Hi Nancy, I'm sorry I don't have anything for you on the RUDDOCK/RUDDICKs, but I wanted to ask you about the TANNER/ROBERT families. Do you have much information on them? My PEARCE/MUNSON families married into the TANNER and ROBERT families. The only location I knew of them was Screven Co., GA and Wilkinson Co., MS before settling in Rapides Parish, LA (Cheneyville area). I was interested in the fact that you mentioned Beaufort District SC, because my PEARCEs were also from there before they went to Screven and Effingham Counties, GA. I would like to find out any information about them when they lived in SC (or anywhere for that matter!). I don't know very much right now. There is a Lodowick TANNER in my notes as a possible father of Joseph TANNER, b. about 1765 in GA. Joseph TANNER m. Elizabeth LANIER, and they had a daughter, Rhoda TANNER, who m. James PEARCE. None of the other names you mentioned rang any bells. Thanks for any information or tips! Marianne Gilbert Phoenix, AZ >Searching for any information on my great-grandmother, Theresa Ruddock or >Ruddick born in England. On the 1850 census of Rapides Parish, we find >Theresa Ruddock (Ruddick), age 18,of England, listed under the household >of William Prince Ford. >William Prince Ford was born in Henry Co., Ky. on January 5, 1803. He was >a son of Jesse Ford and Dulla Barry Prince, and came to Rapides Parish >with his parents about 1816. He married, in 1828, one Martha P. Tanner, >the 11th child of Robert Tanner and Providence Robert, natives of Beaufort >District, SC and early settlers of Rapides Parish. Mrs. Ford died in >Rapides Parish on January 11, 1849, leaving four children. This fact may >directly relate to Theresa being listed under the household in 1850. >However, by the 1850 census, Ford had married Mary B. Dawson, widow of >William H. Cureton. One could assume, that Theresa had been hired to help >with the children, or perhaps there was a connection between Theresa and >the Spring Creek Academy at Hurricane Creek which Ford had been >instrumental in founding. >Theresa married Charles Edward Jouett in 1852 and their first child, Ella >McConnell Jouett was born in 1853. Ella married Walter Lodowick Tanner in >1874. >Theresa, supposedly, had an uncle, Frank Bailey, that lived in the area >but the only Bailey's I have found that she may have had a connection to >was Walter Bailey from Bath, England. >Theresa was born about 1832 and died Feb. 21, 1876. >If anyone has any information about Theresa Ruddock can you please let me >know. Any help will be appreciated >Thanks >Nancy Meaux

Does anyone have access to the 1900 U.S. Census for Rapides Parish. I need some information from Ward 5--the Hineston Ward. I am trying to locate the families of Alonzo Barnidge and his wife Sarah Malinda (Linda) Lawson Barnidge and Henry Howerton and his wife Alice Lawson Howerton. All help greatly appreciated. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Desperately seeking descendants of Sarah Malinda Lawson and Alonzo Barnidge for the purpose of exchanging genealogical information. Also need to know if Henry Rist Lawson's wife, Clara Barnidge, was related to Alonzo Barnidge. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Hazel; I wish I knew the answer about the Barnidges. That's the kind of thing I am looking for. Yes, I remember corresponding with you in the past. Hope you are doing well. I'll get the Rougeau material together and snail mail it to you next week. regards Phyllis in Louisiana

At 05:43 PM 10/19/00 -0400, you wrote: >I am seeking information on Malinda Lawson, daughter of Robert W. Lawson and >Florentine Rougeau Lawson. She was born 1863 and died 1908. She married >Alonzo Barnidge. They lived out in the Elmer area of Rapides Parish. All >help greatly appreciated. >Regards >Phyllis in Louisiana Phyllis, Do you know if Alonzo Barnidge was related to Clara Barnidge who married Henry Rist Lawson, Malinda's brother? Randy Willis gave me some information on this family. He lists her name as Sarah Melinda Lawson. I have a double interest in this family. You and I have exchanged a few notes on the Rougeou family. My first husband was Marion Kenyon Miley, his mother was Cordelia Irene Patterson Miley, her parents Francis Marion and Rosa Angeline Rougeou Patterson. The second connection is Henry Rist Laswon and his second wife, Huldah Zoe Dove. Zoe was the daughter of John Edward #2 and Casandre Goodson Dove and the sister of Howell Columbus Dove who was my great grandfather. Randy Willis's great uncle Elbert K. Willis married my great aunt Ivy Dove, daughter of Howell Columbus. I would appreciate any information on the Rougeau line you will share with me, and I will be more than happy to share the information that I have been able to gather. Hazel The roots of our family tree were planted deep in American soil. The trunk of the tree grew strong and it has many, many branches. Some branches are still bare and need your information. I will gladly exchange genealogy information with others. Please do not send me jokes, hoax warnings, chain letters, etc. My time on the computer is very limited. Researching: Anderson, Byrd, Dove, Goodson, Miley, Neal, Patterson, Payne, Rougeou, Shumate, Walker and Weaver Hazel LeBlanc <[email protected]> 1717 Job Ave. Zachary, LA 70791-5110 AOL Instant Messenger I D: HMLeBlanc Home page: <http://www.intersurf.com/~bleblanc/bill-haz.htm>http://www.intersurf.com/~b leblanc/bill-haz.htm

