Contact: marilee@wilkinslinks.orgResearching Willoby (Willoughby) Wilkins b.1780 NC; d. June 4, 1848 Massac Co.,IL
There are many spelling variations of Willoby's name (Willoughby, Williby, Wilobe, and more.) He was the son of Michael Wilkins of NC. His mother's name is unknown. According to tax lists, Willoby lived in Muhlenberg Co., KY from 1806 through 1816.
Kentucky Soldiers of the War of 1812: Williby Wilkins was among the men of Muhlenberg Co., KY who served in the War of 1812. His brother Bryant Wilkins was also in the same company. Williby was a private in Captain Almy [Alney] McLean's Company, Kentucky Detached Militia, 1st Regiment KY Mounted Militia, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Samuel Caodwell from 1 Sept 1812 to 23 Dec 1812.
1820 Census of Gallatin Co., IL: Willaby Wilkins, one white male over 21, 7 others. [He is living next to his brothers-in-law, John Tanner and Richard Harris].
According to The Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties of Illinois, Chicago Biographical Publishing Co., 1893, page 485, 486:
Willoughby Wilkins and his wife Nancy Tanner moved from North Carolina to Indiana and lived in Posey County for a while [where several of their nine children were born]. Sometime before 1840 Willoughby brought his family to Southern Illinois. The family located first in Saline Co, IL and then moved to Massac Co. Willoughby bought a farm near New Columbia. The land and the improvements upon it cost him $150. There was a little log cabin already built, so he moved into this shelter and lived there 6 years. His life was not an easy one in the woods. There were no roads at the time. He trotted horseback to the mill and to other places where it was necessary for him to go, but after a time he acquired oxen and carts, and horse mills came into vogue. The timber was heavy, and he burned up a great deal of it to get it out of the way. During this time, he improved his little farm, and then bought 80 acres of land and made a claim to 80 acres more on which he resided until his death. [*NOTE: This information was probably submitted by Willoughby's son Michael Wilkins.]Children of Willoby & Nancy (Tanner) Wilkins:
1. Bryant Wilkins, born 18121840 Census Johnson Co., IL: Wilaba Wilkins & John Wilkins
2. John Wilkins, born 1814
3. Lewis Wilkins, born 1816
4. Sarah Wilkins, born 1818
5. Samuel Wilkins, born about 1820
6. Thomas Wilkins, born 1821
7. Michael Wilkins, born January 5, 1823
8. Alfred Wilkins, born about 1825
9. Elizabeth Wilkins, born 1827
Massac Co., IL Land Entries & Swamp Land Sales, 1816-1878: 26 Dec 1845: Willoughby Wilkins, SE, 40 acres.
1850 Census Massac Co., IL, hh#114/114: Nancy Wilkins 50, VA; Saml. W. 30, IN; Davis 29, IN; Thomas 26, IN; Michael 24, IN; Alfred 22, IN; Elizabeth 20, IN; Prudence 15, IN.
1860 Annotated Census of Massac Co., IL, page 151, hh#962: Nancy Wilkins 74, housekeeper, NC; Samuel 42, farmer, Ind.
John Wilkins, son of Willoby Wilkins & Nancy Tanner was born 1814. He married Mary Ann (Polly) Johnson on January 21, 1840 in Johnson County, IL. Mary Ann Johnson & John Wilkins had two sons.
Willoby Wilkins b.1843 in IL, d.1878 in Pope Co., IL, m. Lucretia East
James Knox Polk Wilkins, b. 1845 Pope Co., IL, d.1895, m. Agnes EvansWe assume that John Wilkins died between 1845 and 1846 because his wife, Mary Ann, was married a second time to Thomas J. Griffith on May 20, 1847. Thomas was born in VA. He had 5 children from a previous marriage. They were: John, Andrew, and Bethina Griffith (born in Georgia) and Fannie and Rebecca Griffith (born in IL).
In the 1850 census Mary Ann (Polly) Johnson Wilkins and Thomas Griffith were living in Massac Co, IL with his 5 children, her two boys (Willoby and James) plus two more children they had together. In 1860 the family is living in Pope County. Thomas' three older children are no longer living at home. In 1870, there is also a Chester W. Griffith, age 17, who is living with the family. His relationship to the family is not known. In all, Mary Ann & Thomas Griffith had nine children together. They were half brothers and sisters to Willoughby and James Knox Polk Wilkins:
William W. Griffith, born 1848I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has information on this family.
Augustine (Auguston) R. Griffith, born 1850, married Amanda Teel in 1872
Nancy J. Griffith, born 1852
Sarah E. Griffith, born 1853
Emily Griffith, born 1856
Lavada M. Griffith, born 1858, married ? Shadowens
Mary R. Griffith, born 1861
Alexander S. Griffith, born 1863
Willard F. Griffith, born 1868
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