William Willis
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William H. Willis (1812 - 1894)

William H. "Billy" Willis
Born in Warren, Ohiomap
Son of and [mother unknown]
Brother of , and
Husband of — married 10 Apr 1830 in Warren, Ohiomap
Husband of — married 1 Oct 1879 in Oronoko, Berrien, Michiganmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , and
Died at age 82 in Berrien Springs, Berrien, Michiganmap
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Profile last modified | Created 30 Nov 2018
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The Birth Date is a rough estimate. See the text for details.

Biography

William "Billy" Willis was born in Warren County, Ohio between 1811 and 1815.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He is believed to be the son of John William Willis of Baltimore, but more research is needed to prove this. On 10 Apr 1830, in Warren Co., Billy married Roetta Green,[7] possibly the daughter of Randolph Green and Priscilla Dearth.

1830 United States Fedearl Census[8]
Franklin Township, Warren, Ohio
Billy Willis
Males 15-19: 1 [1811-1815]
Females 15-19: 1

Billy and Roetta had the following children:[1]

  1. Malinda Willis (c1831- ), m. Israel Salle[9]
  2. Emmellia Percilla Willis (1836-1894),[6] m. Andrew Jackson Easton[10]
  3. Granville M. Willis (1838-1862) died in the Civil War[11]
  4. Alonzo Walker Willis (1841-1908),[12] m. Rebecca Puterbaugh[13]
  5. William A. Willis (1844 -aft. 1910), m. Susan Pettis[14]
  6. John M. Willis (1846 - 1910),[15] m. Elizabeth J. Shearer[16]
  7. Mary Isilda Willis (1852-1917),[17] m. Luman Strong[18]

1840 United States Federal Census[19]
Washington, Franklin County, Ohio
Males 30-39:1 [1801-1810]
Females und 5:2 [1836-1840]
Females 5-9:1 [1831-1835]
Females 30-39:1

After their son John was born they moved to Berrien Co., Michigan; in the 1850 census Billy's 70-year-old mother Nancy Willis was living with them.[1]

In the 1860 Census for Berrien, MI., Billy is listed as a farmer; living with him were his wife, Roetta (48), Granville (21), Alonzo W. (19) , William A. (17), John M. (14), Mary J. (8) and Nancy Willis (80).[2] Their daughter Malinda having married Israel Salle in 1852 was living in nearby Silver Creek, Cass, MI. Roetta died on 3 Mar 1878,[6] and was laid to rest at Morris Chapel Cemetery in Berrien Township.[20]

Billy married widow Almina (Lavanway) Raymond on 1 Oct 1879, daughter of Charles Lavanway and Elizabeth Miller.[5] Almina was the mother of six children: William S., Armilda, Mary Elizabeth, Ida & Ada (twins) and Charles Raymond; none of her children are recorded living with them in the 1880 Census even though Charles, the youngest, would have only been about 12 years old, but Billy's daughter Mary and her husband, Luman Strong and their 2-month-old daughter were living with them.[4]

Almina gave birth to Ezra B. Willis on 14 Sep 1880 at the age of 41.[21] According to the obituary below, Almina gave birth to a second child, which did not survive.

Billy Willis died on 29 Apr 1894 in Berrien Springs, Berrien Co., MI.[6]

Obituary[22]

"Wm. H. Willis was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 27th, 1812, was married to Roetta Green April 11th, 1830. To them were born nine children, five daughters and four sons, five of whom survive. In December, 1849, they came to NIles, Mich., where they resided till the next spring when they moved to the frm where he has lived ever since and where he died. March 30, 1878, his wife, the choice of his youth, passed away to the better land. He was married again Oct. 1, 1879, to Mrs. Almina Raymond, with whom he lived happily until death. To them were born two children, one living. In 1838 he consecrated his heart to Christ and united with the M. E. church. In 1855 he transferred his membership to the church of the United Brethren of wich church he remained an honored member until death. For many years he preached as opportunities afforded in a local way, conducting a great many funeral services. On his dying bed exclaimed a good many times "Oh, if it were not for Jesus what would I do!" But though suffering quite severely, he patiently waited for the Master to come and say, Come up highter; and the Master came Sunday evening, April 29, 1894."

