Here are my Willis's: Descendants of Caleb Willis Generation No. 1 1. CALEB1 WILLIS was born January 20, 1835, and died May 31, 1909. He married RACHEL REEVES October 21, 1854. She was born March 16, 1840, and died December 11, 1904. Children of CALEB WILLIS and RACHEL REEVES are: 2. i. JAMES HENRY FRANKLIN2 WILLIS, b. July 02, 1860, Bowling Green, Kentucky. ii. SARAH ELIZABETH WILLIS, b. August 17, 1862. iii. MARRY F. WILLIS, b. January 25, 1865; d. March 30, 1914. 3. iv. WILLIAM ALLEN WILLIS, b. December 03, 1872; d. July 30, 1946, Macon County, Tennessee. v. LAVADA DEE WILLIS, b. August 18, 1884; d. February 28, 1952; m. (1) JOHN LIGON MEADOR, March 26, 1902; b. August 04, 1878; d. December 10, 1935; m. (2) LEWIS D. MCGUFFEE, Aft. 1903; b. May 05, 1863; d. November 02, 1934. Generation No. 2 2. JAMES HENRY FRANKLIN2 WILLIS (CALEB1) was born July 02, 1860 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He married (1) SARAH FRANCES JONES October 11, 1883. She was born April 04, 1867, and died April 27, 1886 in Macon County, Tennessee. He married (2) NANCY ANN JONES December 02, 1888. Children of JAMES WILLIS and SARAH JONES are: i. ALICE ISABELLE3 WILLIS, b. April 21, 1885; d. 1976; m. ARTHUR I. WILSON. ii. MARY RACHEL WILLIS, b. April 09, 1886; d. August 26, 1959; m. HENRY OSCAR CLIBURN, Abt. 1907; b. December 28, 1885; d. October 21, 1942. Children of JAMES WILLIS and NANCY JONES are: iii. TENIE JANE3 WILLIS, b. July 15, 1890; d. May 11, 1915; m. BUD SHUFFITT; b. November 21, 1886; d. September 03, 1958. iv. WILLIAM HARRISON WILLIS, b. November 19, 1892; m. (1) FANNIE MAY; b. February 24, 1896; m. (2) MAZIE JONES DOUGLAS. v. HENRY MCKINLEY WILLIS, b. March 07, 1894. vi. JAMES CURTIS WILLIS, b. September 12, 1895. vii. THOMAS HOBERT WILLIS, b. January 31, 1897. viii. ADA D. WILLIS, b. Bet. May - July 1899. ix. DOLLIE B WILLIS, b. June 10, 1901; m. KNOX TRACY; b. November 09, 1889. x. EFFIE C. WILLIS, b. January 21, 1903. xi. NOAH ROOSEVELT WILLIS, b. May 21, 1905. xii. HATTIE MAE WILLIS, b. April 14, 1908. 3. WILLIAM ALLEN2 WILLIS (CALEB1) was born December 03, 1872, and died July 30, 1946 in Macon County, Tennessee. He married MATILDA ETTER CLIBURN July 22, 1891, daughter of JOSEPH CLIBURN and ELIZABETH JOHNSON. She was born June 26, 1873 in Tennessee, and died April 25, 1911 in Tennessee. Children of WILLIAM WILLIS and MATILDA CLIBURN are: i. HENRY RAZIE3 WILLIS, b. April 27, 1892; d. May 19, 1944; m. FLORENCE GIFFORD. ii. PERNIE NAOMI WILLIS, b. June 30, 1895; d. August 24, 1974; m. JOHN SISK. iii. RACHEL LIZABETH WILLIS, b. March 20, 1897, Kentucky; d. July 14, 1933, Vanderbilt Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee; m. JAMES WILLIAM KEEN, December 23, 1923; b. October 10, 1894; d. November 07, 1960, Macon General Hospital, Lafayette, Tennessee. iv. WILLIAM WIMBERT WILLIS, b. April 19, 1899; d. December 29, 1899. v. DAISY MARIE WILLIS, b. December 12, 1900; d. June 20, 1980, Indianapolis, Indiana; m. ISAAC ONEAL, February 09, 1919; d. November 18, 1983. vi. SABRA DEA WILLIS, b. February 16, 1903; d. January 10, 1930; m. GILBERT MCADOO. vii. THEODORE ROOSEVELT WILLIS, b. February 01, 1905, Tennessee; d. December 03, 1983; m. VANGIE CARTER, June 07, 1925. viii. ANNA MAE WILLIS, b. June 10, 1907; d. December 12, 1979; m. (1) RAVIN BYRD LIKENS, February 10, 1924; b. February 26, 1895; d. February 08, 1965; m. (2) MARVIN LEE KEEN, October 05, 1974; b. March 04, 1900; d. May 06, 1984. ix. EVIE ERA WILLIS, b. February 06, 1911; d. June 10, 1911. Chris Cliburn Chris@chrisnchris.com _________________________________________________ My website: www.chrisnchris.com/ccfamily.htm Researching: Allison, Cliburn, Douglas, Durham, Haight, Herrin, Jenkins, McAllister, McMackin, McMasters, Meador, Miller, Morrison, Pride, Rucks, Sadler, Simmons, Welch, Willis

