TreSearch3 Thanks so very much for all of the many emails in answer to my need of indian heritage in Louisiana. I truly appreciate the help. Sallie [email protected] wrote: > all found using the search engine at Yahoo.com > > http://alpha.nsula.edu/departments/folklife/cultures/clifton.html > > http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/rdev/Community_Success/casestudy1.html > > http://www.crt.state.la.us/folklife/main_intro_maida_other.html > > http://www.louisianafolklifefest.org/craftsman.htm > > http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/success/champion.shtml > > http://dogwoodpress.myriad.net/dcm/redbone.html > > http://www.indianaffairs.com/statemap.htm

Thanks, Sallie [email protected] wrote: > Sallie, > > I don't remember. I found it through researching Melungeons. I think there > should be something by looking under Louisiana Native American Tribes. > > I grew up in Vernon Parish, Louisiana...so always knew the community > existed. Any records would most likely be recorded in Alexandria, Louisiana > (the Parish Courthouse). > > Good luck. > > Carolyn > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:54 PM > Subject: Re: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > > > Thanks so much. I had tried earlier, to locate a web site, but obviously > > was not searching using the right combination of name in the search > engine. > > If you know the web site, please advise. > > Thanks again for your time and help > > Sallie > > > > > > [email protected] wrote: > > > > > Sallie, > > > > > > This community is located in Rapides Parish between Highway 8 and > Highway > > > 28. From the hwy. 28 side signs are located between Gardener, La. and > > > Alexandria, La. There is a web site for Clifton Choctow Native American > > > Tribe. > > > > > > Carolyn > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> > > > To: <[email protected]> > > > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:07 PM > > > Subject: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > > > > > > > Seeking info of a Clifton Choctaw Community in Louisiana. Would > > > > appreciate advise as to possible location of records etc., that I > might > > > > be able to check. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Sallie > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Camp Nicholls ??? Tell me more, please. Carolyn Nichols Owens ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2000 1:33 PM Subject: [LARAPIDE] re: Jackson Barracks, > Old Soldier's Home at Camp Nicholls, >

Sallie, I don't remember. I found it through researching Melungeons. I think there should be something by looking under Louisiana Native American Tribes. I grew up in Vernon Parish, Louisiana...so always knew the community existed. Any records would most likely be recorded in Alexandria, Louisiana (the Parish Courthouse). Good luck. Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:54 PM Subject: Re: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > Thanks so much. I had tried earlier, to locate a web site, but obviously > was not searching using the right combination of name in the search engine. > If you know the web site, please advise. > Thanks again for your time and help > Sallie > > > [email protected] wrote: > > > Sallie, > > > > This community is located in Rapides Parish between Highway 8 and Highway > > 28. From the hwy. 28 side signs are located between Gardener, La. and > > Alexandria, La. There is a web site for Clifton Choctow Native American > > Tribe. > > > > Carolyn > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:07 PM > > Subject: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > > > > > Seeking info of a Clifton Choctaw Community in Louisiana. Would > > > appreciate advise as to possible location of records etc., that I might > > > be able to check. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Sallie > > > > > > > > >

Thanks so much. I had tried earlier, to locate a web site, but obviously was not searching using the right combination of name in the search engine. If you know the web site, please advise. Thanks again for your time and help Sallie [email protected] wrote: > Sallie, > > This community is located in Rapides Parish between Highway 8 and Highway > 28. From the hwy. 28 side signs are located between Gardener, La. and > Alexandria, La. There is a web site for Clifton Choctow Native American > Tribe. > > Carolyn > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:07 PM > Subject: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > > > Seeking info of a Clifton Choctaw Community in Louisiana. Would > > appreciate advise as to possible location of records etc., that I might > > be able to check. > > > > Thanks, > > Sallie > > > >

Sallie, This community is located in Rapides Parish between Highway 8 and Highway 28. From the hwy. 28 side signs are located between Gardener, La. and Alexandria, La. There is a web site for Clifton Choctow Native American Tribe. Carolyn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sallie Cannon" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 7:07 PM Subject: [LARAPIDE] Indian Community > Seeking info of a Clifton Choctaw Community in Louisiana. Would > appreciate advise as to possible location of records etc., that I might > be able to check. > > Thanks, > Sallie > >

Seeking info of a Clifton Choctaw Community in Louisiana. Would appreciate advise as to possible location of records etc., that I might be able to check. Thanks, Sallie

1870 None Enumerated 1860 shown as Mulattoes only Ward 9 Town of Pineville pp. 1, 2, 4, 7 Ward 5 & 7 pp. 9, 13, 17, 25, 80, 189, 211, 214 Ward 9 pp. 82, 87, 158, 159, 167, 168, 181, 228, 235, 236, 242, 246, 249 Ward 8 p. 111 Ward 1 Town of Alexandria pp. 116-119, 122, 125, 127-135, 137, 139 Ward 5 Hineston p. 147 Ward 2 Lamourie p. 202 1850 shown as Mulattoes only pp. 46/2, 47/2, 48, 49, 52, 53, 55, 56, 64, 69, 69/2, 73/2, 74, 94-97, 99-102, 103, 104, 104/2

