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Francis Willis of Whitehall (in Gloucester County), was born about 1717 in Virginia, the child of Francis Willis and Anne Rich. He married Elizabeth Carter on 30 Sep 1742 (Abingdon Parish Register) and had issue:[1]
1765. York County Deed. From Francis Willis, Esp., of Gloucester County, and Elizabeth his wife, to William Nelson 1,756 acres in Bruton parish, lately belonging to his father, Francis Willis, Esq., and embracing three different tracts conveyed to his father by Sir Wm. Gooch, baronet, Baldwin Matthews Smith, and David Long, about 1749.[1]
Power of Attorney:[1]
"'Berkeley County, Virginia, February 10, 1782. I do hereby certify that some time in the year 1768, I put into the possession of William Kennon and Priscilla his wife (my daughter) two mulatto wenches, Mary and Page, then without children, for their use and benefit, & never vesting any right or title in them to the said Kennon and wife, he being in debt before he married my Daughter, which, I believe, was the chief reason and cause of it. As the cause of this Gift upon courtesy has ceased by the death of the sd William Kennon and his wife, my daughter, I doe therefore think proper to take back into my own possession the said negroes,' etc. Continuing, Francis Willis, appoints his son Robert Carter Willis his attorney to take back the slaves, etc.; and there is. on the back of the paper, a certificate, 12 February 1782, from Robert Carter Willis before the clerk of Berkeley county that 'Francis Willis, Sen. made oath to the contents of the paper.'"
Priscilla's second husband David Flowers apparently wasn't so easily persuaded and wrote to Francis on 30 Mar 1782, that no proof had been provided and that as "his [Col. Kennon's] wife has since become my wife, and, of course, what was my wife's is now mine; but if 'tis the property of Col. Kennon's orphans, let it appear, and I shall hold nothing from them, I am sure."[1]
Married 9/30/1742 in Gloucester Co VA to Elizabeth Carter[2] b. 1725 Lancaster Co VA
1751 Talbot Co MD Record: In 1751, Francis Willis contributed three pistoles for his annual subscription to Mr. Bacon's school in Talbot County, Maryland. His wife is believed to have contributed one doubloon. Francis is believed to have had warehouses and a bakery on Mockjack Bay according to the Virginia Gazette. Died 2/1782 Berkeley Co VA Probate
Will of Francis Willis: Berkeley County, Virginia, February 10, 1782. I do hereby certify that some time in the year 1768, I put into the possession of William Kennon and Priscilla his wife (my daughter) two mulatto wenches, mary and Page, then without children, for their use and benefit, and never vesting any right or title in them to the said Kennon and wife, he being in debt before he married my Daughter, which, I believe, was the chief reason and cause of it. As the cause of this Gift upon courtesy has ceased by the death of the said William Kennon and his wife my daughter, I doe therefore think proper to take back into my own possession the said negroes, " etc.
Francis Willis, appointed his son Robert his attorney to take back the mentioned slaves, etc and there is on the back of the paper, a certificate, 12 February 1782, from Robert Carter Willis before the clerk of Berkeley county that Francis Willis, Sen. made oath to the contents of the paper". [3]
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Francis is 23 degrees from Herbert Adair, 17 degrees from Richard Adams, 16 degrees from Mel Blanc, 23 degrees from Dick Bruna, 17 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 31 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 17 degrees from Sam Edwards, 15 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 16 degrees from Marty Krofft, 13 degrees from Junius Matthews, 11 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 19 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
Categories: Patriotic Service, Virginia, American Revolution