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Does anyone have a copy of Smith Willis' pension application? I believe it is on line somewhere. I think the reason Gedidiah Willis was suspected to be the father of Smith Willis is because Smith named in his pension app. where he enlisted and Gedidiah was the only Willis in that county around that date. Will look on Footenote.
- Hi "RuthNevada". Don't forget to sign your talk page messages. Four "~" will insert your user name and timestamp your entry for future reference. Q AKA Bill 09:53, 4 April 2011 (EDT)
- Also, with regard to the pension application, I suspect you have much more information on Smith than anyone else here. I know that Mr. Guffy published his book on his family line a few years ago (2003 maybe?), and its probably in that.
- It would be nice if we had a Smith Willis descendant to do the YDNA test, but I suspect that there's no living direct male line here.
- With regard to Geddediah, we do have a Geddediah/Jeddediah in PA in the 1790 and 1800 census, and he's presumably the person Guffy is pointing to. If Smith named him as his next of kin in his pension application, perhaps Geddediah moved from PA to KY to join his son. Perhaps. Certainly, we don't see Geddediah in PA after 1800. Q AKA Bill 09:53, 4 April 2011 (EDT)
- Smith didn't name him at all in his pension application. Just from memory here, but Smith named the county where he enlisted in Pa. It was either Northampton or Northumberland, Pa. and what date he enlisted. Gedidiah was the Willis listed in that same county around that date and someone thought that was justification for naming him as the father.Ruthnevada 21:19, 4 April 2011 (EDT)
- OK, that makes sense. At least its a rationale. Not exactly a slam dunk case, though. Q 21:28, 4 April 2011 (EDT)
I agree. While it is sensible, someone being in the same town as where someone enlisted is pretty weak. Many men traveled from their homes to enlist at an "enlistment camp" or town. That could be in the same county or maybe in the next county.
Ruthnevada 20:04, 15 April 2011 (EDT)
Does someone have a source for Smith having a son David at 75? Ruthnevada 19:57, 15 April 2011 (EDT)
1850 Fentress Co., TN Census, p.409-410, dwelling #451: Ellen Willis age 60 and David Willis age 12. Looks like David was born 1838. Smith died 23 Aug 1849.
Does it list David as a son? The 1850 census I looked at appears to be a scan of the original. It Lists Ellen and David. It does not show a relationship between the two. Based on the 1840 census of Fentress Co. Tn.; Smith is the male 70-80, it also shows 2 males 10-15 and 1 male under 5. The females are listed as 2 under 5, 1 female 20-30 and one female 50-60 who I am guessing is Ellen. It suggests to me that there may be a daughter or daughter-in-law living with her 5 children in the 1840 household of Smith and Ellen Willis. I am just guessing that David is a grandson. I can not prove David is a grandson anymore than I can find proof that he is a son. More research is needed or perhaps someone has more info to add. Ruthnevada 00:37, 16 April 2011 (EDT)
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