Fern WILLS

Other Events:

• death certificate: 3 Nov 1972; Mr Wade Burnet - husband

Other Events:

• Census: 1910, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 7, pg 6A
• Military: 12 Sep 1918, Belton, Bell, Texas, USA; draft
• Census: 1920, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 7, pg 2A
• Census: 1930, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 9, pg 2B
• Census: 1940, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 14-11, pg 6A
• death certificate: 1 Oct 1958; Mrs Clifton Boss

Notes:

Census:

Ray Wills Head M 33 Texas
Mary Wills Wife F 35 Alabama
Dee Wills Son M 4 Texas
Furn Wills Dau F 2 Texas
Leeola Wills Dau F 1 Texas
The index has them under "Wires".

Military:
Ray Cook Wills of Holland, age 43, 29 Aug 1874, is a laborer for J H Mayfield. His nearest relative is Mrs Bettie Wills. He is 6' tall and slender with blue eyes and brown hair.

Census:

R C Wills Head M 45 Texas
Mary E Wills Wife F 45 Alabama
Del Wills Son M 14 Texas
Fern Wills Dau F 12 Texas
Leola Wills Dau F 10 Texas

Census:

Ray C Wills Head M 54 Texas
Mary G Wills Wife F 55 Alabama
Dee Wills Son M 24 Texas
Leola Wills Dau F 20 Texas

Census:
Precinct 3
Ray Wills Head M 64 Texas
Betty Wills Wife F 65 Alabama

Ray married Mary Elizabeth GENTRY on 6 Mar 1904 in , Bastrop, Texas, USA. Mary (daughter of Ransom Henry GENTRY and Elizabeth J SNOWDEN) was born on 14 Oct 1874 in , , Alabama, USA; died on 19 Jan 1968 in Bartlett, Williamson, Texas, USA; was buried on 21 Jan 1968 in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• death certificate: 20 Jan 1968; Mrs Wade Burdette

Other Events:

• Name: Alex Wills
• Military: 1861, , , Texas, USA; Capt Milton W Damron's Co, Co D, 18th Texas Calvary, CSA
• Military: Between Feb 1862 and 11 Jan 1863, , , Texas, USA; Co. D 18th Texas Cavalry, C.S.A. for 3 years
• Residence: Aug 1868, Conoley, Milam, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1870, , Milam, Texas, USA
• Census: 1880, , McCulloch, Texas, USA; ED 108, pg 14 (522B)
• Occupation: Abt 1880; freight driver
• Pension: 10 Feb 1900, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA
• Census: 4 Jun 1900, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 20, pg 15A
• Census: 1910, , Bell, Texas, USA; ED 8, pg 3B
• Census: 1920, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; ED 7, pg 5B

Notes:

Family lore:
"Grandpa Wills was a "southern gentleman" from a wealthy family. He joined the Confederate Army and was taken prisoner. While in prison, he met William Senn, also a Confederate prisoner. When the men were released, they traveled together to Texas. Alex's father left all his lands to him when he died. "lying and being situated in Lleno County of the waters of the Lleno River about 90 miles on S. E. of the San Sabe Fort, known as Survey No 39, District No 10". But Alex loved to gamble. He lost most of it gambling. He was married and his wife sold what was left of the ranch and bought a rooming house near a RR track in Bartlett. Her business flourished."
Lived to the south of his father.
Died at Sarah's house.

(Research):Probate Records in Bell Co
Wills A W-024 x 1878 vDpg243,303

(Medical):At the time he filed for his pension, 7/14/1899, he had chronic diarrhea, a tumor on his leg, kidney problems, and a shoulder wound he received at Mansfield, Louisiana during the Civil War.

Military:
Capt. Milton W. DAMRON'S Company. Company D. 18th Texas Calvary. Enlisted in Fall of 1861. At the fall of Arkansas Post a part of this Company escaped and was thrown in with Company E. 17th Texas Consolidated Dismounted Cavalry, with Captain DAMRON commanding. A part of the original Company was captured and carried to Camp Douglass (Chicago) but, after several months, were exchanged and returned to the Confederate lines East of the Mississippi River and the Company was there reorganized. The following roll includes the names of men in all three of these organizations (but probably not all of them) and were furnished by Sam W. BISHOP, Wm. J. WHEAT, George FISHER, Sam H. COX, Henry C EDRINGTON, Jesse SUTTON, C.B. ROBERTS and others, some by each and each one acting separately. Alex is listed in the Granger line.

Residence:
Little River

Census:
Precinct 2
G. A. WILLS Self M M W 39 TX TN TN Alex
S. E. WILLS Wife F M W 30 AL SC -- Sallie
D. E. WILLS Dau F S W 9 TX TX AL Donnie
D. A. WILLS Son M S W 7 TX TX AL Daniel
R. C. WILLS Son M S W 4 TX TX AL Ray
E. B. WILLS Dau F S W 2 TX TX AL ?

Pension:
#5957

Census:
Precinct 3
Wills, Alix head W M Oct 1841 58 M 32 TX MO GA
Sallie wife W F May 1849 57 M 32 AL AL AL
Ray son W M Aug 1875 24 S TX TX AL
Oscar son W M Jan 1883 16 S TX TX AL
Albert son W M May 1885 15 S TX TX AL
Claude son W M Oct 1888 11 S TX TX AL
Senn, FD SiL W M Feb 1876 24 M 1 NY Ger Ger
Beatrice dau W F Feb 1878 22 M 1 TX TX AL
Alex is a farm laborer, Sallie is a dressmaker, the older boys are day laborers.

Census:
Precinct 3
Alex Wills Head M 69 Texas
Sallie Wills Wife F 61 Alabama
Oscar Wills Son M 30 Texas
Claude Wills Son M 21 Texas

Census:

G A Wills Head M 79 Texas
Sallie Wills Wife F 69 Alabama

George married Sarah Elizabeth COOK on 8 Jun 1868 in Rogers, Bell, Texas, USA. Sarah (daughter of James P COOK and Eliza JOHNSTON) was born on 9 Mar 1850 in , Calhoun, Alabama, USA; died on 6 Mar 1937 in Thorndale, Milam, Texas, USA; was buried on 7 Mar 1937 in Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Sallie Cook
• Residence: 1865, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA
• Residence: 27 Mar 1922, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA
• Pension: 4 Apr 1922, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA
• Census: 1930, Waco, McLennan, Texas, USA; ED 3, pg 6B
• Residence: 5 Mar 1937, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA

Notes:

Died at Beatrice's house.

The biography.

I am also researching Cook families who were in nearby Cleburne County, AL who do not appear to be related to these Cooks, but not sure yet. Just saw your query and had come across this estate settlement earlier today and thought you might like to see it, if you haven't already seen this one.
cteal@dnc.net

Birth:
or 9 March 1849 - I believe it would have to be 1850.

Pension:
#38120, for G A Wills' service.

Census:

Beatrice Senn Head F 52 Texas
Naomi Senn Dau F 24 Texas
Wiley W Senn Son M 22 Texas
James J Senn Son M 20 Texas
Sarah E Wills Mother F 80 Alabama

Notes:

Married:
or married 6/7/1868.

Ransom married Elizabeth J SNOWDEN. Elizabeth was born in Jun 1838 in , , Alabama, USA; died in 1921. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1825, , , Missouri, USA
• Census: 1830, , Clay, Missouri, USA; pg 290
• Residence: 1832, , Clay, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1840, , Harris, Texas, USA
• Census: 1846, , Refugio, Texas, USA
• Property: 5 Jul 1849, , Bell, Texas, USA
• Census: 9 Oct 1850, , Washington, Texas, USA; ppg 288B-289A
• Property: 6 Aug 1851
• Property: 5 Feb 1852
• Property: 4 Jun 1852
• Property: 16 Aug 1854
• Property: 9 Feb 1856
• Property: 28 Apr 1856
• Census: 9 Jul 1860, Holland, Bell, Texas, USA; pg 58 (324B), d/f #390/391
• Census: 20 Aug 1870, San Andres, Milam, Texas, USA; pg 306A
• Will: 2 Mar 1875, , Milam, Texas, USA
• Probate: 22 Mar 1875, , Milam, Texas, USA

Notes:

James and Amy moved to Tennessee then to Missouri in 1824. They brought their family to Texas from Clay Co., Missouri in 1840.
Was listed as James Wells in Harris Co, Texas for the 1840 Census.
Was listed as James Mills in the 1850 Washington Co. Census, pg 288b & 289a.
His homestead was later called the Roland Harrell or Upshaw place. A 640 acre grant in Milam District about 6 miles south of the Three Forks issued in 1844 and filed in Belton in 1852. Just west of Holland. He sold land to three of his sons-in-law: William Connell, A J Dallas, and James Hogan.
In 1857 he signed the petition to build a county courthouse and jail in Bell County.
James had 2 town lots in Salado, Bell County. In 1859, he purchased 5 shares of stock in the school at Salado Springs for $100 per share....
Farmer and slave-owner, and was a merchant at Holland.

The Darrs Creek tract bordered on the Dallas property.

1870 Milam Co, TX Census
page 209a - Franklin Wills age 16 and Charley Wills age 15 living with Gustav? and Christiana Hendricks.

There is nothing to prove the middle name of James B Wills. My grandmother told me it was Buchanan so I have always included it.

I've created a map to show the approximate location of his original tract which encompasses most of Holland. Copy and paste the following into a browser.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208151589043096547918.00047c60906d9ae37a48f&msa=0&ll=30.879613,-97.403369&spn=0.019779,0.027595"

Occupation:
Owner of Meat Market

Census:
James B Wills

Property:
Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - patent

James' orginal land grant included most of what is now Holland, Texas, ABS 161.

Census:
Reel No: M432-918 Enumerated By E. D. Little, 78/78
42 Mills J. B. 55 M Farmer 5,000 Tenn
1 Mills Anna 48 F Tenn
2 Mills Wilson 24 M Farmer Tenn
3 Mills Archibald 11 M Mo X
4 Mills Alexander 7 M Texas X
5 Mills C H 15 M Germany X

Property:
Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - bought from James G Connell

Property:
Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - sold to James C Armstrong

Property:
Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - sold to William Connell

Property:
160 acres on Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - sold to A J Dallas

Property:
160 acres on Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - sold to James L Hogan

Property:
160 acres on Darrs Creek, Bell Co, Texas - sold to Daniel S Wills

Census:
Belton PO
Wills Jas. B. 63 M . farmer 10,040 4,072 Tennessee
Wills Amy 60 F . . . . Virginia
Wills Archibald 21 M . farming . . Missouri
Wills Alex 18 M . farming . . Texas

Census:
San Andres PO
Wills, James 72 M W Farmer Tennessee
Elizabeth 58 F W House keeper Georgia
Brooks, Emma 17 F W Texas
Stowham, Henry 24 M W Farming Texas
Chappel, Geo 50 M W Work on farm Alabama

Will:
STATE OF TEXAS
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
COUNTY OF MILAM
That I, James B Wills, of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound mind and aware of the uncertainty of life and my approaching desolution, have this day willed, bequeathed, and demised and by these presents do will, bequeath, and demise unto my son, G. A. Wills, for the love and affection I bear him, one tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in Llano County on the waters of the Llano River about 90 miles S.E. of the old San Sabe Fort, known as Survey No. 39 in District No. 10, by virtue of Fisher's and Miller's Colony Certificate No. 23, issued by Joseph T. Portis, Commissioner of said Colony on the 9th day of May 1850 to Henrick Herring and transferred by said Herring to me on the 4th day of November 1853; more particularly described in letters patent No. 355, issued to me from the land office on the 16th of June 1859. Also one tract of land lying and being situated as above mentioned tract and issued on the same certificate and the same time and described in letters pattent No. 356 issued from the land office on the 17th day of June A.D. 1859. Also one other tract lying and being situated as above mentioned tracts and issued on the same certificate and at the same time and described in letters pattent issued to me from the land office June 17th, 1859 and numbered 357. Also one other tract lying and being situated as above mentioned tracts and issued on the same certificate and on the same day and described fully in letters pattent No. 358 issued to me from the land office on the 17th day of June A.D. 1859. Also two town lots lying in the town of Salado, Bell, County, Texas, and known and described on the town plat as lots No.
[page 2]
2 and No. 12 in Bock No. 15 deeded to me by E.S.C. Robertson the 6th day of February A.D. 1862. Said G. A. Wills to have and to hold said described, to his heirs and assigns forever in fee simple.
In testimony thereunto set my hand a seal useing scroll for seal this 25th day of January A.D. 1873.
his
James B. Wills
mark

Probate:
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF MILAM
Before me, the undersigned, authority, this day personally appeared R. P. Henderson, one of the subscribing witnesses to the above will and on oath says that he signed the wll as a witness of James B. Wills, the testator, and that he saw him sign the same which he declared in the presence of witnesses to be his last will and testament. Affiant further states that the testator was at the time he signed the said will over the age of twenty-one years and of sound mind. He further states that J. K. P. Shelton signed the same at the request of the said testator and that boath of the witnesses were avove fourteen years.
his
R. P. Henderson
mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22 day of March A.D. 1875.
J. Nabours, D.C. M.C.
Filed for record March 22, 1875 at 5 o'clock P.M. and was duly recorded the same day at 5 o'clock P.M.
J. Nabours, D.C.M. C.

James married Amy W SHACKELFORD on 3 Jan 1816 in , Rutherford, Tennessee, USA. Amy (daughter of Daniel SHACKELFORD and Tabitha NANCE) was born in 1800 in , , Virginia, USA; died before 1871 in , , Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Shackelford

Notes:

Married:
married by Benjamin W. Lane.

Other Events:

• Census: 1 Jul 1850, , Calhoun, Alabama, USA; pg 814
• Property: 1 Jun 1858, , Fayette, Alabama, USA; AL2900__.486
• Census: 19 Jul 1860, , Calhoun, Alabama, USA; pg 115
• Tax List: 1868, , Bell, Texas, USA
• Property: 26 Oct 1870, , Bell, Texas, USA; 1280 acres

Notes:

His patent in Fayette County, Alabama, was located northeast of Vernon, actually in Lamar County. It straddled Reedy Creek and Yellow Creek, just south of Boman Road, almost centered on the joining of these two creeks, and extending past Yellow Creek Road in the southeast and Beaver Creek Road in the northwest. I don't believe he ever lived at this property and probably sold it or traded it for the property in Texas.

Killeen, Texas, ABS 161

I would love to know more about these other children.

(Research):Usry, John M.; "Early Waco Obits"; 1980; Cook, James, CSA, 1st ST Cemetery
"Index to Early McLennan Co, Texas Deaths", p110

Census:
District 30?, hh #216
James P Cook M 23 South Carolina
Eliza Cook F 22 South Carolina
Sarah E Cook F 9/12 Alabama
James Johnston M 27 South Carolina
I believe the date on this census is actually Jany 1 1851

Property:
"the south half of the North West quarter of Section two in Township fifteen of Range fifteen West in the District of Lands subject to sale at Tuscaloosa, Alabama containing eighty acres and thirty nine and a half hundredths of an acre" [this property is now in Lamar County, see notes]

Census:

James P Cook M 35 S. C.
Elmina Cook F 34 S. C.
Missouria Cook F 11 Ala
James Cook M 9 Ala
Martha Cook F 9 Ala
Sofia Cook F 3 Ala
Margret A Cook F 0 Ala

Property:

County: Bell
Abstract Number: 161
District/Class: Milam 1st
File Number: 1665
Original Grantee: James Cook
Patentee: James Cook
Title Date:
Patent Date: 26 Oct 1870
Patent No: 262
Patent Vol: 18
Certificate: 1
Part Section:
Survey/Blk/Tsp:
Adj County:
Acres: 1,280.00
Adj Acres:
Remarks:

I don't know if this is our James. It was originally received in Matagorda County in 1838 by H.L.? Cook, then surveyed and patented in Bell County in 1870 and finally filed in 1879. I don't know who H L Cook is and it's possible that this is not our James P, although he lived in this area.

James married Eliza JOHNSTON on 1 Mar 1849 in , Calhoun, Alabama, USA. Eliza (daughter of Daniel JOHNSTON and Margaret ???) was born on 21 Feb 1827 in , Laurens, South Carolina, USA; died on 20 Jan 1855 in , Calhoun, Alabama, USA; was buried on 21 Jan 1855 in Duck Springs, Etowah, Alabama, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Benton County, was renamed Calhoun County in 1858.