Descendants of Francis Wills of England

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Scotland (1606-1801)

Generation #3

Sarah (2Francis, 1Francis) Willis (Conjecture)

Sarah's surname Willis is determined from circumstantial evidence. Beginning with Sarah's children, the first name Willis is introduced into the family. Eleanor Sparks d/o Sarah w/o Edlyne Willoughby named her son Willis Willoughby.

Sarah Willis was born in about 1722, probably in Gloucester Co VA. In about 1740 in Gloucester Co VA, Sarah married James Sparks, Jr. b. c. 1700 in Virginia. By 1723, James' father had become a prominent citizen of Spotsylvania County, and James lived the life of the Planter Class.

James and Sarah lived their lives in the Fredericksburg area. James died in about 1758, and his demise is recorded in Spotsylvania Co VA where Sarah is cited as having refused to serve as administrator of his estate. 

In 7/1761 in Spotsylvania Co VA, Sarah married James' friend, Anthony Foster b. 1693 Essex Co VA. Anthony and Sarah lived together until his death in 2/1762. After Anthony's death and before 3/1778, Sarah and at least three of James Sparks' children migrated to Cheraw Dist. SC where they established Sparks Ferry on the Pee Dee River. The last record of Sarah comes from the Welsh Neck Baptist Church (now at Society Hill SC) where Sarah was baptized and received into the church in 6/1779.

Spotsylvania Co VA Minute Book, p. 123:
8/2/1758 Sarah Sparks, widow of James Sparks, Jr., refused to serve as administrator of her husband's estate.
On November 9, 1752, the Spotsylvania County Court made record of a suit brought by Jane Sparks against Anthony Foster, but it was dismissed because an agreement had been reached out of Court.
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY WILL BOOK D (1761-1772), p. 20:
FOSTER, ANTHONY, Spotsylvania Co., d. Feb. 4, 1763, p. July 4, 1763. Wit. Isaac Darnett, Thomas Crutcher, Edward Herndon. Ex. my son, Anthony Foster and my son-in-law, James Frasher. Leg. son, Thomas; son-in-law, James Frasher; grandsons, Anthony Bartlett, Edmund Bartlett, and their father, Thomas Bartlett and Mary his wife; grandson, Anthony Crutcher and his father Thomas Crutcher and Martha his wife; grandson, Thomas Crutcher; son, Anthony Foster; granddaughter, Mary Foster, daughter of Edmund Foster; grandson, Henry Foster, son of John Foster; son, John Foster; my wife's daughter, Sarah Sparks; my wife, Sarah Foster; grandson, Robert Foster, son of Thomas Foster.

On 4 Jul 1763 Sarah Foster, widow of Anthony, sold 333 acres in Spotsylvania Co to "her son" John, for £20. This land was her dower under the will of her late husband, Anthony. 

On 10 Apr 1763 John Foster gave 350 acres to his mother [Sarah Foster] for her use until his son Henry was of age. This land was on the west side of Pamuky River whereon the said John Foster was living.

ABSTRACT OF THE RECORDS OF WELSH NECK BAPTIST CHURCH SOCIETY HILL, S.C.:
A List of the members of the Church 1775-1778-1779
  1. Elhanan Winchester, Pastor
 14. William Mason
 15. Daniel Sparks
 31. Joseph Mason
 36. Alexander Walden
 47. Henry Sparks
 49. Charles Mason
 78. Anne Terrel            
 83. Mary Terrel
 97. Sarah (Willis Sparks) Foster
113. Martha Pearce (now Sparks)
123. Sarah Waldon
134. Lydia Howel
152. Elizabeth Mason
ABSTRACT OF THE RECORDS OF WELSH NECK BAPTIST CHURCH SOCIETY HILL, S.C.:
1779 June 9th Sarah Foster [et. al.] were examined and baptized.
Sunday 13th Sarah Foster [et. al.] were admitted as members of the Church, and signed the Covenant, having all been baptized.

Caveat
This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
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