Texas Family Group Sheet for the George Alexander WILLS Family
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Copyright © 2014 Gina Heffernan. All rights reserved.
http://www.fgs-project.com/copyright.html
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Submitted by: Gina Heffernan
Email address: <gina gale h @ yahoo . com>
Submitted: 30 Nov 2014
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Husband: George Alexander WILLS
(1,2,3,4)
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AKA: Alex WILLS (5)
Birthdate: Oct 1841
- , , Texas, USA (6,7,8)
Death date: 21 Mar 1922
- Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA (9)
Buried: 23 Mar 1922 - Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA (10)
Address: Friendship Cemetery, Milam County, Texas
Father: James Buchanan WILLS (1798-1872) (11,12)
Mother: Amy W SHACKLEFORD (1800-Bef 1870) (13)
Marriage: 11 Jun 1868 Place: Rogers, Bell, Texas, USA (14)
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Other Spouse: O E BROOKS (Abt 1845-Bef 1869) Date: 28 Feb 1866 - , Bell, Texas, USA (15)
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Events
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1. He enlisted in Capt Milton W Damron's Co, Co D, 18th Texas Calvary, CSA, 1861,
at , , Texas, USA. Capt. Milton W. DAMRON'S Company. Company D. 18th Texas Calvary.
Enlisted in Fall of 1861. At the fall of Arkansas Post a part of this Company
escaped and was thrown in with Company E. 17th Texas Consolidated Dismounted
Cavalry, with Captain DAMRON commanding. A part of the original Company was
captured and carried to Camp Douglass (Chicago) but, after several months, were
exchanged and returned to the Confederate lines East of the Mississippi River and
the Company was there reorganized. The following roll includes the names of men in
all three of these organizations (but probably not all of them) and were furnished
by Sam W. BISHOP, Wm. J. WHEAT, George FISHER, Sam H. COX, Henry C EDRINGTON, Jesse
SUTTON, C.B. ROBERTS and others, some by each and each one acting separately. Alex
is listed in the Granger line.
2. He enlisted in the Co. D 18th Texas Cavalry, C.S.A. for 3 years, Between Feb
1862 and 11 Jan 1863, at , , Texas, USA. (16)
3. In Aug 1868, he lived in Conoley, Milam, Texas, USA.
4. In 1870, he lived in , Milam, Texas, USA. Little River
5. George appeared on the census in 1880 in , McCulloch, Texas, USA, ED 108, pg 14
(522B). Precinct 2
G. A. WILLS Self M M W 39 TX TN TN Alex
S. E. WILLS Wife F M W 30 AL SC -- Sallie
D. E. WILLS Dau F S W 9 TX TX AL Donnie
D. A. WILLS Son M S W 7 TX TX AL Daniel
R. C. WILLS Son M S W 4 TX TX AL Ray
E. B. WILLS Dau F S W 2 TX TX AL ?
6. He worked as a freight driver circa 1880.
7. He received a pension on 10 Feb 1900 in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA. (17) #5957
8. George appeared on the census on 4 Jun 1900 in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA, ED 20,
pg 15A. Precinct 3
Wills, Alix head W M Oct 1841 58 M 32 TX MO GA
Sallie wife W F May 1849 57 M 32 AL AL AL
Ray son W M Aug 1875 24 S TX TX AL
Oscar son W M Jan 1883 16 S TX TX AL
Albert son W M May 1885 15 S TX TX AL
Claude son W M Oct 1888 11 S TX TX AL
Senn, FD SiL W M Feb 1876 24 M 1 NY Ger Ger
Beatrice dau W F Feb 1878 22 M 1 TX TX AL
Alex is a farm laborer, Sallie is a dressmaker, the older boys are day laborers.
9. George appeared on the census in 1910 in , Bell, Texas, USA, ED 8, pg 3B.
Precinct 3
Alex Wills Head M 69 Texas
Sallie Wills Wife F 61 Alabama
Oscar Wills Son M 30 Texas
Claude Wills Son M 21 Texas
10. George appeared on the census in 1920 in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA, ED 7, pg
5B.