My line is: Henry Willis b. 1740,Richmond VA: d. 1812 Monroe,Co. WV:marr. Nancy Knight 6 May 1770,Kingston Parish,Gloucester VA. John Willis b. 1778 Greenbrier Co. VA; d. 1886(at 108 yrs old) in Lawrence Co. OH; married Rebecca Cooper b. abt 1779 Rockbridge Co. VA to John Cooper(b. abt 1754 Augusta Co. VA) and Elizabeth McKamy(b. Augusta Co. to John McKamy and Agnes Waddell).Elizabeth McKamy Cooper later married Henry Willis. Irena/Trenia/Jane Arena Willis b. 31 Jan 1826 in either Ohio Furnace,Jackson Co. OH or Greenbrier Co.,WV.;d. 11 Jun 1900 in Lawrence Co. OH; marr. William Nolan Dobyns. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals. http://personals.yahoo.com

Robert L. Willis, born in 1851, Miss. parents born in Miss. first marriage ? born in Miss. Children: 1. William Arthur Willis b. 9-1875, Ark. D. 1951, Dallas Co. Texas wife Adella Blanks, b. Tn. 1872 D. 1925, Tarrant Co. Texas 2. Carra Willis husband William M. Sharkey Robert's second marriage: Sally b. 2-1872 Children: Bessie b. 1893, Texas Willie Nellie Albert Robert They lived in Henderson Co. Texas on the 1900 census and Dallas on the 1910 and 1920 census. William A. and Adella Willis are my great-grandparents. Thanks for any help. Linda

1. Richard Willis, b. abt. 1722, Virginia, d. June 9, 1777 (?), Mecklenburg, VA. m. Ann Crowder (1728-1806) VA. Children 2. Drury Willis (1765-1823) Virginia - Madison Co., KY. (1790 census) m. (1)Elizabeth Phelps., (2) Sally Evans children: 3. Thomas (1790-1861), m. Nancy Bruton 3. Henry (1791-1860), m. Elizabeth Hagins 3. James (1793-1851), m, Susannah Callahan children: 4. Squire Turner Willis - moved to Anderson Co., KY. m. Nancy Catlett, Rutha Ann Spears -- more 5. William H. Willis, 1854- 5. John C. Willis, 1856-1954 5. Susan E. Willis, 1858- 5. James B. Willis, 1861-1954, m. Rosa J. -- more 5. Nancy A. (1864-1896) - my line 5. Ulysses G. (1866-1932) 5. Sarah M. (1868-1954) 5. Squire P. (1870-1953) 5. Robert E. (1872-1934) 5. Rutha B. (1875-?) 5. Rebecca K. (1878-1953) 5. Richard T. (1883-?) 4. Louisa (1833-?) m. MacGaughey 4. James E. (1839-1888), m. Mary Ellen Gordon 5. John C. (1862- ) 5. Squire G. (1865- 5. Stephen D. (1867- 5. Louisa (1869- 5. Marion (1870 5. Mary A. (1871 5. Elzie (1875 5. Bernice Elaine (1876-1952) m Robert Lee Warren 5. Edward H. (1878 5. infant (1879) 5. Mattie (?) 3. Rhoda (1795 - ) m. Lewis Smith 3. John (1796-1872), m Susannah Baker 3. Moses B. (1799-1862) m. Mary H. Smith 3. Sarah (1801-1863), m . Joseph Hymer (shortened from Picklehymer) 3. Nancy (1803 - ) m. Woodson Tisdale 3. William (1805-1828) 3. Samuel (1806-1842) m. Nancy Reid 3. Richard (1808-1860) m. Mary 3. Patsy (1811-1814) 3. Minerva (1814-1841) m. William Roland 3. Hayden (1816-1840) m. Louisa Cosby 3. David (1818-1866) m. Mary 3. Alfred (1820-1832), m. Jane Huston 2. Sherod 2. Sterling 2. William 2. Richard 2. John 2. Edward 2. Anne, m. William Hopewood 2. Sarah, m. John Allgood 2. Elizabeth, m. Thomas Daniel Regards, Doug

