... John Willis appears quite early in the Virginia records in the Northern Neck.
- He and Anne Willis were claimed as headrights in 1653 by John Gillett in Lancaster Co. (Nugent: "Cavaliers and Pioneers," p. 282), and
- John Willis was claimed as an importee for several grants in Northumberland Co. in 1656 and 1663 (Ibid. ,pp. 336, 339, and 433).
- Anne Willis was probably his first wife.
- John Willis owned land in Northumberland Co. , mentioned in a grant to Peter Ransom in 1656 (Ibid., p. 336), and was deeded land in Westmoreland Co. by Andrew Read in 1668 (Westmoreland Co. Deeds and Wills No. 1, p. 330).
- He was freed from the levy in Westmoreland Co. because of his age Jan. 9, 1677/8 (Order Book No. l, p. 102).
- He later moved to Richmond Co.
- He must have been a hale and hearty old man, for he married (2) in Richmond Co. in 1693 Matilda Thacker, widow (D. Bk. 1, p.84).
- He died at a very advanced age in Richmond Co. in 1715, probably 85-90 years of age.
- The will of John Willis, Sr., dated June 7, 1715 and probated in Richmond Co. July 6, 1715,
-- leaves a plantation to his son-in-law, Thomas James, and Mary his wife, to go after their deaths to their son, David James;
-- leaves a bequest to Mary Cullins "who lives with me";
-- another bequest to his son Charles Willis and Matilda his wife, then to go the Charles1 son, John Willis; --- mentions his late wife, Matilda; his son William; daughter Susannah; Mary Gradner; Isaac Arnold and William Willis guardians of Mary Cullins; John Willis and Isaac Arnold, exrs. (W. B. 1709-19, pp. 214ff).
- John Willis, the executor, was a son, as his father deeded him land by gift in 1694 (D. B. 2, p. 81).
- The son, William Willis, died in 1716, Sarah his wife being his administratrix (D. B. 7, p. 173). ...