I am seeking information on Alice Lawson, daughter of Robert W. Lawson and Florentine Rougeau Lawson. She was born 1865 and died 10 January 1924. She is buried in Rougeau Cemetary. She was married to Henry H. Howerton. They had the following children: Clara married a Mr. Carruth Irma born 1893 married (1) Mr. Kirkpatrick, (2) Mr. Lorraine Clementine born 1889 married Clayton Swift Johnn married Parks W. Sansing All help greatly appreciated. regards Phyllis in Louisiana

I am seeking information on Malinda Lawson, daughter of Robert W. Lawson and Florentine Rougeau Lawson. She was born 1863 and died 1908. She married Alonzo Barnidge. They lived out in the Elmer area of Rapides Parish. All help greatly appreciated. Regards Phyllis in Louisiana

Searching for any information on my great-grandmother, Theresa Ruddock or Ruddick born in England. On the 1850 census of Rapides Parish, we find Theresa Ruddock (Ruddick), age 18,of England, listed under the household of William Prince Ford. William Prince Ford was born in Henry Co., Ky. on January 5, 1803. He was a son of Jesse Ford and Dulla Barry Prince, and came to Rapides Parish with his parents about 1816. He married, in 1828, one Martha P. Tanner, the 11th child of Robert Tanner and Providence Robert, natives of Beaufort District, SC and early settlers of Rapides Parish. Mrs. Ford died in Rapides Parish on January 11, 1849, leaving four children. This fact may directly relate to Theresa being listed under the household in 1850. However, by the 1850 census, Ford had married Mary B. Dawson, widow of William H. Cureton. One could assume, that Theresa had been hired to help with the children, or perhaps there was a connection between Theresa and the Spring Creek Academy at Hurricane Creek which Ford had been instrumental in founding. Theresa married Charles Edward Jouett in 1852 and their first child, Ella McConnell Jouett was born in 1853. Ella married Walter Lodowick Tanner in 1874. Theresa, supposedly, had an uncle, Frank Bailey, that lived in the area but the only Bailey's I have found that she may have had a connection to was Walter Bailey from Bath, England. Theresa was born about 1832 and died Feb. 21, 1876. If anyone has any information about Theresa Ruddock can you please let me know. Any help will be appreciated Thanks Nancy Meaux

Seeking information on the following: Daniel H. Willis, Jr. (b. April 2, 1839; died May 22, 1900) Julia Ann Graham (born February 22, 1845; d. September 28, 1936). They married January 10, 1867 at her father Robert Graham's (b. August 20, 1818; d. February 10, 1890) home in Forest Hill, Louisiana (Rapides, Parish). He was the first of four sons of Rev. Daniel H. Willis Sr. (b. December 28, 1817; d. March 27, 1887) and Anna Slaughter to marry four daughters of Robert Graham and Ruth Smith. Rev. Daniel H. Willis Sr. was the son of Agerton Willis and grandson of Pioneer Louisiana Baptist Preacher Rev. Joseph Willis (1758-1854). Daniel Hubbard Willis Jr. and Julia Ann Graham had the following children: 1.Henry Elwa Willis was born 6 OCT 1867. He died 18 JAN 1945. 2.Carvelia S. Willis was born 10 FEB 1869. She died 31 MAR 1941. 3.Minnie R. Willis was born 7 MAY 1870. She died 18 SEP 1921. 4.David Eugene Willis was born 19 JAN 1872. He died 13 FEB 1880. 5.Corine Willis was born 27 SEP 1873. She died 6 OCT 1873 as a small baby. 6.Daniel Oscar Willis was born 8 MAR 1875. He died 23 DEC 1935 in an Auto Accident. 7.Robert Kenneth Willis Sr. was born 15 JAN 1877. He died in 1951. 8.Ruthey Madella Willis was born 20 JUN 1880. 9.Stella Willis was born 21 AUG 1881. She died 10 DEC 1881 as a small baby. 10.Julia Coatney Willis was born 11 MAR 1883. She died 16 AUG 1945. 11.Randall Lee Willis was born 20 MAR 1886 in Forest Hill, Louisiana. He died 14 MAY 1940. Randy Willis [email protected] Willis Web Site: http://www.randywillis.org/

