DNA Testing is worth the money- if you can afford it! Our STRICKLAND-L group has been involved in an extensive DNA project over the past few years and has cleared up many misconceptions and given an answer to many persons who had virtually NO IDEA of who they descended from. (For years the northern STRICKLAND lines claimed to have been the only descendants of Mathew STRICKLAND, descendant of Sir Roger Strickland, but DNA has proven our southern lines of Sampson, Nash, Wake & Cumberland lines ARE in fact direct descendants of Mathew!) It is my understanding that the tests have to be conducted on the male generations only. (Father to son and straight down the line of MALE offspring for accurate results.) In addition- I have been told the number of mutations can also guide you as to where your line has branched off- if you are a direct descendant or indirect- but in the same family. Fascinating what modern technology can do for the past!!!

In response to anyone questioning why use DNA testing and what are the benefits, I can only share my own experience: For thirty years I had tried to verify whether or not my COOPER line was related to the Fleet COOPER, Sr. line of Sampson County, NC. All I had to go on was family legend that my forefathers migrated to Georgia from North Carolina, and that the name of one of my dad's great uncles was named "Fleet". We had very little paper-trail, and a lot of oral history. No one alive when I started the research had ever even heard of another Fleet COOPER besides Dad's old uncle, and none knew where in NC our line was supposed to have come from. Hiram "Ben" COOPER (COOPER DNA Group Administrator) and I had corresponded over the past few years, and he had helped me a lot with some potential leads, as his paper-trail back to Fleet COOPER, Sr. was very detailed and verifiable. Even before Ben accepted the Group Administrator responsibilities, he and I became two of the initial participants, later Ben's brother, joined the group as an additional "proof test" of our results. Ben and I matched 24 of 25 "markers", and his brother and I matched all 25 markers. These results tell us that we have 99.9% probability that we share a common ancestor. In our case that is Fleet COOPER, Sr. born in the 1720s. To me DNA testing has been invaluable in assuring me I am researching the correct line, and in giving me the benefit of Ben's vast amount of prior research. In turn, I have been able to give Ben information which can extend his family tree by all the folks in my line that descended from my branch of Fleet, Sr.'s descendants. I would like to encourage everyone who has living male relatives to get them in A test group, it one has been started, and therefore increase the possibilities of finding new, previously unknown relationships. The group gets the considerably discounted rates from Family Tree DNA. If interested please check out the COOPER DNA Surname Project website at: http://www2.arkansas.net/~bcooper2k/ The testing service we are using is Family Tree DNA (www.familytreedna.com, or info@familytreedna.com). There are over 50 male COOPERs currently in the COOPER SURNAME GROUP. Regards, Gary W. Cooper garluke@juno.com 653 Lover's Lane Road Dawson, Georgia 39842 RockCatt@aol.com wrote: > More commoner sense says that we come from a little "woman" named Lucy, from > the Rift Valley in Africa, discovered some years ago by Dr. Leakey. From what > I understand, we all have her DNA in us, so I don't think I need to spend the > $158, but it is interesting that it is so readily available and, actually, > quite a fair price. > > Barb Price > Researching:Ashford/Burnes/Neville/Hardy/Cowan/Bailey/Holtzclaw/Hardin/Graham/ > Stewart/Brown/Fish/Cooke/Ring/Harding/Murdock/Morecock/Loker/Orme.......and > Lucy > > ==== VALOUDOU Mailing List ==== > Join the Rootsweb Genealogical Data Cooperative. > Rootsweb members & sponsors are who make this list possible. > http://www.rootsweb.com -- "Lord, keep your arm around my shoulders....and your hand over my mouth." ==== VALOUDOU Mailing List ==== Have you posted your Loudoun Co. surnames lately? New members are joining our mailing list every day. Be sure to periodically remind us of your Loudoun research interests.

