Willis Simmons (1752 - 1771)

Born 1752 in Johnston County, North Carolina

Ancestors

Died 1771 at about age 19 in Wake County, Province of North Carolina

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Biography

Willis was born about 1752 in Johnston County, Province of North Carolina. near present day Raleigh in Wake County. His parents were John Simmons and Dianah Herbert.

The book “Abstract of NC Wills 1760-1800" pg. 309, states a brother James Simmons but the name is not found on the will. He was under age but over 18, (Constable: 1745, wake co ,NC)

Willis was named in the will of his father in Johnston County, North Carolina in 1767. His father died in 7 Jan 1770. Willis inherited 80 acres of land on the south side of Walnut Creek.

Will of Willis Simmons

Willis Simmons left a will recorded in the clerks office of Wake County in book A page 243. Willis left a will dated 5 February 1770 and in that will he named his mother Dinah Simmons, sisters Elizabeth and Mary as well as his brothers William, Adam, and Solomon.

In the name of GOD Amen, this fifth day of February in the year of Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy. I Willis Simmons of the Province of North Carolina and the County of Johnston formerly but said now to be the county of Wake being in my minority but above the age of eighteen years and being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will & testament. In the following manner and form, Imprimis I give unto my mother Dinah Simmons my land containing by estimate eighty acres adjoining the land formerly belonging to William Lawthon now to Captain Theophilus Hunter https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hunter-13937 according to the manner of my deceased fathers last will to her and to her heirs and assign forever and I give to my said mother my cow and what hogs of mine runs with her hogs and their increase forever only with this reservation that if my sister Mary out lives my said mother that She my said mother or my sister Elizabeth or both should out live my said mother shall think the worth of the said cow and hogs to be at this time and also the money being upwards of ten pounds which my brother Adam Simmons is now indebted to me to be given in like manner to my said mother and I do hereby give to my brother William all the hogs I has of my brother Adam and their increase forever. I also give to my brother Solomon one sow and six pigs being by themselves and their increase forever and I do hereby nominate my mother aforesaid my only and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. Declaring this to be my last will and testament in the witnesses whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written. Willis (mark) Simmons. In the presence of George Renyor Turner. Recorded in the clerks office of Wake County in book A pages 243.

Wake County was formed in 1771 from Cumberland, Johnston, & Orange Counties.

Death

He died in 1771 in Wake County, North Carolina. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/wake/wills/wills02.txt

• http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/e/i/M-S-Meinhart/GENE9-0013.html

• http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/wake/wills/wills02.txt
• http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/m/e/i/M-S-Meinhart/GENE9-0013.html

• North Carolina Probate Records, Wake County, Willis Simmons, 1771

• North Carollina Probater Records, Johnston County, John Simmons 1767

• Abstract of NC Wills 1760-1800 pg. 309

Acknowledgements

Profile written by Allan Harl Thomas