Randy, Do you have an Everett Willis who married Lucy Foshee (Walker)? They were in either Vernon, Beauregard, Calcasieu, or Rapides Parish. Harold Gosnell

Rev. Joseph Willis' (1758-1854) youngest son, Aimuwell Willis (1837-1937), married twice and settled in Leesville, La.. His first wife was Marguerite Leuemche, and his second wife was Lucy Foshel/Foshee. Randy Willis ----- Original Message ----- From: "gosnell" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2000 8:24 AM Subject: [LARAPIDE] My Rapides Parish Roots between Forest Hill and Longleaf, L > Randy, Do you have an Everett Willis who married > Lucy Foshee (Walker)? They were in either > Vernon, Beauregard, Calcasieu, or Rapides Parish. > Harold Gosnell > >

Are there any Willis, Graham, Hanks, Lawson, Stagg or Stark cousins out there from Rapides Parish? My parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all neighbors near Barber Creek between Forest Hill and Longleaf, La. The location of their Old Home Places and their names are: Graham Home Place: My great-grandparents: ROBERT GRAHAM (b. August 20, 1818; d. February 10, 1890). Married RUTH SMITH (b. December 5, 1813; d. June 2, 1869). Both are buried at The Graham Cemetery near Forest Hill, Louisiana. Ruth, after becoming ill, told Robert that she wished to be buried at the top of a hill [see present day Bell Road] on their home place near Forest Hill, La. She was and that hill became known as the The Graham Cemetery. Willis Home Place: My great-grandparents: DANIEL H. WILLIS, JR. (b. April 2, 1839; d. May 22, 1900). Married JULIA ANN GRAHAM (b. February 22, 1845; d. September 28, 1936). Both are buried at The Graham Cemetery. They married January 10, 1867 at her father, Robert Graham's home place. When Daniel asked Robert Graham for Julia Ann's hand in marriage (just after the Civil War), 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 Willis died in 1900, he left Julia Ann $35,000.00 in gold, a large homestead near Barber Creek and the woods full of cows. Daniel H. Willis, Jr. was the son of Rev. Daniel H. Willis, Sr. (b. December 28, 1817; d. March 27, 1887) and Anna Slaughter (b. May 29, 1820 d. March 24, 1876). Both are buried at Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Barber Creek. Lawson Home Place: My grandparents: ROBERT S. LAWSON (b. March 25, 1868; d. in 1941). He married NINA RUTH HANKS (b. 1891; d. 1962). Nina Ruth Hanks is buried in the Butter Cemetery. Robert S. Lawson's parents were Robert W. Lawson (b. April 9, 1810; d. November 25, 1890), and Florentine Rougeau (b. December 5, 1838; d. December 6, 1871). She is buried in the Rougeau Cemetery. Nina Ruth Hanks parents were Nathan Hanks (b. December, 1850) and Mary Celima Stagg (b. August 01, 1862, and died 1947 and buried in Butter Cemetery). Hanks Home Place: My great-grandparents: ARTHUR ALLEN HANKS (b. August 27, 1877; died August 22, 1942). He married MARY STARK (b. 1860; d. 1931). She traveled by covered wagon first to Branch, La. and then to Forest Hill, La. in 1910. She is buried in Butter Cemetery. Arthur Allen Hanks "ran off" with another women and is buried in Oklahoma. Arthur Allen Hanks parents were William Hanks and Francis Soileau. My Childhood Home: We lived on part of the Old Lawson Home Place (adjoining the Old Willis Home Place) until I was age four, which belonged to my mother. Our home was between present-day Empire and Barton Roads facing Highway 165. We then moved to Clute, Texas near were my dad had gotten a higher paying job at Dow Chemical. My parents were neighbors as kids. Julia Ann Graham Willis had always told her children and grandchildren that there was gravel in Barber Creek. Both their parents/grandparents old home places, near Barber Creek, were later destroyed by gravel and timber companies who bought up the undivided shares of the old home places. A large pit/lake stands were their homes once were. 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. Randy Willis [email protected] http://www.randywillis.org/

Is there anyone willing to look-up some marriages for a person who is Legaly blind? Harold Gosnell [email protected]

What a wonderful story, Randy. It is a most enjoyable contribution to the list. A subscriber, Ethel.

