 14, 1973), Elbert K. Willis (b. Feb. 26, 1897; d. Dec. 19, 1974), Henry Willis (b. Mar. 30, 1899; d. Sept. 29, 1977), Mae Willis (b. May 1, 1902), Kit C. Willis (b. May 8, 1905), Bessie Willis (b. July 8, 1908), and Frank Willis (b. Dec. 2, 1915). 2) Carvelia S. Willis was born 10 FEB 1869. She died 31 MAR 1941 of liver disease. She never married. She is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. Her date of birth on her grave marker is incorrect by 10 years. 3) Minnie R. Willis was born 7 MAY 1870. She died 18 SEP 1921. She married Charles H. Benedict. She is buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Pineville, La. Minnie R. Willis Benedict and Charles H. Benedict children were: Arthur Charles Benedict (July 4, 1891; d. Jan. 21, 1969), and Lester B. Benedict (d. April 26, 1899; d. May 10, 1918 of meningitis). 4) David Eugene Willis was born 19 JAN 1872. He died 13 FEB 1880 of appendicitis at age eight. He is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 5) Corine Willis was born 27 SEP 1873. She died 6 OCT 1873 as a young baby. She is buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 6) Daniel Oscar Willis, MD was born 8 MAR 1875. He died 23 DEC 1935 from injuries sustained in an auto accident at LeBeau, La. He died at the hospital in Bunkie, La. He married his first wife Ella Elizabeth Lamberth (b. Jan. 16, 1871; died July 1, 1921) on Dec. 24, 1895. Daniel and Ella had three children: Murphy Daniel Willis (b. Nov. 13, 1897; d. Oct. 15, 1930 after suffering with Hodgkin's disease for 14 years), Horace Oscar Willis (b. Dec. 30, 1898; d. Sept. 22, 1936) and Pearl Willis (b. Oct. 24, 1900; d. Apr. 20, 1988 in Baton Rouge, La.) Pearl Willis was a music teacher for many years at LSU. Daniel Oscar Willis then married his second wife Mary Hamilton in 1928. They had one child: Hamilton Barrow Willis (b. Nov. 25, 1931; d. Abt. 1990 in St. Francisville, La.). Daniel Oscar Willis was buried on what would have been his and Ella's 40th. wedding anniversary, if they both had not died prematurely. They are both buried in the Leesville Cemetery, Leesville, La. He began his medical practice in 1904 and was the first medical doctor in Vernon Parish, La. He also owned the first automobile in Vernon Parish. He was in United States Army Medical Corps in World War I and was commissioned as a Captain in August of 1917. He owned the Hotel Leesville in Leesville, La. He once (after being slandered by a young lawyer in a trial in Leesville) bodily removed the young lawyer from his room at the Hotel Leesville and through him in the street. The young lawyer's name was Huey P. Long. 7) Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. was born 15 JAN 1877. He died 30 JUNE 1951 of a heart attack. He was a butcher and cattleman. He married Eulah "Eula" Rosalie Hilburn in 1903. Eula was born Mar. 10, 1884 and died Feb. 6, 1919, at age 34, of the flu (she is buried at Lecompte Cemetery). Eula is buried next to her parents, Charles Hilburn (1858-1943) and Francis Hilburn (1860-1930). Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. and Eula Rosalie Hilburn Willis had the following children: Flossie Litton Willis (b. Aug. 5, 1905; d. Sept., 1985 - married a Tomlinson), and Ilie Jewel Willis (b. Mar. 8, 1907; d. May, 1995 - married Carl Close). Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. then married Julia Mae Johnson on Jun. 13, 1922. Julia Mae was born Sept. 4, 1899 and died Feb. 17, 1934, at age 34. Both of Robert's wives died at age 34. Robert Kenneth Willis, Sr. and Julia Mae Johnson Willis had the following children: Robert "Bobby" Willis. Jr. (b. Feb. 2, 1923; d. Dec. 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor - buried on the USS Arizona), Glenn Dewey Willis (b. May 8, 1924), and Billy Edward Willis (b. Jun. 2, 1925; d. Aug. 6, 1991). He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Pineville, La. 8) Ruthey Madella Willis was born 20 JUN 1880. Ruthey Madella Willis died of cancer. She married her first husband, Henry Buckaliew, on 20 AUG 20 1898. She then married her second husband, H. C. Matthews. Ruthey Madella Willis had one child by her first husband, Illie Jewel Buckaliew (b. Apr. 10, 1900; d. Feb. 3, 1902 - buried in Graham Cemetery). She had one child by her second husband, Willie Matthews. 9) Stella Willis was born 21 AUG 1881. She died 10 DEC 1881 as a young baby. Buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. 10) Julia Coatney Willis was born 11 MAR 1883. She died 16 AUG 1945 of a heart attack. She married Harry Scarbrough. She is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, California. They had one daughter named Audrey Ethel Scarbrough (b. Mar. 1, 1907; d. Oct. 22, 1980) who married Kent Hayden (b. Jun. 18, 1906; d. Nov. 16, 1984). Audrey and Kent Kane Hayden, Sr. had two sons named Charles Hayden and Kent Kane Hayden, Jr. 11) Randall Lee Willis (my grandfather) was born 20 MAR 1886 in Forest Hill, La. He died 14 MAY 1940 of stomach cancer. Married Lillie Gertrude Hanks on 11 JAN 1914. Buried at the Graham Cemetery in Forest Hill, La. He was named after his father's commanding General in the Civil War: Randall Lee Gibson who founded Tulane University. He was a farmer and logger. He died of stomach cancer and she died of a heart attack. Randall Lee Willis and Lillie G. Hanks Willis had the following three sons: Howard Lee Willis (b. Feb. 15, 1915; d. Oct. 2, 1993), Herman Floyd Willis (b. Sept. 17, 1918; d. May 15, 1977), and my father Julian Everette Willis (b. Oct. 5, 1919; d. Jun. 13, 1995). All three sons are buried in the Butter Cemetery, Forest Hill, La.

I attended Rosteet School in the 1930s. Does anyone have pictures of the school about that time? Floreda

Posted on: Calcasieu Parish, La Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/La/Calcasieu/10580 Surname: Verdine, Verdun ------------------------- I am looking for information on the Verdine/Verdun family. They lived in Calcasieu and St. Mary's parish. Some have a connection with Texas, particularly Jefferson and Orange counties. My grandmother is Corene Verdine Flowers and my great grandfather is Luther Verdine. Thank you

Can anyone give me thename of the county Library that may help me locate information On the family of Keita Sue Schultz. or a genealogical or Historical society?? Keita was born at Lake Charles, Louisanna.. I am researching for my 8 yr old grandson. Kita was born 7-21-1947 to the parents of Virginia ( Rae) and James Schultz. Any research help would be appreciated. Melodee Melnsam123@aol.com

Hello List- I am working on the schultz family tree and hope someone may help me. First I need some varification of this information. Keita Sue Schultz was suppose to have been born 7-21-1947 In Lake Charles, Louisanna. Her parents names were Virginia Rae( Schultz) and James Schultz. apparently after some years her mother may have remarried to a Chupco. I hope to document this information. Perhaps some one may clarify this and tell me about siblings of hers. I am trying to help my grandson research his grandmothers keitas line. Keita Sue ( Nye) Nee Schultz died 11-29-1988. Thanks in advance for any help. Melodee Melnsam123@aol.com