1.  JOHN JEFFERSON1 WILLIS was born May 13, 1813, and died June 07, 1890.  He married MARY B. A. MCCLENDON December01, 1836.  She was born March 05, 1820,and died June 05, 1890.         Children of JOHN WILLIS and MARY MCCLENDON are:                    i.       NOAH2 WILLIS, b. 1855. 2.               ii.       ELIZABETH ANNA WILLIS, b. July 02, 1857, Randolph County, Alabama; d.September 27, 1936, Calhoun County, Alabama. Generation No. 2 2.  ELIZABETH ANNA2 WILLIS (JOHN JEFFERSON1) was born July 02, 1857 in Randolph County, Alabama,and died September 27, 1936 in Calhoun County, Alabama.  She married SAMUEL SENTELL LOVE, JR. November 13,1877, son of SAMUEL LOVE and FRANCES ARNETT.  He was bornFebruary 24, 1856 in Randolph County, Alabama, and died February 10, 1932 inCalhoun County, Alabama. More About SAMUEL SENTELL LOVE, JR.: Burial: Nance's CreekMethodist Church Cemetery         Children of ELIZABETH WILLIS and SAMUEL LOVE are: 3.                i.       HARVEY BROOKSIE3 LOVE, b. September03, 1879, White Plains, Alabama; d. February 23, 1965, Alexandria, Alabama.                   ii.       WILLIAM J. J. LOVE, b. May 1881.                  iii.       WILLIAM PINK LOVE, b. May 05, 1884, Calhoun County, Alabama.                  iv.       MAUDE V. LOVE, b. May 1887.                   v.       HATTIE S. LOVE, b. December 1889.                  vi.       JOSIE L. LOVE, b. June 1892.                 vii.       EDWARD C. LOVE, b. May 1897. Generation No. 3 3.  HARVEY BROOKSIE3 LOVE (ELIZABETH ANNA2 WILLIS, JOHN JEFFERSON1) was bornSeptember 03, 1879 in White Plains, Alabama, and died February 23, 1965 inAlexandria, Alabama.  He married KATIE LEONA WATSON December19, 1900 in White Plains, Aabama, daughter of PINKNEY WATSON and MARTHA WHITESIDE.  She was born October 05, 1881 in CalhounCounty, Alabama, and died December 17, 1947.         Children of HARVEY LOVE and KATIE WATSON are:                    i.       SIDNEY J.4 LOVE.                   ii.       RUTHIE M. LOVE.                  iii.       TONEY C. LOVE.                  iv.       MINNIE BELLE LOVE, b. November 24, 1902, Oxford, Alabama; d. June 16,1989, Oxford, Alabama; m. FRANKLIN DAVID CHAMPION, August 10, 1918, Calhoun County, Alabama; b. December05, 1898, Anniston, Alabama; d. June 16, 1989, Anniston, Alabama. Thank you, Barbara bhchampion@aol.com

