WILLIS, CAPT. NATHANIEL, was born at Lebanon, N. H., July 23, 1793.
On November 15, 1814, he married Lucinda Wheatley of Lebanon, who was born
November 12, 1792. They had four children. Captain Willis came to Kirby
some time prior to 1820, took a deed of the farm now owned by Ira and C.
A. Noyes, from Oliver Kane, encountered the usual pioneer trials, cleared
up the farm and remained upon the same until about 1848, when he removed
to St. Johnsbury.
He was one of Kirby's "stand-by" citizens,
always in demand for counsel and action; served the town as lister, selectman,
overseer, and in other positions many years, and was town representative
in 1839. He died November 29, 1873.
Joel F., son
of Captain Nathaniel, was born April 28, 1817, married Eleanor Hadlock
(who was born May 18, 1822), on May 18, 1841.
Only one child was born to them. Mr. Willis served the town as constable
and collector and bid fair to take his father's rank in town, when he was
stricken with consumption and died August 17, 1852. His son, William P.,
was born May 29, 1842. On December 11, 1864, he married Charity M. Young,
born 1846.
Three children have been born to them, Mary E., a daughter who died
in infancy; Ervin N., born February 2, 1869, resides in Littleton, New
Hampshire; Sidney J., born May 20, 1877, who is now a student at Tufts
college.
William P. resides on his farm at South Kirby and is at present
road commissioner for the town.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page138-139.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, May 2006
|