Dear Bladen Bunch, These are some additions to the lookup soureces that haven't been added to the list yet. Please delete all information about Iberian Press (on the original list under "sources"). They went belly-up. Also please change spelling of "Billips" to "Billups" in # 264. In this same # 264 would you add: ALLIED FAMILIES OF CANTEY, SINKLER, MCKENZIE, MCNEIL, YOUNG, KIMBROUGH, RICHARDSON and RANSOME. If you see anything that you think might help you just yell. For a little while, since there are quite a few "new" ones, please specify a book and don't ask for a search of all of them. I apologize for the cross-posting. 349. HISTORIC RAMBLIN'S THROUGH BERKELEY J. Russell Cross, The R. L. Bryan Company, Columbia, South Carolina, First printing 1985, 2002, purchased from Peachtree Highway, $40.00. 350. OUR HERITAGE, ROBESON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 1748-2002 Compiled by Members & Participants of the Robeson County Heritage Book Committee, Walsworth Publishing Co., Inc., Marceline, Mo., 2003, purchased from Sam West, Robeson County Heritage Book Committee, $68.15 351. THE DESCENDANTS OF IVER McKAY AND ANN MILLER OF BLADEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND ALLIED FAMILIES V. Mayo Bundy and Norma Melvin Bundy, The Printery, Greensboro, N.C., 1993, purchased from Helen Fazio, $40.00 352. IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IN EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA Orville Vernon Burton, purchased from private collector, $35.00 353. SOME PROMINENT VIRGINIA FAMILIES, VOLUMES I & II, III & IV Louise Pecquet du Bellet, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, originally published in 1907 as four volumes, 1976, purchased from Ingrid Farnam, $71.00. 354. THE NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY JOURNALS The North Carolina Genealogical Society, Greenville, NC, published since 1975 355. LEONARD LOCK, CA. 1658-1711 AND DESCENDANTS Dr. J. R. Peacock, Rose Printing Company, Inc., Tallahassee, 1998, gift. 356. A JOURNEY IN THE BACK COUNTRY 1853-1854 Frederick Law Olmstead, Schocken Books, New York, first published 1860, 1970, private collection. [same book as # 292 with the addition of numerous notes and additions] 357. THONES KUNDERS AND HIS CHILDREN 1683-1891 Henry C. Conrad, Press of W. Costa, Wilmington, Delaware, 1891, purchased from Quintin Publications, Inc., Pawtucket, RI $15.00 358. INVENTORY OF CHURCH ARCHIVES, SOCIETY OF FRIENDS IN PENNSYLVANIA, PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL SURVEY, WORKS PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION, 1941, Clearfield Company, Baltimore, MD 1996, purchased from Helen Fazio, $35.00 359. HISTORY OF THE DEHAVEN FAMILY Howard DeHaven Ross, Ph.B., 1929, fourth edition, reprinted by Quinton Publications, Pawtucket, RI. 360. 7,500 MARRIAGES FROM NINETY-SIX AND ABBEVILLE DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA, 1774-1890 Larry E. Pursley, Southern Historical Press, Inc., Greenville, SC, (1980), 2001, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $30.00 361. CEMETERIES OF UPPER COLLETON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Evelyn McDaniel Frazier Bryan and Gibson Howard Bryan, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $50.00. 362. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, RESIDENTS, 1782-1794 Information on the residents of Charleston as derived from city directories of 1782, 1785, 1790, and 1794. Carroll Ainsworth McElligott, 1898 purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $17.50 363. GENEALOGIES OF PENNSYLVANIA FAMILIES from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (1981) Reprint 1983, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $45.00 364. HISTORY OF THE HUGUENOT EMIGRATION TO AMERICA Charles W. Baird, originally published 1885, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1998, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $45.00 365. THE PERKIOMEN REGION: PAST AND PRESENT The Perkiomen Publishing Company, Henry S. Dotterer, Editor, Volumes I, II, and III, (1896 - 1901), Adams Apple Press, Bedminster, PA, 1994, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $45.00 366. BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SKETCHES FROM CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, Excerpted from Chronicles of Central Pennsylvania Volume IV. Personal and Family History Frederic A. Godcharles, Clearfield Company, Inc., Baltimore, (1944) Reprint 2000, purchased from Ancestor Stuff.com, $67.50 367. NINETEENTH CENTURY VITAL STATISTICS OF SAMPSON COUNTY AND DUPLIN COUNTY, N. C., {1871 - 1892}, VOL. 2 Bradley Lee West, 2003, gift from author. 368. NAMES IN SOUTH CAROLINA Edited by Claude Henry Neuffer, The Reprint Company, Publishers Spartenburg (1976), purchased from Alibris, $30.00 369. QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES NEW GARDEN MONTHLY MEETING CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 1704-1799 Gwen Boyer Bjorkman, Heritage Books, Inc., Bower, Maryland, 1990, purchased from Genealogy & More, $40.00 370. SUPPLEE-DEHAVEN FAMILY HISTORY I.D. Conard, purchased from Higginson Book Company [print to order], Salem, MA, $5.00 371. BYWAYS AND BOULEVARDS IN AND ABOUT HISTORIC PHILADELPHIA. Francis Brandt & Henry Gummere, Corn Exchange National Bank, 1925, purchased from Fourth Street Book Shop, $30.00 372. LOW COUNTRY CAROLINA GENEALOGIES Charlton deSaussure, Southern Historical Press, Inc., Greenville, SC, 1997, purchased from Tiberbooks, $130.00 373. PROBATE RECORDS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, VOL. 1 Index to Inventories 1746-1785 Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., Southern Historical Press Easley, SC., 1977, 1st edition, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $10.00 374. DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM CAPERS AND RICHARD CAPERS AND RELATED FAMILIES [South Carolina] Dorothy Kelly MacDowell, The R. L. Bryan Company, Columbia, S.C., 1973, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $10.00 375. ABSTRACTS OF WILLS EDEGEFIELD COUNTY SOUTH CAROLINA compiled by Delwyn Associates, Albany GA, 1973, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $10.00 376. MARRIAGE AND DEATH NOTICES IN RALEIGH REGISTER AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE GAZETTE 1826-1845 North Carolina State Library, 1947, 1st Edition, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $26.00 377. MARRIAGE AND DEATH NOTICES IN RALEIGH REGISTER AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE GAZETTE 1846-1855 North Carolina State Library, 1949, 1st Edition, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $26.00 378. MARRIAGE AND DEATH NOTICES IN RALEIGH REGISTER AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE GAZETTE 1856-1867 North Carolina State Library, 1950. 1st Edition. purchased from Tamara Hinton, $26.00 379. MARRIAGE AND DEATH NOTICES IN RALEIGH REGISTER AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE GAZETTE 1867-1887 North Carolina State Library, 1951, 1st Edition, purchased from Tamara Hinton, $26.00 380. HISTORIC HOMES and INSTITUTIONS and GENEALOGICAL and PERSONAL MEMOIRS of CHESTER and DELAWARE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA Volume 1 Gilbert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, Editors, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1904, purchased from Andrew Lapp, $123.00. 381. COLONIAL FAMILIES OF THE SOUTHERN STATES OF AMERICA: A HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF COLONIAL FAMILIES WHO SETTLED IN THE COLONIES PRIOR TO THE REVOLUTION Stella P. Hardy (1911), Genealogical Publishing,1974. purchased from Willow Bend Books, $50.00 382. HISTORIC HOMES and INSTITUTIONS and GENEALOGICAL and PERSONAL MEMOIRS of CHESTER and DELAWARE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA Volume 2 Gilbert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, Editors, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1904, purchased from 383. INDEX TO MARRIAGE NOTICES, 1843-1899 FROM THE NORRISTOWN HERALD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA. Peggy C. Cramer, Closson Press, Apolla, PA, 1989, purchased from Appleton's Books, $25.00 384. PENNSYLVANIA, A HISTORY George P. Donehoo, Editor-in-Chief, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., New York, Chicago, 1926, gift 385. PENNSYLVANIA BEAUTIFUL (EASTERN) Wallace Nutting, Bonanza Books, New York, (1924) 1974, purchased from Andrew Lapp, $9.00 386. ROSE HILL: A DOCUMENTARY OF SHARED EXPERIENCE [Duplin County, North Carolina and it's people] Reed M. Wolcott, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1976, purchased from private collector. 387. CHARLESTON HOUSES and GARDENS Photographs by N. Jane Iseley.Text by Evangeline Davis.The Preservation Society of Charleston, South Carolina, 1975, Third Edition, purchased from private collector. 388. ADVERTISEMENTS AND NOTICES OF INTEREST FROM NORRISTOWN, PA NEWSPAPERS, Vol. 1 (1799-1821) Judith A. H. Meier, 1988, purhased from Michelle Hilaiel, $32.00 389. PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY: THE QUARTERLEY JOURNAL OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. 41 magazines, purchased from Andrew Lapp, $105.00 390. QUAKER ARRIVALS IN PHILADELPHIA 1682-1750 BEING A LIST OF CERTIFICATES OF REMOVAL RECEIVED AT PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING OF FRIENDS by Albert Cook Myers. Clearfield, 2001. Reprint, purchased from McCormick Books, $27.00 Dee For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm

Vabo@aol.com writes: "A couple of years ago I sent money to woman who said she was a recent retiree from the Cumberland County court house. I never heard another word from her." Sounds like the same lady [whose name I do not recall but I do remember I located her through either the Cumberland web pages or mail list] who took my twenty five dollars and for that photocopied two pages of Cumberland marriages, several Cumberland cemetery surveys plus one deed from the courthouse. The agreement we had reached covered several other items including some work in Bladen County that I never received in spite of repeated e-mails, snail mails and one phone call. The lady eventually blocked my e-mails. Unfortunately, I deleted our intial agreement prior to discovery the woman would not complete the agreed-upon project. Won't get caught twice! Fran powell@closecall.com

>From Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net My great-grandfather Robert Graham (b. Aug. 20, 1818; d. Feb. 10, 1890) (Four of his daughters married four of Rev. Daniel H. Willis, Sr.'s sons) 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. He was a successful farmer and cattleman there. Ruth told Robert that she 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. Five of these marriages celebrated Golden wedding anniversaries. 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).

>From Randy Willis E-mails: randy@randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Web site: www.randywillis.org Four Willis brothers moved to the Robeson and Bladen County area in the mid 1700's. They were Agerton Willis (born circa 1727; died 1777), and his brothers Daniel Willis (born circa 1716; died 1785), Benjamin Willis III (born circa 1725; died 1785), and George Willis (born circa 1730). The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna Willis (born circa 1730; died 1791). Joanna married James Council (born circa 1716) of Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1751. James was the son of John Council and Benjamin Willis Jr.’s sister Josie Willis (born circa 1681), and grandson of Hodges Council. Hodges’ family had also immigrated from Devonshire, England to America. In the early 1750’s, the four brothers along with James and Joanna moved south. 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. The family left Virginia, probably by sea, and landed down the coast at New Hanover (now named Wilmington), North Carolina. New Hanover had North Carolina’s most navigable seaport and even though it was not used much for transatlantic trade, this meant the area of the state was easily accessible from all other English settlements along the coast. It was here that Joseph’s father, Agerton, would first buy land in North Carolina. On December 13, 1754, he purchased 300 acres in New Hanover in what is now southeastern Pender County "on the East Side of a Branch of Long Creek." Pender was not established until 1874. New Hanover included what is now Pender and parts of Brunswick County. Agerton was taxed on this property the next year, 1755. There were only 362 white people taxed in New Hanover that year. About twenty families owned a great number of slaves there during that time. These families and others like them in southeastern North Carolina controlled the affairs of the counties, in which they lived and set the standards of morals and religion. Between 1755 and 1758, Agerton moved to Bladen County, just to the northeast. Daniel, Benjamin and Joanna and her husband James Council, had been living there since 1753. It was there between 1755 and 1758, that Agerton’s only son, Joseph, was born. Joseph would someday play a major roll in early Louisiana Baptist history. Most of the early Bladen County deeds, before 1784, were lost due to a series of fires; thus we are unable to find Agerton’s first purchase of land in Bladen County. Nevertheless a description of the bulk of his lands can be gleaned from later deeds. He purchased 640 acres from his brother Daniel on May 21, 1762, on the West Side of the Northwest Cape Fear River. He then purchased an additional 2,560 acres between October 1766 and May 1773, which was located on both sides of the Northwest Cape Fear River near Goodman’s Swamp. Altogether, Agerton’s holdings formed a very large and nearly contiguous extent of land on both sides of the Northwest Cape Fear River near the current Cumberland County line in present-day northwest Bladen County. Agerton, Daniel, Benjamin, James, and Joanna were all neighbors on the Northwest Cape Fear River. The other brother, George Willis, came first to New Hanover, obtaining a land grant on Widow Creek in 1761 and selling out in 1767. He then moved to Robeson County (formerly part of Bladen County) not very far west from the rest of the family. The four brothers were all well-to-do planters with large land holdings. As a large planter, Agerton would have owned slaves.

