by AUDREY CREEL / December 16, 2020
©Audrey Creel, 2020 (All rights reserved.)

There is very little information that is known about Willis. After Hardy Murfree’s death, his estate and slave holdings were divided amongst his living relatives. Willis (last name unknown) was named as one of the enslaved individuals placed under Dr. James Maney’s ownership.[i] Willis is not listed with any known family members in the estate settlement.[ii] Willis was valued at one-hundred dollars by the North Carolina court.[iii] Willis likely was taken from his home in North Carolina to Dr. James’ plantation (present day Oaklands Mansion) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is unknown whether Willis was taken from his parents, a wife, or any children. Willis’ age at the time of the estate settlement and his role on the Maney plantation is unknown. There are no records for Willis after 1814.

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References

[i] Estate settlement, Hardy Murfree estate settlement, Williamson County Archives, Probate Records, [75].

[ii] Estate settlement, Hardy Murfree estate settlement, [75].

[iii] Estate settlement, Hardy Murfree estate settlement, [75].