>From Randy Willis www.randywillis.org Jimmy Day and My Dad in Long Leaf, Louisiana Rapides Parish Everyone who saw my grandfather play the fiddle said he was the best they had ever heard. My father played the pedal steel guitar. One day, my sister Johnnie Ruth (who is 16 years older than me) brought her young beau to our home, located near Long Leaf, Louisiana, to meet our parents. Her beau's name was Jimmy Day. He saw my dad practicing the steel and ask him to teach him how to play the steel. Daddy taught Jimmy how to tune a guitar and he and another local steel player, by the name of Harold Whatley, taught Jimmy his first licks. My dad and Jimmy both played in the local Happy McNichol's band. The first venue that they both played was called "The Wigwam." Jimmy's dad was the store manger for the local sawmill commissary operated the "Crowell and Spencer Lumber Company," located in Long Leaf, Louisiana (Rapides Parish). (See http://www.forestheritagemuseum.org) Later, Harold Whatley's brother Horace would co-write the song "Sawmill" with Mel Tillis, which became a hit. It was based on this same sawmill. Jimmy went own to play first with Web Pierce on The Louisiana Hayride, and then was the only picker to play with all three Super Stars: Pasty Cline (he was with her on her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry and was the session steel guitarist on many of her hits such as "Sweet Dreams"), Elvis, and Hank William's Sr. Hank had ask Jimmy to join his band the "Drifting Cowboys" towards the end of 1952. He told Jimmy he only had three more gigs left on his current tour which would end New Years Eve; but Hank died New Year's Day, 1953, before Jimmy could become an official member of the "Drifting Cowboys." Jimmy was a member of Ray Price's band (he laid down the famous opening licks on Ray Price's "Crazy Arms") and later Willie Nelson's original band "The Offenders." He also played for Red Sovine, Jim Reeves, Lefty Frizzell, Ernest Tubb, Ferlin Husky, and George Jones. Country music recording artist would arrange their recording sessions around Jimmy's off-the-road schedule so he could play on their sessions. Later, when I was managing Johnny Rodriguez, I hired Jimmy to play in our band. When Jimmy moved to Alabama from Louisiana, as a teenager, he befriended a young man in high school. The young man ask Jimmy to teach him the steel; Jimmy said no way - "choose another instrument." He chose the piano, his name was Floyd Cramer of "Last Date" fame. Jimmy and Floyd played in Elvis' first band. When Elvis decided to head to California, he asked Jimmy and Floyd to join him. They both declined, citing that their dream was to be on the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy once told me that if he had not made that decision, Rock Music would have a steel guitar in it today. Three years ago (1997), I was on stage at Willie Nelson's annual 4th. of July picnic with Jimmy. We were standing with Willie's former wife Connie Nelson and Willie's two youngest daughters Paula and Amy. Jimmy told Paula and Amy that they would not be here if it was not because of him because he had introduced Willie to Connie. I said, just think girls, you would not be here if my father had not taught Jimmy the steel which later enabled Jimmy to be in Willie's band. (I was booking Paula some at that time). We all laughed and took a picture together. Jimmy died of cancer January 22, 1999, at the age of 65. At his funeral, Connie Nelson (she now manages Waylon Jennings) asked me if I would be so kind as to send her a copy of that photograph; she said, "she would cherish it." The enclosed photo of Elvis and Jimmy is one of my most cherished possessions. It's inscribed: "To My life-long friend, Randy - Jimmy Day." I also have my dad's copy which is inscribed: "To my first teacher Julian, Keep on pick'n, Jimmy Day." I loved Jimmy and will miss him...... Randy Willis