JOSEPH WILLIS The Apostle to the Opelousas The First Baptist Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ West of the Mississippi River By Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Joseph Willis’ tombstone reads: "First Baptist Preacher of the Word West of the Mississippi River." This historical fact placed him in the history books but is only a footnote in this remarkable man’s life. His life reads as a dramatic play performed on the stage of history. He fought in the Revolutionary War under the most colorful of all the American generals, Francis Marion, "The Swamp Fox." He placed his own life in harms way by crossing the most hostile country and entered a land under a foreign government while the dreaded "Black Code" was in effect. He preached a message there that put him in constant danger. He fought racial and religious prejudice of the most dangerous kind. He lost three wives and several children in the wilderness but never wavered in his belief in God. Joseph Willis’ American roots do not begin in Louisiana but 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 and Nansemond Counties (now the city of Suffolk) was the place that Joseph Willis’ father, three uncles and one aunt called home. The family came to America from Devonshire, England (although there is some evidence that the family immigrated from Wales). I believe, but I cannot prove it, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the English father of these five children was Benjamin Willis, Jr. (born circa 1690) and the grandfather was Benjamin Willis, Sr. (born circa 1670). These four Willis brothers were Joseph’s father, Agerton Willis (born circa 1727; died 1777), and his brothers Daniel Willis (born circa 1716; died 1785), Benjamin Willis III (born circa 1725; died 1785), and George Willis (born circa 1730). The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna Willis (born circa 1730; died 1791). Joanna married James Council (born circa 1716) of Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1751. James was the son of John Council and Benjamin Willis Jr.’s sister Josie Willis (born circa 1681), and grandson of Hodges Council. Hodges’ family had also immigrated from Devonshire, England to America. In the early 1750’s, the four brothers along with James and Joanna moved south. 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. The family left Virginia, probably by sea, and landed down the coast at New Hanover (now named Wilmington), North Carolina. New Hanover had North Carolina’s most navigable seaport and even though it was not used much for transatlantic trade, this meant the area of the state was easily accessible from all other English settlements along the coast. Well-to-do North Carolina Planters It was here that Joseph’s father, Agerton, would first buy land in North Carolina. On December 13, 1754, he purchased 300 acres in New Hanover in what is now southeastern Pender County "on the East Side of a Branch of Long Creek." Pender was not established until 1874. New Hanover included what is now Pender and parts of Brunswick County. Agerton was taxed on this property the next year, 1755. There were only 362 white people taxed in New Hanover that year. About twenty families owned a great number of slaves there during that time. These families and others like them in southeastern North Carolina controlled the affairs of the counties, in which they lived and set the standards of morals and religion. Between 1755 and 1758, Agerton moved to Bladen County, just to the northeast. Daniel, Benjamin and Joanna and her husband James Council, had been living there since 1753. It was there between 1755 and 1758, that Agerton’s only son, Joseph, was born. Joseph would someday play a major roll in early Louisiana Baptist history. Most of the early Bladen County deeds, before 1784, were lost due to a series of fires; thus we are unable to find Agerton’s first purchase of land in Bladen County. Nevertheless a description of the bulk of his lands can be gleaned from later deeds. He purchased 640 acres from his brother Daniel on May 21, 1762, on the West Side of the Northwest Cape Fear River. He then purchased an additional 2,560 acres between October 1766 and May 1773, which was located on both sides of the Northwest Cape Fear River near Goodman’s Swamp. Altogether, Agerton’s holdings formed a very large and nearly contiguous extent of land on both sides of the Northwest Cape Fear River near the current Cumberland County line in present-day northwest Bladen County. Agerton, Daniel, Benjamin, James, and Joanna were all neighbors on the Northwest Cape Fear River. The other brother, George Willis, came first to New Hanover, obtaining a land grant on Widow Creek in 1761 and selling out in 1767. He then moved to Robeson County (formerly part of Bladen County) not very far west from the rest of the family. The four brothers were all well-to-do planters with large land holdings. As a large planter, Agerton would have owned slaves. Continued: http://www.randywillis.org

