Descendants of Richard Willis of England

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Scotland (1606-1801)

Generation #1

Richard Willis of England

Richard Willis was born 1646 in England. And in about 1666, he migrated to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Did Richard marry prior to his immigration to America, or did he marry shortly after his arrival in Maryland. Unfortunately, not much is know about Richard until his marriage to Mrs. Frances Dawson b. c. 1650 in England.

Frances was the widow of Richard Dawson of Virginia. And, Frances reportedly had six children with Richard Dawson. So, it makes sense that the newly widowed Frances married Richard Willis soon after Richard Dawson's death. And in about 11/1683 in Dorchester Co MD, Richard Willis and Frances Dawson were married. And, Richard Willis and Frances had an additional three children.

Unfortunately, this marriage did not last long either. Richard Willis died 1/1690 in Dorchester Co MD. So Frances, twice widowed and having nine children, later married Edward Fisher b. c. 1650 in England.

Inventories & Accounts of Prerogative Court of Md. Liber 9: f. 248:
Feb. 28, 1686: Richard Dawson, Adm. Accounts of Dor. Co Md. Total: 42.17.0 pounds or #1926 pounds of tobacco; Payment made to Francis Hayward; Adm. Executor of Accounts was Richard Willis.
Patents Issued for Tracts in Dorchester County in the Year 1687:
Richard Willis patented "Roaley" in Dorchester Co MD for 260 a.
Dorchester Land Records Old 4 1/2:
Oct 21, 1689. Will of Richard Willis, Sr. "to two sons Richard & John Willis, dwelling plantation Rondly whey they attain age 21; to my wife, Frances Willis and my daughter, Frances Willis." 
Sussex Co DE Court Records (1677-1710), Vol. 2, p. 969:
Dec 1, 1693. Frances Willis, executrix of Richard Willis, dec'd, vs. William Clark, Esq., adm of Henry Bowman, dec'd. Plaintiff & defendant both called & personally appearing, the declaration was read, being for one & twenty pounds, ten shilling. Plaintiff having no [proof] against the suit and incapable of proving payment, the Court passed judgment against the defendant for amount given.

(Dorchester Co MD) Quaker Marriage Records, p. 47:
Marriage of Edward FISHER and Francis WILLIS Relique of Richard WILLIS at Tuckahoe Creek 8 Month, 1699.
Witnesses: No Family Names

    Children

    1. Richard Willis

Dorchester Land Records Old 4 1/2:
Oct 21, 1689. Will of Richard Willis, Sr. "to two sons Richard & John Willis, dwelling plantation Rondly whey they attain age 21; to my wife, Frances Willis and my daughter, Frances Willis." 
Dorchester Co Land Records Old Book 5, p. 196:
August 24, 1702: William Willoughby, Dorchester Co, to Richard Willis, Dorchester Co, "Maydens Choys" (sic) on Transquaking River adj. "Exchange' cont. 100 a. Also "White Lady Fields" adj. "Maydens Choice" 100 a.

(Dorchester Co MD) Quaker Marriage Records, p. 100:
Marriage of John WILLIS and Margaret COX at Transquaking 10 July 1712.
Witnesses: Richd. Willis, Thomas Cannon, Betty Cannon, Daniel Cox, Sarah Cox, Sarah Cox, Jr., Levin Hicks, Thomas Hicks, Thomas Hicks, Jr., Joseph Kennerly, Joshua Kennerly, Thomas Smith, John Stevens, Ann Stevens, John Foster, Mary Foster, Wm. Foulks, George Bowes, Charles Dean, Francis Fisher, Francis Newton, John Dawson.

Dorchester Co MD Land Records Old Book 2, p. 63:
July 26, 1718. Francis Fisher of Dorchester Co to Richard & John Willis, her sons, "Weston" cont. 50 a.   "Addition to Fishers Landing" cont. 53 a., "Bartholomews" cont. 200 a. and "Fishers Landing" cont. 50 a. Said Richard & John Wills to convey to John Dawson a tract called "Rondley."
Wts: John Rider and Levin Hicks.
Dorchester Co Land Records Old Book 8, p. 26:
Aug. 7, 1721. Richard Willis, Dorchester Co Gent. and Ann his wife, to John Dawson, Dor. Co. planter, "Maiden's Choice" on Transquaking River adj "Exchange" cont. 100 a. and "White Lady Field" adj. "Maidens Choice" cont. 100 a. Wit: Charles Deane & John King.
MD Calendar of Wills," Vol. VI, p. 109
Will of Francis (Dawson Willis) Fisher of Dorchester Co MD:
Written 2/19/1723. Proven 5/7/1729.
Unto my loving son Richard Willis the one-half of my land on Nanticoke River where now I live. . .
All the residue of my personalty after my debts, funeral charges & legacies are paid and discharged, I do give & beq. unto my loving sons Richard Willis and Edward Newton and do hereby declare, constitute, appoint said Richard Willis & Edward Newton full & sole executors. . ..
Witness: Thomas Griffithy, Samuel Long, William Burn.
Codicil dated April 14, 1729. John Pitt, Deputy Clerk of Dorchester Co.

    2. John Willis

Dorchester Land Records Old 4 1/2:
Oct 21, 1689. Will of Richard Willis, Sr. "to two sons Richard & John Willis, dwelling plantation Rondly whey they attain age 21; to my wife, Frances Willis and my daughter, Frances Willis." 

(Dorchester Co MD) Quaker Marriage Records, p. 100:
Marriage of John WILLIS and Margaret COX at Transquaking 10 July 1712.
Witnesses: Richd. Willis, Thomas Cannon, Betty Cannon, Daniel Cox, Sarah Cox, Sarah Cox, Jr., Levin Hicks, Thomas Hicks, Thomas Hicks, Jr., Joseph Kennerly, Joshua Kennerly, Thomas Smith, John Stevens, Ann Stevens, John Foster, Mary Foster, Wm. Foulks, George Bowes, Charles Dean, Francis Fisher, Francis Newton, John Dawson.

Dorchester Co MD Land Records Old Book 2, p. 63:
July 26, 1718. Francis Fisher of Dorchester Co to Richard & John Willis, her sons, "Weston" cont. 50 a.   "Addition to Fishers Landing" cont. 53 a., "Bartholomews" cont. 200 a. and "Fishers Landing" cont. 50 a. Said Richard & John Wills to convey to John Dawson a tract called "Rondley."
Wts: John Rider and Levin Hicks.

    3. Frances Willis b. 8/7/1688 Dorchester Co MD.

Generation #2

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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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