1880 Page 481, part 2, Lines 32, 34-36, Alexandria Ward 1, Main Street Alexander, Sam 37 M Head Carpenter Theodore 10 M Son Frederic 6 M Son Edward 1 M Son Page 525, part 1, Lines 11-33, Lamourie Ward 2 Cady, Joseph 50 M Head Laborer Johanna 50 F Wife Julette 19 F Daughter Morgan 13 M Son Samuel, James 30 M Head Laborer Celeste 25 F Wife Thomas 6 M Son Catishe 2 F Daughter Dorsey, John 40 M Head Laborer Cecilia 30 F Wife Austin 18 M Son Martin 15 M Son Abram 13 M Son John 6 M Son Charles 18 S M Nephew Laborer Dallet, James 22 S M Brother Laborer Ben 20 S M Brother Laborer Polly 78 Wd F Mother Sosthene 40 Wd M Son Laborer William 7/12 S M Grandson Born in Nov. Lewis, Julia 30 Wd F Head Mack 12 M N/A Lizzie 4 F N/A Page 535, part 2, Line 46, Lamourie Ward 2 Preytor, William 16 M Servant for Mary M. Hanna Page 543, part 1, Line 45, Lamourie Ward 2 Yankee, John 11 M Servant for Joseph P. Willis Page 565, part 2, Lines 43-44, Hineston Ward 5 Eleck, Leon (name reversed?) 40 M Head Farm Laborer Mandy, Love (name reversed?) 20 F Wife Page 573, part 2, Lines 27 & 29, Calcasieu Ward 6 Brice, John 75 S M Head Farmer Johnson, Margret (White) 45 F N/A House Keeper GA GA TN Johnie 9 M Son Page 668, part 2, Lines 48-49, Cheneyville Ward 3 Tuck, Elisa (Mulatto) 53 F Head Preator, Ben 15 M Son Jack 14 M Son Rapides Parish Indians 1880 (continued) Page 669, part 1, Lines 46-50, Cheneyville Ward 3 Johnson, William 24 M Head Laborer Washington, William 36 M N/A Laborer Mary 13 F N/A Annie 10 F N/A Page 672, part 2, Lines 24-43, Spring Hill Ward 4 Cass, Joseph 50 M Head Betsy 56 F Wife Farmer Tillett 19 F Daughter Maria 13 F Daughter Sam, James 24 M Nephew Farmer Celestine 30 F Niece Codice 6 F Daughter Tom 1 M Son John, Betsy 60 F Head Sosthene 40 M N/A Farmer Sissy 2 F Daughter Sarry 1 F Daughter Dick, Nancy 60 F Head Laborer Sam, Gilis 30 M Son in law Farmer Juliana 30 F Sister Celia 20 F Sister Silva 1 F N/A Lonna 4 F N/A Smith, Isaac 4 M N/A Caddy, McClure 15 M N/A Laborer Page 680, part 1, Lines 18-35, Spring Hill Ward 4 Willis, James 35 M Head Farmer Elisa 37 F Wife Mary 17 F Daughter Nancy 10 F Daughter James 9 M Son Elisa 3/12 F Daughter Born in Mar. Andrew 37 Wd M Head Laborer Willie 8 M Son Lestie, Alex 21 M Head Laborer Baptiste, Elisa 40 Wd F Head Betsy 12 F Daughter Sophia 9 F Daughter Molly 8 ®)1¯ ®)3¯ F Daughter Nancy 16 ®)1¯ ®)3¯F Daughter Brandy, Frank 22 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Head Laborer Pauline 26 ®)1¯ ®)3¯F Wife Mitchel 8 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Son Seals 6/12 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Son Page 680, part 1, Lines 36-47, Spring Hill Ward 4 Isaac 40 M Head Laborer Bojan 40 F Wife Wash, Tom 39 M Head Laborer Sissy 26 F Wife Jim 12 M Son Jo 8 M Son Celeste 6 F Daughter Narcisse 6/12 M Son Polly 45 Wd F Head Felix 21 M Head Laborer Tetienne 22 F Wife Baby 3 M Son Page 680, part 2, Lines 17-20, Spring Hill Ward 4 Wolf, Tom 35 M Head Farmer Caroline 23 F Wife Jane 10 F Daughter Jo 4 M Son Page 685, part 2, Lines 41-48, Cheneyville Ward 3 Dally, Ben 25 M Head Laborer Amy 20 F Wife C???? 3 F Daughter Jim 22 M Head Emma 20 F Wife Mike 3 M Son Jim 1 M Son Wise, Austin 20 M N/A Laborer Page 705, part 1, Lines 44-47, Pineville Ward 9 Voorhies, James (Black) 40 Wd M Head Farmer Lena 24 Wd F N/A Stephen 9 M N/A Bob 7 M N/A James 5 M N/A

1900 Page 162, Spring Hill Ward 4. Emma Head F Unk Unk 40 Wd 6 1-1 Make Cane Baskets H Abode is moveable Moore, Jim Son M Unk Unk 12 S Farm Lab Thompson, Jim Head M Unk Unk 46 Md 25 Farm Lab OF Amy Wife F Unk Unk 40 Md 25 9-2 Washing Boyd Son M Unk Unk 15 S Farm Lab Marsaline Dau. F Unk Unk 13 S Jackson, Tom Head M Unk Unk 60 Wd Farm Lab OF Brandy, Henry Head M Unk Unk 40 Md 20 Farm Lab RF Jane Wife F Unk Unk 38 Md 20 4-4 Make Baskets Sopha Dau. F Unk Unk 15 S Make Baskets Joe Son M Unk Unk 7 S Alec Son M Unk Unk 9 S Louis Son M Unk Unk 5 S (Kiamiscio) Isaac Head M Unk Unk 68 Md (squatter) Farmer OF (Kiamiscio) Sally Wife F Unk Unk 70 Md Jackson, Jim Head M Unk Unk 48 Md 20 LA MS MS Farmer RF (Prate) Emma Wife F Unk Unk 47 Md 20 3-3 Bi Bi Bi 1/4 white Martin Son M Unk Unk 18 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Farm Lab Fannie Dau. F Unk Unk 14 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Farm Lab Mary Dau. F Nov 1887 12 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Jim, Jr. Son M Sep 1890 9 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Frank Son M Nov 1893 6 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Rosa Dau. F Feb 1900 3/12 1/8 white CH CH Bi Edward Son M Sep 1896 3 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Murphy, William Stepson M Unk Unk 22 M 5/8 white Bi W Bi Farm Lab Page 221, Cotile Ward 7, Boyce Precinct Brandy, King Head M Mar 1810 90 Wd 60 - LA Un Un Jobbing OH Alace Dau. F May 1888 12 S Cole, Sausan Dau. F Mar 1860 40 Md 20 0-0 William Son in-L M Jan 1850 50 Md 20 Farmer OF Mary Dau. F Mar 1857 43 Wd 10 0-0 Buard, John Head M May 1854 46 Md 12 Farm Lab H Celey Wife F Jan 1860 30 Md 12 5-3 Farm Lab Philip Son M Jun 1890 10 S Adolph Son M Mar 1895 5 S Ida Dau. F Oct 1897 2 S Battise, Jno. Boarder M Jan 1844 56 S Mary Head F Feb 1860 40 Wd H Jackson, David Nephew M Nov 1880 19 S Farm Lab Battise, John Head M May 1870 30 S Farm Lab H

