1766 - from Wesley and His Times: a History of Methodism in Ireland. Mr Edward Willis of Rourkefield, a man of some influence who was awakened and converted, also made a favourable impression. He opened his house to receive the messenger of peace and was himself faithful and consistent Christian, and an acceptable local preacher. (Rourkefield refers to the sub-townland in Aghatirourke where Rourkefield House was built) [1]
1796 Freeholders (Ulster Covenant) - Edward Willis of Aughaturork
On the 1796 Flax Growers Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List; Edward Willis of Killesher has one spinning wheel. The Spinning Wheel List, or Flax Growers' Bounty was the result of a survey by the Irish Linen Board in which the names of nearly 60,000 individuals were published in 1796 as part of a Government scheme to encourage the linen trade. Free spinning wheels or looms were awarded based on the number of acres panted with flax. People who planted one acre of flax were awarded 4 spinning wheels, and those growing 5 acres of flax were awarded a loom.
Ulster Covenant 1796 : Freeholders in Killesher
Edward Willis died on the 23rd November 1818 and was buried on the 26th November 1818 in Killesher parish aged 79 years old. [2]
Edward's wife had died before him; she was also a Methodist. [3]
Notes
The "Willises of the Weir" are descendants; a James Willis was living at "The Weir" in 1893, the son of a Robert Willis by then deceased. - This may be Robert Willis of Curragh and his descendants. [4]
The Edward Willis of Killesher who married Mary Rutherford of Cloonclare 13.12.1826 (ECEP) is a descendant of this family. Edward Willis and Mary Rutherford had one child, Mary Jane Willis, born in 1832, who married a man named Copeland and died without children. [5]
Is this the Edward Willis who, with his son Robert Willis is named with an interest in land at Tuam near Belcoo, Cavan? Named in an Indenture between Andrew Bracken of Toam and Prudence Trotter dated 22nd July 1826. (copy held by family members) naming John Bracken of Toam, Edward Archdall of Riversdale, George Willis of Hall Craig, and Richard Bracken of Templenaffrin as parties to the Indenture. [6]
↑ Killesher Parish Records - Burials vol: 1 trans. Seamus Mac Anniadh
↑ from an obituary for their daughter, Martha Elizabeth (Willis) Bracken, by W. Brown
↑ Quoted from The Willis Stock by William and James Armstrong Willis at Lisdeevan House in 1893 in A Short History of the Family of Willis of Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland with particular reference to the senior branch – compiled in 1957 at Margarets, East Harting, Sussex by George Anthony Armstrong Willis; a copy of this Willis family history is held at the Public Records Office, Belfast.
↑ page 9 in A Short History of the Family of Willis of Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland with particular reference to the senior branch – compiled in 1957 at Margarets, East Harting, Sussex by George Anthony Armstrong Willis; a copy of this Willis family history is held at the Public Records Office, Belfast.
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Edward by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Edward: