Matilda Martha (Shaw) Willard (1844 - 1934)

Born 12 Mar 1844 in Channahon Township, Will, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 28 Oct 1934 at age 90 in Coquille, Coos, Oregon, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lorita Cushman [send private message]

Biography

Matilda was widowed 28 June, 1880 at the age of 36 with her youngest Anna only 3 months old and her oldest of 6 Orson Jr a couple weeks shy of 12yrs old. She had the farm/property which was a couple miles out on fishtrap rd. (sometimes referred to Fat Elk) in Coquille, Coos, Oregon, USA deeded by Grover Cleaveland due to Orson's war heroics. She never remarried or had other children. Her youngest Anna died at 25 leaving 2 boys under 3 and an 8 yr old girl who died at age 17. Matilda later helped raise them as their father traveled for work. One of which was my paternal grandfather Loren George Willard who inherited the original family home and some of the property. My father William Earl Willard ended up with it and sold it. Not all of the property was together. Some was closer to town with other property in-between. A lot of the pastures where across the road. Besides the main house in at least my father's and my days there were family homes a little away though close on either side of the original. The houses were built up about 5 ft off the ground due to flooding as the property was on the banks of the Coquille River. Every year it floods. You either get into town or to other relatives on higher ground or in most cases you ride it out taking row boats between the houses pulling taffy, playing cards, visiting.

• Lottie Willard is not Matilda and Orson's. She was born to a Mrs and Mr Orson Willard though not them as Orson died 7 years before she was born. In the 1900 census she was listed at Matilda's as her daughter so we believe she is related. There were a number of Orson Willard's in Coos County at the time of her birth. A lot have changed Matilda's Orson's date of death using one of the other Orson's in order to account for Lottie's being theirs. Her married name is Miller.

Sources

• * Death Certificate
• Deed to property
• Navy's Widows and Orphans certificate # 2744
• 1880 census
• 1900 census
• 1910 census
• 1920 census

Father born in Pennsylvania, Mother born in Kentucky Married about 1868 1880 Census indicates birthdate as 1845