Information on this page from Windows Into Our Past, A Genealogy of the Parsons, Smith and Associated Families, Vol. 1 �1996, Judy Parsons Smith
David & Mary Willis possible ancestors of this branch of the family. They had two (2) sons:
- 1 - Thomas Willis
2 - Joseph ‘Joe’ Willis, m. Matilda Lawson. SEE LAWSON$ From this entry in Early Settlers we find: John S. Willis, son of John & Jane Willis; b. (Nov 1810), Lee Co., VA; d. 12 Jun 1854, Levingston Co., KY, 43 yrs. 8 mo. There was probably another Willis family living in the area, as his date of birth would figure in closely to Thomas & Joseph Willis’.
1 - Thomas Willis, m. Rosannah Meredith. They had children:
1-1 Malinda Ann, m. Andy Lyons. Andy & Malinda (Willis) Lyons had a son:
1-1-1 Chris Lyons, b. 1882; m. 25 Dec 1910, Hancock Co., TN to Malinda Jane Willis.
1-2 James, m. Polly Ann England, daughter of Hiram & Malinda (Rogers) England, Sr. James & Polly (England) Willis had a daughter:
1-2-1 Malinda Jane, b. 1891; m. 25 Dec 1910, Hancock Co., TN to Chris Lyons.
*1-3 Marquis D. L. Willis, served as a Pvt. in Co. G, 8th Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War.
*$ He may or may not be a child of Thomas & Rosannah (Meredith) Willis. But is listed among the Survivors of the Rebellion in June 1890, Lee Co., VA, "Bicentennial History of Lee Co., VA 1792-1992, p33.
Joseph 'Joe' Willis
2 - Joseph 'Joe' Willis, b. 1820/23; d. 1885/1900 Hawkins Co., Tennessee; m. 1 Jan 1843, Hawkins Co., TN to Matilda Lawson, daughter of Dyer Obediah & Jane (England) Lawson, b. 1850, Lee Co., VA; d. Hawkins Co., Tennessee. It is believed that Joe Willis married twice - the second wife is unknown. Joe Willis is listed as a principal farmer in Blackwater in 1884-1885. Joseph & Matilda Willis had children:2-1 Eliza, b. 1843/1844
2-2 Mariah, b. 1844 (shown in 1870 Lee County Census)
2-3 Sarah, b. 1845, Lee Co., VA; m. 8 Jun 1868 to Epps G. Lawson, son of Wainright Lawson, b. 1842, Lee Co., VA
2-4 Mary, b. 24 Feb 1848; m. Claborn Rogers. SEE ROGERS
2-5 Alicy/Alice, b. 1849
2-6 Dyer, b. 1851, Lee Co., VA; m. Sciathe Lawson.
2-7 Martha J., b. 30 Dec 1853, Hickory Hill
2-8 Sampson, b. Jan 1855; m. Sarah Delp
2-9 James, b. 1858, Lee Co., VA; m. Margaret (Peggy) Bledsoe
2-10 Rebecca, b. 1859
2-11 Matilda, d. 1866, Lee Co., VA as an infantJoseph Willis m2nd to Kisirah/Kisirie Roberts, b. 1840. Joseph & Kisirah (Roberts) Willis had four (4) children:
2-12 Socrilda, b. 1871, Lee Co., VA; m. Mack Lawson.
2-13 Patience, b. 1874, Lee Co., VA. Patience had two (2) children.
2-14 Rosa, b. 1876. Rosa had five (7) children.
2-15 Julia, b. 1879. Julia had two (2) children.The Willis home was destroyed during the Civil War. At that time the moved in to the slave quarters with their slaves. It is said at least one of the daughters who was living at home during that time had children by the slaves. (Which family???)
The Blackwater Church School for the Colored was established after the slaves of Major Livingstone & Colonel Moore were freed. Former slaves assumed the names of their former owners. The schools enrollment consisted of these families: The Livingstones, The Ervin Willises, the Henry Brookses, the George Moores, and others.
