I have tried for years to learn more about the 1869 death of French Willard in Liberty. I was told at the court house several years ago that many people requested the packet that is cited (last paragraph below), but it has long been missing. Does anyone know more? I am curious about the ensuing trial, what happened to the two Boggs brothers, anything about the mysterious Amy Young. I descend from Eubank Moman Willard (listed below as both Moman and Erastus); he was my great grandfather. The 1897 will of Thomas E. Willard left considerable land and cash to all surviving children except my Eubank Moman, who was left only $1; what would have been his share was left to my grandmother and her sister; the only grandchildren of Thomas E. Willard to be mentioned in the will (2 out of about 30). I have wondered if the circumstances of French's death were the starting point for disaffection between Eubank Moman and the rest of the family? Have much to share downward, but would love to know more about all these families. Any more juicy tidbits known out there? Source: Early Anderson County, SC Newspapers, Marriages and Obituaries 1841-1882, Issue of June 3, 1869, page 90: Death. On Friday night last, near Salubrity, in Pickens County, a white man by the name of Willard was killed. The stable on the premises was discovered to be in flames, when the deceased and his father, with other persons, rushed out of the dwelling and a volley was fired into them with the result above stated. From all we can learn, the attack in this instance was expected and the combat between the parties was desperate, and a number of shots being exchanged. As the matter will probably undergo official investigation, we will refrain from giving the particulars as related to us. Source: A Collection of Upper SC Genealogical and Family Records, Vol. 1, Editor, James E. Wooley, 1979, Southern Historical Press, Vol. II (1981), Page 320. Willard, French P. (Pack 564 #1), Clerk of Court Office, Pickens, SC. An inquest held over the body of French P. Willard on the 30 May 1869. Thomas E. Willard the father sworn says that between one and two oclock in the night he discovered his barn on fire. He called the boys also Young Rampey was staying with them that night. Moman his son passed him and turned the mares and mules out. He stopped at the corn crib to try and save it when he heard a short, thinking it to be an alarm. There were more shots and found his son lying on the ground. Erastus M. Willard swore that he and Harleston Ramphey were sleeping together when his father yelled that the barn was on fire. He and Harleston took a pistol to the yard to sound an alarm but the pistol would not fire, and he threw it to the ground, then heard 4 or 5 shots and saw Wallace Boggs and his brother Edward Boggs with the light from the fire. He helped to track the horses from the Willard house to the Boggs barn. Source: Some South Carolina County Records, Vol. 2, 1989, Southern Historical Press Murder of French P. Willard, Pack. 545, No. 2 Clerks Office, Pickens, SC. On July 28, 1969, Thomas E. Willard made oath that he is the father of French P. Willard with whose murder T. Edward Boggs and Marcus Boggs are charged with. That the warrant against them was issued upon the affidavit of John B. Hubbard Chief Constable of the State of S.C. and that this deponent supposed and believed that sd Hubbard was the Proscr. against sd defendants and would take all the steps which were necessary to collect testimony and secure the attendance of all the witnesses at this term of the court, that this deponent relying upon the sd Hubbard taking these steps did not begin to make any preparation for the trial of the above case until some 10 days ago, when he did have a number of witnesses recognized to attend court, but that the shortness of the time has prevented him from procuring the attendance of several important witnesses. This deponent therefore prays for a continuance of the case and believes that if sd continuance is granted he will be able to procure important testimony which he will be unable to present at this time. That there is a freed woman whose name and exact residence this deponent is at present was acquainted with, but which he can procure who testimony he believes to be important, and will go to show that these defendants were guilty of the crime with which they are charged. That Miss AMY YOUNG is an important witness for the prosecution but is as present too sick to attend and consequently has not been recognized to this court, that she had a conversation with one of the defendants which showed that he had some knowledge of the sd murder. That S.F. Templeton lives in Anderson as this deponent believes and believes the sd Templeton to be an important witness, but has not had time to procure his attendance. Sworn to this July 28, 1869. Good story, but needs an ending! Helen Wall