William Willis (abt. 1570)

Born about 1570 in England

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Biography

William Willis was the brother of Simon Willis, secretary to William Cecil, Secretary of State and responsible for strengthening and revitalising the English navy.

from John Bruce in his paper "Sir Robert Cecil and Mediterranean Plunder" ^[1] "Sir Robert Cecil informed Sir Walter Raleigh of his intention to invest in a certain privateer (a 300ton frigate, the man-of-war Lioness) inviting him and Lord Cobham to take shares in the venture. Cecil and Captain Charles Leigh appear to have had an interest in Lioness ..... Captain named was one William Willis whom Cecil had employed as second-in-command of the Lioness and whose was brother of Simon Willis, one of Cecil's secretaries."

Simon Willis to Lord Cecil 27th July 1603 "It pleased you long since to promise me ‎£300 for the resignation of my annuity and I press the same with more earnestness at this time in regard of an occasion that is offered to free myself of an insupportable charge that I presently undergo for the maintenance of my brother, by dispersing one half of this money, for which I can purchase him the place of one of the Yeomen of the Kings Guard. A poor preferment for one that had followed the wars for 20 years together as he hath done. Never-the-less seeing the sea-war which was his occupation is at an end, and both of us destitute of friends or other means to compass him a better preferment, we shall be glad to embrace the least occasion that presents itself." (signed - seal) ^[2]

Notes

1605 Feb. 27: Grant to George Estcort alias Willis of a pardon for piracy against certain Venetians (Douquet) Is this William Willis who went pirating on behalf of Cecil & co.?

Beginning of British Honduras 1506-1765 by E.O.Winzerling names Captain James Willis as the ship's captain ransomed from the Spanish in 1597.

The Englishman Willis was ruling La Tortuga when Captain Le Vasseur arrived and took charge. Social Composition of the Dominican Republic page: 71 by Juan Bosch pub: Routledge 2016

Chronological History of the West Indies by Captain Thomas Southley. In Three Volumes: 1 pub: 1827

Sources

1. ↑ John Bruce in his paper "Sir Robert Cecil and Mediterranean Plunder" - pub: JSTOR
2. ↑ British History Online : Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House vol: 15 22.7.1603