>From Randy Willis' Files www.randywillis.org Rev. Joseph Willis' Children in Rapides Parish, Louisiana Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. (1758-1854) and his first wife Rachel Bradford (1762) had the following children: (1) Agerton Willis (1785), (2) Mary Willis (1787), (3) Joseph Willis, Jr., (1792) and (4) Rachel Willis (1794). Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. and Rachel Bradford lived in Bladen County, North Carolina near the Cape Fear River. Rachel, may well have died giving birth (or soon thereafter) to her daughter Rachel. Perhaps this is the reason Joseph named his second daughter Rachel and not the first. Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. married a second wife Sarah, (an Irish women) Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. and his second wife Sarah had the following children: (5) Jemima Willis (1796) and (6) Sarah Willis (1798). By 1794 Joseph had moved to Greenville County (the Washington Circuit Court District), South Carolina. Sarah is called Joseph’s wife in a deed dated August 8, 1799, but died soon thereafter. She died between 1799 – 1802. Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. married a third wife Sarah(?) Johnson. Joseph settled at Bayou Chicot, Louisiana in 1805. It was at Bayou Chicot that most of his children were born. Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. and Sarah Johnson had the following children: (7) Sally Willis (1802) [Although she could be the same as Sarah Willis (1798) above], (8) William Willis (1804), (9) Lemuel Willis (1812), (10) John Willis (1814), and (11) Martha Willis(?) (1825). (12-15) Four females were listed in the 1830 census between the ages of five and twenty. It is interesting to note that Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr.'s sons Joseph Willis, Jr., William Willis and Lemuel Willis all had daughters named Sarah. Rev. Joseph Willis' fourth and last wife was Elvy Sweat. Joseph moved to Spring Creek, east of Calcasieu River near Glenmora, Louisiana around 1828-1829. By 1833 he was living near Tenmile Creek. According to family tradition, Elvy was not good to him. As a result of this and Joseph’s failing health, his son Lemuel went and got him and took him to his home in Oakdale, where he lived the remainder of his life. Rev. Joseph Willis Sr. and Elvy Sweat had the following children: (16) Samuel Willis (1836) and (17) Aimuwell Willis (1837-1937). Rev. Joseph Willis' Other Possible Children There were four females listed in the 1830 census between the ages of 5-20 for Rev. Joseph & household. The 1850 Rapides Parish Census also lists an additional four males for Joseph Willis & household: James Willis (1841), William Willis (1845), Timothy Willis (1847) and Bernard Willis (1848). It would be unlikely that Rev. Joseph Willis would have a second son named William. Aimuwell Willis (1837-1937) always said he was Joseph Willis’ youngest son. Perhaps these last four males were grandchildren of Rev. Joseph Willis. Historian Ivan Wise wrote in Footsteps of the Flock: or Origins of Louisiana Baptist (1910) that two sons (18-19) of Joseph died "poisoned on honey and were buried a half mile from the present town of Oakdale, Louisiana." I have not been able to find their graves. Ivan Wise also said, in 1910, that Rev. Joseph Willis had 19 children. Randy Willis [email protected] www.randywillis.org

