HI.. A webpage it up and running for the TERRELL & Allied lines at MyFamily.com. There are a lot of pictures, documents, etc already on the website. If you are interested and want to *join* this midea, plesase Emai. me with: 1, Your first and last names 2. Your email address... thanks!! kaite..

I am seeking information on the descendants of Josephine Rougeau born 1850, married Onezime LaCaze, died 1931, buried Rougeau Cem. I am also seeking information on the descendants of John B. Rougeau born 1854, married Elizabeth Crawford, died 1939, buried Rougeau Cem. All help greatly appreciated. Phyllis in LA.

Henry Rougeau was born 1847 the son of Calise Rougeau Jr. and Mary Ann Paul. Orelia Rougeau was born 1852 the daughter of Severin Rougeau Sr. and Florentine DuPercude. They married in 1868. He died in 1914 and she died in 1934. Both are buried at Rougeau Cem. I am seeking their descendants. All help appreciated. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Seeking descendants of this couple for the purpose of exchanging information. He was born in 1848 and died in 1909. She was born 1867 and died 1907. His relatives are buried in Rougeau Cem. but I don't know where he and his wife are buried. All help appreciated. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Seeking descendants of the above people. He died in 1876 and she died in 1919. Both are buried in Rougeau Cem. I have their children as Joseph S. born 1870 and died 1936; Rosa Lee born 1872 and died 1964; Martin E. born 1876 and died 1907. I would love to exchange information. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

I am seeking descendants of S.D.Williams and Mary M. Rougeau Williams. He was born in 1828 and died in 1884 and is buried at Rougeau Cem. with a Masonic grave marker. She was born 1836 and died in 1915. She is also buried in Rougeau Cem. Thanking you in advance. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Jean Louis Rougeau was the son of Severin Rougeau Jr. and the grandson of Severin Rougeau Sr. He was the great grandson of Jean Baptiste Rougeau of Opelopusas and New Orleans. His great great grandfather was Edmond Rougeau (Roujot) of New Orleans and France. Jean Louis Rougeau and Mary Dewil had 12 children. They were: Francois (Dooley) born 1868, married Mary Jane Lewis in 1891 Joseph H. born 1871, married Lillian Melder in 1897 Benjamin F. born 1875, married 1) Arminda Coleman, 2) Celia Meadows John Thomas born 1877, married Katie Walker Mary A. (Haze) born 1878, married William W. Branch Lawrence born 1880 Florence born 1880, married Charles Slatten Emma born 1885, married Archibald Smith Walker 1912 Francis Marion (Frank) born 1890, married Jessica Ward William born 1888, married Elizabeth Jane Grant Ella born 1893, married James Lester Ida Cordie born 1895, married 1) Lazime Rougeau, 2) Claiborne Grisson, 3) Ed Megison I am trying to get information on the children, grandchildren, etc. of these people. I would be happy to exchange what information I have. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Seeking information on: Robert Graham (b. Aug. 20, 1818; d. Feb. 10, 1890) Robert Graham was born in Mississippi on August 20, 1818. He moved to Texas in about 1836. He then moved to Natchitoches, La., about 1841. Robert Graham married Ruth Smith (b. Dec. 5, 1813; d. Jun. 2, 1869) about 1843. Soon after marring Ruth Smith (a trapper's daughter) from Natchitoches, they moved to Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, La. Ruth told Robert that wished to be buried at the top of a hill on their land, near Forest Hill. She died of Typhoid fever and was buried atop that hill which is known today as the Graham Cemetery. Robert is buried next to her. Four of their daughters married four of Rev. Daniel H. Willis, Sr.'s sons: Julia Ann Graham (1845-1936) married Daniel H. Willis, Jr. (1839-1900), Demerius Graham (1849-1886) married Calvin Willis (1855-1911), Annie Graham (1855-1936) married Robert Willis (1858-1939) and Mary Ann "Maggie" Graham (1853-1940) married Dempsey Willis (1854-1919). Additional daughters of Robert and Ruth Graham were: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Graham who married Joel Merchant, Katherine Graham (b. circa 1842) who married D. Sermons, Emily Graham (1846-1933) who married William Butter (1850-1923), and Lucy "Ruth" Graham (b. 1851) who married James Moore (1849-1913). Robert and Ruth also had two sons: William Graham (1843-1925) who married Laura Dyer (1849-1930) and Lorenzo Dow Graham (1848-1933) who married Victoria Pickren. They had a total of 10 children. Robert Graham had two brothers: William Graham (who moved to Bell County, Texas) and Samuel Graham (who moved to Wisconsin). Robert Graham's father was another William Graham. This William Graham's father was Samuel Graham and Samuel's father was supposedly, yet another William Graham from Charlotte, North Carolina (circa 1765). [email protected]

Does anyone know of a Moore Cemetery near Elwood Baptist Church out of Forest Hill? I'm trying to locate Lucy "Ruth" Graham (b. 1851) grave who married James Moore (1849-1913). Randy Willis

There is a person in Dallas who is the legal guardian for Irene Edwards Hall who is terminally ill. She says her mother's maiden name was WILLIE MAE BONNETTE, sister to Jim and Isaac Bonnette of Glenmnora. She married Jacob Cossman of Ruston LA. Jacob is buried in Lincoln Parish beside his first wife. Irene wants to be buried beside her mother who died sometime around 1922 to 1925 and should be buried somewhere in or around Glenmora. As you can see this is a desperate situation. Is there anyone who can help???? It would be badk if Irene did pass away and couldn't be buried by her mother!!!! Please help!!!! Thanks!!!! kaite..