E-mails: randy@randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Web site: www.randywillis.org Seeking information on Gen. John Willis John Willis was born circa 1759, in Robeson County, North Carolina, and died in April, 1802. He was the son of Daniel Willis and Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore. John Willis married, Asenath Barnes, in 1779 (she was born in 1763, NC; died 1806, Natchez, Ms). John Willis, helped emancipate, his first-cousin and my ancestor, Rev. Joseph Willis (see http://www.randywillis.org/) of Bladen County, NC. John Willis became a member of the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1782, 1787, 1789 and 1791, a member of the Senate in 1794, and of the House of Representatives in 1795. In the same year that he helped obtain Joseph Willis' "legal freedom," 1787, he was appointed as one of a committee of five, from North Carolina, to ratify the Constitution of the United States. This was done just in time for North Carolina to enter the Union, as the twelfth state, and to assist in the election of Gen. George Washington as the first President. In 1795, Governor Samuel Ashe commissioned John Willis as a Brigadier General in the 4th Brigade of the Militia, Continental Army. The land that the county seat of Robeson County, Lumberton, North Carolina is located on was donated by him, from his Red Bluff Plantation. The area, in recent years, has become infamous as the location for the trial of the men responsible for the death of the father of basketball star Michael Jordon. A plaque of General John Willis stands there today. Gen. John Willis moved to Natchez, Mississippi, from North Carolina, in about 1800 and died soon thereafter, in 1802. He is buried behind the Natchez Cathedral. He also had a son named John (see children below). Another son, Thomas Willis, was almost Attorney General of Louisiana, he was a circuit judge in Mississippi and died in Copiah County, Ms. Children of Gen. John Willis: 1. Alice Willis 2. Sarah Cain Willis 3. Martha Willis, born 22 Dec 1780; died 1870. 4. Elizabeth Willis, born 1782; married in 1823 to William Patton. 5. John Willis, born 1784, died unknown; unmarried. 6. Mary Willis, born 1786. 7. Col. William Willis, born 1788; married May, 1816 to Martha Vick. 8. Ann Marie Willis, born 28 April 1791; married 1st: 24 Nov. 1817 to Abraham Barnes; married 2nd: 1 Sept 1834 to Richard Archer. 9. Thomas Abram Willis, born 22 Feb 1794; died 25 Oct 1847, in Crystal Springs; married Margaret Holden. 10. Emily Jane Willis, born 1795; died 9 Feb 1815; married Thomas Freeland. 11. Daniel Willis, born 1796; married 1st: 3 Feb 1825 to Elizabeth Copeland, Claiborne Co., Ms; married 2nd: Helen Bridgers, 15 Sept 1856, Claiborne Co., Ms. 12. Harriet Willis, born 1798; married 27 Feb 1823 to Thomas Barne. Siblings of Gen. John Willis: 1. Daniel Willis, born circa 1759 in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU Rowland. 2. Joab Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married to Martha Barnes, niece of Asenath Barnes. 3. Ahad Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., 4. Robert Willis, born circa 1740, in Robeson County, NC., died between 1787-1788; married Ann Willis (born ca. 1739). 5. Sarah Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married Thomas Rowland 6. Elizabeth Willis, born circa 1740 in Robeson County, NC., married John Newberry. 7. Mildred/Amelia Willis, born circa 1750 in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU Clark. 8. Nancy Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU McDavid. 9. Dianna Willis; married Moab Stevens 10. Ann Willis, born ca. 1736 11. Jacob Willis As mentioned before, John Willis, was the son of Daniel Willis and Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore. John Willis' father, Daniel Willis (born circa 1716; died 1785), had three brothers: Agerton Willis (born circa 1727; died 1777), Benjamin Willis (III?) (born circa 1725; died 1785), and George Willis (born circa 1730). The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna Willis (born circa 1730; died 1791). Randy Willis E-mails: randy@randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Web site: www.randywillis.org

I can't speak for every avenue of research, but in looking through the manuscript collection of UNC at Chaple Hill, they offer the names of folks who will do research for you at a reasonable price. I have also had a great deal of luck in fidning folks who are willing to do look ups in areas ranging from MD to OH, at no charge. They check my information while researching their own. Sorry I can't be of more help, but think Universities/Colleges in the particular area or genealogical societies would be a good source for reputable researchers. --- Vabo@aol.com wrote: > WARNING! > A couple of years ago I sent money to woman who said > she was a recent retiree > from the Cumberland County court house. I never > heard another word from her. > Please be very careful about hiring researchers on > the computer! If someone > knows how to prevent these cheats from entering our > lists, please share your > knowledge. She seemed very sincere and corresponded > several weeks before taking > my money. Virginia > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion > online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > ===== Cat Visit my sites @ The Manley & Sockol Families History and Genealogy and Cat's Lair, Home of Unicorns, Faeries & Dragons.