1910 Page 140, part 1, Spring Hill Ward 4. Brandy, Bill Head M 60 M1 30 LA DK DK Odd Job Laborer F Emmer Wife F 53 M1 30 2 LA CH DK Basket Maker F Laws, Jones Head M 39 M1 10 LA CK CH Farm Laborer F Marry Wife F 34 M1 10 0 LA LA LA Farm Laborer H Willis, Marry Wife F 24 M1 5 2 LA LA LA Housework F Lizzie Dau. F 5 S F Stella Dau. F 3 S F Page 157-A, Spring Hill Ward 4 Brandy, Henery Head M 61 M1 26 Farm Laborer F Jane Wife F 50 M1 26 9-6 F Sophia Dau. F 23 S Farm Laborer F Eleck Son M 15 S Wood Chopper F ??? Son M 12 S Wood Chopper F Lenie Son M 9 S F Sara Dau. F 6 S F Blanche Dau. F 3 S F Seal, Ben Head M 25 M1 2 Wood Chopper F Sophy Wife F 21 M1 2 F C??? Dau. F 4/12 S F Murphey, William Head M 30 M1 8 Farm Laborer H Mary Wife F 27 M1 8 1-1 F Ada Dau. F 2 S 3Q Marie 1/2 Sis F 23 Wd 1-1 Laundress F Ella Niec F 3 S F Jackson, Milly Boa. F 30 S House Keeper H Lee, Sam Head M 24 M1 1 Farm Laborer F Margrete Wife F 21 M1 1 1-1 F Infant Son M 1/12 F Page 157-B Tompson, James Head M 56 M2 15 Odd Job Laborer F Jane Wife F 52 M2 15 5-2 Farm Laborer F Margret Dau. F 14 S F Nelly Dau. F 8 S F Wash, Billy Head M 38 M2 12 Farm Laborer F Nancy Wife F 33 M1 12 3-2 Laundress H Sophie Dau. F 11 S 1Q Julia Dau. F 9 S 1Q Brandy, Seal Head M 37 M1 10 Farm Laborer F Sissy Wife F 30 M1 10 F Johnson, Henery Boa. M 38 Wd Farm Laborer H

The Clifton Choctaw Community is located northwest of Gardner and just east of the Calcasieu River on the north side of La. Hwy. 28, west of Alexandria. INDIANS OF RAPIDES PARISH As found in the various decennial years of the U.S. Census, viewed and transcribed by Houston Tracy Jr. in 1993. Only if the place of birth for the person or their parent's is from some place, other than Louisiana, is it shown. Same for race, shown only if other than Indian. Key to abbreviations: DK = Don't Know; CH = Choctaw; CK = Cherokee; Bi = Biloxi; 2-digit Postal State Abbreviation is used after that. M = Male F=Female Md = Married Wd = Widowed S = Single Numbers with a dash, signify number of children born to a woman and number of those children still living, when census taken. M1, M2, M3 = number of times married, followed by number of years individual has been married to the spouse shown. F = Full; H = Half; 3Q = 3 Quarters; Indian or White % of Blood. Unk = Unknown for birth month & year. N/A = Not Available or Not Shown 1920 Page 69, Lines 7-9, Spring Hill Ward 4, Town of Glenmora on Coffee Hill Murphey, William Head M 45 Md Saw Mill Laborer R Mary Wife F 34 Md Ada Dau. F 5 S Page 136-A, Lines 34-38, Forest Hill, Township 1 (South) Thompson, Jim Head M 70 Md Farm Laborer NK Jane Wife F 65 Md Nellie Dau. F 20 S Richard Son M 10 S Mildred Dau. F 8 S Page 151-B, Lines 66-69, Hineston Ward 5, Rapides Turpentine Camp Leo, Ellick Head M 80 Md LA LA MS Hide Tanner R Green, Lucindia B F 67 NS MS MS MS Housekeeper Williams, EaC??ie L. B F 17 NS LA LA LA Adopted Girl Williams, Rosevelt B M 14 S LA LA LA Adopted Son Page 228-A, Lines 35-41, Ward 7 (Cotile Ward), taken 11 May. Brandy, Mary Head F 40 Wd 7-4 Odd Job Laborer R Sam Son M 15 S Louisa Dau. F 12 S Rosanna Dau. F 10 S Mixed (Blood) Naome Dau. F 2 S Mixed LaChotha, Jane Cousin F 10 S Mixed Sophia Cousin F 6 S Mixed

all found using the search engine at Yahoo.com http://alpha.nsula.edu/departments/folklife/cultures/clifton.html http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/rdev/Community_Success/casestudy1.html http://www.crt.state.la.us/folklife/main_intro_maida_other.html http://www.louisianafolklifefest.org/craftsman.htm http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/success/champion.shtml http://dogwoodpress.myriad.net/dcm/redbone.html http://www.indianaffairs.com/statemap.htm

