John Willis and Mary Jane Lewis
I need to confirm this line with correct data and documentation. I have the following: Francis Willis (1666-??) married M. Simmons and had the following children: Francis Willis (1690-1749) married Ann Rich (1695-6/10/1727) and they lived in Gloucester County Virginia. Her father was Edward Rich mother unknown and her grandfather was Elias Rich. They had John Willis (1719-1766) married Mildred Smith (??-1769), Francis Willis (1717-??) married Elizabeth Porter, and Mary Willis (1719-??) married Lewis Burwell. John Willis and Mildred Smith moved to Brunswick County Virginia. The will of Mildred lists the following children: Sarah Willis, Elizabeth Willis, John Willis, Augustine Willis, Francis Willis, Richard Willis, and Lewis Willis. They were of “Beddingfieldhall” in Brunswick County Virginia. I need proof that the John Willis listed is the same John Willis (1743-1816) who married 1.) Unknown and 2.) Mary Jane Lewis. He also served in the Revolutionary War in the following capacity: 1 St Lieut. 2 Virginia on September 29, 1775, Captain on June 15, 1776, taken prisoner at the Battle of Brandywine September 11, 1777, exchanged on November 8, 1780, promoted to Major in the 5 Th Virginia but did not join the Company. He was awarded 7,254 acres possibly in Surry County North Carolina. He died in 1816 in Surry County North Carolina.I have his children as Abel Willis (10/12/177-10/2/1873). He moved to Overton County Tennessee where he served in the War of 1812 and then to Madison County Tennessee where he died. He married Sarah “Sally” Fleming on 3/9/1798 in Surry County North Carolina. They had the following children: Nancy Willis (1798-) married William Hord, Jane Willis (1801-) married James B. Wood, Martha Willis (1805-) married Battle Robertson (12/18/1801-5/24/1848), Edward Willis married Mary Permila Strake, Fleming Willis died young, William Willis died young, Sarah Willis (3/12/1818-3/27/1889) married John Copender and then Hugh Armstrong Blevins and Elizabeth Willis married F. N. Burton and then Benjamin Davidson (1822-3/1881). The other children to John Willis and Mildred Smith are: Frances Willis (1/25/1744/45-4/3/1829) married Elizabeth Edwards, Augustine Willis (1747-??) married Mary Hayes Plummer, Rich Willis (1751-??), Sarah Willis (1753-??) married Hugh Hayes (1740-1814), Lewis Willis (1755-), and Elizabeth Willis (1757-??) married Thomas Cocke. The other children of John Willis and wife unknown (besides Abel) were John Willis and Lewis Wills whereabouts and information currently unknown.
I have most of the grandchildren of Abel Willis researched with several going to Arkansas, Mississippi and other counties in Tennessee. The marriages of his children were in Madison County Tennessee.
I need proof that John Willis from Brunswick County Virginia who served in the Revolutionary War is the son of John Willis and Mildred Smith as indicated in the will. I have found no records in Surry County North Carolina but I have found the Fleming line and have that tied into the Willis line. I have no will of John Willis or any land grants in that area. Any help, guidance or assistance would be appreciated. My email is [email protected]. Thanks John Thomas