I've enjoyed reading about the Willis's family. Oh how I wish that I knew more about the Watkins family that my Husband's grandmother was born into in 1869 Rapides Parish, Cheneyville area. Her mother was the daughter of Ammon Perry Morris and Mary Anne Watkins. That side goes back a few generations, but all I know of her father is his name William I. Watkins. There are a number of Watkins in the LA and TX area, but no one mentions a William I. Does any one know ??? Oh where, oh Where did he come from? Beverly Smith --- Bobby Smith --- [email protected] --- EarthLink: It's your Internet.

From: Randy Willis randywillis.org 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 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., Rapides Parish, 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."

Cindy Gibbs is a non-subscriber to our list and is just getting started in her search for the ancestry of her children. Her father was Alfred D. DUNN, brother of Gene DUNN of Alexandria and once an active community activist in Youth Sports, he served as a paid member and consultant on the Rapides Parish Police Jury and volunteered to oversee many other community activities. I can only guesstimate Gene died in the late 1980's or early 1990's, not close enough for her to make a lookup request. Cindy would like to see if anyone on the list can tell her when Gene died, so she can get his obit from the Rapides Parish Library. The info within it may lead her to other names to search and where her other ancestors are buried, for none of the names she presently has appears in the 4-volume series of Rapides Parish Tombstone Inscriptions by Partain & McManus. Leading me to believe they must all be buried in perpetual-care cemeteries, which were not included in that book series. The one other full name she has is that of Jane REDD McCLENDON. Does anyone have any knowledge about this woman ? Thanks in advance... Houston You may email Cindy directly at [email protected] or by pressing the reply button on this message and it will run through this list.

The Life and Times Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. & Julia Ann Graham Willis by Randy Willis 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.

Dr. Hiram "Pete" Gregory, Jr., Professor of Anthropology at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, will be the guest speaker at the November 11th meeting of the Winn Parish Genealogical & Historical Association. Dr. Gregory will be discussing the historic Indian tribes of North and Central Louisiana. In addition to his position as Coordinator and Professor of Anthropology at NSU, Dr. Gregory has been active in cooperative programs with the Louisiana Indian communities since the early 1970s and has worked with seven of the eight tribal communities in Louisiana and three tribes in Oklahoma. Together with Drs. Fred B. Kniffen and George A. Stokes, he co-authored a major work on the Native Americans of Louisiana, The Historic Tribes of Louisiana. He also contributed two major catalogs of Louisiana folk art and has authored papers on folkways, material culture, and archaeology in a number of professional journals. Dr. Gregory also edited the major articles relating to the Caddo in The Southern Caddo: An Anthology. Dr. Gregory's talk will begin at 2 p.m. in the society's meeting room on the second floor of the Winn Parish Health Unit building, preceded by a short business meeting at 1 p.m., refreshments and visiting with cousins and friends. All are cordially invited to attend. Peggy Beaubouef Vice President, WPGHA

>From Randy Willis Brief Biographical Sketches on my Rapides Parish Willis line and our Rapides Parish Willis Family Origins 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 Eernisse (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, Rapides Parish, 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 Willis of Rapides Parish. He married my mother, Ruth Lawson Willis (b. Apr. 25, 1913; d. Oct. 13, 1994) on June 26, 1948, in Longleaf, 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, Rapides Parish. 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, Rapides Parish, La. 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, Rapides Parish, 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, Rapides Parish, 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. Randy Willis

>From Randy Willis www.randywillis.org [email protected] Brief Biographical Sketches on my Rapides Parish Willis line and our Rapides Parish Willis Family Origins 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 Eernisse (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, Rapides Parish, 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 Willis of Rapides Parish. He married my mother, Ruth Lawson Willis (b. Apr. 25, 1913; d. Oct. 13, 1994) on June 26, 1948, in Longleaf, 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, Rapides Parish. 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, Rapides Parish, La. 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, Rapides Parish, 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, Rapides Parish, 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. Randy Willis www.randywillis.org [email protected]

Could someone do a look-up in the 1860 Rapids Census for a Matthew Bushnell? Thank you, Ethel.

Hello, I am new to the list and am in need of a look up, please. The page # is 53. 1860 HUDDLESTON JOHN Rapides Parish LA 053 Alexandria P.O. Federal Population LA 1860 Federal LA39058005 If anyone has any information on this John Huddleston please contact me at [email protected] Thanking you in advance, Jerry Gallagher (Mrs.)

To whomever was looking this obit. I searched the Alexandria Daily Town Talk newspaper today for the entire month of July (morning and evening issues) 1963 in about 45 minutes. There was no obit found in his name. At this time period, obits were not always located in the same place and occaisionally one would appear on the front or other pages apart from the others. Houston