G A Wills Head M 79 Texas
Sallie Wills Wife F 69 Alabama
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Wife: Sarah Elizabeth COOK
(18,19,20,21)
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AKA: Sallie COOK (22)
Birthdate: 9 Mar 1850
- , Calhoun, Alabama, USA (23,24,25)
Death date: 6 Mar 1937
- Thorndale, Milam, Texas, USA (26,27,28)
Buried: 7 Mar 1937 - Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA (29)
Address: Friendship Cemetery, Milam County, Texas
Father: James P COOK (1827-Bef 1871) (30)
Mother: Eliza JOHNSTON (1827-1855) (30,31)
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Events
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1. In 1865, she lived in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA. (32)
2. She was involved in a court case: probate for Daniel T Cook on 13 Oct 1866 in ,
Calhoun, Alabama, USA. Estate records in Calhoun County, Alabama (formerly Benton
Co., AL) show:
Account for final settlement by James P. Cook as Guardian of Sarah E. Cook, and
Daniel T. Cook. Daniel T. Cook has died and his sister Sarah E. Cook, is his heir.
Sarah E. Cook and Daniel T. Cook are children of James P. Cook. Sarah is now 16
years old and resides with James P. Cook, they being children of his first wife.
Petition of Thomas K. Cook to be appointed guardian of Missouri A. Jones, James
F. Jones, Martha J. Jones, minor heirs of H.E. Jones, deceased and also Sarah Cook,
minor child of James P. Cook and his first wife Eliza Cook, now deceased. James P.
Cook is now their Guardian and is about to remove to the State of Texas.
Thomas K. Cook is appointed Guardian of Missouri A. Jones, James F. Jones and
Martha J. Jones, minor heirs of H.E. Jones, deceased; and Sarah Cook, minor child
of James P. Cook and his first wife Eliza Cook, now deceased...
3. She was involved in a court case: account for annual settlement; Sarah Cook has
married... on 21 Jul 1869 in , Calhoun, Alabama, USA.
4. She was involved in a court case: account for annual settlement with Jones
children; all minor reside in Texas. on 6 Oct 1870 in , Calhoun, Alabama, USA.
5. She was involved in a court case: final settlement on 24 Nov 1870 in , Calhoun,
Alabama, USA. Petition of George A. Wills and wife Sarah E. Wills, formerly Cook,
by their attorneys Ellis and Caldwell for final settlement of Guardianship of
Thomas K. Cook. G.A. Wills and Miss Sarah Cook married June 11, 1868 by M.G. Raney
in Bell County, Texas (copy of marriage record attached). Appointment of Ellis and
Caldwell as their attorneys dated Sept 3, 1870 and states that Sarah E. Wills is
the daughter of James P. Cook of Calhoun County, Alabama and more recently of Bell
County, Texas, deceased. Refers to her husband as George Alexander Wills.
Nov 24, 1870 - -Account for final settlement with Sarah E. WIlls, wife of
George A. Wills, by Thomas K. Cook.
6. On 27 Mar 1922, she lived in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA.
7. She received a pension on 4 Apr 1922 in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA. #38120, for G
A Wills' service.
