Willis Wilder (abt. 1752 - 1815)

Born about 1752 in Chowan County, North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Holms) Wilder — married 26 May 1796 in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States

Husband of Elizabeth (Saunders) Wilder — married 2 Jun 1813 in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States

Died 1815 at about age 63 in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carol Wilder [send private message]

Biography

Willis Wilder was born before 1774 in Chowan County, North Carolina. Willis' tentative birth is based on Willis being at least 21 years of age in 1795, when he was named guardian to his brother Michael Wilder. Willis is the son of Michael Wilder and Rachel Ward.^[1]

Willis was named guardian of his brother Michael Wilder, in 1795.

Willis married his first wife, Mary Holms on the 26th of May, 1796, in Chowan County, North Carolina.^[2]

Willis appears in the 1810 Federal census in Capt Creecys District, Chowan County, North Carolina.^[3] Willis' household is listed as follows: 3 males ages 10 thru 15; 1 male age 45 and over; and 1 female age 45 and over; and 9 slaves.

Willis and Mary Holms Wilder were the parents of three sons: Willis, Charles and Thomas Wilder.

Willis married his second wife, Elizabeth Saunders on the 2nd of June, 1813, in Chowan County, North Carolina.^[4]

Willis and Elizabeth Saunders Wilder were the parents of one son: James Wilder.

Willis died intestate in Chowan County, North Carolina in 1815. Willis' wife Elizabeth was appointed administrator of his estate. The names of Willis' heirs are listed in the Division of the Personal Estate of Willis Wilder dec'd.^[5]

Willis owned a tract of land in Perquimans County, North Carolina at the time of his death. Documents were filed with the court of Perquimans County, North Carolina regarding the land. The following was filed at the February Term 1818, cited here in part: " State of North Carolina Perquimans County - To the worshipful the justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session for the county and state aforesaid. The Petition of Willis Wilder of full age of Thomas Wilder Charles Wilder, and James Wilder Infants by Miles Wilder their guardian Humbly complaining shew unto your worships that their late father Willis Wilder of the County of Chowan departed this life Intestate on or about the ___ day of in the year 1815 seized and possessed of a tract of land situate lying & being in the county of Perquimans bounded by . . . containing by estimation 150 acres more or less. That your petitioners are the children and only heirs of the said Willis Wilder and entitled to the aforesaid tract of land by descent. May it therefore please your worships to appoint five commissioners to divide and appropriate the same among your petitioners . . ."^[6]

This document shows that Willis' son, also named Willis was of legal age, and son's Thomas, Charles and James were minors and under the guardianship of Miles Wilder. The document also confirms these son's are the only legal heirs by descent of Willis Wilder.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth year based on guardianship papers in the estate records of Willis' father, Michael Wilder; found at: loose estate records, Chowan Co., North Carolina. North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, Family Search: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX9F-KD7.
2. ↑ Marriage to 1st wife, Mary Holms, Chowan County, North Carolina. Microfilm of original record at Family Search: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXT5-6N1
3. ↑ 1810 Federal census Chowan Co., North Carolina. National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M252 Roll 39, page 225.
4. ↑ Marriage to 2nd wife, Elizabeth Saunders, Chowan Co., North Carolina. Microfilm of original record at Family Search: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXT5-6J9
5. ↑ Estate Chowan County, North Carolina Wills and Estate Papers, 1663-1978, database on-line, Ancestry.com; Original at North Carolina Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC.
6. ↑ Estate record regarding land in Perquimans County, North Carolina, gives year of death as 1815; and gives names of son's as only heirs. Record found at: "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8L-1PZJ : 20 November 2015), Willis Wilder, ; citing Perquimans County, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 2,026,797.
7. ↑ Estate record naming heirs: Chowan County, North Carolina Administrator, Executor Records, 1811-1843 Vol A., page 92: Division of the Personal Estate of Willis Wilder dec. Found at FamilSearch: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-J8SY-KT?mode=g&i=181&wc=32LN-N3D%3A169764501%2C169874101%3Fcc%3D1867501&cc=1867501