Richard Willard, I

Willard Memoir!!

http://books.google.com/books?id=E56RAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA652&lpg=RA1-...

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http://rands.parrottfarms.com/Document%20Archives/Subject/Willard1.pdf

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2. * Richard WILLARD , 1st (William ) was born about 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He died after Sep 18 1558 in Brenchley, Kent, England. He was buried before Oct 24 1558.

Richard married (1) Elizabeth (Willard) about 1520 in Kent, England. Elizabeth was born about 1500/1502 in Brenchley, Kent, Eng.

They had the following children:

 5 M i Robert WILLARD was born in 1520.  

6 M ii Alexander WILLARD was born in 1522. He died in 1572.
7 M iii George WILLARD was born in 1524.
George married Jane.
8 M iv Richard WILLARD 2nd was born in 1526.
Richard married Elizabeth (Willard).
+ 9 M v * Symon WILLARD

 10 M vi Thomas WILLARD was born in 1532.  

Thomas married Alice SAX.
11 M vii William WILLARD was born in 1534.
William married Margaret. Margaret was born in 1534. She died in 1603.
12 F viii Alice WILLARD was born in 1536.
13 F ix Agnes WILLARD was born in 1538.
14 M x Andrew WILLARD died about 1562.
Andrew married Annah HEEDS.

Joe Willard Snyder and Catherine Dukelow Snyder Family Tree

Entries: 1683 Updated: Thu Apr 15 07:35:03 2004 Contact: Joe Willard Snyder

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Willard/ Woolard Family History: 1470-1655

The Willard/ Woolard Surname dates back to the 11 century and is considered to have a Teutonic origin. The surname is from Norman- Saxon blood where ancient ancestors from the region of Western Europe (Modern Northern France) lived. The oldest Willard in our line dates back to 1470 in Kent, England. His name is William Willard. Kent, England was well known for the hop, iron, and cloth industries, which provided the Kent landscape with two of the most prominent landmarks, the coast houses used for drying hops and the welding hall houses of the Kent ironmasters and cloth manufacturers. William Willard’s son was a yeoman named Richard Willard, born in 1500, who married Elizabeth. His sons were Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas and William and daughters Alice and Agnes. In a town called Horsmonden, Kent, England was born to Richard and Elizabeth, Simon Willard. A neat, square green known as the Heath forms the centre of the Horsmonden village, set among pastures and orchards. Simon was born in 1530 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Like his father, he too was a yeoman.

Simon married Elizabeth Waterman in 1532 in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Goudhurst is a parish in Kent England that is centered around St. Mary’s church. He was thirty and she was twenty-eight when they married. His father, Richard, made a will on Sept 18, 1558. It is possible that he was sickly and soon died after this date. To the union of Simon and Elizabeth was given a son named, Richard Willard. They named the son in honor of Simon’s deceased father. On February 6, 1563 Richard Willard was born in Goudhurst, Kent, England. Unfortunately, his parents Elizabeth and Simon would die while he was still a young boy. He just turned one when his father died on Feb 26 1584 and four when his mother died.

Richard Willard, who had been born in 1563, was raised by someone other than his parents. He was married in Westgate, Kent, England on September 23, 1601 to Margery Humphrie of Horsmonden, Kent, England. Richard was eighteen and Margery was twenty-nine. They had four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Margery, and Catherine, and a son named Richard. They gave birth to Simon Willard, named after his grandfather, on April 7, 1605 in Horsmonden, Kent, England. Simon’s mother, Margery, died when he was three on December 12, 1608. Simon’s father remarried to a woman named Joan. They had a son named George. Eight years later, Richard Willard died on Feb 20, 1616 leaving his eleven year old boy, Simon Willard, exposed to the changing word and times. However, eight days before his death, the yeoman made a will which bequeathed to the poor of Horsemonden, to his 2nd wife Joan, to her son Francis Morebread to his son George Willard 6 silver spoons and a silver and gilt cup, to be delivered to him after his mother's death. To his four daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Margery and Catherine, his household stuff excepting that bequeathed to his wife. To his son Richard Willard the income from certain lands, to his son Simon Willard all the rest of his lands when becomes of age. He directs that Simon be placed with some honest man where may learn some good trade and be instructed. Richard Willard was to get land purchased of Ecenden and Paynter. In the case of Simon’s death before reaching maturity, George was to have the lands left to him. Elizabeth a sum of money. To his daughters Margerie and Catherine a barn and orchard.

Simon Willard, born in 1601, grew up without his parents, under the direction of an unknown man. At that time Horsmonden was the most important gunmaking site in Britain. He was taught a trade, just like his father had wished. He likely served in the military, because he was called the Kentish Soldier by historian Edward Johnson. He married a girl named Mary Sharpe in England. In May of 1634, he voyaged with his wife, children, sister Margerie, and her husband Captain Dolor Davis to the New World. They are believed to have come to America on one of Winthrop’s ships. Watching the persecution of other Puritans by Bishop Laud influenced his decision to leave. It was difficult to leave England as the church, locally called St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, and the government demanded allegiance to church and country before you could embark.

They arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in North America. He started trading with the Indians buying and exporting furs. His first wife, Mary Sharpe died in America. While in America, one of his sons, named Rev. Samuel Willard, studied witchcraft for twenty-years prior to the Salem Witch trials and took a stance against the Rev. Cotton Mather. The fourth of August 1634, Simon had a grant of land at Cambridge where he stayed for a year. In 1635, a Rev. Peter Bulkeley came to the colony and Simon Willard and he became very close. On Sept 5, 1635 a grant was made to Mr. Buckley and Mr. Willard of thirty six square miles of land where Concord is today. Simon Willard in his trade with the Indians saw it as a rich area for farming. About 12 families were to move to this location through the tangle of brush and swamps. Mr. Willard led the group. The hardships endured were great. After getting there they bought the land from the Indians paying in trade goods. Mr. Willard was one of the three men who met with the Indians and made the trade. By the 25th of August 1635 he sold the property and with others founded the plantation of Concord, the name meaning the home for aging men. They bought the land from Indians in 1636 and remained friends for many years.

Shortly after Willard founded the town of Concord, John Winthrop wanted to build a fortification at the mouth of the Conneticut river and sent 20 men under the direction of Gibbons and Willard to build a fortification. This was finished in December. Immediately after the organization of the town, Willard was made clerk of the writs and continued for 19 years through annual elections. In this position, he had authority to grant summons and attachments in all civil actions, summon witnesses and take bond ect.

He was granted a military commission in Concord as lieutenant-commandant in March 1637. His military experience continued for 40 years until his death.

Also, in 1636 Simon Willard was elected representative to the General Court and served till 1654 with the exception of three years. In 1636 Simon Willard was chosen representative to the General Court by the freemen of Concord in their first election. He was appointed to train the military company at once and continued with the General Court. He performed eminent services on committees usually as chairman. These committees tried to settle differences between towns, groups of inhabitants and boundries between towns. He also helped lay out grants of land and was one of commissioner who supervised critical emergencies in Lancaster and other town. Under this title he also acted as a surveyor. In 1637, the people of Watertown asked Willard and two other men to lay out a plat of land in Concord for 50 to 60 families. In 1638, he proceeded in helping the people of Watertown to move. He also was on a committee on Mr. Gurling's land. In 1640, he was on a committee to assess the value of stock on the Colony rate of Lb 1,206. In 1641, Lt. Simon Willard and three others laid out boundies of the Colony, including Mrs. Marg Winthrop's 3000 acres of land granted to her after the death of her husband. On June 14 of 1642, Simon Willard was one of a committee appointed to levy a rate of Lb 800 upon the various towns of the colony. In 1644, Simon Willard was one of a committee to survey property on the Sudbury River. In 1645, he was on a committee to draw up certain bills for positive laws against lying, swearing, sabbath-breaking, and drunkenness. In May of 1649May, as a committee member he aided in drawing laws regarding the dividing shires and counties. In May of 1649, an order was passed by the Board of Deputies to regulate the practices of physicians, surgeons, midwifes and others requiring them to be ethical. However, Simon Willard was one of 7 deputies who voted against the measure. In May of1650, Captain Willard is chosen Comptroller for the session. In June of 1650, Captain Willard and Sergeant Blood were ordered to lay out the grant for Samuel Haugh. Again in October 1650, Captain Simon Willard was chosen Comptroller for the session where he and two other commissioners were asked to settle the boundaries of Sudbury and Watertown. In May of 1651, Captain Willard and Lt. Goodenow returned to help lay out 2000 acres to be laid out of the town of Watertown.

In 1651, Simon married Elizabeth Dunster. He, holding the position of town clerk, was chosen sergeant major of Middlesex Co. in 1653, was commander in chief of the Narragansett expedition in 1654 and 1655. Another son, Henry Willard, was born in 1655 in Concord, Middlesex, Mass. However, Elizabeth died within the year. His then married Elizabeth’s cousin, Mary Dunster. They had more children together. From his three wives, he had 17 children total. He had children over a period of 40 years, the first grandson, Samuel Edmunds, was older than eight of his aunts and uncles.

Simon Willard also assisted in missions, aiding Eliot and Gookin in their missions to the Indians. In 1641, a company was formed to trade furs with the Indians and they were the only ones legally able to trade with them. Simon Willard was a leader in this mission. They were to give one twentieth of the proceeds to the Treasury for their 3 year exclusive contract. He also was assigned to collect tributes from the Indians on Block Island and other tribes. The Indians were accepting of the whites and wanted to come to their towns and be accepted as equals. The people accepted this offer and the Indians requested the Simon Willard draw up a contract to state their civil and religious intentions.

In 1652 under the commission from the government of the Colony, the river Merrimack was explored by Captain Simon Willard and Captain Edward Johnson as far as lake Winnepseukee. In July 1657, the exclusive right of trading with the Indians on the Merrimack River was sold to Simon Willard, Thomas Henchman, ensign Thomas Wheeler and William Brenton for 25 lbs.

On June 25th of 1658, Major Simon Willard and Thomas Danforth are appointed by the court to audit the account of the treasurer of the county and present what they find to the next County Court in Cambridge. By October Sessions they determined that the trade with the Indians belonged to the Colony and that they had full authority to regulate the trade. Major Willard was appointed one who could trade with the Indians. In the May Sessions of 1659, it is ordered that Major Simon Willard and two others shall hereby are appointed a committee to draw up the order which may prevent deceit in making and dressing of cloths and present the same to the next session of the court. In November of 1659, Simon Willard was one of three judges of the county court to settle the controversy between the estate of Edward Goffe and his son, Samuel Goffe. During that same session, Simon Willard was one of those who made return of the bounds of the Indian plantation called Niticke. In 1659 he sold his Concord homestead and moved to Lancaster.

Major Willards' name heads the list of those who petitioned the General Court in 1663 for independence from outside help and advice and the right to manage their own affairs. His son, Henry Willard continued to live at home after his marriage and he became an active, efficient assistant to his father in performing his multifarious duties as an overburdened public servant with many personal interests.

After 12 years, in 1671, he again removed to Groton and built a house and other buildings and enjoyed his fourth home. He was deputized to hold court in Hampton and Salisbury in 1666 and in Dover and York in 1675.

On the outbreak of the Indian horror known as King Philip's war in 1675 he performed valiant service. In the year 1676, 4000 Indians are in the field ready to attack the whites. King Philip and others killed some whites. The whites caught and executed the Indians; one of them was Philip's brother. This was the spark that brought on the war. The war started in the Plymouth Colony where Philip's father as chief had sold the land to the colonists. By this time, Major Willard was an old man but had been in command of the military in the area for 21 years. Now, with the large number of towns and many young brave men under his command he became active. He endured the hardships and discomforts and dangers of a soldier on the frontier. The town of Brookfield was attacked and burned entirely except one house containing the residents of the town. They would have been killed if it had not been for Major Willard and his force arriving from Groton. Riding with his father's troops to relieve Brookfield they escaped an ambush. He was not hurt but his horse was killed. At this time Major Willard and his family were at Groton. While he was away on military duty, the Indians burned his home. The town of Groton was burned except for 6 fortified homes. 65 dwellings were burned. Major Willard came with forces from Concord to rescue the survivors. The town of Lancaster was burned except for the fortified home of Cyprian Steven's which was fortified and not made of wood. Cyprian Stevens was married to one of Simon Willard's daughters. But Simon Willard went on in his service, directing movements of troops and relief expeditions and bearing untold hardship and strains; he was 71 years old.

Two years after the marriage of Simon’s son, Henry Willard to Mary Lakin in 1674 in Groton, Mass, Simon passed away on April 24, 1676. The month after his home was burned in Groton he was in Charleston, probably resting from his tremendous labors when he caught an " epidemic" cold and died, along with 600 others in the colony. Simon died with his family surrounding him. At his funeral were several hundred soldiers consisting of 3 companies under command of Capt. Sill, Cutler and Holbrook and three companies of horses under command of Captains Brattle, Prentice and Henchman. He would be recorded in history and even remembered in England. A wall plaque records Simon Willard, who went to America and founded the city of Concord, Massachusetts Bay Colony in a 14th Century Church in Kent, England. After the burning of Henry father's mansion by Indians both families moved to Charlestown. Simon dealt liberally with his children and gave Henry a fourth of his estate in his death.

By 1676 the Indians had been practically been exterminated. The Indian, King Philip, was shot by his own men. Many chiefs were executed and many warriors were sold in slavery to the West Indies. Henry remained in the colonies until his death in 1726. Henry built a commodious residence. Henry had seven children by each of his two wives. When he died, he left a good estate and a large heritage of children. He had resided a while in Groton but spent the better part of his life in Lancaster where he died of middle age.

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ID: I0976

Name: Richard Willard

Sex: M

Birth: 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Death: AFT. 18 SEP 1558 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Note:

Note:

From someone who is also a descendant of Richard Willard. Here is what we have on the ancestry.

"WILLARD ANCESTORS

ITALY, FRANCE, and ENGLAND

The Willard family is a very old English and Norman family, and before that, Italian family. The Willards descend from Othon, Count Bianchi di Villard of Naples of the year 1230. When Othon died in 1240, the title passed to his brother, Humbert.

The German persecution drove Count Humbert from his home in Italy and he, with Pope Innocent IV, fled to Lyon, France. Humbert died there in 1260. He left two sons and the youngest, also named Humbert, removed to Marseilles. In 1267 Humbert was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement IV. Cardinal Humbert's youngest son, also named Humbert, became the Commander of the Papal Army in 1306, fought in the Crusade, and was with the Knights of St. John in 1309 at the capture of Rhodes.

The oldest son of Count Humbert was named Othon for his grandfather, and it was he who inherited the title. Othon went to Rouen and from there to Caen. In Caen, he no longer used the title and went only by the name of Villard. In 1310 he was suspected of being disloyal to the French Crown, and he fled with his family to England.

In England, "Henri, Count Willard" (Othon) was awarded grants of land in Sussex and Kent by King Edward III. Later King Richard appointed him a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the five counties. He was also granted a coat of arms described as "Argent a chevron sable between three fish weirs proper five ermine spots." The family motto is Patientia Duris; Endure with strength.

Othon, also known as Henri, Count Willard, was the ancestor of the Willard lines of England. His descendent Richard Willard is the earliest positively identified Willard ancestor of the Stephen line. Richard was a yeoman at Brenchley and was the great grandfather of the American emigrant. Richard's son Symon had two sons, Thomas and Richard. Richard was the father of the emigrant and he lived at Horsemonden, County Kent, England.

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RICHARD WILLARD, of Brenchley, yeoman; will, 1558, 18th September; proved 1558, 24th October. He names "Robert, Alexander,a George, RICHARD, Andrew, SYMON, Thomas, and William, my sons; Alice and Agnes, my daughters. -- Witness, Arthur Willard."

Father: William Willard b: 1474 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Mother: Johanna b: 1474 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Marriage 1 Elizabeth b: 1502 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Married: 1524 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Children

Robert Willard

Alexander Willard

George Willard

Richard Willard

Andrew Willard

Thomas Willard

William Willard

Alice Willard

Agnes Willard

Simon Thomas Willard b: 1530 in Horsmonden, Kent, England

Sources:

"Willard Genealogy," Charles Henry Pope, 1915

Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler on Ancestry.com

Entries: 61472 Updated: Sun Aug 19 13:20:35 2001 Contact: Mary Beth Wheeler <mb@thewheelers.com> Home Page: Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler

Sources:

Title: Pamelia T. Emerson of San Diego, CA - descendant of Asa Stevens, Sr.

Repository:

Call Number:

Media: Book

Eugene Hubbard <hubfam@earthlink.net>

Father: William Willard b: 1474 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Mother: Johanna b: 1474 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Marriage 1 Elizabeth b: 1502 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Married: 1524 in BBrenchley, Kent, England

Children

Robert Willard

Alexander Willard
George Willard
Andrew Willard
Thomas Willard
William Willard
Alice Willard
Agnes Willard
Symon Thomas Willard b: 1530 in Horsmonden, Kent County, England
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ID: I00717

Name: Richard WILLARD 1 2

Sex: M

Birth: 1500 in Brenchley, Co. Kent, England 3

Death: BET 18 SEP AND 24 OCT 1558 in Brenchley, Co. Kent, England 2

Event: Unknown2100 Yeoman at Brenchley, England 2

Reference Number: 728

Note:

http://members.aa.net/~hallock/Ancestors_of_Simon/ances001.htm:

Descendants of Richard Willard

Generation One

1. Richard1 Willard; died between 18 September 1558 and 24 October 1558 at Brenchley, Kent Co., England.1

He was a Yeoman of Brenchley, Kent Co., England.2 He, a yeoman of Brenchley, Kent Co., England, made a will dated on 18 September 1558 and proved 24 Oct 1558 . He names 8 sons and 2 daughters.2,1

The 10 known children of Richard1 Willard and an unknown spouse were as follows:

+ 2. i. Symon2 Willarde, married Elizabeth (--?--).

3. ii. Robert Willard.

4. iii. Alexander Willard.

5. iv. George Willard.

6. v. Richard Willard.

7. vi. Andrew Willard.

8. vii. Thomas Willard.

9. viii. William Willard.

10. ix. Alice Willard.

11. x. Agnes Willard.

• ******************

Genealogy.com

"Family History of Central New York"

Volume I - Page 426

"The surname Willard has been a personal name from ancient times. Earlier than use as a surname, it was a local or place name in England. The coat-of-arms used by many branches of the family is: 'Argent a chevron sable between three fish wiers proper five ermine spots.' Crest: 'A griffin's head erased or.' Motto: Patienta Duris.

"Richard Willard, grandfather of the American immigrant, was a yeoman at Brenchley, England where he died, leaving a will dated September 18, 1558, proved October 4, 1558. Children: Robert; Alexander; George; Richard, mentioned below; Andrew; Symon; Thomas; William; Alice; Agnes."

Father: William WILLARD b: ABT 1470 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Mother: Johan UNKNOWN b: ABT 1474 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Marriage 1 Elizabeth UNKNOWN

Children

Robert Willarde

Alexander Willarde
George Willarde
Richard Willarde
Andrew Willarde
Thomas Willarde
William Willarde
Alice Willarde
Agnes Willarde
Simon Thomas WILLARD b: 1530 in Norsmonden, Kent, England
Sources:

Title: Willard Family Association of America, Inc.

Note: Numerous references and great documentation

Repository:

Note: Willard Family Association Web Site

Media: Internet

Title: Family History of Central New York

Note: Central New York Family Histories

Family History: Early New York Families, 1600s-1900s

Repository:

Note: Genealogy.Com

Media: Electronic

Page: Volume I - Page 426

Title: Family History of Central New York

Note: Central New York Family Histories

Family History: Early New York Families, 1600s-1900s

Repository:

Note: Genealogy.Com

Media: Electronic

-----------------------------------------

1. ID: I00533
2. Name: Richard Willard 1 2
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England 2
5. Birth: 1500 in Brenchley, Kent, England, United Kingdom 2
6. Death: AFT. 18 SEP 1558 in Brenchley, Kent, England 2
7. Death: 18 SEP 1558 in (will Dated), Brenchley, Kent, England 2
8. Change Date: 27 AUG 2000 2
9. Ancestral File #: GT90-C1
10. Burial: 18 SEP 1558 Brenchley, Kent, England 2
11. Christening: Will Dated 2
12. Reference Number: 1491
13. Note:

   Sources:

Title: Pamelia T. Emerson of San Diego, CA - descendant of Asa Stevens, Sr.
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Book
Eugene Hubbard <hubfam@earthlink.net>
Note:
From someone who is also a descendant of Richard Willard. Here is what we have on the ancestry.
"WILLARD ANCESTORS
ITALY, FRANCE, and ENGLAND
The Willard family is a very old English and Norman family, and before that, Italian family. The Willards descend from Othon, Count Bianchi di Villard of Naples of the year 1230. When Othon died in 1240, the title passed to his brother, Humbert.
The German persecution drove Count Humbert from his home in Italy and he, with Pope Innocent IV, fled to Lyon, France. Humbert died there in 1260. He left two sons and the youngest, also named Humbert, removed to Marseilles. In 1267 Humbert was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement IV. Cardinal Humbert's youngest son, also named Humbert, became the Commander of the Papal Army in 1306, fought in the Crusade, and was with the Knights of St. John in 1309 at the capture of Rhodes.
The oldest son of Count Humbert was named Othon for his grandfather, and it was he who inherited the title. Othon went to Rouen and from there to Caen. In Caen, he no longer used the title and went only by the name of Villard. In 1310 he was suspected of being disloyal to the French Crown, and he fled with his family to England.
In England, "Henri, Count Willard" (Othon) was awarded grants of land in Sussex and Kent by King Edward III. Later King Richard appointed him a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the five counties. He was also granted a coat of arms described as "Argent a chevron sable between three fish weirs proper five ermine spots." The family motto is Patientia Duris; Endure with strength.
Othon, also known as Henri, Count Willard, was the ancestor of the Willard lines of England. His descendent Richard Willard is the earliest positively identified Willard ancestor of the Stephen line. Richard was a yeoman at Brenchley and was the great grandfather of the American emigrant. Richard's son Symon had two sons, Thomas and Richard. Richard was the father of the emigrant and he lived at Horsemonden, County Kent, England.
Sources:
"Willard Genealogy," Charles Henry Pope, 1915
Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler on Ancestry.com
Entries: 61472 Updated: Sun Aug 19 13:20:35 2001 Contact: Mary Beth Wheeler <mb@thewheelers.com> Home Page: Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler
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RICHARD WILLARD, of Brenchley, yeoman; will, 1558, 18th September; proved 1558, 24th October. He names "Robert, Alexander,a George, RICHARD, Andrew, SYMON, Thomas, and William, my sons; Alice and Agnes, my daughters. -- Witness, Arthur Willard."[WILLARDEzra.FBK]
Sources:
Title: Pamelia T. Emerson of San Diego, CA - descendant of Asa Stevens, Sr.
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Book
Eugene Hubbard <hubfam@earthlink.net>
Note:
From someone who is also a descendant of Richard Willard. Here is what we have on the ancestry.
"WILLARD ANCESTORS
ITALY, FRANCE, and ENGLAND
The Willard family is a very old English and Norman family, and before that, Italian family. The Willards descend from Othon, Count Bianchi di Villard of Naples of the year 1230. When Othon died in 1240, the title passed to his brother, Humbert.
The German persecution drove Count Humbert from his home in Italy and he, with Pope Innocent IV, fled to Lyon, France. Humbert died there in 1260. He left two sons and the youngest, also named Humbert, removed to Marseilles. In 1267 Humbert was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement IV. Cardinal Humbert's youngest son, also named Humbert, became the Commander of the Papal Army in 1306, fought in the Crusade, and was with the Knights of St. John in 1309 at the capture of Rhodes.
The oldest son of Count Humbert was named Othon for his grandfather, and it was he who inherited the title. Othon went to Rouen and from there to Caen. In Caen, he no longer used the title and went only by the name of Villard. In 1310 he was suspected of being disloyal to the French Crown, and he fled with his family to England.
In England, "Henri, Count Willard" (Othon) was awarded grants of land in Sussex and Kent by King Edward III. Later King Richard appointed him a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the five counties. He was also granted a coat of arms described as "Argent a chevron sable between three fish weirs proper five ermine spots." The family motto is Patientia Duris; Endure with strength.
Othon, also known as Henri, Count Willard, was the ancestor of the Willard lines of England. His descendent Richard Willard is the earliest positively identified Willard ancestor of the Stephen line. Richard was a yeoman at Brenchley and was the great grandfather of the American emigrant. Richard's son Symon had two sons, Thomas and Richard. Richard was the father of the emigrant and he lived at Horsemonden, County Kent, England.
Sources:
"Willard Genealogy," Charles Henry Pope, 1915
Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler on Ancestry.com
Entries: 61472 Updated: Sun Aug 19 13:20:35 2001 Contact: Mary Beth Wheeler <mb@thewheelers.com> Home Page: Ancestry of Bob and Mary Beth Wheeler
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
RICHARD WILLARD, of Brenchley, yeoman; will, 1558, 18th September; proved 1558, 24th October. He names "Robert, Alexander,a George, RICHARD, Andrew, SYMON, Thomas, and William, my sons; Alice and Agnes, my daughters. -- Witness, Arthur Willard."
Father: William Willard b: ABT. 1470 in Of Brenchley, Kent, England

Mother: Johanna b: ABT. 1474 in Of Brenchley, Kent, England

Marriage 1 Elizabeth b: 1502 in Brenchley, Kent, England

   * Married: 1524 in Brenchley, Kent, England

Children

  1. Has No Children Robert Willard

2. Has No Children Alexander Willard
3. Has No Children George Willard
4. Has No Children Richard Willard
5. Has No Children Andrew Willard
6. Has No Children Thomas Willard
7. Has No Children William Willard
8. Has No Children Alice Willard
9. Has No Children Agnes Willard
10. Has Children Simon Willard b: 1530 in Horsmonden, Kent, England, Documented
Sources:

  1. Title: Pedigree Resource File CD 11

Publication: (Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc., 2000)
2. Title: WILLARDEzra.FBK
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Other
Text: Date of Import: Nov 19, 2002
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The 3 Willard crests shown here were for some Willard family in England.

It has the motto: Gauet Patientia Duris, meaning, Patience Endures Hardship, or Patience rejoiceth in hardships.

The crest on the right is a little different. It belonged to a different Willard man.

One of these crests probably belonged to Thomas Willard, Esquire, Eastbourne, County Sussex, England, from the time of Edward III, 1327

Related Books:

The Maryland Germans: A history

1948, by Dieter Cunz

A History of Shenandoah County, Virginia

1998, by John Wayland

The Willard Family in America

Though different Willard families came to America from England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and France, etc., it appears that most all branches originated in Normandy, France in some distant past and their name was originally "Vieillard." [probably pronounced, "vee-yar"]. Though the name was in Normandy, France in the 1100's one source says that it can be traced back to the Roman Empire. So, since were Villards in Italy they may have been there before France.

[Spelling variations include: Wyllard, Wielard, Wilard, Williard, Willarde, Willardye, Willart, Willerd, Willar, Williar, Wollard, Woolard, also Villard, Villiard, Vielliar, Vieillard, Lilliard, and Gilliard.] The website that sells family crests has the same English crest for Villiard as for Willard. In the early family groups, 1700's and before, you often find these variations of spelling (W and V) even within the same family group, or for the same person.

Henry Willard, the earliest ancestor I can locate in my line shows up about 1783 in Shenandoah County, Virginia [settled mostly by Germans but also had some Scotch-Irish and English] and marries a Kuntz girl from a German-speaking family. It was common for people to marry into their own language group, and it is very likely that his family came from Germany. Nothing yet is known about Henry's parents, though I am exploring the possiblity that they may have been a part of the German Willard group in Frederick County, Maryland.

Shenandoah County, Virginia, was first settled by 70 Quaker families who moved into the vicinity of Winchester in 1730 from the New Garden Quaker community in Chester County, Pennsylvania. About 15 years later 64 more families moved into the same area under the sponsorship of Benjamin Borden, a Quaker turned Baptist, from Freehold, New Jersey. As incentive, these early homesteaders received 1,000 acres per family.

Willards in Europe:

• Some variation of this family name was found in the English county of Sussex where they were Lords of the Manor at Eastborne, having been granted lands by King William the Conqueror for their assistance in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 (meaning that they came to England from France with William). The earliest Willard listed in the Doomsday list was: "Wihelardus de Trophil lived in Kent, 1168". In Leeds Castle hangs a painting of a man named "Villar".
• "Richard Willard, father of Margery, the wife of Captain Dolar Davis, lived at Horsmonden, East Fairleigh, Kent County, England, it being claimed that he was a lineal descendant of Richard Willard, Baron of the Cinque Ports, in the time of Richard II. The Willard family of Eastbourne, Sussex, England, originally named Villiard, came from Caen, Normandy," France. [from a history book about the Allegheny Valley.]

This Richard Willard was a descendant of Humbert, Count Bianchi Di Villard, 1240 in France. Humbert's son Othon had to flee to England where the King gave him the title, "Henri, Count Willard." Henri was the great-grandfather of Richard.

• There were also several Villiards in French Canada. One of these Canadian families came from Germany: Germain Villiard (or Villliars), b abt 1700 in Germany; his father was Henri Villiard, b abt 1680 in Germany.
• The was also a Dutch Willard family. Jan Cornelisse Willard (Willert) was born about 1692.
• The German Willards (Nicolaus Vieillard) appear to have settled in the middle colonies of America; the English Willards settled in New England.

Some Willard branches in America:

• 1634 - Simon Willard, brother George Willard and sister Margery Davis came to New England from Horsmonden, Kent, England. Simon bought Concord (Mass) from the native Indians. He left a wonderful letter to his descendants.
• 1654 - Richard Willard (from England) settled in Virginia.
• There was a Benjamin Villiard who was born in 1700 in Warsaw Co, Va (or in France) and died in 1791 in Culpepper Co, Va. He married Frances Crow and their son was John "Lilliard".
• There was a famous American industrialist named Henry Villard, who was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1835; came to America in 1853.
• Royal Willard, born about 1792 in Virginia; moved to Georgia by 1850. Another Royal Willard b in 1784 in Massachusetts.

Also John Willard, b 1796, Va; moved to Georgia.

• In SC there was a John Willard (b abt 1805)
• There was a William Willard (b 1765) who married Sally Gauldin (25 Aug 1790 in Prince Edward Co., VA). Their daughter, Rhoda (b 14 Mar 1822 in Prince Edward Co., VA) married Nicholas Fisher.
• 1746 - DeWalt Theobald Willard & Johann Peter Willard, Hans Caspar, brothers (Jacob-2, Nicholas-1),

DeWalt Willard was b 1711 in Germany; d 1782 in Middletown, Frederick Co, MD.

Johan Peter Williard, b 1714 Erlenbach, Germany, d 1794 Frederick Co., MD.

DeWalt, Peter & Caspar were sons of Jacob Williard who was from Upper Mallingea, Paltz, Germany. Jacob's sons first settled in Pennsylvania in the 1740's.

Right now I am interested in this German family in Maryland as possibly connected to my Henry/Harry Willard--though I may be wrong. . . .

The earliest Villiard to be found in this German line is Nicolaus Vieillard (grandfather of DeWalt & Peter), b 1635 in Sdan, France; d 1680 Palatinate, Germany. He had a brother named Pierre and a cousin named Pierre. Sometime around 1660, the 3 of them had to flee to Germany because they were Huguenots. About 80 years later, Nicholas' grandsons came to America. The 3 Vieillards settled in the Pfalz region of Germany, near Kaiserslautern, where there was already a good sized community of the French Reformed Church.

Historical note: In 1660 there were 1,800,000 Huguenots in France; by 1700 there were only 400,000. Persecution of the Huguenots in France was going on by 1520s. There were 8 civil wars over this issue with varying degrees of peace and conflict. In 1685, Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had given equal rights to Huguenots. This revocation meant that Protestantism was forbidden under threat of death. This led to the emigration of at least 300,000 Huguenots. About 100,000 went to the Netherlands, another 100,000 went to America, England, Ireland, and about 100,000 went to Germany and Switzerland. Some (maybe from Holland) eventually went to South Africa. Germany was actually happy to receive the Protestants, not only because of their common beliefs but because they needed to repopulate some areas that had been depleted after the Thirty Years War.

In 1663 Nicolaus married Katherine Grosjean, who was also born in France and was a part of the same Protestant community in Germany.

Nicholas & Katherine had 7 children. Their oldest son was Jakob Williard, b 1667, Otterberg, Pflaz, Germany. It is thought that he was a surgeon and died in 1717 (age 50), leaving his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Gordier/Cordier, b France, was 35 when Jakob died), and 3 sons: Caspar, Dewalt Theobald, and Johann Peter. During the 1740's Jacob's wife and sons emigrated to America, along with a relative, Catherine. They spoke German and joined the German community here. They didn't all come at the same time.

Caspar came first and settled in York Co, Pa., as did his cousin's family (Anna, daughter of Pierre, who married Abraham Cherdron).

Then Mary Elizabeth came with son Peter and his family in 1744. They entered through the port at Philadelphia and joined Caspar in York Co.

