Ancestors of Pat Hardin
Edward WILLS & Sarah VAUGHN
Compiled by Patricia Freeman Hardin
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EDWARD WILLS was born Abt. 1750 in England, and died 1820 in Clarke County, GA. He married SARAH VAUGHAN on Oct 1786 in Richmond County, NC, daughter of ABNER VAUGHAN and THEODOCIA MURPHY. She died Abt. 1836 in Clarke County, GA.
Notes for EDWARD WILLS:
EDWARD WILLS served as a Rev. War Soldier. He enlisted in 1777 as a private in Captain Thweatt’s Company of the 10th (or 14th) Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line. He moved to Jackson County, GA in 1804. (source: Georgia Revolutionary War Soldier's Graves" page 136. from: Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia, V.3, p. 246)
1805?
Tax Digest - No Index - Microfilmed (This book has 1805? on the cover but could be another year. This book was rebound and the date applied.) Edward Wills paid tax on 120 acres; Gardner; in Jackson Co. on Ocone River; Stoneham. Capt. Gathwright Dist.
1805
Jackson County GA Deed Book D, page 224.
Jan. (blank), 1804, Jackson County, deed from Samuel Gardner and Elizabeth, his wife, of Jackson County, to Edward Wells of the same place, consideration of $300 for 100 acres of land in said county on a branch of the north fork of the Oconee river, bounding SW by lands of Morgain and Vermillian, NW by Smith and Miller, W by Humphries land. It being part of 1,000 acres originally granded to Susanna Gardner and conveyed to Samuel Gardner. Signed: Sm. Gardner, Eliz'h ("E" her mark) Gardner. Witness: Joseph Jones, Henry Stoneham, B. Harris, J.I.Ct. Recorded Apr. 16, 1805. [source: "Jackson County, Georgia Deed Abstracts, Books A-D, 1796-1808", abstracted by Faye Stone Poss, 1998.]
1822
Clarke County Will Book A, page 145.
State of Georgia
Clarke County
In the name of God Amen, I Edward Wills of the afforesaid County & State, being of sound mind have this day, constituted & made this my last will & testament, of & pertaining to the good things of this world, which God hath pleased to bestow upon me. ( To Wit ); First of all I recommend my soul to God who gave it & my body to the ground from whence it came to be buried in a decent & Christian manner. And touching & concerning the things of this world, it is my will & desire that my Executors do in the first place dispose of such parts of my property as they think best for the purpose of discharging my just debts & the remainder to remain in hands, & care of my Executors untill my youngest son Edward becomes of full & lawful age to transact his own business & then to be sold & the proceeds to be equally divided between my beloved wife Sally & eleven children, viz: Thomas, Abner, Elizabeth, Nancy, Polly, Mastin, Randolph, Eliza, Millinda, Edward, Sophy, - And it is my will that all my children receive a liberal education & the expenses paid out of my Estate and it is also my will & I do hereby constitute Sally Wills, my wife, & Thomas Wills, my lawful Executors, to Execute this my last Will & Testament. Given under my hand & seal this Sixteenth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred & Twenty. Signed & Sealed in presence of:
(Witnesses)
Allen Matthews
Henry Harris
Signed
Edward Wills
Georgia
Clarke County
Personally appeared in open court Henry Harris one of the Subscribing witnesses to the within will and being duly Sworn said that he saw Edward Wills Sign & Seal and acknowledge the within Instrument to be his Last Will and testament and that he was of sound and disposing mind and memory at the time of his so doing and that he saw Allen Matthews sign the same as a witness.
Sworn to in open court March the 4th 1822.