8. Sarah appeared on the census in 1930 in Waco, McLennan, Texas, USA, ED 3, pg 6B.
Beatrice Senn Head F 52 Texas
Naomi Senn Dau F 24 Texas
Wiley W Senn Son M 22 Texas
James J Senn Son M 20 Texas
Sarah E Wills Mother F 80 Alabama
9. On 5 Mar 1937, she lived in Holland, Bell, Texas, USA.
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Children
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1 F Dahuana E WILLS (23,34,35)
Birthdate: Dec 1870 - , McCulloch, Texas, USA (36,37)
Death date: Bef 1921 - , Milam, Texas, USA
Buried:
Spouse: John Thomas GIBSON (1864-1941) (23,38,39)
Marr. Date: 14 Jul 1890 - Holland, Bell, Texas, USA (23,40,41)
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2 M Daniel A WILLS (23,43,44)
Birthdate: 22 Nov 1872 - , McCulloch, Texas, USA (44,45,46)
Death date: 5 Feb 1945 - Taylor, Williamson, Texas, USA (42)
Buried: 6 Feb 1945 - Elgin, Bastrop, Texas, USA (42)
Spouse: Lola Mae TAYLOR (1874-1940) (47)
Marr. Date: 12 Aug 1900 - , Bell, Texas, USA (48)
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3 M Ray Cook WILLS (23,49,50,51)
Birthdate: 29 Aug 1874 - , McCulloch, Texas, USA (52,53,54)
Death date: 30 Sep 1958 - Holland, Bell, Texas, USA (51)
Buried: 2 Oct 1958 - Holland, Bell, Texas, USA (51)
Address: Holland Cemetery, Bell County, Texas
Spouse: Mary Elizabeth GENTRY (1874-1968) (55,56,57)
Marr. Date: 6 Mar 1904 - , Bastrop, Texas, USA (58,59)
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4 F Emma Beatrice WILLS (18,60,61)
Birthdate: 14 Feb 1878 - , McCulloch, Texas, USA (18,62,63,64)
Death date: 29 Jun 1937 - Taylor, Williamson, Texas, USA (18,65)
Buried: 30 Jun 1937 - Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA (65)
Address: Friendship Cemetery, Milam County, Texas
Spouse: Frederick Doyle SENN (1875-1930) (18,66)
Marr. Date: 12 Jul 1899 - , Bell, Texas, USA (67)
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5 M Oscar Kenton WILLS (68)
Birthdate: 17 Jun 1883 - , , Texas, USA (69,70)
Death date: 18 Dec 1928 - Buckholts, Milam, Texas, USA (71)
Buried: 19 Dec 1928 - Davilla, Milam, Texas, USA (71)
Address: Friendship Cemetery, Milam County, Texas
Spouse: Ella Evander GLASS (1898-1983) (72)
Marr. Date: 19 Mar 1916 - , Milam, Texas, USA (73)
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6 M Sydney Albert WILLS (23,74,75,76)
Birthdate: 20 Mar 1885 - , Ellis, Texas, USA (77,78,79)
Death date: 13 Feb 1948 - Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA (75)
Buried: 14 Feb 1948 - Killeen, Bell, Texas, USA (75)
Address: Killeen City Cemetery, Bell County, Texas
Spouse: Della Bell SUTTON (1892-1965) (80,81,82)
Marr. Date: 6 Nov 1910 - , Bell, Texas, USA (83)
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7 M Claude Paul WILLS (23,84,85)
Birthdate: 22 Oct 1887 - Holland, Bell, Texas, USA (86,87)
Death date: 25 Oct 1954 - Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA (85)
Buried: 26 Oct 1954 - Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, USA (85)
Address: Laurel Land Memorial Park, Tarrant County, Texas
Spouse: Effie Bell HALBERT (1892-1960) (88,89,90)
Marr. Date: Abt 1912
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General Notes: Husband - George Alexander WILLS
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Family lore:
"Grandpa Wills was a "southern gentleman" from a wealthy family. He joined the
Confederate Army and was taken prisoner. While in prison, he met William Senn, also a
Confederate prisoner. When the men were released, they traveled together to Texas. Alex's
father left all his lands to him when he died. "lying and being situated in Lleno County
of the waters of the Lleno River about 90 miles on S. E. of the San Sabe Fort, known as
Survey No 39, District No 10". But Alex loved to gamble. He lost most of it gambling. He
was married and his wife sold what was left of the ranch and bought a rooming house near
a RR track in Bartlett. Her business flourished."