Generation No. 1 WILLIAM WILLIS was born Bef. 1709. He married SARAH THOMAS. She died Bef. May 28, 1761 in Madison Co. Va. Generation No. 2 JOHN WILLIS He married ELIZABETH PLUNKETT. She was born 1711 in King George Co., Va. Generation No. 3 WILLIAM WILLIS was born February 22, 1742/43 in Locust Grove, Va, and died May 21, 1833 in Boone Co. Ky. buried in Bullitsburg Baptist Cemetery. He married ELIZABETH GARNETT, daughter of ANTHONY GARRETT. She was born November 30, 1744 in Virginia, and died January 04, 1835 in Kentucky. Generation No. 4 EDMOND T. WILLIS was born 1764 in Virginia, and died May 12, 1820 in Adair Co., KY. He married FRANCES (FANNY) TOWLES January 08, 1787 in Culpepper Co., Va.. She was born 1765 in Virginia, and died August 11, 1855 in Taylor Co., KY. Generation No. 5 BIRD THOMAS was born Abt. 1805 in Scott Co., KY, and died April 09, 1892 in Hardin Co. KY. He married EMILINE PHILLIPS Abt. 1830 in Grayson County KY, daughter of THOMAS PHILLIPS and HANNAH CLEAVER. Generation No. 6 ELIZABETH WILLIS was born 1830 in Hardin Co. KY, and died 1870. She married ISAAC NEWTON October 20, 1848 in Hardin County, Ky., son of RUEBEN JR. and MARY NEWTON. He was born Abt. 1823 in Hardin Co. KY, and died July 10, 1877. Generation No. 7 GEORGE WASHINGTON NEWTON was born April 04, 1861 in Hardin Co. KY, and died November 19, 1939 in Louisville, KY. He married VICTORIA DENISON February 14, 1892 in Hart Co. or Edmondson Co. KY, daughter of EDWARD DENISON and MARY DOYEL. She was born April 28, 1871 in Hart County, KY, and died September 17, 1962 in Louisville, KY Buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Generation No. 8 LEONARD ERNEST NEWTON was born July 07, 1911 in Hardin Co. KY, and died December 25, 1979 in Louisville, KY. He married FRANCES HENRIETTA GUENTHNER November 27, 1937 in Louisville, Ky., daughter of WILLIAM GUENTHNER and WILHELMINIA BRUMLEVE. She was born November 05, 1916 in Jefferson County, KY, and died April 09, 1964 in Louisville, KY. I am a daughter of Leonard and Frances Guenthner Newton. Henrietta Newton Deale

Wiley Willis (b. abt 1810 TN) married Elizabeth Cochran on 9 Apr 1832 Union Co., IL James Calvin Willis (b. Jun 1835 Union Co., IL) married Mary A Howard in 1860 MO James Wiley Willis (19 Apr 1871 MO - 5 Jun 1954 MS) married Martha Ann Harper on 25 Sep 1893 in Jackson Twp, Reynolds Co., MO William Jess Willis (23 Apr 1903 Elkridge, Jackson Co., IL - Living) married Lessie Jane Giffin on 10 Nov 1928 White Co., AR Marion Doyne Willis (Living) married Linda Lee Bushong Melissa Doynee Willis (Me) married Ricardo Martinez Jr.

Hi Jan, That's a good idea. Thanks for offering it. Here is my Willis line. Daniel Willis 1730-1784 Elizabeth (Betsy) Moore Gen. John Willis 1759-1802 Asenath Barnes 1763-1806 Thomas Abram Willis 1795-1847 Margaret Holden 1799-1859 Dr. Thomas Holden Willis 1835-1862 Catherine Ann Scott 1837-1917 Cassius Douglas Rhymes 1853-1903 Emma Asenath Willis 1858-1939 Ray Lewis Rhymes 1886-1943 Annie Ella Ames 1892-1983 John Longstreet Rhymes 1927- Regards, John New Orleans ------------------ Jmeltonno1@cs.com wrote: > > The digest only comes to us when someone posts something, which isn't very often.....Maybe everybody on the list should try posting their line all at once and we could see who is here and who they're connected to. >

My Willises of TN. See home page below. Ed Adams 1. Archiabald Willis was born Abt. 1807 in TN per census. First found on the 1830 Henderson Co., TN census and apparently died in that county or Hardin Co., TN. He married Susannah Unknown. Children of Archiabald Willis and Susannah Unknown are: 2 i. Nancy2 Willis, born October 1827 in TN; died Abt. 1904 in Hardin Co., TN. She married George Adams IV March 12, 1846, son of Daniel Adams and Susannah Fielder. 3 ii. Minirva Willis, born Abt. 1835 in TN. 4 iii. Polly Willis, born Abt. 1838 In TN. 5 iv. Hiram Willis, born March 05, 1839 In TN; died July 23, 1871 in Hardin Co., TN. 6 v. Sally Willis, born Abt. 1842 in TN. 7 vi. William Willis, born Abt. 1845 in TN. 8 vii. Rufus Tolbert Willis, born Abt. 1849 in TN; died August 29, 1908 in Henderson Co., TN. He married Margaret Brandon. ----------------------------- See home page at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~adams1895

