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• Title	Benjamin Willis 1774-1860
  Short Title	FWillis: Benjamin Willis 1774-1860
  Author	Lettie C. Hay
  Repository	Donald Willis
  Source ID	S362
  Text	Lettie Missouri (Clark) Hay (1897-1975) was a descendant of Benjamin Willis. This file is based on a typed, two-page document (with footnotes) to which she added many handwritten notes. The notes—and her handwriting—are not always clear. Her handwritten notes will be shown in italics; my comments or notes will be added in curly brackets { / }. Benjamin Willis, 1774-1860 Benjamin Willis was born in North Carolina in 1774, a son of Benjamin Willis, Revolutionary Soldier of Cumberland County, North Carolina. The latter moved with his family to Georgia about 1800-10 and is first found in Telfair County soon after its creation in 1809. He, the elder Willis, died in Telfair county in 1824 and Benjamin, the subject, was appointed administrator in Irwin County, September 30, 1825, the record stating that the deceased died in Telfair County. The wife of Benjamin Willis, the subject, is not known at the time.1 About 1835 she and a young daughter and an infant grand-child were killed and scalped by the Indians when they raided the Willis home located where the village of Dakota, Georgia, now stands. Benjamin Willis moved to Irwin County about 1820-25 from Telfair County. Correction: Laurens, Vol. 5, page 54 Benjamin Willis and his wife had the following children: John, b. 1803, m. Charlotte Matilda Calloway, August 24, 1826, daughter of David Calloway. Martain, b. 1808, m. Sarah Merritt, April 15, 1832. Benjamin, b. 1810, m. Sarah Sumner, Dec. 5, 1833, dau. of Jos. For his children, see page 517, Vol. 5, Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia—Huxford. William, b. 1812, m. Catherin {sic} Goff, Jan. 30, 1834, dau. of John. Rebecca, b. 1814, m. David Hursey, Sept. 22, 1834. {Another source identifies Rebecca as the daughter killed by Indians.} Mary, b. 1815, m. David Smith, July 18, 1835, son of Jonathan. Daniel, b. 1817, m. Elizabeth Smith, Sept. 2, 1841, daughter of Jonathan. Mr. Willis spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs. Smith, at their home in what was then Irwin County, but which in 1854 was cut off into the new County of Worth. He was buried in the Willis family cemetery in Worth County—grave unmarked, died about 1860.2 Other references in Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia add the names of two more children. Sarah, b. 1816, m. Richard Story Arrena, b. 1822, m. Abraham Conger—lived in Worth County Vol. 5 adds: Dempsey Willis b. 1821 and Barney Willis, b. 1827 The following information was taken down as Uncle George, Grannie’s brother, told it to Papa and me (Lettie). Benjamin Willis came from North Carolina to Laurens County, Georgia (Dublin). His wife as Blanchett Morrison who came where with her father and mother from Scotland when Blanchet was about 15 years old. She never learned to talk so that people over here could understand her very well. (Benjamin Willis is buried at the old Dan Willis place). John W. Willis was the son of Benjamin Willis. He married a Calloway from Twiggs County. Cynthia Willis was the daughter of John W. Willis. She married Flournoy Clark July 23, 1863. She was born March 1828 and died Feb. 14, 1908. Flournoy Clark was born Oct. 2, 1824, d. May 23, 1880. Children: George Flournoy Clark, b. July 18, 1864. Cynthia Elizabeth Clark, b. Feb. 4, 1866. Roswell Gustavus Clark, b. April 3, 1868. Rachel Matilda Clark, b. May 17, 1870. Children of John W. Willis— The following information on Grannie’s brothers and a sister was furnished by Rennie. Some of it is the same as some given by Uncle George Willis: Jack (He was Clerk of Court at Isabella—now Sylvester) Greene Willis Children Had twins, Mary and Martha. Martha m. Mims Mary (Cousin Mary—remember?) never married Ophelia Sarah (Married a Catholic) Tom Fox {“Ophelia” is written in front of Sarah’s name, but it’s unclear whether Ophelia is meant as Sarah’s first name or if Ophelia is another daughter of Greene.} Tilliam (?) Married a Bishop {That’s a surname, not an ecclesiastical title.} Orville—the only boy —m. Bishop Perry Children Jim, m. a Baker (Maggie) Minnie, m. Whittington Forgot—m. Roberts (William) Annie, m. Hall Emma, m.— Hall {Lettie’s notes indicate that sisters Annie and Emma married Hall brothers.} Alfred m. Nora Moth Dan Children: Colonel—only boy Florence Fannie 4 others Wilson called Wilse. Wilson D. Alice Wood Amelia Gay Julia Roberts David Daniel Dent Dow Bud Dave Children: David b. 1832 m. Rachel Taylor 1856 Sylvanus—never married Walton Quinton, m. Baker Hannah, m. Pope Lizzie, m. Hall George b. 1847 (Papa was named for) Children: m. Nancy ____ Hardy Ancil Mary (not sure) Uncle George was Grannie’s youngest brother Jim Children: James J. Aurel Beatrice Ada Della Vida Austin Milton Jessie Tilda married a Thornhill (Matilda) b. 1840 Children: Charlie Elbert The Thornhills lived at Barwick Cynthia, b. 1828, m. Flournoy Clark 1863 {To the right of this list, Lettie has written the following: Benjamin Green b. 1830 Green Willis (Rennie thinks he was the oldest). Children: Henry M. ____ Ann M. Porter Mary M. Canady (Rigdon Willis was the son of Henry Willis.) This cannot be reconciled with the “Greene Willis” she has listed first in this series of children of John W. and Charlotte Matilda (Calloway) Willis. Although the birth date of 1830 works, this list of children completely contradicts the typed list.} Hart’s History of Laurens County gives a list of persons eligible to draws in Land Lottery 1819—Captain LeRoy Harris District. On the list I found: Benjamin Willis, 2 draws George Willis, 2 draws Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, Vol. 3, page 389, and Vol. 2, page 321, show deed records indicating Benjamin Willis (of Vol. 1, p. 301) was living in Laurens County in 1811 and in 1822. In Hart’s History of Laurens County, page 69, this information was found: “More memorable was the Oconee War to the people of this section than was the Revolution.” “During this period Benjamin Harrison, a well-to-do settler of Washington County lived opposite Carrs Bluff, six miles above Dublin. Time after time his horses were stolen, his cows killed, his neighbors scalped.” Sources of information: 1. Pioneers of Wire Grass Georgia—Folks Huxford 2. Flournoy Clark’s family Bible 3. Hart’s History of Laurens County, Georgia 4. Notes taken when Papa and I went to see Uncle George Willis 5. Information furnished by Rennie a sister. Vol. 5 Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia published after this was written gives the information on John Willis family page 518 and Benjamin Willis b. 1810 m. {unreadable} on page 517 {?}. Page 540 gives more information on Benjamin Willis. 1See information on wife added later by Lettie as given by Uncle George Willis to Rev. G. F. Clark and daughter, Lettie. 2Pioneers of Wiregrass, Georgia, Huxford, 1951, Vol. 1, page 301.

• Histories		Willis: Benjamin Willis, 1774-1860 Lettie Missouri (Clark) Hay (1897-1975) was a descendant of Benjamin Willis. This file is based on a typed, two-page document (with footnotes) to which she added many handwritten notes. The notes—and her handwriting—are not always clear. Her handwritten notes will be shown in italics; my comments or notes will be added in curly brackets { / }.

• Notes

  S362.txt