Mitchell County, North Carolina



Picture contributed by Margaret Heinek Marheinek@aol.com                  

James "Hoke" Willis was born 15 Jun 1813, the 11th child of Benjamin Willis & unknown (some believe she was Ane Galis) of Rutherford County, NC. He died 4 Dec 1890 in Estatoe, Mitchell County, North Carolina. James is buried in Yancey County, NC. In 1837, he married Martha Patty Howell, daughter of James A. Howell and Martha Patty Hill, both born in VA and died in Yancey/Burke County, NC. She was born 6 Jul 1821 in North Carolina, died 14 Jul 1900, and is buried in the Big Crabtree Cemetery, Mitchell County, North Carolina.

Children:
1- Nancy Willis b- 24 Nov 1838 Yancey County, NC d-28 Feb 1920 Mitchell County
+William Tolley (son of Francis Tolley & Dorothy Bennett) m-22 Oct 1852

2- Matilda Willis b- 1839
+Wesley Rhodes

3- Thomas Willis b- 1839

4- Elizabeth Willis b- 1842
+Henry L. Willis (son of Hannah Willis)
+John McDavid Thomas m- 1866-67

5- Myra Elmira Willis b- 1845 d- 30 Dec 1914
+John Grindstaff (son of Fighting Henry Grindstaff & Mary Buchanan) m- 10 Aug 1865

6- James M. Jr "Dick" Willis b- 1848 d- 5 Dec 1912 Mitchell County
+Lockie

7- Martha Willis b- 1850

8- Locky Willis b- 1853

9- Jackson S. Willis b- 1855
+Cynthia 'Willis (David Willis & Zilphia Grindstaff) m- 6 May 1872

10 William Robert Willis b- 1857

11 Joicy Willis b- 1859

12- Henry John Willis b- 1861 d- 1930 Mitchell County
+Liza Jane Laury

Benjamin Willis left Rutherford Co for what is now Mitchell Co in 1830, purchased land there and it appears his wife was dead by then. Benjamin had 13 children, with 2 daughters. James Hoke reported his mother was born in PA.








USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, this photograph may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. This image may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation for profit by other persons or organizations.
Persons or organizations desiring to use this image for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Margaret Heinek Marheinek@aol.com

Return to the Mitchell County Digital Library