Lived to the south of his father.
Died at Sarah's house.
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Birth Notes: Wife - Sarah Elizabeth COOK
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or 9 March 1849 - I believe it would have to be 1850.
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General Notes: Wife - Sarah Elizabeth COOK
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Died at Beatrice's house.
I am also researching Cook families who were in nearby Cleburne County, AL who do
not appear to be related to these Cooks, but not sure yet. Just saw your query and had
come across this estate settlement earlier today and thought you might like to see it, if
you haven't already seen this one.
c teal @ dnc . net
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Notes: Marriage
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or married 6/7/1868.
Last Modified: 29 Nov 2014
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Sources
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1. Senn, Ima Holder, Ima lived with Sarah Cook Wills and Beatrice Wills Senn for almost
four years until their deaths. I had several telephone interviews with Mamaw from
2000-2002. We discussed her family and Papaw's family. She had an incredible memory
and she had "notes" about things she was afraid she would forget. I don't know what
happened to her notes and I wish I had recorded our conversations.
2. 1850 Federal Census, Texas, Washington, ppg 288B-289A. Alexander Mills.
3. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 58, Oct 1841, Texas.
4. Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, Sidney Albert.
George Alexander Wills.
5. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Alix Wills.
6. 1860 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, pg 324. age 18, Texas.
7. Pension File, Wills, G A #5957. "What is your age? Fifty nine" date 7/14/1899.
8. 1850 Federal Census, Texas, Washington, 289A.
9. Pension File, Wills, G A #5957. "The said pensioner George A. Wills....died on the
21st day of Mch, 1922 near the town of Davilla County of Milam, Texas."
10. Pension File, Wills, G A #5957. Mortuary Warrant "body was buried in the Friendship
Cemetery."
11. 1860 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, pg 324. Jas B Wills.
12. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Patriot Ancestor Album, Volume 2,(Turner
Publishing Company; Paducah, KY; 2001) pg 137. "James B Wills (born circa 1798 in
Tennessee) ..."
13. 1860 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, pg 324. Amy Wills.
14. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, D/279.
15. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, D/174.
16. Pension File, Wills, G A #5957. "CCD 18th Texas Cavalry. Enlisted in Feby 1862 and
served until close of war."
17. Pension File, Wills, G A #5957.
18. Senn, Ima Holder.
19. Estate Records, Calhoun Co, AL, 10/13/1866. - - Petition of Thomas K. Cook to be
appointed guardian of Missouri A. Jones, James F. Jones, Martha J. Jones, minor
heirs of H.E. Jones, deceased and also Sarah Cook, minor child of James P. Cook and
his first wife Eliza Cook, now deceased. James P. Cook is now their Guardian and is
about to remove to the State of Texas.
20. Death Certificate, Wills, Ray Cook #48659. Sarah Cook.
21. Death Certificate, Senn, Beatrice #34157. Elizabeth Cook.
22. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Sallie Wills.
23. Anonymous, Biography of Sarah E Wills. This is 4 pages, typewritten, discribing the
life of Sarah. It was found in my grandmother's (Ima Jean Senn Holder) things when
she died.
24. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 51, Mar 1849, Alabama.
25. Death Certificate, Wills, Sarah #16870. 9 Mar 1850, Alabama.
26. Pension File, Wills, Sarah E #38120. "The said pensioner Mrs. Sarah Wills, died on
the 6th day of March, 1937, in the town of Thorndale - RFD...in the home of Mrs. B.
Seens (Senn)...daughter."
27. Milam Co, Texas Death Register, bk 5 pg 405.
28. Death Certificate, Wills, Sarah #16870.
29. Death Certificate, Wills, Sarah #16870. Friend Ship.
30. Estate Records, Calhoun Co, AL.
31. Tucker, Michael, http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mtucker&id=I4176.
Email correspondence
32. Pension File, Wills, Sarah E #38120. "How long have you resided in the county of
your present residence? 57 years."
