WILLITS / WILLETS - RICHARD WILLETS b. 1618 AND HIS FATHERS...
Hi - I've just had a son named London, and I have been researching our family lineage to pass the information on to him one day.
I had traced my family back as far as Richard Willets, JR (b.1816) who emigrated to America (from Rowley Regis) in 1640. He is a notable early long island resident, and his wife Mary Washbourne/Washburn Willits was a famous quaker who's descendants married Elias Hicks. He's often FALSELY called Richard Willets senior, because he had a son named Richard, but in fact, his son is Richard Willits III.
I learned that Richard Jr's Father, Richard Willets (I) was born in Rowley Regis Staffordshire, England,October 13, 1573, and died in R.R. on May 4, 1654. He was married sometime around 1608 to a Woman I believe was named Elizabeth Grove. Family records suggest Richard was Church Warden in RR in 1613
I have also learned that Richard's father was a man named Thomas Willets, born about 1540, who died in RR sometime after the 1580s.
If ANYone can provide me with any other information about these early Willets and possibly help me trace them back further or has access to local RR cemeteries and church records (presumably St. Giles Parish) and can substantiate what I've said, please get in touch with me! I know there are many Willets descendants in Rowley Regis, so it would be great to hear from long-lost distant relatives! Thank you!
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Re: WILLITS / WILLETS - RICHARD WILLETS b. 1618 AND HIS FATHERS...
michael round 11/20/07