The Clifton Choctaw Community is located northwest of Gardner and just east of the Calcasieu River on the north side of La. Hwy. 28, west of Alexandria. INDIANS OF RAPIDES PARISH As found in the various decennial years of the U.S. Census, viewed and transcribed by Houston Tracy Jr. in 1993. Only if the place of birth for the person or their parent's is from some place, other than Louisiana, is it shown. Same for race, shown only if other than Indian. Key to abbreviations: DK = Don't Know; CH = Choctaw; CK = Cherokee; Bi = Biloxi; 2-digit Postal State Abbreviation is used after that. M = Male F=Female Md = Married Wd = Widowed S = Single Numbers with a dash, signify number of children born to a woman and number of those children still living, when census taken. M1, M2, M3 = number of times married, followed by number of years individual has been married to the spouse shown. F = Full; H = Half; 3Q = 3 Quarters; Indian or White % of Blood. Unk = Unknown for birth month & year. N/A = Not Available or Not Shown 1920 Page 69, Lines 7-9, Spring Hill Ward 4, Town of Glenmora on Coffee Hill Murphey, William Head M 45 Md Saw Mill Laborer R Mary Wife F 34 Md Ada Dau. F 5 S Page 136-A, Lines 34-38, Forest Hill, Township 1 (South) Thompson, Jim Head M 70 Md Farm Laborer NK Jane Wife F 65 Md Nellie Dau. F 20 S Richard Son M 10 S Mildred Dau. F 8 S Page 151-B, Lines 66-69, Hineston Ward 5, Rapides Turpentine Camp Leo, Ellick Head M 80 Md LA LA MS Hide Tanner R Green, Lucindia B F 67 NS MS MS MS Housekeeper Williams, EaC??ie L. B F 17 NS LA LA LA Adopted Girl Williams, Rosevelt B M 14 S LA LA LA Adopted Son Page 228-A, Lines 35-41, Ward 7 (Cotile Ward), taken 11 May. Brandy, Mary Head F 40 Wd 7-4 Odd Job Laborer R Sam Son M 15 S Louisa Dau. F 12 S Rosanna Dau. F 10 S Mixed (Blood) Naome Dau. F 2 S Mixed LaChotha, Jane Cousin F 10 S Mixed Sophia Cousin F 6 S Mixed 1910 Page 140, part 1, Spring Hill Ward 4. Brandy, Bill Head M 60 M1 30 LA DK DK Odd Job Laborer F Emmer Wife F 53 M1 30 2 LA CH DK Basket Maker F Laws, Jones Head M 39 M1 10 LA CK CH Farm Laborer F Marry Wife F 34 M1 10 0 LA LA LA Farm Laborer H Willis, Marry Wife F 24 M1 5 2 LA LA LA Housework F Lizzie Dau. F 5 S F Stella Dau. F 3 S F Page 157-A, Spring Hill Ward 4 Brandy, Henery Head M 61 M1 26 Farm Laborer F Jane Wife F 50 M1 26 9-6 F Sophia Dau. F 23 S Farm Laborer F Eleck Son M 15 S Wood Chopper F ??? Son M 12 S Wood Chopper F Lenie Son M 9 S F Sara Dau. F 6 S F Blanche Dau. F 3 S F Seal, Ben Head M 25 M1 2 Wood Chopper F Sophy Wife F 21 M1 2 F C??? Dau. F 4/12 S F Murphey, William Head M 30 M1 8 Farm Laborer H Mary Wife F 27 M1 8 1-1 F Ada Dau. F 2 S 3Q Marie 1/2 Sis F 23 Wd 1-1 Laundress F Ella Niec F 3 S F Jackson, Milly Boa. F 30 S House Keeper H Lee, Sam Head M 24 M1 1 Farm Laborer F Margrete Wife F 21 M1 1 1-1 F Infant Son M 1/12 F Page 157-B Tompson, James Head M 56 M2 15 Odd Job Laborer F Jane Wife F 52 M2 15 5-2 Farm Laborer F Margret Dau. F 14 S F Nelly Dau. F 8 S F Wash, Billy Head M 38 M2 12 Farm Laborer F Nancy Wife F 33 M1 12 3-2 Laundress H Sophie Dau. F 11 S 1Q Julia Dau. F 9 S 1Q Brandy, Seal Head M 37 M1 10 Farm Laborer F Sissy Wife F 30 M1 10 F Johnson, Henery Boa. M 38 Wd Farm Laborer H 1900 Page 162, Spring Hill Ward 4. Emma Head F Unk Unk 40 Wd 6 1-1 Make Cane Baskets H Abode is moveable Moore, Jim Son M Unk Unk 12 S Farm Lab Thompson, Jim Head M Unk Unk 46 Md 25 Farm Lab OF Amy Wife F Unk Unk 40 Md 25 9-2 Washing Boyd Son M Unk Unk 15 S Farm Lab Marsaline Dau. F Unk Unk 13 S Jackson, Tom Head M Unk Unk 60 Wd Farm Lab OF Brandy, Henry Head M Unk Unk 40 Md 20 Farm Lab RF Jane Wife F Unk Unk 38 Md 20 4-4 Make Baskets Sopha Dau. F Unk Unk 15 S Make Baskets Joe Son M Unk Unk 7 S Alec Son M Unk Unk 9 S Louis Son M Unk Unk 5 S (Kiamiscio) Isaac Head M Unk Unk 68 Md (squatter) Farmer OF (Kiamiscio) Sally Wife F Unk Unk 70 Md Jackson, Jim Head M Unk Unk 48 Md 20 LA MS MS Farmer RF (Prate) Emma Wife F Unk Unk 47 Md 20 3-3 Bi Bi Bi 1/4 white Martin Son M Unk Unk 18 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Farm Lab Fannie Dau. F Unk Unk 14 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Farm Lab Mary Dau. F Nov 1887 12 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Jim, Jr. Son M Sep 1890 9 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Frank Son M Nov 1893 6 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Rosa Dau. F Feb 1900 3/12 1/8 white CH CH Bi Edward Son M Sep 1896 3 S 1/8 white CH CH Bi