WARNING! A couple of years ago I sent money to woman who said she was a recent retiree from the Cumberland County court house. I never heard another word from her. Please be very careful about hiring researchers on the computer! If someone knows how to prevent these cheats from entering our lists, please share your knowledge. She seemed very sincere and corresponded several weeks before taking my money. Virginia

I recently wrote to the County Clerk to see about obtaining a copy of the probate records for an ancestor of my husbands. An Isabella Purifoy who died February 18, 1871 there in Cumberland County. The answer they sent back was that they no longer do look ups. They sent a web address that was supposed to have an estate index on it. However all I found was late records . Is there someone in Cumberland County who does research that I could pay to go find the estate record for me? Thank y ou. Lois Haile heartbar@quik.com

unsubscribe -----Original Message----- From: Dee Thompson [mailto:d7777@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 12:12 PM To: NCCUMBER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [NCCUMBER] Re: Lookup Jim, There is nothing I can add to the information that in in the Bladen Archives. I do know that there is a one-name study in three volumes (the index) is in volume II) on Toler, Toolbar, Toiler, Towler with photographs and biographies. It traces the name back to approx. 1700 B.C. It was available about three years ago from Alice Craft, 2390 W. 3300 So.,West Haven, UT 84401. I believe that she compiled volumes II & III and those are the ones she had for sale at $45.00 post paid. Good luck. Dee For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "JamesT Heg" <jtheg01@hotmail.com> To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 5:54 AM Subject: Re: Lookup Dee Sorry. Of course. I am specifically interested in anything you can find re a a John Tolar (or Toler), Jr. probably in the 1790s. He was born abt 1780, son of John Tolar and Nancy (Thames?). Both are found in the 1800 census for Cumberland Co. One version has him married to Eleanor "Nellie" Howard, of Sampson County. She was daughter of James Howard and Edna Banner. The elder Howards later moved to Cumberland Co. Another older version says John Tolar Jr married a woman named Martha Armistead. John and John Jr may or may not have come from Wayne Co. Two people with that name are in the 1790 Wayne census, although the John Jr there is probably too old to be the Jr in Cumberland 10 years later. Others claim John Sr came from Goochland Co, Va. If you know anything that would help sort this as well, great. Thanks for any help. Jim Heg >From: "Dee Thompson" <d7777@worldnet.att.net> >To: "JamesT Heg" <jtheg01@hotmail.com> >Subject: Re: Lookup >Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 17:56:19 -0500 > >Jin, >You will have to tell me a bit more than that. What state, what >time-period, what first names and what do you want to know? Dee >For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this >link: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm >----- Original Message ----- >From: JamesT Heg <jtheg01@hotmail.com> >To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> >Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 4:48 PM >Subject: Lookup > > >Dee > >You are helping so many people. When you have time, please tell me >what references you have for the Tolar family, in your sources. >Thanks. > >Jim Heg > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online >http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Jim, There is nothing I can add to the information that in in the Bladen Archives. I do know that there is a one-name study in three volumes (the index) is in volume II) on Toler, Toolbar, Toiler, Towler with photographs and biographies. It traces the name back to approx. 1700 B.C. It was available about three years ago from Alice Craft, 2390 W. 3300 So.,West Haven, UT 84401. I believe that she compiled volumes II & III and those are the ones she had for sale at $45.00 post paid. Good luck. Dee For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "JamesT Heg" <jtheg01@hotmail.com> To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 5:54 AM Subject: Re: Lookup Dee Sorry. Of course. I am specifically interested in anything you can find re a a John Tolar (or Toler), Jr. probably in the 1790s. He was born abt 1780, son of John Tolar and Nancy (Thames?). Both are found in the 1800 census for Cumberland Co. One version has him married to Eleanor "Nellie" Howard, of Sampson County. She was daughter of James Howard and Edna Banner. The elder Howards later moved to Cumberland Co. Another older version says John Tolar Jr married a woman named Martha Armistead. John and John Jr may or may not have come from Wayne Co. Two people with that name are in the 1790 Wayne census, although the John Jr there is probably too old to be the Jr in Cumberland 10 years later. Others claim John Sr came from Goochland Co, Va. If you know anything that would help sort this as well, great. Thanks for any help. Jim Heg >From: "Dee Thompson" <d7777@worldnet.att.net> >To: "JamesT Heg" <jtheg01@hotmail.com> >Subject: Re: Lookup >Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 17:56:19 -0500 > >Jin, >You will have to tell me a bit more than that. What state, what >time-period, what first names and what do you want to know? >Dee >For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this >link: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm >----- Original Message ----- >From: JamesT Heg <jtheg01@hotmail.com> >To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> >Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 4:48 PM >Subject: Lookup > > >Dee > >You are helping so many people. When you have time, please tell me >what >references you have for the Tolar family, in your sources. Thanks. > >Jim Heg > > > > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online >http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

Looking for the family of LorinDeringer and Violet Dove. Lorin was born in Ohio 8 Feb 1812 and he had a sister, Theodocia. Would also like to find her. Lorina nd Violet married in Orth Carolina. Lorin died 15 April 1982. He and Violet had two children, Junior Dove Deringer and Mrs. Eastwood Johnson, according to his obit. We share common g-g-frandparents, Joseph and Zipporah Titus Lincoln of Kelley's Island Ohio. Thank you Marcia Portland OR

--=_DE8108A4.CAABCC25 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline I am trying to obtain information on my husbands family. His father is Grady Henry Lovick, his mother was Martha Catherine Taylor Lovick (her mother was also married to a Daughtry) They both grew up in the Wade area. Mr. Lovick only went to the eight grade. Mrs. Lovick attended Central High School. It is located on hwy 301 between Eastover and Wade. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx* Harriet Lovick Administration and Finance Receptionist/Main Switchboard 1601 Owen Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 Phone: 910-678-7228 Fax: 910-678-7279 email: harriet.lovick@sr-ahec.org www.southernregionalahec.org xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx --=_DE8108A4.CAABCC25 Content-Type: text/plain; name="Harriet Lovick.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Harriet Lovick.vcf" BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 X-GWTYPE:USER FN:Harriet Lovick TEL;WORK:228 EMAIL;WORK;PREF:Harriet.Lovick@sr-ahec.org N:Lovick;Harriet END:VCARD --=_DE8108A4.CAABCC25--