>From Randy Willis' Files www.randywillis.org Dr. Greene Wallace Strother & Other Willis Family Relationships in Rapides Parish, Louisiana Greene Strother's (1892-1981) father was John Houston Strother, Sr. (1852-1926). John Houston Strother, Sr. married Carolyn Matilda Willis Strother (1855-1931). She was a daughter of Lemuel Willis (1812) and Eveline/Emeline Perkins. Lemuel Willis was a son of Rev. Joseph Willis (1758-1854). Greene Strother's sister Nellie V. Strother (1899-1984) wrote me in a letter (1983) about her mother: "about Carolyn Matilda Willis Strother - a granddaughter of Joseph Willis. During the Civil War her grandfather Perkins came for her mother [Patsy] and children to live on the plantation. Following her mother's [Pasty] death the children lived there - each had a black nurse. She [Carolyn Willis] was several years younger than the others: Polk, Olive, Sryldia and Liddy. She was given the choice of where to live and she chose Polk [Willis] and his wife Anna. The estate was settled and she and John [Strother], after marriage, settled on her acreage...she was known as pet, mother, mamma, ma, mom." Greene Strother's siblings were Rev. John Houston Strother, Jr. (1873-1950), William (Willie) Strother (1879-1963), Martha Strother Ford (1882-1966), Katie Strother Head (1884-1979), Julius Scott Strother (1889-1966), Harry Winfield Strother (1894-1921) and Nellie Vernice Strother (1899-1984). Greene Strother married Martha Krause. Greene and Martha had four children: Miriam Jean Strother, Greene Wallace Strother, Jr., Joyce Carolyn Strother and Joseph Willis Strother. Their first three children were born in China. John Houston Strother, Sr. father was Alexander Asaria Strother, Sr. (1829-1864). Alexander Strother was killed in the Civil War, on May 11, 1864. Alexander Strother married Martha "Patsy" Coker (1830-1899). [Alexander Strother's death certificate states his wife's maiden name was Willis. This was signed by their son, a medical doctor]. Alexander and Martha "Pasty" Strother are both buried at Ashworth/Osborne Cemetery. Alexander Asaria Strother, Sr. and Martha "Pasty" Strother's children were: Sarah Strother (1848-1895 - married Chan Johnson), Dr. William Strother, MD (1850-1926), John Strother (1852-1926 - In 1865, he became a coachman for the first carpetbagger governor of Louisiana), Alexander Asaria Strother, Jr. (1854-1941), Martha Strother (1858), Rosanie Strother (1860), Texanna Strother (1870-1937 - married Andrew Johnson), and Mary Strother (1884 - married Frank Perkins). Alexander Asaria Strother, Sr.'s brother, Richard Strother, III (1843), had a daughter named Matilda by Lucinda "Lydia" Willis (1847). Lydia Willis was a daughter of Rev. Joseph Willis' (1758) son Lemuel Willis (1812) and a sister to Greene Strother's mother Caroline Matilda Willis Strother (1855). Richard Strother, III, was in the CSA from Nov. to Dec., 1862 and then deserted Dec. 9, 1862. He was later shot soon after having the child by Lydia Willis. He and Lydia could not marry, as he was a hunted man. Lydia later married Henry Stanley. Matilda later married Ruben Fee. Lydia also lost a brother, Crawford Willis, in 1862 at Shiloh in the Civil War. Richard Strother, III joined a group of Jayhawkers (probably the large group based in Oberlin, Louisiana at the time). He would slip into see relatives (although he was not really safe when around some of them) and to see Lydia. He only lived for a short time after their daughter Matilda was born. She only remembered seeing him once. Lydia took her out to the woods on the pretense of looking for a goose nest and he was there on a horse in the woods. Matilda barely remembered him. It was not long after that when the law (or whoever was looking for this group of Jayhawkers) found several of them together and killed them. The location was close to the Calcasieu River near the Ashworth/Osborne Cemetery area. It was a small lake and 5 or 6 men were killed there thus giving it the name "Dead Man's Lake. " Alexander Strother's father was Richard Strother, Jr. (1806). Richard Strother, Jr.'s sister, Rhoda Strother (1814), married Rev. Joseph Willis' son William Willis (1804-1881) on the Darbourn on the upper reaches of the Calcasieu. Richard Strother, Jr.'s brothers John A. Strother, Sr. (1820) and Francis E. Strother (1823) married two of Agerton Willis' daughters. Agerton Willis was the eldest son of Rev. Joseph Willis. John A. Strother, Sr. married Eliza Willis (1818). Francis E. Strother married Mary S. Willis (1827). Eliza and Mary Willis were sisters of Rev. Daniel H. Willis (1817-1887), my great-great-grandfather. Richard Strother, Jr.'s father was Richard Strother, Sr. (b. 1782 Hancock, Georgia, married a Sally? b. 1787, South Carolina). Richard Strother, Sr. was a private in the War of 1812. Richard Strother, Sr.'s children were: Richard Strother (1806), James Strother (?) (1808), Rhoda Strother (1814), William Strother (1817), John A. Strother, Sr. (1820), and Francis E. Strother (1823). Richard Strother, Sr.'s father was Francis Strother. Francis Strother was born in Virginia about 1760 and removed to Georgia. Other Strother relatives wound up in Chambers County, Alabama. Francis Strother then moved to St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. Francis died about 1821 in St. Helena Parish. Francis's first wife died and he then married Sarah Ray Fairchild in 1820, in St. Helena Parish. The Hagan family who are buried with the older Strother graves in Oak Hill Cemetery are also neighbors to the Strothers [Stroders in census records] in St. Helena Parish, in 1820. Francis Strother's father was John Strother, born 1743, in Culpeper, Virgina. He died June 11, 1796 in Hancock County, Georgia. He married Jane Fussell. They had several children including another Richard (who died in 1838 in Hancock, Ga.). Most of the children died in Georgia. Francis Strother died in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, another child, Aaron Strother, died in Arkansas. Several of his children lived in Chambers County, Alabama including at one time a George Strother which the House of Strother book incorrectly gave as the father of the Louisiana Richard Strother. John Strother's father was Francis Strother, born 1709 in St. Marks Parish, Orange County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Fossaker. Francis Strother's father was Jeremiah Strother, born 1655 in Westmorland, Virginia. He died in 1741 in Orange County, Virginia (now New Culpeper, Va.). He married Eleanor? Jeremiah Strother's father was William Strother (the immigrant), born 1630. He died in 1702 in Richmond County, Virginia. He immigrated from England or Germany. Randy Willis [email protected]