Henry Harris
M. H. Lowe, Clk.
________
Clarke County GA
Deed Book T; Pages 115-116
Georgia
Clarke County
This indenture made this the 20th day of Nov. in the year of our Lord 1839 between Thomas Wills, Abner Wills, Edward Wills, Mastin Wills, Samuel Kinney, Robertson Willingham, John Riden, Simeon Martin, Nancy Wills & John England the heirs general of Edward Wills deceased and Sarah Wills deceased of the one part & Randolph Wills of the other part. Witness that said Thomas, Abner, Mastin, Samuel, Robertson, John, Simeon, Nancy & John heir for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to them in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of those present, then receipt whereas is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained, sold, and conveyed & do by those present granted, bargain, sell, convey unto same Randolph Wills, his heirs & assigns all that tract or parcel of land situated lying & being in the county and state aforesaid in which the said Wills deceased lived and died, and the said Sarah Wills afterward lived and died, containing 230 acres more or less lying in the north of the North Fork of the Oconee River, and bounded by the plantation owned by John A. Cobb on the one side, and by Mrs Maddox and William Hale on the other, and by the river on the other being all the land owned by the said Edward & Sarah during their lives on either of them. To have and to hold said tract or parcel of land unto him the said Randolph Wills his heirs and assigns together with all and singular the rights, members, and appurtenances thereof to the same in every manner belonging to him and his own proper use benefit and behalf forever in fee simple. And the said Thomas, Abner, Edward, Mastin, Samuel, Robertson, Simeon, Nancy, and John for themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators, the said bargained, promises the said Randolph Wills, his heirs, and asignes will warrant and forever defend the rights and titles thereof against themselves and against the claim of all other persons.
In witness whereof the said generations, heirs, hereunto set their hand and seal the day and year above mentioned.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
Abner Wills, Samuel Kinney, John S. Riden
Signed in presence
John B. Hathaway
Jeremiah G. Gray, J.P.
and the part of Robertson Willingham and Nancy Wills before us
James Nichols
John I. Cheatham, notary public.
Simeon Martin signed in our presence
Martha W. Will
Charles Will, I.I.C
Edward G. Wills signed
in our presence
Rufus L. Mays
E.L. Newton, I.I.C.
John England
in presence of
I.R. Bates
F.A. Blackley J.P.
Thomas Wills signed in presence of
Wm A. Harris
E.L. Newton, I.I.C.
Mastin Wills signed in presence of
B.F. Childers
Jacob Strickland, J.P.
We Mary Kinney formerly Mary Wills and Elizabeth Willingham formerly Elizabeth Wills, Letitia Melinda Riden formerly Wills, Eliza Martin formerly Eliza Wills, and Sophie A. England formerly Sophie A. Wills do hereby fully and freely and entirely renounce all rights of Dower in presence herein conveyed.
Witness our hands and seals this 20th November 1839.
Mary Kinney (seal)
I certify that I examined Mary Kinney apart from her husband and that the above relinquishment is voluntarily made without constraint and compulsion from her husband.
James Nichols
John I. Cheatham, N.P.
L.M. Riden (seal)
I certify that I examined Elizabeth Willingham apart from her husband and that she acknowledged the above relinquishment to be voluntary make without constraint or compulsion from her husband.
James Nichols
John I. Cheatham, N.P.
Eliz. Willingham (her mark)(seal)
I certify that I examined Letitia Melinda Riden apart from her husband and that she acknowledged the above relinquishment to be voluntary made free from constraint and compulsion of her husband.
In presence of
John B. Hathaway
Jeremiah G. Gray, J.P.
I certify that I examined Eliza Martin apart from her husband and that she acknowledged he above relinquishment to be voluntarily made free from the constraint or compulsion of her husband.
In presence of Martha W. Will
Charles Will, I.I.C.
Recorded 15 Feb1848.
Children of EDWARD WILLS and SARAH VAUGHAN are:
i. NANCY WILLS, b. 1793, VA; d. Jun 1870, Clarke County, GA.
Notes for NANCY WILLS: She was living with her sister, Mary Wills Kinney in 1850 & with her niece's family in 1860 Census.