Mary Willis
2-4 Mary Willis, daughter of Joseph & Matilda Willis, b. 24 Feb 1848; d. 21 Apr 1917; m. c. 1865 to Claborn 'Clabe' Rogers, son of Edmond & Mary Elizabeth (Tyree) Rogers; b. 18 Apr 1848; d. 21 Oct 1921, Lee Co., Virginia.Dyer Willis
2-6 Dyer Willis, son of Joseph & Matilda Willis, b. 1851, Lee Co., VA; m. 16 Mar 1871, Lee Co., VA to Sciathe Lawson, daughter of Winder & Berry Lawson, b. 1850, Lee Co., VA. Dyer & Sciathe (Lawson) Willis had children:2-6-1 Enoch, b. 1878, Lee Co., VA; m. Dec 1903 to Linda Seymore, daughter of Thomas & E. Seymore, b. 1880, Lee Co., VA
2-6-2 Matilda M., b. 1876, Lee Co., VA; d. 2 Sept 1867, Lee Co., VA; m. 5 Oct 1899 to Joseph Maness, son of Rubert & M. M. Maness, b. 1881, Lee Co., VA.. Matilda Maness is listed as a seamstress in the death records.Sampson Willis
2-8 Sampson Willis, daughter of Joseph & Matilda Willis, b. Jan 1855; m. 2 Oct 1876, Lee Co., VA to Sarah Delp, daughter of William P. Delp, b. Dec 1855, Lee Co., VA. Sampson & Sarah Willis had a daughter:2-8-1 Mary, b. 1 Feb 1877; d. 11 Dec 1877, Lee Co., VA (age 10 mo 11 days)
2-8-2 Amanda, b. 1879.
2-8-3 Matilda , b. 4 Jun 1881; d. 31 May 1963; m. 28 Sept 1906, Lee Co., VA to Ward Scott, b. 1882, Scott Co., VA Ward & Matilda Scott had five (5) children.
2-8-4 Lillie, m. Wallen Ray
2-8-5 Deslie?, b. Feb 1885
2-8-6 James, b. Jul 1888
2-8-7 David, b. Mar 1891
2-8-8 Thomas Willis, b. Apr 1894; m. Rubbie Brotherton?
2-8-9 Vasta/Virtia Willis, b. Apr 1897
2-8-10 Charlie Willis, b. 1901James Willis
2-9 James Willis, son of Joseph & Matilda Willis, b. 1858, Lee Co., VA; m. 6 Feb 1877, Lee Co., VA to Margaret (Peggy) Bledsoe, daughter of Elias & Lucy Bledsoe, b. 1856, Lee Co., VA.. James & Margaret (Bledsoe) Willis had children:2-9-1 Parolee Willis, b. 1879, Lee Co., VA; m. March 1903, Lee Co., VA to John Lawson, son of Enoch & Lucy (Roller) Lawson, b. 1866, Scott Co., VA. Parolee & John Lawson divorced because they were kin to one another. She m2nd 15 Sept 1905 to Garfield Wallen, son of Phillip & Mary Wallen.
2-9-2 Matilda Willis, b. 1880, Lee Co., VA m. Emmitt Wallin, son of Elizabeth Wallin, b. 1880, Lee Co., VASocrilda Willis
2-12 Socrilda Willis, daughter of Joseph & Kisirah (Roberts) Willis, b. 1871, Lee Co., VA; m. 12 Jan 1894 to Mack Lawson, b. 1873, TN. In the 1910 Lee County Census she is shown servant in the home of Mack Lawson with five Willis children:2-12-1 Vertie, b. 1893 (bef. mother marriage); m. 27 Jun 1915 to Harrison Willis, son Andrew & Josie Willis, b. Lee Co.
2-12-2 Cord Willis, b. 1898
2-12-3 Ella Willis, b. 1903; m. ____ Bishop
2-12-4 Roy Wills, b. 1905
2-12-5 Emma Willis, b. 1908Patience Willis
2-13 Patience Willis, daughter of Joseph & Kisirah (Roberts) Willis, b. 1874, Lee Co., VA. Patience had two (2) children:2-13-1 Henry Willis, b. 1892, Lee Co., VA; d. Jul 1993
2-13-2 Coleman Willis, b. 1893, Lee Co., VARosa Willis
2-14 Rosa Willis, daughter of Joseph & Kisirah (Roberts) Willis, b. 1876. Rosa Willis had five (7) children:2-14-1 Eckol/Echol, b. 26 Mar 1898; d. 12 May 1965; m. Ollie Lawson, b. 12 Oct 1906; d. 21 Oct 1948
2-14-2 Mary, b. 1900
2-14-3 Chessie, b. 1903
2-14-4 Dudley, b. 1906
2-14-5 Rosco, b. 1910 (6 month in 1910)
2-14-6 girl
2-14-7 girlJulia Willis
2-15 Julia Willis, daughter of Joseph & Kisirah (Roberts) Willis, b. 1879. Julia had two (2) children:2-15-1 Dicy, b. 1888
2-15-2 Pearl, b. 1899
Last Updated 7/98