>From www.randywillis.org The Strother and Willis Families were all neighbors in 1850 Rapides Parish, Louisiana (Pay special attention to the 1850 Census household numbers) (649) Sally Willis (1798/1802). She was probably the Sarah Willis (1798) who married Nathaniel West. Their children were: William West (1827), Nathaniel West, Jr. (1834), John West (1836), Hetty West (1838), Andrew West (1840), and Sophia West (1844). (661) Francis E. Strother (1823) and his wife Mary S. Willis Strother (1827). There children were: Martha Ann Strother (1842), Elizabeth Strother (1844), Solomon Strother (1846), Mary Ann Strother (1847), Sophia Strother (1851), Francis P. Strother (1854), John Riley Strother (1859), Eliza Strother (1861), Henrietta Strother (1863). Francis E. Strother was Richard Strother, Jr.'s brother. Mary Willis was Agerton Willis' daughter and a sister to Rev. Daniel H. Willis (1817-1887), my great-great-grandfather. Agerton Willis was the eldest son of Rev. Joseph Willis. (660) Agerton [Edgarton] Willis (1785) and his wife Sophie Story (1787). He was Rev. Joseph Willis' eldest son. Agerton Willis' son Rev. Daniel H. Willis, Sr.'s two eldest daughters were named Eliza Willis (1842) and Mary Jane Willis (1845). I believe Agerton named these two daughters after his sisters Eliza Willis (1818) and Mary Willis (1827). Family tradition states that Rev. Daniel H. Willis, Sr.'s sister would read the Bible while he preached because he was blind in his later years. Sophie Story was an Irish orphan brought from Tennessee by a Mr. Park, who then lived near Holmesville below Bunkie, Louisiana. (659) William Strother (1817) and his wife Mary Doyal/Dyer/Dyal ( 1826). Mary Doyal/Dyer was a daughter of Thomas Doyal/Dyer and Mary Willis. Mary Willis (1787) is also listed. She was probably the daughter of Rev. Joseph Willis. Their children listed in this census are Nancy Strother (1846) (married John Droddy) and William Strother (1849-1932). (658) Joseph Willis, Jr. (1792) and his wife Jane/Jennie Coker (1810). He was a son of Rev. Joseph Willis. Their children were: Joseph P. Willis (1824), Charles Willis (1833), Lemuel Willis (1836), and Elizabeth Willis (1839). (657) Lemuel Willis (1812) and his wife Eveline/Emeline Perkins (1823 date listed in census has to be wrong). He was a son of Rev. Joseph Willis. Their children were Addie Willis, Mary Willis (1833), Hawkins Willis (1834), Martha Willis (1835), Sarah Willis (1837), Lemuel I. Willis (1839), Olivia "Olive" Willis (1841), James K. Polk Willis (1845), Lucinda "Lydia" Willis (1847), Carolyn Matilda Willis (1855), and Crawford Willis who died in the Civil War at Shiloh. Lemuel Willis and Eveline/Emeline Perkins' daughter, Carolyn Matilda Willis, married John Houston Strother, Sr. and their daughter Lucinda "Lydia" Willis had a daughter (named Matilda) by Richard Strother, III. (654) John A. Strother (1820) and his wife Eliza Willis (1818). Eliza was Agerton Willis' daughter and a granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Willis. She was a sister to Rev. Daniel H. Willis. The children of John A. Strother and his wife Eliza Willis were: John A. Strother, Jr. (1865), Alfred Strother (1841), Josiah Strother (1842), Bernard Strother (1844 and killed in the Civil War), Dempsey Strother (1846-1910), Henry Zachariah Strother (1848-1933), Mary Ann Strother (1852), Mary Ann Strother (1852), George William Strother (1855-1908), Elizabeth Strother (1856) and married David Johnson), Sarah Jane Strother (1858), Richard Strother (1860), Nancy Strother (1862) and married T.J. Greer), and Martha Strother (1867) and married Frankin Perkins). John A. Strother then married Artimesa Smith; they had one child: Azariah Columbus Strother (1873-1933). (653) William Willis (1804) and his wife Rhoda Strother (1814). He was a son of Rev. Joseph Willis. She was Richard Strother, Jr.'s (listed below) sister. Their children were: William Willis (1835), Jackson Willis (1837), Sarah Willis (1839), Mary Willis (1841), Lemuel Willis (1843), Daniel Willis (1845), Joseph Willis (1847-1912), Jesse Willis (1850-1906), Matthew Willis (1853-1925), James Willis (1856), and Alexander Willis (1858). (652) Joseph P. Willis (1824) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Sweat (1828). He was Rev. Joseph Willis' grandson and a son of Joseph Willis, Jr.. Their children listed were: Josiah Willis (1844), Isaac Willis (1846), and Mary Willis (1858). (651) Richard Strother, Jr. (1806) and his mother-in-law Sally(?) (1787). Richard Strother's siblings were: James Strother(?) (1808), Rhoda Strother (1814), William Strother (1817), John A. Strother, Sr. (1820) and Francis E. Strother (1823. Richard Strother, Jr.'s children were: Alexander Asaria Strother, Sr. (1829-1864 - died in Civil War at Shiloh), William Strother (1841), Richard Strother, III (1843-1868 - shot as a Jayhawker), Leroy Strother (1843), William Strother (1849 - named 2nd. son William also after others death), and John Strother (1852). Richard Strother, Jr's. sister, Rhoda Strother, married Rev. Joseph Willis' son William Willis. Richard Strother, Jr.'s son, Alexander Strother, was the father of John Houston Strother, Sr. who was the father of Dr. Greene Wallace Strother. (480) Jemima Willis (1796). She was a daughter of Rev. Joseph Willis. She married William Dyer and they lived on the Calcasieu River near Master’s Creek. Their children were: James Dyer (1823), Roland Dyer (1830), Joseph Dyer (1831), Elijah Dyer (1834), Elizabeth Dyer (1836), and Jemima Dyer (1839). (422) Rev. Joseph Willis (1758) and his fourth wife Elvy Sweat (1820 are listed. Rev. Joseph Willis' had 19 children by four wives. Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr. (1758-1854) had the following children: (1) Agerton Willis (1785), (2) Mary Willis (1787), (3) Joseph Willis, Jr., (1792), (4) Rachel Willis (1794), (5) Jemima Willis (1796), (6) Sarah Willis (1798), (7) Sally Willis (1802), [Although she could be the same as Sarah Willis (1798) above], (8) William Willis (1804), (9) Lemuel Willis (1812), (10) John Willis (1814), (11) Martha Willis(?) (1825), (12-15) (four females listed in the 1830 census between the ages of 5-20), (16) Samuel Willis (1836), (17) Aimuwell Willis (1837-1937), and two sons (18-19) that died "poisoned on honey and were buried a half mile from the present town of Oakdale, Louisiana. Rev. Joseph Willis' Other Possible Children The 1850 Rapides Parish Census also lists an additional four males for Joseph Willis & household: James (1841), William (1845), Timothy (1847) and Bernard (1848). It would be unlikely that Joseph would have a second son named William. Aimuwell Willis (1837-1937) always said he was Joseph Willis’ youngest son. Perhaps these last four males were grandchildren of Joseph. Historian Ivan Wise wrote in Footsteps of the Flock: or Origins of Louisiana Baptist (1910) that two sons of Joseph died "poisoned on honey and were buried a half mile from the present town of Oakdale, Louisiana." I have not been able to find their graves. Ivan Wise also said in 1910 that Rev. Joseph Willis had 19 children. It is of interest to note that Rev. Joseph Willis, Sr.'s sons Joseph Willis, Jr., William Willis and Lemuel Willis all had daughters named Sarah. Randy Willis [email protected] www.randywillis.org