1850
Jackson County GA 1850 Census
Subdivision 45; Page 1
Mary Kinney, 55 GA
Nancy Wills, 60 VA
Sophia Kinney, 14 GA
(next door to brother Thomas Wills)
1860
Jackson County, GA 1860 Census
Page 55, Family 97-97
Andrew Williamson, 45 m GA - farmer
Evaline Williamson, 34 f GA
James Williamson, 13 m GA
Mary Williamson, 11 f GA
Sarah Williamson, 9 f GA
Andrew Williamson, 6 m GA
Martha Williamson, 3 f GA
Nancy Wills, 67 f VA
Mary Kinney, 61 f GA
ii. MARY WILLS, b. 1795, Wilkes County, GA; d. Aft. 1860, probably Jackson County, GA; m. SAMUEL KINNEY; b. Abt. 1797, Oglethorpe County, GA; d. 1848, Clarke County, GA.
SEE SKETCH ON SAMUEL KINNEY & MARY WILLS
iii. ELIZABETH WILLS, b. 1796, Wilkes County, GA; m. ROBASON WILLINGHAM.
Notes for ELIZABETH WILLS: Living with sister's family in 1850 census.
1850
Clarke County GA 1850 Census
Athens District; Page 8
John S. Riden, 49 GA - carpenter
Letetia M., 39 GA
Martin W., 19 GA - student
Angelina, 17 GA
Nancy C., 16 GA
Clarilla T., 7 months GA
Elizabeth Willigham, 53 GA
iv. THOMAS WILLS, b. 07 Apr 1797, Wilkes County, GA; d. 03 Jun 1854, Jackson County, GA; m. SARAH ANN KINNEY(daughter of JAMES KINNEY & SARAH ALEXANDER; b. 1806, GA; d. 03 May 1855.
Notes for Thomas WILLS:
1850
Jackson County GA 1850 census
Subdivision 45, page 1
Thomas Wills, 53 GA
Sarah, 44 GA
Jas. E., 27 GA
Sarah A., 26 GA
Elizabeth, 21 GA
Martha, 21 GA
Amanda E., 18 GA
Andrew C., 16 GA
Eliza M., 14 GA
Joseph A., 12 GA
Mastin W., 9 GA
Sophia, 6 GA
(next door were Thomas two sisters, Mary Kinney and Nancy Wills)
Thomas Wills' LWT
Jackson County GA Will Book A, Page 235
Was signed 5/1/1854, Probated 8/1/1854. Executrix/Executors: wife, Sarah Wills & sons james E. Wills & Leander T. Wills. Legetees: James E. Wills, Sarah Ann Wills, Leander T. Wills, Elizabeth Wills, Martha Wills, Sicro Wills, Elija Wills, Joseph Wills, Marthin Wills, Sophia Wills. Witnesses: Steward McElhannon, Abner Wills and James R. McClesky.
v. ABNER WILLS, b. 1798, Wilkes County, GA; m. MARTHA ( PATSY) PITTMAN, 04 Oct 1821; b. 26 Oct 1801, Jackson County, GA; d. Jackson County, GA.
Notes for ABNER WILLS:
Abner Wills Estate Returns in Jackson County GA Returns Book C, 1852-1860, page 341.
1850
Jackson County GA 1850 Census
33 899 899 Wills Abner 51 M W Farmer 3,500 GA
34 899 899 Wills Martha 48 F W GA
35 899 899 Wills James H. 25 M W Farmer GA
36 899 899 Wills Abner J. 20 M W Laborer GA
37 899 899 Wills Lucinda C. 18 F W GA
38 899 899 Wills Sarah Ann 14 F W GA
39 899 899 Wills Martin L. 12 M W GA
40 899 899 Wills Timothy R. 9 M W GA
More About ABNER WILLS:
Burial: Pittman Family Cemetery; Madison County; GA
vi. MASTIN WILLS, b. 1801, Wilkes County, GA; d. 10 Mar 1866, Midway Methodist Church; Forsyth County; GA; m. SUSAN MARTHA SPRUCE; b. 1814, SC.