Finally DeWalt came the same route in 1750 (possibly leaving some of his older children in Germany).

Eventually everyone except Caspar left York County and moved a little south into Maryland to the Monacacy region around Frederick, where there was another large population of Germans.

Peter and his mother settled north of Frederick near Thurmont, where they joined the Graceham Moravian Church and were buried in the church cemetery. Mary Elizabeth died in 1770 (age 88).

Peter's first American-born son, Johann George moved to Salem, Carolina (now Winston-Salem, NC) where he became a Moravian pioneer and left many descendants, who began to spell their name "Willyard" and other variations.

Peter also had 2 daughters: Catherina (1767) & Maria Elizabeth (b 1760, Graceham, Frederick Co, MD). Maria Elizabeth married Christian Thomas Harbaugh in 1780 in Graceham, Frederick Co, MD. Maria named one of her sons Henry.

DeWalt's family lived in Burkittsville, a little west of Frederick, MD. He and his family stayed in Frederick Co, MD. DeWalt died when he was 75 and was buried on his farm. DeWalt's sons were Elias Willard & DeWalt Jr. Elias was 12 years old in 1852 when his father bought land in Burkittsville. Elias & DeWalt Jr. fought in the French and Indian War and also in the Revolutionary War in the Maryland militia.

Frederick Co, MD has many early Willards. The "History of Frederick Co., MD" lists a George Willard (1770-1849, m Susannah Culler; son of Elias, who was a Huguenot, driven from France to Germany, then came to the US); also a John and John Henry and William H. & William K. (no dates), also a Martin O. (1828-1883).

Willards in Virginia:

1790 census - none (there should be a Henry Willard in Halifax Co)

1800 census - none

1810 census - Frederick Co: Jacob Williard

       Prince Edward Co: William (p493: 11010-20110) Abner, Henry (p493: 00010-00111) & Huriah? Willard

Campbell Co: John Willard
Monongalia Co: George (00100-00100), Henry (30111-12011) & Jac (20010-0010) Willard (all on p851)
1820 census - Campbell Co: John & Richd Willard

       Caroline Co: James Willard

Halifax Co: Agness & Susannah Willard (both in Marseilles)
Lunenburg Co: Uriah Willard
Prince Edward Co: Henry & William Willard
Willards in Maryland:

1790 census -

        Frederick Co, p214: Andrew (1-3-4), John (1-6-1), Peter (1-0-2), Philip (1-3-2) Williard

Frederick Co, p225: Davolt (or David?, 2-?-3) (or maybe Dewalt, but it looks like "Dav" for sure)
Frederick Co, p226: Elias Wilyard (3-5-6), Philip Wilyard (3-2-5)
1800 census - Frederick Co, 2nd Dist: George Willard (00010-21100)

       Frederick Co, 3rd Dist, p785: Jacob Wilyard (10010-40010)

1810 census - Frederick Co: A, A, D, E, E, E Jr, G, J, J, J, J, J Wilyard

1820 census - Baltimore Co: Fredk (5-wd), Salem (1-wd) Williard?

There was a William Willard who married in Shenandoah Co, Va. abt 1855, and there was a William Willard who was involved in a land transaction in Russell Co, Va. while Henry lived there. So in searching for William Willard, this is what I've found:

William H. Willard who married Catherine, b July 18, 1833; she was buried at St. Marys Pine Church Cem, Mt. Jackson, Shenandoah Co, VA.
Henry Willard, married Jane Ann Liggett, July 7, 1826, Shenandoah Co, VA.
William Willard born in Loudoun County, Virginia, in 1755; he entered the service in July, 1778, serving under Capt. James Ratekin and Col. Abraham Shepherd. Later he served with Capt. William Douglass and Col. William Russell; was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis. He first resided in Morgan County, Illinois, but died in Emmet Township, McDonough County, near Colchester, Nov 9, 1846.

William Willard - The parents of William WILLARD, are suspected of coming from Augusta Co. Va., sometime previous to 1755. Siblings of William are: Isaac, Joseph, Ann, Jean, Elendar, John & Mary WILLARD<br/>

Below is MY Willard lineage

[I have not been able to connect to any of the immigrant families yet.]

If you have additions/corrections, please email me.

I am a great-granddaughter of #4. Joseph Martin Willard.

1. Henry "Harry" Willard, b abt 1766, Va. (maybe Germantown); m "Lizzy" (Elizabeth or Malissa) Counts [his link has pictures, etc.]

   Sons of Henry: (he also had some daughters)

- Martin (see #2 below)
- James [link with pictures]
- Henry Jr. [linked to rootsweb]
2. Martin Willard, b 1793, Va; m Mary "Polly" Lindsey [link with pictures]

   Children of Martin:

- Squire [linked with pictures]
- - Daniel David [link with lots of pictures]
- William Henry [link with pictures]
- Elizabeth Jane [linked to rootsweb]
- John (see #3 below)
- Nathan
- Polly Ann [linked to rootsweb]
3. John Willard, b 1839, Mo; m Sarah Jane Colyott [both links have lots of pictures]

   Children of John:

- Joseph Martin - (see #4 below)
- Squire [linked to rootsweb]
- Evan [linked to rootsweb]
- Polly Ann "Sissie" [linked to rootsweb]
- Lilla Jane [linked to rootsweb]
- Telitha "Lithie" [linked to rootsweb]
- Stonewall Jackson [linked to rootsweb]
- Sarah Dove "Dovie" [linked to rootsweb]
- Linnie N. [linked to rootsweb]
- Fred Charles [linked to rootsweb]
- John Jr. "Johnny Smoker" [linked to rootsweb]
4 Joseph Martin Willard, b 1865, Mo; m Susan Rhoda Spurlock [link with pictures]

   - Gertrude

- Albert (my grandfather) - Willard poetry - poems by Albert and Maymie Willard
- Arthur
- Walter
- Wayne
- Cecil Ben
Martin Willard (#2 above) moved to Oregon Co, Missouri about 1855 and settled in the community now called Rover in Highland township. Many of his descendants still live there today.

ROVER: Early settlers in the Rover community included Willard, Elliott, Murphy, White, Redburn, King, Jolliff, Andrews, Judd, Perkins, Moore, Fowler, Trantham, Rose, Roberts, Kinyon, French, House, and Huddleston. The Rover Post Office, 1900-1945, was usually in the country store. Bertie Habulzel was an early postmistress. Josh Murphy had a combination store and post office. Ed White had a store, as did his son, Ezra. C.S. Gohn taught school at Rover in 1900 with 85 pupils, grades 1-8. When the citizens of Rover first applied for a post office, the name submitted was "Dogtown." The name was rejected by the postal authorities; therefore, Rover was chosen. This name changed happened in the 1920's. Before that time the newspaper listed this community as "Grabb."

Map of Oregon County

Jolliff cemetery where John Willard and some others are buried is off 160 hwy, half way between the turn off to Rover and the turn off to Thomasville.

Willard Site map: Willard line - Henry - James - Martin - Squire - Wm. Henry - John - David - Jos. Martin - home

If you would like to check my database to see if the information on your family is correct, go to my ancestor file then search for the name of one of your ancestors. (Only those born before 1930 or no longer living are listed by name. I have names of the living, but they are not displayed in the online database.) Please email me if there are any corrections or additions!!

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Name Richard Willard [622]

Birth bef 1500 [622]

Death bef 24 Oct 1558 [622]

Spouses

Unmarried

Children Symon (-<1584)

Notes for Richard Willard

He was said to be of "Brenchley, Co. Kent, England." [622]

"Burke's Heraldic Register gives the origin of the Willard family: Caen, Normandie, France. Tradition affirms that the celebrated Admiral Coligny was of the house of the French Willard (Villiard). An American member of the family traveling in France on the borders of Switzerland and Germany found Willards who claimed to be of ancient Franch lineage. The Williard family was fully established in England in the reign of William the Conqueror. In five instances, the name Wielard (Wielardus) and Wilard (Wilardus) is found in the Domesday Book at the time of the Survey. It may be that the five names refer to one and the same individual - a follower of the Conqueror, who received his share of the English spoils. Owing to the poor orthography of olden times, the name appears spelled - Wellard,Willihard, Wilard, Willarde, Wylard, and Wihelard. This surname is found in the Subsidy rolls, and other documents of the couties of Sussex and Kent.

'Wihelardus de Trophil lived in Kent, 1168.

Wilard, Willielmus 2 and 3 Henry III 1218. One of the provosts of Canterbury, Kent.

Wilard de Pikeden 1227, Kent.

Wylard, Nicholas 23 Edward I 1304-05, 11th and 7th Com. sussex, rape of Pevensey (chiefly within fifeen or twenty miles of the border of Kent, on the side next to Horsmonden, Branchley, etc.).

Willard, Lawrence and Thomas Edward III. 1327, XXth Com Sussex, rape of Pevensey.

Willarde, John Sen. and Jr. 26 Henry VIII. 1535, Kent, hundred of Berkeley.' " [622]

"The Coat of Arms was used a century and a half ago by Thomas Willard, Esquire, Eastbourne, County Sussex, England. It is from the time of Edward III, 1327. The Herlad's College describes it, as follows:

'Arms - Argent (Silver), a chevron ermines between three weals proper.

Crest - Upon a wreath of six twists in the tinctures of the field, argent and sable, alternating, a griffin's head erased 'or' (gold).

Motto - Gaudet Patientia Duris. 'Patience rejoiceth in hardships.'

Significance. Argent denotes purity - black or sable, a family of remote lineage. Chevron represents a seat or estate. Ermines, also called Armines, furs from Armenia. weels indicate fishing privileges - Weel, also spelled Weal, an obsolete or provincial word derived from Willy, a willow basket, a kind of trap or snare for fish. In heraldry, Weal (Weel) is a bearing representing a kind of eel-pot. Apparently this charge or mark on the shield is suggestive of the name Williard, which is called canting, or a play on the name. The helmet in three-quarters profile is in the degree of an Esquire. The griffin, a fabled creature, heald-eagle, half-lion, represents swiftness and agility. '" [622]

"In the southeastern part of Kent, England, lie the retired parishes of Brenchley, Gowthurst, and Horsmonden. A farm in Brenchley still retains the name of Willard's and there is a place near Tunbridge Wells called 'Willard's Hill.' In thie neighborhood can be traced in the Willard genealogy definite records of the following three generations:

I. RICHARD WILLARD of Brenchley, yeoman, made his will, September 18, 1558, proved October 24, 1558. He had sons named Robert, Alexander, George, Richard, Andrew, Symon, Thomas, and William, and two daughters, Alice and Agnes." [622], [694]

"See notes upon this will on page 63 of the Memoir. Mr. Waters (page xiv) believes this Richard was grand-father, not father, of III Richard Willard. He quotes a will of Andrew Willard in 1562 who mentions brothers William and George and sons Thomas and Richard, tokens that he was one of the sons of Richard above." [694]

• Richard's death information [his Last Will & Testament was made on 18 September 1558] is available in History of Charlestown, NH - Fort No. 4, by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson, published 1876, page 2.
• Richard was a yeoman.

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GEDCOM Note

2 AGE 57-58

Ancestral File Number:<AFN> GT90-C1