Murphy, William Stepson M Unk Unk 22 M 5/8 white Bi W Bi Farm Lab Page 221, Cotile Ward 7, Boyce Precinct Brandy, King Head M Mar 1810 90 Wd 60 - LA Un Un Jobbing OH Alace Dau. F May 1888 12 S Cole, Sausan Dau. F Mar 1860 40 Md 20 0-0 William Son in-L M Jan 1850 50 Md 20 Farmer OF Mary Dau. F Mar 1857 43 Wd 10 0-0 Buard, John Head M May 1854 46 Md 12 Farm Lab H Celey Wife F Jan 1860 30 Md 12 5-3 Farm Lab Philip Son M Jun 1890 10 S Adolph Son M Mar 1895 5 S Ida Dau. F Oct 1897 2 S Battise, Jno. Boarder M Jan 1844 56 S Mary Head F Feb 1860 40 Wd H Jackson, David Nephew M Nov 1880 19 S Farm Lab Battise, John Head M May 1870 30 S Farm Lab H 1880 Page 481, part 2, Lines 32, 34-36, Alexandria Ward 1, Main Street Alexander, Sam 37 M Head Carpenter Theodore 10 M Son Frederic 6 M Son Edward 1 M Son Page 525, part 1, Lines 11-33, Lamourie Ward 2 Cady, Joseph 50 M Head Laborer Johanna 50 F Wife Julette 19 F Daughter Morgan 13 M Son Samuel, James 30 M Head Laborer Celeste 25 F Wife Thomas 6 M Son Catishe 2 F Daughter Dorsey, John 40 M Head Laborer Cecilia 30 F Wife Austin 18 M Son Martin 15 M Son Abram 13 M Son John 6 M Son Charles 18 S M Nephew Laborer Dallet, James 22 S M Brother Laborer Ben 20 S M Brother Laborer Polly 78 Wd F Mother Sosthene 40 Wd M Son Laborer William 7/12 S M Grandson Born in Nov. Lewis, Julia 30 Wd F Head Mack 12 M N/A Lizzie 4 F N/A Page 535, part 2, Line 46, Lamourie Ward 2 Preytor, William 16 M Servant for Mary M. Hanna Page 543, part 1, Line 45, Lamourie Ward 2 Yankee, John 11 M Servant for Joseph P. Willis Page 565, part 2, Lines 43-44, Hineston Ward 5 Eleck, Leon (name reversed?) 40 M Head Farm Laborer Mandy, Love (name reversed?) 20 F Wife Page 573, part 2, Lines 27 & 29, Calcasieu Ward 6 Brice, John 75 S M Head Farmer Johnson, Margret (White) 45 F N/A House Keeper GA GA TN Johnie 9 M Son Page 668, part 2, Lines 48-49, Cheneyville Ward 3 Tuck, Elisa (Mulatto) 53 F Head Preator, Ben 15 M Son Jack 14 M Son Rapides Parish Indians 1880 (continued) Page 669, part 1, Lines 46-50, Cheneyville Ward 3 Johnson, William 24 M Head Laborer Washington, William 36 M N/A Laborer Mary 13 F N/A Annie 10 F N/A Page 672, part 2, Lines 24-43, Spring Hill Ward 4 Cass, Joseph 50 M Head Betsy 56 F Wife Farmer Tillett 19 F Daughter Maria 13 F Daughter Sam, James 24 M Nephew Farmer Celestine 30 F Niece Codice 6 F Daughter Tom 1 M Son John, Betsy 60 F Head Sosthene 40 M N/A Farmer Sissy 2 F Daughter Sarry 1 F Daughter Dick, Nancy 60 F Head Laborer Sam, Gilis 30 M Son in law Farmer Juliana 30 F Sister Celia 20 F Sister Silva 1 F N/A Lonna 4 F N/A Smith, Isaac 4 M N/A Caddy, McClure 15 M N/A Laborer Page 680, part 1, Lines 18-35, Spring Hill Ward 4 Willis, James 35 M Head Farmer Elisa 37 F Wife Mary 17 F Daughter Nancy 10 F Daughter James 9 M Son Elisa 3/12 F Daughter Born in Mar. Andrew 37 Wd M Head Laborer Willie 8 M Son Lestie, Alex 21 M Head Laborer Baptiste, Elisa 40 Wd F Head Betsy 12 F Daughter Sophia 9 F Daughter Molly 8 ®)1¯ ®)3¯ F Daughter Nancy 16 ®)1¯ ®)3¯F Daughter Brandy, Frank 22 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Head Laborer Pauline 26 ®)1¯ ®)3¯F Wife Mitchel 8 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Son Seals 6/12 ®)1¯ ®)3¯M Son Rapides Parish Indians 1880 (continued) Page 680, part 1, Lines 36-47, Spring Hill Ward 4 Isaac 40 M Head Laborer Bojan 40 F Wife Wash, Tom 39 M Head Laborer Sissy 26 F Wife Jim 12 M Son Jo 8 M Son Celeste 6 F Daughter Narcisse 6/12 M Son Polly 45 Wd F Head Felix 21 M Head Laborer Tetienne 22 F Wife Baby 3 M Son Page 680, part 2, Lines 17-20, Spring Hill Ward 4 Wolf, Tom 35 M Head Farmer Caroline 23 F Wife Jane 10 F Daughter Jo 4 M Son Page 685, part 2, Lines 41-48, Cheneyville Ward 3 Dally, Ben 25 M Head Laborer Amy 20 F Wife C???? 3 F Daughter Jim 22 M Head Emma 20 F Wife Mike 3 M Son Jim 1 M Son Wise, Austin 20 M N/A Laborer Page 705, part 1, Lines 44-47, Pineville Ward 9 Voorhies, James (Black) 40 Wd M Head Farmer Lena 24 Wd F N/A Stephen 9 M N/A Bob 7 M N/A James 5 M N/A 1870 None Enumerated 1860 shown as Mulattoes only Ward 9 Town of Pineville pp. 1, 2, 4, 7 Ward 5 & 7 pp. 9, 13, 17, 25, 80, 189, 211, 214 Ward 9 pp. 82, 87, 158, 159, 167, 168, 181, 228, 235, 236, 242, 246, 249 Ward 8 p. 111 Ward 1 Town of Alexandria pp. 116-119, 122, 125, 127-135, 137, 139 Ward 5 Hineston p. 147 Ward 2 Lamourie p. 202 1850 shown as Mulattoes only pp. 46/2, 47/2, 48, 49, 52, 53, 55, 56, 64, 69, 69/2, 73/2, 74, 94-97, 99-102, 103, 104, 104/2