Francis M. Willis born about 1821 in Jackson Co, AL married to Rachael or Sarah? His children are: Manerva J. Willis b. 1846 married John Henry on Dec. 29, 1864. Francis Marion born May 11, 1848 in Perry Co. TN. married 1st wife was Annariah Banks 2nd wife was Amanda Brashier. Both children Manerva and Francis Marion are listed in the Maury Co. TN census in 1850. Francis Marion Willis and both wives had a total of at least 12 children. He and his 2nd wife died in Dyer Co. TN. He is buried in Zion Cemetery in Obion Co. TN. He died Oct 1907. His children are: James Henry, John Frank, Mally, Sidney, Porter, Roxie, Anvert B., Andrew, Adrain, Ida, Robert Leslie, and Alton. I am a decentant of John Frank Willis. I would be happy to share more information with someone. Cheryl Walker larrynw@bellsouth.net

My wife's short line: 1. Chester Willis - b abt 1902 Kentucky, d abt 1965 in Chicago + Mary Margaret Ruby b 1905 Kentucky 2. Joseph Linley Willis - living 3. Mary Jo Willis - living

Here is my line: 1.John Willis - d 1712 Dorchester Co., Maryland 2.John Willis - d 1764 Caroline Co., Maryland + Mary 3. Richard Willis - d 1763 Caroline Co., MD + Rebecca Granger 4. Richard Willis - b 1760 - d 1823 Caroline Co., MD + Britania Gowty 5. Zachariah Willis - b 1805 - d 1889 Caroline Co. MD + Mary Broome Fisher 6. Francis Asbury Willis - b 1835 - d 1911 Talbot Co., MD + Sarah Elmer Hubbard 7. LeRoy Willis, Sr. - b 1883 - d 1959 Talbot Co., MD + Hilda Penfold Gardner 8. LeRoy Willis, Jr. - Living 9. Sandra Lee Willis - Living williss@mfi.net

Can anyone fill in the missing pieces? Patrick Willis born May 15, 1822 in Virginia father unk He married Elizabeth Ann Pitman born 1828 in Clairborne Co. Tenn. Child James Monroe Willis born 1848, in Tenn. he married Melinda Jane McGrew she was born 1850 in Ohio Child Frank McGrew Willis born 1890 in Iowa thanks

Ed, I have a "little" bit of info on a William Arch Willis, b. 1837, who died in Gallatin Co. IL. His father was Archibald Willis, b. 1798 in NC Have more info if interested... Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: <EAdams2784@aol.com> To: <WILLIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 10:21 AM Subject: Willis of TN > My Willises of TN. See home page below. > Ed Adams > > 1. Archiabald Willis was born Abt. 1807 in TN per census. First found on the > 1830 Henderson Co., TN census and apparently died in that county or Hardin > Co., TN. He married Susannah Unknown. > > Children of Archiabald Willis and Susannah Unknown are: > 2 i. Nancy2 Willis, born October 1827 in TN; died Abt. 1904 in Hardin Co., > TN. She married George Adams IV March 12, 1846, son of Daniel Adams and > Susannah Fielder. > > 3 ii. Minirva Willis, born Abt. 1835 in TN. > 4 iii. Polly Willis, born Abt. 1838 In TN. > 5 iv. Hiram Willis, born March 05, 1839 In TN; died July 23, 1871 in Hardin > Co., TN. > 6 v. Sally Willis, born Abt. 1842 in TN. > 7 vi. William Willis, born Abt. 1845 in TN. > 8 vii. Rufus Tolbert Willis, born Abt. 1849 in TN; died August 29, 1908 in > Henderson Co., TN. He married Margaret Brandon. > > ----------------------------- > See home page at: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~adams1895 > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237

Here is my Willis family, all from Marshall Co. WV and Greene Co. PA to Belmont, Washington, Monroe and Meigs Co.s in OH, then finally Wood Co. WV. John S. Willis born "Monongahela" VA 1819 d in Civil War, served from Meigs Co. OH Julia Ann Mowder Willis 1819 PA Children Daniel Milton Willis Elizabeth "Betsy" J. Willis Nancy Ann Willis Emmeretta Willis James McClellan Willis Benjamin Franklin Willis Ida Matilda Willis John McClellan Willis John S. Willis was probably the son of Henry Willis Sr. and wife Nancy LNU The brothers of John S. Willis are : Jeremiah Willis b 1824 Marshall Co. WV d Wood Co. WV William Willis b 1822 Marshall Co. WV d Wood Co. WV Henry Willis b 1826 OH Also associated or related to this family: William Willis b 1813 WV I have tons of info on all these people if anyone finds a familiar name. Martha Cross Sargent