They're hanging out in Cumberland County. >From #62 May 21, 1833 M At the house of Dr. John McKay on the 14th, Mr. Malcom [sic] M. McKay to Miss Isabella McCraine, daughter of the late Neill McCraine, all of this county. December 1, 1836 M In this county on the 1st, Mr. Daniel McNeill, of Richmond county to Miss Nancy McCraine, daughter of Neill McCraine, Dec'd. >From # 147 MCCRANEY, Malcom [to] RAY, Sarah, 10/11/1844 MCCRAINE, Isabella [to] MCKAY, Malcom, 05/01/1833 MCCRAINE, Nancy [to] MCNEIL, Daniel, 11/01/1836 >From # 333 SANDY GROVE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CEMETERY Directions: Quewiffle Township, Hoke County, located in a cleared area to the north of Sandy Grove Church at the intersection of Sandy Grove and Plank Roads. The Presbyterian Church, established in 1854 still stands. McCRANEY, Harriett N. Feb. 23, 1867/ July 27, 1940. H.N.M. McCRANEY, Mary A. Mar. 3, 1848/ Dec. 18, 1939. McCRANEY, Malcom April 24, 1816/ March 19, 1894. M.M. McCRANEY, Sarah Ray wife of Malcom McCraney, Oct. 3, 1821/ Oct. 14, 1911. S.M. McCRANEY, Jane June 20, 1855/ Nov. 19, 1952. J.McC >From # 99 p.56 13 Oct. 1766 JOHN (X) DEER to NEIL MCCRANIE, both planters, of Cumberland, for 20£ proc., 300 a. on Upper Little River, below JOHN DOBBINS' lower line, patent to JAMES SALMON 3 May 1760, who sold to FRANCES JOHNS 23 March 1763 who sold to JOHN DEER 13 Feb. 1765. Wit: GILBERT CLARK, MARGARET (X) CLARK. Proved by GILBERT CLARK Nov. 1766 Dee For details on the reference sources used for lookups, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "McCranie" <lsm1043@planttel.net> To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2003 5:27 PM Subject: Many thanks Thanks Dee -- I appreciate your looking for me -- I'm having trouble tracing my McCranie family!! The search goes on ------ Owen

An Evening With Bill (William McKee) Evans Award-Winning Historian from Robeson County And a Discussion on Documenting, Preserving, and Celebrating the 20th Century History of Robeson County 7:00 PM Friday, June 6, 2003 Center For Community Action (CCA) 123 W. 4th Street, Lumberton Parking: On 4th Street between Water and Elm Street and in the Old Belk's and Jones's Parking Lot in the rear of the building (CCA is located in the former Executive Grill Restaurant across the street from the rear of the Robesonian Newspaper Office. About the Author and Evening???????? Bill Evans was born in St. Pauls, N.C. in 1923. He is emeritus professor of history at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA. He is the author of: Ballots and Fence Rails: Reconstruction on the Lower Cape Fear and To Die Game: The Story of the Lowry Band, Indian Guerrillas of Reconstruction and Numerous articles on the history of Robeson County and N.C. in the 1800's and on the origins and history of slavery Bill will give a presentation and lead a discussion on the 1800's in Robeson County. He is most knowledgeable of our county's history and events during this period, particularly the ethnic and racial history and interaction during the 19th century. Following the discussion with Bill, we will discuss the growing need and interest to document and preserve the history of the 20th Century in Robeson County from diverse perspectives that will focus on events, people, places, and lifeways. Many people from across Robeson County and outside the county have expressed great interest in this gathering because of the need for documentary work in Robeson County. Jeff Currie, Assistant Curator at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh, will also be in attendance. With family roots in Robeson County, Jeff is very interested in the historical work that is already being done throughout the county and is interested in assisting everyone in any way that he, and the Museum, can do to help. He is on the Staff Team for developing a new exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History entitled: "A Change is Gonna Come: Black, Indian, and White Voices For Equality" which will document and portray the history of civil rights in N.C. from approximately 1830 ? 1990. Also, the new Community ? University Partnership (CUP) also has a committee that is developing a proposal to establish a Center For Documentary Studies at UNCP. The capacity to learn and write our history from multi-generational and diverse perspectives is quickly being lost as our elders pass without documenting and preserving their stories of our communities, people, places, and cultures. We need our histories and understanding told, preserved, and celebrated in the words of our diverse people. We don't often honor and celebrate the lives of others until after they die. We don't often decide that we need to honor and preserve the words and stories of our loved ones and people until it is too late. We also don't utilize the opportunity of time that is gifted to us for these purposes because historical and cultural preservation and perpetuation are not high priorities in our lives. Our own experiences, lives, understanding, and perspectives are then left to researchers and second and third-hand sources for the re-telling. Perhaps more importantly, our own family members and generations to come are left without knowing who we are, how we live, what challenges we face and decisions we make, and what lessons on living we have learned. Come join us for an evening of education, inspiration, and motivation so that we all may take steps to change these habits (before it's too late!) Please bring others from your family and community that share an interest in historical and cultural preservation and perpetuation. Rev. Mac Legerton, Executive Director, Center For Community Action

