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CAROLINE COUNTY
WILLS AND PROBATE


WILLIS

Wills on this page: click on name to go to abstract


Arthur John Willis
Charles Willis 1847
Charles Willis 1871
Dorothy Willis
James Willis
John Willis 1764
John Willis 1794
John G. Willis

Joseph Willis
Lovey Willis
Peter Willis 1834
Peter Willis 1898
Richard Willis 1823
Sarah Willis
Tamsey Willis
Zachariah Willis




Zachariah Willis
Last Will and Testament
Made 28 May 1875
Recorded 3 January 1890
Caroline County Maryland
Liber JBS-1, Folio 131-133

I Zachariah Willis of Caroline county in the State of Maryland, being in usual health of body, but of perfect sound disposing mind, memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in the manner and form following that is to say ~

Item 1st It is my will and desire that my well beloved wife Mary B. Willis have all my estate both real and personal during her natural life, and that she have the whole and sole benefit of the same during her natural life, except as hereinafter devised, and she shall not be responsible for any unavoidable waste or wear and tare of the same. ~

Item 2nd It is my will that my said wife pay out of the proceeds of my personal Estate or rents of my Real Estate, unto my son Leonard Willis the sum of One hundred dollars, to be at the expiration of one year after my death, and also to pay to my grand son Herbert Willis, son of my son Leonard, the sum of One hundred dollars, to be paid or secured to be paid to him or his guardian, after the expiration of one year from the day of my death. Then it is my will that after my just debts and funeral charges are paid, and the legacies as aforesaid, that at the death of my said wife that what then remains of my personal estate together with my Real Estate be equally divided between my following named sons, namely Richard P. Henry F. Francis A. and James S. Willis share and share alike.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons, namely Henry F. Willis and James S. Willis to be whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament, the twenty eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred & seventy five.

Zachariah Willis (Seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared to be by Zachariah Willis the above named testator as and for his last will and testament, In the presents of us, who at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, subscribed our names as witnesses thereto ~

Willis Corkran
Silas Nichols
Nathan Corkran
Lavenia W. Corkran

Caroline county to wit:
The 3rd of January 1890. Then came Willis Corkran, and did solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare that the aforegoing instrument of writing is the true and whole will and testament of Zachariah Willis, late of Caroline county, deceased, that hath come to his hands or possession and that he doth not know of any other will of a later date or of any codicil made by the said deceased.

Cert. By Jas. B. Steele Regt. Of Wills
For Caroline county ~

Caroline county to wit:
The 3rd of January 1890. Then came Willis Corkran and Nathan Corkran, two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Zachariah Willis, late of Caroline county, deceased, and did severally, solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare that they saw Zachariah Willis, the above named testator, sign and seal the said will, that they heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he was, to the best of their respective apprehensions, of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and that the respectively signed their names as witnesses to the said will in the presence of Silas Nichols, another of the attesting witnesses thereto, who they saw sign his name, but who has since died, and also in the presence of Lavenia W. Corkran, another of the attesting witnesses, and in the presence of each other ~

Cert. By Jas. B. Steele Regt. Of Wills
For Caroline county

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CHARLES WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 20 Nov. 1846
Recorded 12 March 1847
Liber WAF-A Folio 382

Charles Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Wife: Margaret Willis
Son: Denard S. Willis land "Blacks Venture"
Son: Charles Henry Willis land "Betts Range"

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CHARLES WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 9 Jan 1871
Recorded 27 June 1871
Liber WGN-B Folio 309

Charles Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Wife: Tamsey
Son: James H. Willis
Son: William A. Willis
Son: Edward Thomas Willis
Daug: Elizabeth Emily Harris (Rufus C. Harris)

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DOROTHY WILLIS

Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 24 Nov. 1795
Recorded 25 Nov. 1795
Liber JR-B Folio 310

Dorothy Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Gives all to Russell Andrew

This Will was - "Declared by word of mouth"

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JAMES WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 17 Oct. 1798
Recorded 7 Feb. 1799
Liber JR-B Folio 440

James Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Son: Aaron Willis
Joshua Willis and Peter Willis were witnesses

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JOHN G. WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 15 July 1862
Recorded 19 Aug. 1862
Liber WGN-B Folio 130
John G. Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Son: William Thomas Willis
Daug: Elizabeth Ellen Hooper home on North side of Choptank - west of road between Denton and Hillsborough - Also listed in area known as Stewart's wharf - in same approximate area
Grandson: John G. Willis
Grandson: Leander Reese Hooper
Grandson Charles Willis

Mentioned Mary Elizabeth Stack to receive $50.00

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JOHN WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Recorded 23 Jan. 1764
Liber CC-A Folio 108

John Willis of Dorchester Co. in the Province of Maryland

Wife: Elizabeth
Children - Eldest son John Willis born of first Wife Mary, 5 shillings
Mary Clift 2 shillings and sixpence
Judeath 2 shillings and sixpence
Elizabeth Killingsworth 2 shillings and sixpence
Isaac 2 shillings and sixpence
Richard 2 shillings and sixpence
Joshua 2 shillings and sixpence
Dorcus Nicols 2 shillings and sixpence

John Willis III the son of my now wife Elizabeth and my son Gervey what is left of my estate after wife Elizabeth lives on it the rest of her life.

Gives to wife Elizabeth all my land known by the title of "Willis's Regulation" with the appurtenances thereunto belonging for and during the time of her natural life.

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JOHN WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 1 Oct. 1793
Recorded 20 Nov. 1794
Liber JR-B Folio 246

John Willis, planter of Caroline County, Maryland

Wife: Keziah
Son: Philemon Willis
Son: John Willis
Son: William Willis
Son: Lewis Willis
Son: Nicholas Willis
Son: Henry Willis
Daug: Sarah Nabb (John Nabb)

To son John he gives "Willis's Regulation" containing 163 acres of land more or less also land called "Willis's Grove" - if no issue then to son Lewis. Also gave John 2 mares valued at 800 pounds each.

To daughter Sarah Nabb 15 pounds to be paid out in sundries and wearing apparel from son John's Store. Also mentions that son Philemon should pay sister Sarah 5 pounds for clothes.

Gave son-in-law John Nabb 1 shilling plus his daughter.

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JOSEPH WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 9 July 1859
Recorded 4 July 1860
Liber WGN-B Folio 108

Joseph Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Daug: Jane Willis
Daug: Sarah Davis
               Sarah's children: Wilmina Jane Davis
                                           Sarah C. Davis
                                           Franklin Davis
Daug: Susan Turner (William Turner)
                 Susan's children: Sarah Elizabeth Turner
                                           Joseph Turner
                                           Cilia Turner
                                           William H. Turner
Son: John Willis
                 John's children: Thomas Foster Willis
                                          Mary Todd Willis

Gave to Daughters Sarah and Jane - farm where he now lives until death or marriage of both. At death land to be divided 1/2 to Sarah Davis's children, the other 1/2 to Susan Turner's children. Mentions that the land "abuts Mrs. Connelly's lot and Thomas Connelly's old tract"

Son John - all lands on East side of above division line.

Joseph gave Susan his negro girl Sarah Catherine for 10 years after his death then she should be freed. He also had a servant boy who was to be bound to serve until 1879 after which he would be free. He was to be hired out and any and all wages to be divided between Joseph's 3 daughters.

Witnesses: Willis Corkran
                 Rebecca Corkran
                 Mary Sain

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LOVEY WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 28 March 1813
Recorded 9 Nov. 1813
Liber JR-C Folio 240

Lovey Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Son: William Willis
Son: Charles Willis
Daug: Charity Bonwell
Daug: Elizabeth Willis
Daug: Henrietta Grayham
Daug: Peggy Willis
Daug: Anne Willis
Granddaug: Elizabeth Medford

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PETER WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 15 Feb. 1834
Recorded 15 Oct. 1834
Liber WAF-A Folio 145

Peter Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Wife: Elizabeth Willis
Son: John Francis Willis
Daug: Elizabeth Willis
Daug: Margaret Maria Willis
Grandson: William Thomas Everngam

He expressly orders and directs that house and lot at Cabben Creek in Dorchester County deeded to him by James Medford shall be deeded to Margaret Willis widow of James Willis after she pay the judgement against her (by Peter) in Dorchester County Court - If she doesn't pay then land etc. goes to his 2 daughters.

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PETER WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 4 Jan. 1897
Recorded 15 Nov. 1898
Liber RJ-8 Folio 34

Peter Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Erect a substantial fence around family burial Plot

Wife: Martha Willis
Daug: Annie Willis
Son: Charles Willis
Son: Penn Willis
Son: John M. Willis
Son: Joseph A. Willis

Tract of land - east side of road between Harmony and Preston - Adjoining lands of Harriet McNash and William Dean on road between Harmony and Fowling Creek Mill.

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RICHARD WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 12 Feb. 1823
Recorded 3 April 1823
Liber JR-C Folio 465

Richard Willis of Caroline County. Maryland

Wife: Britania all that part of my land lying on the north west side of the County Road whereon my dwelling house stands, during her natural life or widowhood and after her decease to my youngest son Peter Willis to him and his heirs forever, it is also my will and desire that my daughter Ann Willis shall have a home in my dwelling house during her single life without being interrupted.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Senah Willis all that part of my land laying up the County Road and on the south east side of said Road down to a cross fence opposite the mouth of my lane and with that fence a straight line out to the line of said land to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Foster Willis all the remaining part of said land lying on the south east side of said Road the cross fence before named to be the division line between them to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Zachariah Willis all the lands which I purchased from Phillip Clark and Levin Stewart so far as it is lying joining together to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give unto my two daughters Rebecah Corkren and Dorcas Willis the sum of fifty dollars each of them out of my moveable estate also fifty Dollars to my daughter Elisabeth Stevens to be paid as aforesaid.

Mentions 4 sons - Senah, Foster, Zachariah, and Peter again.

Then states - It is also my will and desire that there be no administration on my estate whatever.

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SARAH WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 17 May 1812
Recorded 29 Sept. 1812
Liber JR-C, Folio 213

Sarah Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Son: Joseph Willis
Son: Charles Willis
Son: Peter Willis
Daug: Sarah Andrew (Norton Andrew)
Daug: Francis Wheeler (James Wheeler)

Mentioned land called "Hab-nab at a venture"

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TAMSEY WILLIS
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Made 19 July 1882
Recorded 22 April 1884
Liber WGN-B Folio 616

Tamsey Willis of Caroline County, Maryland

Lived in Federalsburg.

Son: William Adams Willis

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ARTHUR JOHN WILLIS
Last Will and Testament
Made 18 May 1886
Recorded 26 March 1889
Liber JBS-1 Folio 126-129
       In the name of God, Amen, I Arthur John WILLIS of Caroline County and State of Maryland, being weak in body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following

Item 1 I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Belle M. WILLIS all that piece or parcel of land at Potters Landing contained within the following metes and bounds viz commencing at the fork of the roads near O. M. HIGNUTTS store, and bounding with said roads untill it reaches a line running parallel with the west end of the building commonly known as the Hotel, said line to run from the county road leading to B. G. Stevens Store, Fifteen feet west of said Hotel Building supposed to contain one and a half acres of land more or less together with all the buildings and improvements thereon, during her natural life, and at her death to go to the children of my daughter Mary Virginia STEVENS equally, and I further will that my executors hereinafter named shall pay at my death to my said wife Belle M. WILLIS the sum of Two Thousand Dollars as agreed between us before our marriage, also that they pay her whatever dividend maybe declared during her life on Twenty Shares of preferred Stock of Northern Pacific Rail Road, and at her death said Rail Road Stock to go to my Grand Daughter Caroline E. VANSICKLE, and I further will to my said wife One Piano, Piano cover and Stool, One full set of Cottage furniture with Bed, Bolster, Pillows and Bed clothes complete, one chamber and chamber Bucket, Wash Bowl & Pitcher, Six Towels, Combs & Brush, Flower stand and all the Pot Flowers, with all she had before our marriage and all she has accumulated since

2nd I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Virginia STEVENS wife of B. G. STEVENS all my lands and improvements that may belong to me at the time of my death (except that part herein willed to my wife) on the South side of the County road leading from Lidens Mill to T. F. Johnsons Store running with said Johnsons line South to a big Stone and thence West to the Wharf on the Great Choptank River Known as Potters Landing I further will and bequeath unto her One Hundred and Fifty Four Shares of Preferred stock of the Northern Pacific Rail Road.

3rd I give devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Caroline S. Messick Three parts or parcels of land Situated in the 4th Election Districk of Caroline County, One of which is Known as the P. J. WILLIS tract 150 acres on which (unreadable word) Mill has been erected, The 2nd tract Known as the R. S. WILLIS tract containing 136 acres, The 3rd Known as the Timber land tract containing 85 acres, all formerly owned by Short A. WILLIS Dec'd, I further will her One Hundred and Fifty Four Shares of Preferred Stock of the Northern Pacific Rail Road.

4th I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Georgeanna VANSICKLE wife of John T. VANSICKLE, Three Hundred Shares of Preferred Stock of the Northern Pacific Rail Road to be held in trust by my executors for her use, and for the support and education of her children, she being hopelessly insane, and in case the dividends should be more than sefficient for the maintenance of herself and children, the surplus to be invested for her use, and in case of her death all shall be equally divided between her children when they arrive at lawful age to receive their portion.

5th I give devise and bequeath unto my Grand Son A. J. Willis STEVENS my farm known as the Willis Homestead on which Rownell CARROLL at present resides, laid down for 150 acres of land, and in case he should die without lawful issue I will it to my Grand Son A. J. Willis MESSICK.

6th I give devise and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Caroline E. CROSBY formerly Caroline E. STEVENS all that tract or parcel of land lying on the Northside of the County road leading from Lidens Mill to T. F. JOHNSONS land whereon Capt Robert HUTCHINSON at present resides.

7th I give devise and bequeath unto all my Grand children that may be living at the time of my death (equally divided) One Hundred and Forty shares of the Preferred Stock of the Northern Pacific Rail Road, and I hereby direct that my Executors shall invest the dividends for their use untill they shall arrive at lawful age to receive their portion.

8th I hereby direct that all my personal property not herein specified, be sold by my executors at Public sale and after paying my funeral expenses and other just debts the balance of the proceeds of said sale be equally divided among my three children.

       I hereby appoint B. G. STEVENS andR. M. MESSICK sole executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of May 1886.

Signed and Sealed A. J. WILLIS
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Arthur John WILLIS, to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names, as witnesses to the same ~
T. F. JOHNSON
W. F. LIDEN
J. W. HIGNUTT

Caroline County to wit:
The 26th of March 1889.
Then came Thomas F. Johnson, the depositor of the aforegoing instrument of writing and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that the said instrument of writing is the true and whole will of Arthur John WILLIS, late of Caroline County, deceased, that hath come to his hands or possession, and that it was delivered to him by the testator, and that he doth not know of any will of a later date left by the said deceased or of any codicil.
Cert by Jas B. STEELE Reg of Wills for Caroline county ~

Caroline County, to wit:
26th of March 1889.
Then came Thomas F. JOHNSON and William F. LIDEN, two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Arthur John WILLIS, late of Caroline county, deceased, and severally made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, they did see the testator sign and seal the said will, that they heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, and that at the time of his so doing he was, to the best of their apprehensions, of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and that they respectively signed their names as witnesses to the said will in the presence and at the request of the testator, and in the presence of each other and of John W. HIGNUTT the other subscribing witness ~
Cert byJas B. STEELE Reg of Wills for Caroline county ~

Caroline County, to wit:
26th of March 1889.
Then came John W. HIGNUTT one of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing last will and testament of Arthur John WILLIS, late of Caroline County, deceased, and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God, that he did see the testator sign and seal the said will and that he heard him publish, pronounce and declare the same to be his last will and testament, that at the time of his so doing he cannot say that the testator was, to the best of his apprehension, of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, but that he together with Thomas F. JOHNSON and William F. LIDEN the other subscribing witnesses respectively subscribed their names as witnesses to the said will in the presence and at the request of the testator, and in the presence of each other ~
Cert by Jas B. STEELE Reg of Wills for Caroline County

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Copyright © Nov. 2000 by Sandra L. Willis