Hello Everyone, I am researching, Samuel Willis who married Lilly Prudence Lipscomb in Virginia. They came to W.V., to Lincoln & Putnam Co.'s, then on into Fayette Co., is anyone researching this line? Thanks, Sarah skincaid@cwv.net

Well cousins, here is my line.... 1.Henry Willis (1740) & Nancy Mcknight 2. John Willis (1778) & Rebecca Cooper 3.Capt William Willis (1811) & Elizabeth Davis 4.Edmund (Edward, Edmond[1846]) Willis & Almeda Layne 5. Burdine Willis(1883) & Amie Evans 6.Verma Willis (1912) & Henry Wilson 7. Alonzo Wilson & Ernestine Blair 8. "me" Lisa Wilson :-)

My line: Jan Willis m. Maria Van Giesen John Willis, b. 3/23/1741, Bergen County, NJ,, d. 4/1/1804, Crooked Pond, Franklin Township, NJ., m. Rachel Doremus 4/8/1762. Mary Willis m. John Storms. Van rlvanvaler@att.net http://www.vanvalerfamily.net ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jmeltonno1@cs.com> To: <WILLIS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2001 8:52 AM Subject: Few Postings >Maybe everybody on the list should try posting their line all at once >and we could see who is here and who they're connected to.

Re: Maybe everybody on the list should try posting their line all at once and we could see who is here and who they're connected to. My line is 1. Josiah Willis b. abt 1772 d.1/23/1843 buried: Frenchville Cemetery Western, NY m. Sophia 2. Hezekiah Willis (Willes) b. 5/28/1764 in Tolland, Conn d. 1/31/1842 m. Elizabeth Knapp b.2/5/1779 in Spencertown, Columbia Co, NY m. 4/5/1796 in Steuben (Western), NY d. 3/3/1849 Both are buried in Frenchville Cemetery, Western, NY 3. Joseph Willis b. 11/4/1808 in Western, NY d. 5/28/1871 in Leicester, NY m. Ellen Delight Canute (aka: Nellie) m. 9/1840 4. George Henry Willis b. 12/20/1852 in Western, NY d. 10/18/1923 in Rochester, NY m. Mary Ellen Lawrence b. 8/29/1861 in Oakfield, NY m. 1/26/1881 in Fort Hill, Le Roy, Genesee Co, NY at home of Mr & Mrs Monroe David d. 10/16/1915 in Bergen, Genesee Co, NY 5. Elsie Jean Willis b. 12/23/1900 in Bergen, NY Resided in Bay Shore, Suffolk Co, NY d. 11/14/1984 in Gulfport, Pinellas Co, Fl m. 6/19/1926 in Bay Shore, NY - Harry William Hendrickson Jr b. 4/29/1905 in Bay Shore, NY d. 5/21/1978 in Pinellas Co, FL I have siblings of Joseph Willis and Elsie Jean Willis. Are there any Willis/Willes researchers out there from the Northeastern US? Thanks, Linda Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