The WILLIAM CAPPS OF JAMESTOWN VA. & His JOHNSTON COUNTY DESCENDANTS is now being submitted for reprint. There will be an additional 15 copies ordered; so if anyone else wouild like to receive a copy please send $45.00 to: Frances G. Howell     920 Ebenezer Church Road     Goldsboro, NC 27530 They should be ready to mail by the middle or end of next week. ALSO I need WILDA CAPPS ATAWAY of Perry Florida to send me your new EMail address please!!! I keep getting mail to you returned. (See message below). Nancy MESSAGE RETURN- The original message was received at Wed, 4 Jun 2003 21:49:04 -0400 (EDT) from root@localhost    ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- <yawatta@perrry.gulfnet.com>    ----- Transcript of session follows ----- 550 <yawatta@perrry.gulfnet.com>... Host unknown (Name server: perrry.gulfnet.com: host not found) Final-Recipient: RFC822; yawatta@perrry.gulfnet.com Action: failed Status: 5.1.2 Remote-MTA: DNS; perrry.gulfnet.com Last-Attempt-Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2003 21:49:08 -0400 (EDT)

Invitation You are hereby cordially invited to attend and to participate in the Chartering of the Robeson County Genealogical Society To begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14th, 2003 in Lumberton, North Carolina (If you planning to attend and need additional information, please e-mail me)

>From Randy Willis E-mails: randy@randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Web site: www.randywillis.org Seeking information on Gen. John Willis John Willis was born circa 1759, in Robeson County, North Carolina, and died in April, 1802. He was the son of Daniel Willis and Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore. John Willis married, Asenath Barnes, in 1779 (she was born in 1763, NC; died 1806, Natchez, Ms). John Willis, helped emancipate, his first-cousin and my ancestor, Rev. Joseph Willis (see http://www.randywillis.org/) of Bladen County, NC. John Willis became a member of the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1782, 1787, 1789 and 1791, a member of the Senate in 1794, and of the House of Representatives in 1795. In the same year that he helped obtain Joseph Willis' "legal freedom," 1787, he was appointed as one of a committee of five, from North Carolina, to ratify the Constitution of the United States. This was done just in time for North Carolina to enter the Union, as the twelfth state, and to assist in the election of Gen. George Washington as the first President. In 1795, Governor Samuel Ashe commissioned John Willis as a Brigadier General in the 4th Brigade of the Militia, Continental Army. The land that the county seat of Robeson County, Lumberton, North Carolina is located on was donated by him, from his Red Bluff Plantation. The area, in recent years, has become infamous as the location for the trial of the men responsible for the death of the father of basketball star Michael Jordon. A plaque of General John Willis stands there today. Gen. John Willis moved to Natchez, Mississippi, from North Carolina, in about 1800 and died soon thereafter, in 1802. He is buried behind the Natchez Cathedral. He also had a son named John (see children below). Another son, Thomas Willis, was almost Attorney General of Louisiana, he was a circuit judge in Mississippi and died in Copiah County, Ms. Children of Gen. John Willis: 1. Alice Willis 2. Sarah Cain Willis 3. Martha Willis, born 22 Dec 1780; died 1870. 4. Elizabeth Willis, born 1782; married in 1823 to William Patton. 5. John Willis, born 1784, died unknown; unmarried. 6. Mary Willis, born 1786. 7. Col. William Willis, born 1788; married May, 1816 to Martha Vick. 8. Ann Marie Willis, born 28 April 1791; married 1st: 24 Nov. 1817 to Abraham Barnes; married 2nd: 1 Sept 1834 to Richard Archer. 9. Thomas Abram Willis, born 22 Feb 1794; died 25 Oct 1847, in Crystal Springs; married Margaret Holden. 10. Emily Jane Willis, born 1795; died 9 Feb 1815; married Thomas Freeland. 11. Daniel Willis, born 1796; married 1st: 3 Feb 1825 to Elizabeth Copeland, Claiborne Co., Ms; married 2nd: Helen Bridgers, 15 Sept 1856, Claiborne Co., Ms. 12. Harriet Willis, born 1798; married 27 Feb 1823 to Thomas Barne. Siblings of Gen. John Willis: 1. Daniel Willis, born circa 1759 in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU Rowland. 2. Joab Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married to Martha Barnes, niece of Asenath Barnes. 3. Ahad Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., 4. Robert Willis, born circa 1740, in Robeson County, NC., died between 1787-1788; married Ann Willis (born ca. 1739). 5. Sarah Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married Thomas Rowland 6. Elizabeth Willis, born circa 1740 in Robeson County, NC., married John Newberry. 7. Mildred/Amelia Willis, born circa 1750 in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU Clark. 8. Nancy Willis, born in Robeson County, NC., married to FNU McDavid. 9. Dianna Willis; married Moab Stevens 10. Ann Willis, born ca. 1736 11. Jacob Willis As mentioned before, John Willis, was the son of Daniel Willis and Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore. John Willis' father, Daniel Willis (born circa 1716; died 1785), had three brothers: Agerton Willis (born circa 1727; died 1777), Benjamin Willis (III?) (born circa 1725; died 1785), and George Willis (born circa 1730). The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna Willis (born circa 1730; died 1791). Randy Willis E-mails: randy@randywillis.org randywillis@ev1.net Web site: www.randywillis.org