I am looking for information on the following family. 1 [2] Marshall (Marsh) C. Barbee b: 1824 in North Carolina d: March 23, 1882 in Probably Rapides Parish, Louisiana .. +Hannah Hughitt b: 1828 in Alabama d: Bet. 1856 - 1860 in Probably Shelby County, Texas m: Abt. 1843 ......... 2 M. Catherine (Kate) Barbee b: March 10, 1846 in Shelby County, Texas d: December 22, 1929 in Joaquin, Shelby County, Texas ............. +John Pinckney Lout b: November 1844 in Shelby County, Texas d: December 03, 1919 in Shelby County, Texas m: August 01, 1865 in Shelby County, Texas ......... 2 William Marshall Barbee, Sr.b: 1847 in Shelby County, Texas d: Bet. 1876 - 1900 ............. +Sarah A. Collins b: December 1861 in Louisiana m: March 17, 1875 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana ......... 2 [1] Clementine Elizabeth Barbee b: 1848 in Texas d: 1926 in Shelby County, Texas ............. +Harry Collins d: Bef. 1890 ......... *2nd Husband of [1] Clementine Elizabeth Barbee: ............. +John Loren Squyres b: March 19, 1842 in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana d: May 12, 1923 m: 1892 .........2 Francis J. Barbee b: 1853 in Texas d: January 09, 1949 ............. +Daniel Moses Collins b: in Louisiana d: Bet. 1893 - 1900 m: April 22, 1872 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana .........2 Elijah Barbeeb: 1855 in Texas ......... 2 Mary Elizabeth (Liza) Barbee b: February 04, 1856 in Texas d: January 09, 1949 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas ............. +Robert H. Pigg b: April 08, 1850 in Mississippi d: August 11, 1899 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas m: February 07, 1875 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana *2nd Wife of [2] Marshall (Marsh) C. Barbee: .. +Amanda Miller b: 1842 in Shelby County, Texas d: November 21, 1901 in Shelby County, Texas m: August 20, 1860 ......... 2 Leacy H. Barbee b: January 05, 1862 in Texas d: in Shelby County, Texas ............. +John Delaney b: October 1856 in Louisiana d: May 22, 1926 in Shelby County, Texas m: November 07, 1880 ......... 2 Marshall Robena Barbee b: January 20, 1865 in Texas d: January 18, 1944 in Center, Shelby County, Texas ............. +Dixon Gilford (Dick) Reynolds b: June 14, 1864 in Shelby County, Texas d: September 30, 1929 in Center, Shelby County, Texas m: August 20, 1885 in Shelby County, Texas Any help would be appreciated. Doyle T. Brittain [email protected]

No problem. Will be happy to do it. Will let you know by Saturday night. Martha, have census will read ;-) (smiling)