608Issac Willis, born 1 Nov 1774, Locust Grove, Culpepper Co., VA; died 3 Oct 1866.
ISAAC WILLIS, Capt. (1774-1867)
Submitted by Mark Willis Ballard
markballard@21stcentury.net
Born 1 Nov 1774, Culpeper Co., VA; died 3 Oct 1867, Culpeper Co., VA; son of William Willis and Elizabeth Garnett. See William Willis (1742/1743-1833)
Married: 22 May 1798 to Ann Garnett; born 20 Sept 1777, Culpeper Co., VA; died 12 March 1840, Culpeper Co., VA; daughter of Reuben Garnett and Mary Twyman
Children:
1. Larkin Willis, born 26 Feb 1800; died 21 Feb 1856; married ca 1821 to Sarah Emily Fry
2. James Willis; married 1827 to Elizabeth Gordon
another source says: b. 1763
78Name Prefix: Captain
Notes for CAPTAIN ISAAC WILLIS:
From "Early Churches of Culpeper County, Virginia: Colonial and Ante-Bellum Congregations" edited by Thomas and Green, published by the Culpeper Historical Society, 1987.
Chapter III; "History of Crooked Run Baptist Church, 1772-1986" by William Spotswood Burwell and Elizabeth Valentine Garnett:
"... in the Rapidan area stood "Locust Grove," built around 1700. It was the home of Captain Isaac Willis (1774-1867), who married Ann Garnett (1777-1840), of "Quiet Shade," the sister-in-law of Elder James Garnett II. Captain Willis received his commission from James Monroe, Governor of Virginia. 1799-1802. Willis became a member of the Crooked Run Baptist Church at 25 years of age and "remained on of its prominent members." His obituary noted in 1868 that he had 160 descendants and that "not one of them is addicted to intemperance or immoral habits." Two of his grandsons, E.J. and J.C. Willis, became Baptist ministers. "Locust Grove" is now owned by Mrs. John Womeldorph."
A story from the Civil War:
"Leigh Garnett Taliaferro (1892-1986) tells the story of her mother Florence (Garnett) Garnett with a Yankee when she was about eight years old at "Locust Grove," the house of her great-grandfather, Captain Isaac Willis. When Yankee officers rode up and tied their horses to the yard fence, Isaac Willis invited them to use the tie rack (as he did not want his fence destroyed). They disregarded this and proceeded to enter the house and demand breakfast. Little Florence stood by to operate the punka to keep the flies away. (Usually little black boys did this.) As the officer rose from the table the corner of the punka struck his head. Florence, afraid she might be killed, ran and hid under her grandmother's long skirt. When the danger had passed, Florence felt better and boasted, "I struck a Yankee!"
(See the notes of Isaac's uncle James Garnett, Sr., and those of James Garnett, II, the cousin his wife Anne, for further information on the Crooked Run Church.)
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Isaac and his wife Anne were 1st cousins.
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From The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 16, #4, pgs. 270-280, "Culpeper County, Virginia, District of Aaron Lane, Virginia, 1800 Tax List":
"Willis, Isaaac: 1 white male, 7 horses owned, 2 slaves over 16"
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****** A deed dated September 22, 1824 in Culpeper County (Deed Book RR, pg. 300). "From Robert Garnett Sr. of Culpeper to Isaac Willis of Culpepper for $3,510.00, 3 tracts on one of which the said Robert Garnett lives containing 212 acres, and one other tract containing 100 acres which was conveyed to Robert Garnett by John Waugh in 1793, and one tract containing 40 acres."
Isaac and Anne are nephew and niece to Robert Garnett. This is the year that Robert reportedly moved to Kentucky on horseback. This is probably his final dispersion of remaining property in Culpeper County, prior to the move. The 212 acre parcel seems to be the core parcel of "The Horseshoe" plantation, on the confluence of the Robinson and Rapidan Rivers, conveyed to Robert by his father Anthony in 1794, and apparently containing the house. The other 2 parcels are apparently adjacent to "The Horseshoe" or at least nearby, and were obtained by Robert in 1793 and 1803. (See notes on Anthony and Robert Garnett.)
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****** A deed dated September 8, 1834 in Culpeper County (Deed Book #2, pg. 2). "From Isaac Willis and wife to George Morton of Orange, for $5,159.00, conveying 3 tracts in Culpeper County containing 212 acres, 100 acres, and 40 acres, being the same 3 tracts purchased by Isaac Willis from Robert Garnett, Sr. by deed dated Septemb
“Is the John Willis who died in 1762 the same one who married Elizabeth Plunkett? Their son William Willis (born 1742) was the father of Captain Isaac Willis my ggg grandfather.”
160Children:
1. Mary "Polly" Willis
2. Larkin Willis