Randy Willis www.randywillis.org Joseph Willis and General Francis Marion AKA the "Swamp Fox" "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.

Thanks to Brenda Bordes, a member in the Central La. Genealogical Society for sharing with me a little about her trip in September to the Research facility at Jackson Barracks near New Orleans, La. This is the home of the Adjutant General of the La. National Guard, but as early as 1912, this facility began obtaining original records, transcripts, hand-drawn duplicate copies of records relating to Louisiana's Military History. They tout to have records dating from 1698-1936. So, although I have heard more about their housing Confederate military records and unit histories, they have some records covering nearly all military activities, which involved Louisiana's men and women. 8"x10" Photos of some 1950 images of 180 flags, 155 of these are from the American Civil War period and 100 are Confederate Battle Flags, primarily from Louisiana. Various records of Confederate Veteran's organizations and records from the Old Soldier's Home at Camp Nicholls, as well as, La. National Guard personel records. Recent records are not included, due to the Rights of Privacy Act. In 1956 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gave Jackson Barracks, 1150 pieces of cloth tracings of blue prints. photstatic copies and hand-drawn representations of Louisiana's Forts, fortifications, ordinance equipment, surveys, maps, diagrams and sketches. So, if you get a chance to go to the New Orleans area, put Jackson Barracks Library on your list of places to visit. They are located in Area "A", Building 73 and are open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., excluding Federal and State holidays. Phone: 504-278-8241. Happy Hunting ! Houston Tracy Jr.

WILLIS FAMILY FROM BLADEN / CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NC TO RAPIDES PARISH, LA. http://www.rootsweb.com/~nccumber/rwillis.htm

Seeking information on Joe Willis and Romelzy Willis Contact: Randy Willis [email protected] www.randywillis.org Five generations beginning with: 1) Rev Joseph Willis (b. ca. 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854) had a son named William Willis ( b. Jan. 6, 1804; d. Nov. 24, 1881) who is buried at Humble Cemetery - Elizabeth, Louisiana; he married Rhoda Strother. 2) William Willis had a son named Joseph "Joe" Willis (b. Apr. 5, 1847; d. Dec. 3, 1912), he married Annie/Anna (b. Sept. 23, 1834; d. Dec. 23, 1880). 3) This Joseph "Joe" Willis had a son named Romelzy Willis (b. Aug. 25, 1874; d. Feb. 24, 1929). He married his first wife, Emma Thompson (b. Jul. 31, 1878; d. Feb. 2, 1914) and later married a second wife, Nettie Dyer. 4) Romelgy is listed in the 1880 Rapides Parish, Louisiana Census as age 5 and as a child of Joseph and Annie Willis (born in P/Rhumatism, La. ?). Romelzy's siblings listed in the same census are: Arcilla (age 13) , Olive (age 11), Tramelia (age 9), and Lucinda (age 3). The spellings on these names are probably wrong. I interviewed Rev. Elmer Perkins, from De Ridder, Louisiana, in 1980. He died the next year at age 77. He said William William had a son named Joe Willis and Joe had a son named Romelzy Willis. Rev. Perkins said Romelzy had two sisters, he could remember: Olive and Drucilla. On May 18, 1981 I received a letter from Dovie Dyer Strother. I quote from that letter: "My name is Dovie Dyer Strother. My parents were Mach Dyer and Lillie Mae Willis, both deceased...My mothers parents were Romelzy Willis and Emmie Thompson Willis....My mothers grandfather was Joe Willis and her grandmothers name was Annie..." Dovie Dyer Strother said that Romelzy had three sisters named Amelia or Bess Willis who married Reben Cloud, Arisley Willis who married John Coker and Olive Willis who married Harvey Odom. According to Dovie Dyer 's letter, Romelzy Willis had two wives; the first wife was Emma/Emmie Thompson and the second wife was Nettie Dyer. 5) Romelzy Willis and Emma/Emmie Willis' children: Pickney Willis (b. January 14, 1892) Fenwick Willis (b. September 7, 1893) Lillie Mae (b. June 29, 1895; married a Dyer) Dovie Willis (b. July 10, 1897) Lonzy Willis (b. October 10, 1898) McKinley Willis (b. February 28, 1901) Dewey Willis (b. May 20, 1903) Nellie Willis (b. October 7, 1905; married a West) Mertie Willis (b. October 16, 1907; married a West) Twins Vertie Willis (b. October 16, 1907' married a Cloud) Twins Bessie Willis (b. April 10, 1910; married a Willis) Stacy Willis (b. January 28, 1912; married a Doyle) Willie Willis (b. February 3, 1914) Romelzy Willis and Nettie Dyer Willis' children: Rhoda Willis (married a Johnson) Ivey Willis Irene Willis (married a Brockenbush?) James Calvin or J.C. Willis Grover Willis Olive Willis Pharoah or Buddy