Research Notes

A John Willis married Nancy Hill in Baltimore County, Maryland on 12 Dec 1798.[23] Supposedly, the wedding certificate was signed by George Willis and James A. Willis was a witness. The Willis YDNA Project claims this was the wedding certificate of John William Willis and Nancy Hite.[24]

John W. Willis, Ensign, 21 Regiment (Reed's) Maryland Militia, War of 1812.[25]

A John William Willis appears on the "Register of the Navy" in 1828 & 1829; he entered service as a Midshipman in the Navy on 1 May 1825. Birth place is listed as Virginia, of which is was a citizen. His station was Frigate Brandywine.[26]

1820 United States Federal Census[27]
Franklin, Warren, Ohio
W. Willis
Males und 10: 3 [1811-1820]
Males 10-15: 1 [1805-1810]
Males 16-18: 2 [1802-1804]
Males 16-25: 2 included above
Males 26-44: 1 [1774-1794]
Females und 10: 1
Females 26-44: 1

There were no other Willis families found in Franklin Township

1830 United States Federal Census[28]
Franklin, Warren, Ohio
William Willis
Males 10-14: 1 [1816-1820]
Males 20-29: 1 [1801-1810]
Males 50-59: 1 [1771-1780]
Females 15-19: 1 [1811-1815]

There were only three Willis families found in Franklin Townhship in 1830: William Willis (age 50-59), Billy Willis (15-19) and James A. Willis (20-29). All three are living next to each other with Priscilla Green living between them. I believe Priscilla is the mother of Roetta.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1850 United States Federal Census. Database online. Year: 1850; Census Place: Division 10, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: M432_346; Page: 245B. Household Members: William (38), Rosetta (38), Malinda M (19), Emmarillis (14), Granville M. (12), Alonzo W. (9), William H. (7) & John M. M. (4); Andrew H. Rettin (19) & Nancy Willis (70).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 1860 United States Federal Census. Database online. Year: 1860; Census Place: Berrien, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: ; Page: 116; Image: 116. Household Members: Billy (48), Roetta (48), Granville (21), Alonzo W. (19), William A. (17), John M. (14), Mary J. (8) & Nancy (80)
  3. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census. Database online. Year: 1870; Census Place: Berrien, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: M593_. Household Members: William (58), Roetta (58), William (47) & Mary (18).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 1880 United States Federal Census. Database online. Year: 1880; Census Place: Berrien, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: 572; Family History Film: 1254572; Page: 93D; Enumeration District: 003; Image: 0337. Household Members: Billy (68), Elmina (40), Luman Strong (33), Mary Strong (28) & Ettie Strong (2/12).
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Michigan, County Marriages, 1822-1940. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. (2016). Film no. 002240467. Hereafter referenced as "MCM."
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Michigan, Deaths and Burials Index, 1867-1995. Database online. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. (2011). Film no. 945406. Hereafter referenced as "MDBI."
  7. ↑ Ohio, County Marriage Records, 1774-1993. Film no. 000964272.
  8. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1830; Census Place: Franklin, Warren, Ohio; Series: M19; Roll: 142; Page: 196; Family History Library Film: 0337953.
  9. ↑ MCM. Film no. 002240458.
  10. ↑ MCM. Film no. 002240459.
  11. ↑ U.S., Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861-1865. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. (2012)
  12. ↑ Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1950. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. (2015). File no. 17.
  13. ↑ Indiana, Select Marriages, 1780-1992. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. (2014).
  14. ↑ Michigan, Marriage Records, 1867-1952. Lansing, MI: Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Film: 5; Film Description: 1870 Monroe - 1871 Jackson. Hereafter refereced as "MMR."
  15. ↑ MDBI. FHL film no. 1006449.
  16. ↑ MMR. Film: 1; Film Description: 1868 Allegan - 1868 Genesee.
  17. ↑ Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1950. Lansing, MI: Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. File no. 102. Hereafter referenced as "MDR".
  18. ↑ MMR. Film: 15; Film Description: 1877 Mason-1878 Gratiot.
  19. ↑ 1840 United States Federal Census. Database online. Year: 1840; Census Place: Washington, Franklin, Ohio; Roll: ; Page: .
  20. ↑ Ancestry.com. Web: Indiana and Michigan, U.S., Michiana Genealogical Cemetery Index, 1800-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: MGI Cemeteries: South Bend Area Genealogical Society.
  21. ↑ Michigan, Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911. Database online. Film no. 945401.
  22. ↑ The Weekly Palladium. Benton Harbor, Michigan. 11 May 1894, Fri. p. 2.
  23. ↑ Ancestry.com. Maryland, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1655-1850 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp.. Maryland Marriages, 1655-1850. Most of the records in this index may be found at the Maryland Historical Society or the Family History Library. More specific source information is listed with each entry. Original marriage licenses should be located at the county clerk's office.
  24. ↑ WeRelate.
  25. ↑ Direct Data Capture, comp. U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M602, 234 rolls. Roll box: 228; Microfilm: M602.
  26. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Navy and Marine Corps Registries, 1814-1992 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. Original data: U.S., Navy and Marine Corps Registries, 1814-1992. Navy Department Library - Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.
  27. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. 1820 U S Census; Census Place: Franklin, Warren, Ohio; Page: 416; NARA Roll: M33_87; Image: 359.
  28. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1830; Census Place: Franklin, Warren, Ohio; Series: M19; Roll: 142; Page: 196; Family History Library Film: 0337953.




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Images: 2
Billy Willis
Billy Willis
Billy Willis and daughter Mary (Willis) Strong
Billy Willis and daughter Mary (Willis) Strong


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