>From Randy Willis www.randywillis.org Brief Biographical Sketches on my Willis line and our Willis Family Origins (beginning with me) 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, 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. 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. 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. He was named after his father's commanding general in the Civil War, Gen. Randall Lee Gibson. I was, in turn, named after my grandfather, Randall Lee Willis. She was a strong believer in Christ and was a staunch Baptist. I remember her deep reverence for the Lord. I remember walking into the church sanctuary with her one day, where the pastor was teaching a Sunday school class. He looked up from his notes and asked, Mrs. Willis "what does Christ do with our sins," and without hesitation she said "He throws them as far as the east is from the west." 4) Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. (b. Apr. 2, 1839; d. May 22, 1900) was my great-grandfather. After his return from the Civil War, in 1865, he was made Constable of Spring Hill. His wife, Julia Ann, spoke often of the time he captured an outlaw from Texas who was hid out in the piney woods of Louisiana. She said it was to late to make the horseback trip to the jail in Alexandria, therefore Daniel handcuffed the outlaw to the foot of their bed for an overnight stay. Daniel told him he better not make a sound. She said Daniel slept soundly, but she did not sleep a wink all night. He later was a successful rancher. He and his sons would buy cattle in East Texas and then drive them to the railroad at Lecompte, La. to be shipped north. Once the cattle stampeded in the woods. My grandfather, who was only 12 and riding drag, thought his dad, Daniel, had been killed; but then he could see Daniel's huge white hat waving high in the air in front of the cattle. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was the eldest son of Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. and Anna Slaughter. He was raised near Sugartown, La. and then settled on Barber Creek near Longleaf, La. He married Julia Ann Graham (b. Feb. 22, 1845; d. Sept. 28, 1936) on January 5, 1867. (Daniel called her Julieann). Julia Ann's grandchildren recalled that she would often read her red-lettered New Testament on the front porch of the Old Willis Place. She would then open her trunk and pull out Daniel's photo, who had preceded her in death, and a tear would be seen in her eye. She also loved oranges. She would eat them, lay the peals on the window seal and later eat the peals. When asked what she was doing she replied "I don't know for sure, but I think these orange peals are good for you." He died from kidney trouble at his son, Dr. Daniel Oscar Willis' home near Leesville, La. She swam in Barber Creek until age 90. Both Daniel and Julia Ann are buried at the Graham Cemetery. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. was the first of four Willis’ brothers to marry four Graham’ sisters. When Daniel asked Julia Ann's father, Robert Graham, for her hand in marriage; Robert asked him if he could feed her. Daniel replied "that he had a horse, a milk cow, a barrel of corn and a barrel of molasses." Robert responded "my goodness son you have enough to marry several of my daughters." Later, three of Daniel's brothers would marry three of Julia Ann's sisters. When Daniel died in 1900, he left Julia Ann, $35,000.00 in gold, a home, land, and the woods full of cows, on Barber Creek, near Long Leaf, La. He fought under General Randall Lee Gibson in the Civil War. The headlines from Daniel's obituary in the "Alexandria Town Talk" stated "Another Gallant Confederate Soldier and Prominent Citizen Passes Away." The writer of his obituary wrote "During an intimate acquaintance, covering a period of twenty-five years, the writer never heard a vulgar or profane word pass his lips." 5) Rev. Daniel Hubbard Willis, Sr. (b. Dec. 28,1817; d. Mar. 27, 1887) was my great-great-grandfather. He was born on Bayou Boeuf in La. He married Anna Slaughter (b. May 29, 1820 d. Mar. 24, 1876) on Mar. 15, 1838 in La. Both are buried at the Amiable Baptist Church Cemetery near Glenmora, La. He was the first of Rev. Joseph Willis' many descendants to follow him into the ministry. Daniel was called by W.E. Paxton's in "A History of the Baptist of Louisiana, from the Earliest Times to the Present" (1888) "…one of the most respected ministers in the Louisiana Association." He established many churches himself and was blind the last 22 years of his life. His daughter would read the scriptures and he would preach. He was pastor of Amiable and Spring Hill Baptist Churches for many years. The Louisiana Association minutes record, in 1856, that "Elder D.H. Willis was a missionary in the Western part of the Association at the rate of $400 per year. Although in ill health he 'traveled 1840 miles, preached 84 sermons, delivered 44 exhortations, visited 115 families, baptized 19, restored 2, settled one difficulty, started 3 prayer meetings, and one Sabbath School, preached at 21 different places...'" He settled on Spring Creek near Glenmora at a community called Babb’s Bridge. His daughter-in-law, Julia Ann Graham Willis said he was the best man she every knew. 6) Agerton Willis (b. 1785 in North Carolina) was my great-great-great-grandfather. He married Sophie Story on April 18, 1811, in La. He was the eldest of approximately 19 children of Rev. Joseph Willis. His mother was Rachel Bradford from Bladen County, NC. His wife, Sophie Story, was an Irish orphan brought from Tennessee by a Mr. Park, who then lived near Holmesville below Bunkie, La. I do not know ether's place of birth or where they are buried. 