Notes for MASTIN WILLS:
1850
Forsyth County GA 1850 censu
31st District
Dwelling 861
Mastin Wills, 49 m GA
Susan M., 36 f SC
Andrew J., 17 m GA
Francis A., 15 m GA
John E., 13 m GA
Margaret A., 11 f GA
William T., 9 m GA
Sarah A., 7 f GA
Martha J., 5 f GA
Melinda C., 3 f GA
Mary A., 1 month f GA
vii. RANDOLPH WILLS, b. 20 Oct 1808, Clarke County, GA; d. Apr 1868, Jackson County, GA; m. (1) MILDRED MOON, 12 Aug 1834, Jackson County, GA; m. (2) DORINDA TUCKER BETTS, 11 Sep 1845, Jackson County, GA; b. 21 Oct 1824; d. 24 May 1885, Jackson County, GA.
Notes for RANDOLPH WILLS:
1850
Jackson County GA 1850 Census
23 467 467 Wills Randolph 42 M W Farmer 1,000 GA
24 467 467 Wills Dorinda L. 24 F W GA
25 467 467 Wills Melvina 15 F W GA X
26 467 467 Wills Robert 14 M W GA X
27 467 467 Wills Sarah 12 F W GA X
28 467 467 Wills Mary 11 F W GA X
29 467 467 Wills Abner 8 M W GA X
30 467 467 Wills Nancy 4 F W GA
31 467 467 Wills Sophia 2 F W GA
32 467 467 Wills Renick 7/12 M W GA
More About RANDOLPH WILLS:
Burial: Concord Methodist Church Cemetery; Barrow Co GA
More About DORINDA TUCKER BETTS:
Burial: Concord Methodist Church Cemetery; Barrow Co GA
viii. LETITIA MELINDA WILLS, b. 1811, Clarke County, GA; m. JOHN S . RIDEN; b. 1801, GA.
Notes for JOHN S. RIDEN & LETITIA M. WILLS:
1850
Clarke County GA 1850 Census
Athens District; Page 8
John S. Riden, 49 GA - carpenter
Letetia M., 39 GA
Martin W., 19 GA - student
Angelina, 17 GA
Nancy C., 16 GA
Clarilla T., 7 months GA
Elizabeth Willigham, 53 GA
ix. EDWARD GROCE WILLS, b. 14 Jul 1814, Clarke County, GA; d. 1862, Jackson County, GA; m. OPHELIA WINTERS, 07 Jan 1835, Jackson County, GA; b. 15 Mar 1816, GA; d. 17 Feb 1862, Jackson County, GA.
Notes for EDWARD GROCE WILLS:
1850
Jackson County GA 1850 census
18 779 779 Wills Edward G. 35 M W Farmer 700 GA
19 779 779 Wills Ophelia 34 F W GA
20 779 779 Wills Charity E. 10 F W GA
21 779 779 Wills Sarah J. 8 F W GA
22 779 779 Wills Ann O. 5 F W GA
23 779 779 Wills John M. 3 M W GA
24 779 779 Wills William P. 1 M W GA
More About EDWARD GROCE WILLS:
Military: Civil War - Killed in VA
x. ELIZA WILLS, b. Abt. 1817, Clarke County, GA; d. Abt. 1845, Jackson County, GA; m. SIMEON MARTIN, 30 Nov 1837, Jackson County, GA; b. Abt. 1816; d. Aft. 1890, Jackson County, GA.
Marriage Notes for ELIZA WILLS and SIMEON MARTIN:
Marriage Recorded in Jackson County GA Marriage Book 2, page 240.
xi. SOPHIA A . WILLS, b. 1819, Clarke County, GA; m. JOHN E . ENGLAND, 14 Feb 1846, Clarke County, GA; b. 1823, GA.
Notes for JOHN E. ENGLAND:
1850
Rabun County GA 1850 Census
District 587
John E. England, 27 GA - merchant
Sophia A., 30 GA
Marriage Notes for SOPHIA WILLS and JOHN ENGLAND:
Recorded in Clarke County Marriage Book C, page 103.