33. Pension File, Wills, Sarah E #38120. "How long have you resided in the county of
your present residence? 57 years."
34. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). D E Wills.
35. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 21, pg 32A. Donia Gibson.
36. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). age 9, Texas. if she
was born in December, and this age is correct, she was born in 1870.
37. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 21, pg 32A. age 28, Dec 1871, Texas.
38. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 21, pg 32A. Thomas Gibson.
39. Death Certificate, Gibson, John Thomas #14461.
40. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 21, pg 32A. married 10 years.
41. Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (FamilySearch.org), Gibson, J T. to Donnie E Wills, 14
Jul 1890, Bell County.
42. Death Certificate, Wills, Dan A #9595.
43. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). D A Wills.
44. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 21 S 8.
45. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). age 7, Texas.
46. Death Certificate, Wills, Dan A #9595. 22 Nov 1872, Bell County, Texas.
47. Death Certificate, Wills, Lola #44930.
48. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, N/212.
49. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Ray Wills.
50. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). R C Wills.
51. Death Certificate, Wills, Ray Cook #48659.
52. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). age 4, Texas.
53. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 24, Aug 1875, Texas.
54. Death Certificate, Wills, Ray Cook #48659. 29 Aug 1874, Bell County, Texas.
55. Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, R C. to Bettie Gentry.
56. 1920 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 7, pg 2A. Mary E Wills.
57. Death Certificate, Wills, Betty #00201.
58. 1910 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 11, sh 2A.
59. Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, R C. to Bettie Gentry, 6 Mar
1904, Bastrop County.
60. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). E B Wills.
61. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Beatrice Senn.
62. 1880 Federal Census, Texas, McCullough, ED 108, pg 14 (522B). age 2, Texas.
63. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 22, Feb 1878, Texas.
64. Death Certificate, Senn, Beatrice #34157. 14 Feb 1878, Holland, Texas.
65. Death Certificate, Senn, Beatrice #34157.
66. Death Certificate, Senn, Fred #41888.
67. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, M/493.
68. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Oscar Wills.
69. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 16, Jun 1883, Texas.
70. Death Certificate, Wills, Oscar K #54745. 17 Jun 1883, Texas.
71. Death Certificate, Wills, Oscar K #54745.
72. Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, Oscar K. to Ella Evander
Glase.
73. Texas Marriages, 1837-1973 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, Oscar K. to Ella Evander
Glase, 19 Mar 1916, Milam County.
74. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Albert Wills.
75. Death Certificate, Wills, Sydney Albert #6457.
76. Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, Sidney Albert.
77. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 15, Mar 1885, Texas.
78. Death Certificate, Wills, Sydney Albert #6457. 20 Mar 1883, Bell County, Texas.
79. Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981 (FamilySearch.org), Wills, Sidney Albert.
20 Mar 1885, Ennis, Ellis County.
80. Death Certificate, Wills, Della B #62698.
81. 1920 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 14, pg 5A. Della B Wills.
82. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, bk S pg 213. Albert Wills to Della Sutton.
83. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, bk S pg 213. Albert Wills to Della Sutton, 6 Nov 1910,
by J B Jones, MG. Bell Co, Texas Marriage Book, S/213, by J B Jones, MG.
84. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. Claude Wills.
85. Death Certificate, Wills, Claude Paul #52014.
86. 1900 Federal Census, Texas, Bell, ED 20, pg 15A. age 11, Oct 1888, Texas.
87. Death Certificate, Wills, Claude Paul #52014. 22 Oct 1887, Holland, Texas.
88. 1920 Federal Census, Texas, Tarrant, ED 162, pg 1A. Effie Wills.
89. Death Certificate, Wills, Clarence Oliver #47089. Effie B Halbert.
90. Death Certificate, Wills, Effie Bell #32345.
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My Notes
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If there is no SOURCE, I have no PROOF! If the source is a PERSON, the information is HEARSAY!