7) Rev. Joseph Willis (b. circa 1758; d. Sept. 14, 1854) was my great-great-great-great-grandfather. He was born in Bladen County, NC. in 1758. The Louisiana Baptist Association met at Evergreen, La. on October 1, 1852. Joseph Willis' friend, John O'Quin, was clerk of the association that year and recorded in the Louisiana minutes "Joseph Willis, Sr., a feeble old man of ninety-four years old." This would have made Joseph 96 when he died in September of 1854; thus his year of birth, 1758. The committee on his on his obituary, in 1854, said that he died "at the advanced age of ninety two." This explains the date of birth, on his marker, of 1762. I believe this later estimate was wrong, since family tradition and numerous historians state he was 96 years old when he died. He was the first non-Catholic minister, to preach the Gospel, West of the Mississippi, River. He fought under Francis Marion "The Swamp Fox" in the Revolutionary War (South Carolina) and then migrated to La. before the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. He established the first non-Catholic church West of the Mississippi River, Calvary Baptist, Nov. 13, 1812, at Bayou Chicot, La. His mother was half-Cherokee Indian and his father was English. His first wife was Rachel Bradford from Bladen County, North Carolina. His second wife, Sarah, was a Irish women from South Carolina. He settled with his third wife (a Johnson women) on Bayou Chicot. She died and is buried there. The location of her grave is unknown. He then moved, with his children, and settled on Spring Creek east of the Calcasieu River. His fourth wife was Elvy Sweat from Ten Mile Creek; they lived on the west side of the Calcasieu River, in Willis Hollow. He had four wives and 19 children. He is buried at the Occupy Baptist Church Cemetery near Pitkin, La. His first cousin, General John Willis, was one of the signers ratifying The Constitution of the United States, from North Carolina, in 1788. Rev. Joseph Willis' influence is still felt today. 8) Agerton Willis (b. circa 1727; d. 1777) was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. He was one of four brothers to migrate from England or Wales to Virginia and eventually to Bladen and Robeson Counties, North Carolina. The four Willis' brothers were Agerton Willis (b. circa 1727; d. 1777), Daniel Willis (b. circa 1716; d. 1785), Benjamin Willis III (b. circa 1725; d. 1785), and George Willis (b. circa 1730). After arriving in America, these four brothers are found in Southeast Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay area, the same area that the pilgrims first settled. There in the 1740’s, in Isle of Wight County and Nansemond County (now the city of Suffolk) was the place that Joseph Willis’ father, three uncles and one aunt called home. The one known sister of these four brothers was Joanna Willis (b. circa 1730; d. 1791). Joanna married James Council (b. circa 1716) of Isle of Wight County, Virginia in about 1751. It is also said, that James was the son of John Council and Benjamin Willis Jr.’s sister Josie Willis (b. circa 1681), and grandson of Hodges Council. I have not confirmed this statement. Hodges, supposedly immigrated from Devonshire, England to America. I have been unable to confirm this with any evidence in Devon, England, but it may well be true. In the early 1750’s, the family, including James and Joanna, moved from Virginia to North Carolina. Between 1740 and 1770, hundreds of Virginians moved to North Carolina as a result of the Virginia legislature passing a law requiring all non-residents to acquire ten acres of land for each head of stock ranging in the colony or to become citizens. Agerton Willis settled on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. The four brothers were all large plantation owners in North Carolina. Many of the Willises in America descend from these four brothers. The Origins of These Four Brothers After extensive research in Devon, England, I'm beginning to believe that the story that I heard, 20 years ago, of these four Willis' brothers coming from Wales to America may be true. I've have found only three, 1600-1700 Devonshire, Willis Families: James Willis of Totnes, Timothy Harding Willis of Barnstaple, and William Willis of Torrington. I have not found the names of Agerton Willis, Daniel Willis, Benjamin Willis, nor George Willis in all of 1600-1700 Devonshire, England. Wales is a hotbed of Willis families. It has been written that the surname "Willis" is of Welsh origin. Supposedly the Willises came to England with William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Additional research needs to be expended on our Willis overseas origin. As mentioned above, after arriving in America, our Willis family is found in Southeast Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay area. Other northeastern references with similar names can be found in the Boston Marriages from 1700-1809. Joseph Willis and Mary Goodwill - September 15, 1730 (page 158), Benjamin Willis and Ann Letty - November 20, 1742 (page 273) and Joseph Brown and Johanna Willis - September 22, 1719 (page 80). I've not been able to connect these Willises to ours, but the similarity of names is uncanny. Randy Willis www.randywillis.org randy@randywillis.org