Researching: WILLIS, GRAHAM, HANKS, LAWSON, STAGG, STARK, ROUGEOU, SOILEAU, DUKE, SlAUGHTER, STORY Contact:Randy Willis My Rapides Parish Roots are as follows: 1) Randall Lee WILLIS (b. Dec. 19, 1949 in Oakdale, La.). My parents were Julian Everette Willis and Ruth Lawson Willis. My mother married her first husband, John Alex DUKE, on Dec. 23, 1933. He died Sept. 26, 1946. They had four children and thus my half-brothers and half-sisters are: Johnnie Ruth Duke GUILLORY (b. Jan. 7, 1935), Gerald "Jerry" DUKE (b. Sept. 30, 1940), John Alex "Buddy" DUKE (b. Jun. 30, 1943; d. May 8, 1995), and Marjorie Elaine Duke EERNISSEE (b. Mar. 14, 1945). My mother then married my father, Julian WILLIS, on June 26, 1948. I was their only offspring. We lived in Longleaf, La. until I was four. We then moved to Clute, Tx. in 1954 and then Angleton, Tx. in 1960. I married Rebecca Lynn DAY on Dec. 21, 1971, and then divorced in 1986. We have three sons: Aaron Joseph WILLIS (b. Oct. 24, 1977) , Joshua Randall WILLIS (b. Oct. 16, 1980), and Adam Lee WILLIS (b. May 23, 1982). All three sons were born in Austin, Tx. I'm single. I was graduated from Angleton High School in 1968, and Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Tx., in 1972 (BBA, MBA). I currently live in Austin, Texas. I own Riata Talent. My education is in accounting. I love history and especially family history. I loved sports, especially football. I never had much confidence in baseball. I could never hit against the kid from Alvin, a few miles up the road. His name was Nolan Ryan. 2) Julian Everette WILLIS (b. Oct. 5, 1919; d. Jun. 13, 1995) was my father. He was a son of Randall Lee WILLIS and Lillie Gertrude HANKS. He married my mother, Ruth Lawson Willis (b. Apr. 25, 1913; d. Oct. 13, 1994) on June 26, 1948, in Long Leaf, Rapides Parish, La. He died of heart failure and she died of cancer. Both are buried at Butter Cemetery near Forest Hill, La. My mother, Ruth LAWSON WILLIS, was the daughter of Robert S. LAWSON (b. Mar. 25, 1868; d. 1941) and Nina Ruth Hanks LAWSON (b. Oct. 27, 1891; d. July 16, 1962). My father, Julian WILLIS, fought in W.W.II., in the Army Aircore, and was on Iwo Jima at he end of the war. We moved to Clute, Texas in 1954, so daddy could work for Dow Chemical. He also raised horses, mules, and cows. We then moved to Angleton, Texas in 1960. We lived in the middle of several rice fields between Angleton and Danbury. Daddy had a very strong work ethic. He wasn't much on going to church, but had strong values and beliefs. He was extremely opinionated in politics. I only saw him cry once, at his mother's funeral. Mother loved Jesus and was an active member of Temple Baptist Church in Clute. As a young man I was faced with the choice of getting up at five in the morning, on Sundays, and working cows with daddy or going to church with mother. I chose church. 3) Randall Lee WILLIS (b. Mar. 20, 1886; d. May 14, 1940) was my grandfather. He was a farmer and logger. He was the youngest child of Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Jr. and Julia Ann GRAHAM WILLIS. He married Lillie Gertrude HANKS (b. Dec. 29, 1897; d. July 2, 1973) on Jan. 11, 1914 in La. He was born in Forest Hill. She moved to Forest Hill from Branch, La. at age 11. He died of stomach cancer and she died of a heart attack. He is buried in the Graham Cemetery and she at the Butter Cemetery. He was named after his father's commanding general in the Civil War, Gen. Randall Lee GIBSON. I was, in turn, named after my grandfather, Randall Lee WILLIS. She was a strong believer in Christ and was a staunch Baptist. I remember her deep reverence for the Lord. I remember walking into the church sanctuary with her one day, where the pastor was teaching a Sunday school class. He looked up from his notes and asked, Mrs. WILLIS "what does Christ do with our sins," and without hesitation she said "He throws them as far as the east is from the west." 4) Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Jr. (b. Apr. 2, 1839; d. May 22, 1900) was my great-grandfather. After his return from the Civil War, in 1865, he was made Constable of Spring Hill. His wife, Julia Ann, spoke often of the time he 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 an overnight stay. Daniel told him 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 the cattle stampeded in the woods. My grandfather, who was only 12 and riding drag, thought his dad, Daniel, had been killed; but then he could see Daniel's huge white hat waving high in the air in front of the cattle. Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Jr. was the eldest son of Rev. Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Sr. and Anna SlAUGHTER. He was raised near Sugartown, La. and then settled on Barber Creek near Longleaf, La. He married Julia Ann Graham (b. Feb. 22, 1845; d. Sept. 28, 1936) on January 5, 1867. (Daniel called her Julieann). Julia Ann's grandchildren recalled that she would often read her red-lettered New Testament on the front porch of the Old Willis Place. She would then open her trunk and pull out Daniel's photo, who had preceded her in death, and a tear would be seen in her eye. She 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." He died from kidney trouble at his son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis' home near Leesville, La. She swam in Barber Creek until age 90. Both Daniel and Julia Ann are buried at the Graham Cemetery. Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Jr. was the first of four Willis’ brothers to marry four GRAHAM’ sisters. 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." Later, three of Daniel's brothers would marry three of Julia Ann's sisters. 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 Long Leaf, La. He fought under General Randall Lee GIBSON in the Civil War. The headlines from Daniel's obituary in the "Alexandria Town Talk" stated "Another Gallant Confederate Soldier and Prominent Citizen Passes Away." The writer of his obituary wrote "During an intimate acquaintance, covering a period of twenty-five years, the writer never heard a vulgar or profane word pass his lips." 5) Rev. Daniel Hubbard WILLIS, Sr. (b. Dec. 28,1817; d. Mar. 27, 1887) was my great-great-grandfather. He was born on Bayou Boeuf in La. He married Anna SLAUGHTER (b. May 29, 1820 d. Mar. 24, 1876) on Mar. 15, 1838 in La. Both are buried at the Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Glenmora, La. He was the first of Rev. Joseph Willis' many descendants to follow him into the ministry. Daniel was called by W.E. PAXTON's in "A History of the Baptist of Louisiana, from the Earliest Times to the Present" (1888) "…one of the most respected ministers in the Louisiana Association." He established many churches himself and was blind the last 22 years of his life. His daughter would read the scriptures and he would preach. He was pastor of Amiable and Spring Hill Baptist Churches for many years. The Louisiana Association minutes record, in 1856, that "Elder D.H. Willis was a missionary in the Western part of the Association at the rate of $400 per year. Although in ill health he 'traveled 1840 miles, preached 84 sermons, delivered 44 exhortations, visited 115 families, baptized 19, restored 2, settled one difficulty, started 3 prayer meetings, and one Sabbath School, preached at 21 different places...'" He settled on Spring Creek near Glenmora at a community called Babb’s Bridge. His daughter-in-law, Julia Ann GRAHAM WILLIS said he was the best man she every knew. 6) Agerton WILLIS (b. 1785 in North Carolina) was my great-great-great-grandfather. He married Sophie Story on April 18, 1811, in La. He was the eldest of approximately 19 children of Rev. Joseph WILLIS. His mother was Rachel BRADFORD from Bladen County, NC. His wife, Sophie STORY, was an Irish orphan brought from Tennessee by a Mr. Park, who then lived near Holmesville below Bunkie, La. I do not know ether's place of birth or where they are buried. 7) Rev. Joseph Willis (b. circa 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854) was my great-great-great-great-grandfather. He was born in Bladen County, NC. in 1758. The Louisiana Baptist Association met at Evergreen, La. on October 1, 1852. Joseph WILLIS' friend, John O'QUIN, was clerk of the association that year and recorded in the Louisiana minutes "Joseph WILLIS, Sr., a feeble old man of ninety-four years old." This would have made Joseph 96 when he died in September of 1854; thus his year of birth, 1758. The committee on his on his obituary, in 1854, said that he died "at the advanced age of ninety two." This explains the date of birth, on his marker, of 1762. I believe this later estimate was wrong, since family tradition and numerous historians state he was 96 years old when he died. He was the first non-Catholic minister, to preach the Gospel, West of the Mississippi, River. He fought under Francis MARION "The Swamp Fox" in the Revolutionary War (South Carolina) and then migrated to La. before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. He established the first non-Catholic church West of the Mississippi River, Calvary Baptist, Nov. 13, 1812, at Bayou Chicot, La. His mother was half-Cherokee Indian and his father was English. His first wife was Rachel BRADFORD from Bladen County, North Carolina. His second wife, Sarah, was a Irish women from South Carolina. He settled with his third wife (a Johnson women) on Bayou Chicot. She died and is buried there. The location of her grave is unknown. He then moved, with his children, and settled on Spring Creek east of the Calcasieu River. His fourth wife was Elvy Sweat from Ten Mile Creek; they lived on the west side of the Calcasieu River, in Willis Hollow. He had four wives and 19 children. He is buried at the Occupy Baptist Church Cemetery near Pitkin, La. His first cousin, General John WILLIS, was one of the signers ratifying The Constitution of the United States, from North Carolina, in 1788. Rev. Joseph WILLIS' influence is still felt today. 8) Agerton WILLIS (b. circa 1727; d. 1777) was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. He was one of four brothers to migrate from England or Wales to Virginia and eventually to Bladen and Robeson Counties, North Carolina. The four Willis' brothers were Agerton WILLIS (b. circa 1727; d. 1777), Daniel WILLIS (b. circa 1716; d. 1785), Benjamin WILLIS III (b. circa 1725; d. 1785), and George WILLIS (b. circa 1730). After arriving in America, these four brothers are found in Southeast Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay area, the same area that the pilgrims first settled. There in the 1740’s, in Isle of Wight County and Nansemond County (now the city of Suffolk) was the place that Joseph WILLIS’ father, three uncles and one aunt called home. The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna WILLIS (b. circa 1730; d. 1791). Joanna married James COUNCIL (b. circa 1716) of Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1751. It is also said, that James was the son of John Council and Benjamin WILLIS Jr.’s sister Josie Willis (b. circa 1681), and grandson of Hodges COUNCIL. I have not confirmed this statement. Hodges, supposedly immigrated from Devonshire, England to America. I have been unable to confirm this with any evidence in Devon, England, but it may well be true. In the early 1750’s, the family, including James and Joanna, moved from Virginia to North Carolina. Between 1740 and 1770, hundreds of Virginians moved to North Carolina as a result of the Virginia legislature passing a law requiring all non-residents to acquire ten acres of land for each head of stock ranging in the colony or to become citizens. Agerton WILLIS settled on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The four brothers were all large plantation owners in North Carolina. Many of the Willises in America descend from these four brothers. The Origins of These Four Brothers After extensive research in Devon, England, I'm beginning to believe that the story that I heard, 20 years ago, of these four Willis' brothers coming from Wales to America may be true. I've have found only three, 1600-1700 Devonshire, Willis Families: James WILLIS of Totnes, Timothy Harding WILLIS of Barnstaple, and William Willis of Torrington. I have not found the names of Agerton Willis, Daniel Willis, Benjamin Willis, nor George Willis in all of 1600-1700 Devonshire, England. Wales is a hotbed of Willis families. It has been written that the surname "Willis" is of Welsh origin. Supposedly the Willises came to England with William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Additional research needs to be expended on our Willis overseas origin. As mentioned above, after arriving in America, our Willis family is found in Southeast Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay area. Other northeastern references with similar names can be found in the Boston Marriages from 1700-1809. Joseph Willis and Mary Goodwill - September 15, 1730 (page 158), Benjamin Willis and Ann Letty - November 20, 1742 (page 273) and Joseph Brown and Johanna Willis - September 22, 1719 (page 80). I've not been able to connect these Willises to ours, but the similarity of names is uncanny.

Looking for information on my great-great grandparents: Rev. Adolphe Stagg & Ultima Caratine My great-great grandfather, Rev. Adolphe Stagg (b. Dec. 17, 1834; died Apr. 17, 1914). He married Ultima Caratine (and later Cordelia Pevy). He was a pioneer Baptist preacher to the French speaking people of Louisiana. He was the father of Mary Celima Stagg Hanks who married Nathan Hanks; they were the parents of Nina Hanks who married Robert S. Lawson. They were the parents of my mother Ruth Lawson who married my father Julian Willis. Randy Willis [email protected] www.randywillis.org