Willard was a child of Thomas W. (born circa 1832) and Elizabeth Jane Morgan (born circa 1836) Knowles, who were from the Bethel-Blades-Woodland portion of Broad Creek Hundred, Sussex County. They wed in 1854.
Willard's first wife was Susan A. Kirby (c1876-1900), whom he wed in 1895. The couple's marriage produced two children (Willard's only two), Ella Elizabeth (1896-1957 - wife, first, of William P. Hagerty, in 1911, then of [for the remainder of her life] Benjamin Owen Wilson [c1881-1958, of Lewes, Sussex County], in 1914) and Thomas Wallace "Wallace" Knowles (1897-1973 - husband of Clara Elizabeth Thompson [1897-1982]).
Following Susie's death, Willard remarried at least three times, to: Mary "Hannah May" Conwell (c1874-1913), in 1901; Ella B. Parker (c1872-1931), marriage year unknown; and Jessie L. Duncan Stanley (his previously-married widow - born in TN in 1904, died 1995), in Seaford, Sussex County, in 1933.
Willard's siblings: Rebecca J. (c1856-1925, wife of Isaac J. Hastings), Thomas J. (born circa 1853, husband of Mary E. Massey), Arzilla Catherine (c1859-1921, wife of Daniel Shepard Massey), Jacob Wesley (c1861-1918, husband of, first, Ella Abbott, then Caroline "Callie" Quillen Merritt, then Mary H. Bosman Johnson), Francis "Frank" A. (c1865-1933, husband of Viola "Ollie" E. O'Day), Charlotte L. (born circa 1865, wife, supposedly, of Henry Smith), and remaining sisters Zebbsy (born circa 1868), Eben "Eba" (born circa 1866), and Ola "Olie" E. (c1875-1939, wife of James A. Parsons).
Willard resided most of his life in the Woodland-Seaford area. He died in Beebe Hospital, in Lewes, from lockjaw, after stepping, with his right foot, on a rusty nail on 23 May 1936 while working on his farm in Woodland.
Following is a complete transcription of his Last Will and Testament:
I Willard S. Knowles aged 62 years of Woodland Sussex County Delaware being of sound and disposing mind and good memory do make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made ---------
I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Wallace Knowles the sum of Five Dollars $5.00/100
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellie Elizabeth Knowles the sum of Five Dollars ($5.00/100) ---------
I give bequeath and devise all my other property both Real . Personal to my beloved wife Jessie L. Knowles to her heirs administrators Executors and assigns forever ---------
I appoint my wife Jessie L. Knowles Executor of this will _ _ _
I direct that this Will be read to those assembled at my grave
Witnesses Willard S. Knowles
Walter M Loker
Harry L. Wheatley
Lillian A. Wheatley
Geo. E. Loker
June 13 - 1935
The following passage, published in 1994 in a booklet titled "Recipes and Remembrances of Woodland" by the Woodland Ferry Association, seems to refer to this Willard Knowles, though the 1947 reference, if accurate, would invalidate that possibility:
"The Woodland Post Office was constructed in the mid 1800's as a one-story one-room house. Trees, forming the floor joists, run the width of this old house. Seemingly, several families 'set up housekeeping' here in what was once known as the Johnson home. A second story was added on in 1947, and while working on this addition, Mr. Will Knowles stepped on a rusty nail, developed lockjaw, and died a painful death."
Despite an extensive careful search throughout the Bethel-Woodland-Seaford-Blades-Concord area for the tombstone of any Knowles male, particularly a William, who died in or about 1947, none could be found, thus adding to the likelihood that the Woodland Post Office story recounted above is, indeed, about Willard Saulsbury Knowles who the present memorial tribute is about.
Although Willard's Last Will and Testament, as well as his tombstone, suggest that his birth year was 1873 (or 1874), compelling evidence to the contrary exists that suggests his birth year more likely was 1876.
Willard's first wife was Susan A. Kirby (c1876-1900), whom he wed in 1895. The couple's marriage produced two children (Willard's only two), Ella Elizabeth (1896-1957 - wife, first, of William P. Hagerty, in 1911, then of [for the remainder of her life] Benjamin Owen Wilson [c1881-1958, of Lewes, Sussex County], in 1914) and Thomas Wallace "Wallace" Knowles (1897-1973 - husband of Clara Elizabeth Thompson [1897-1982]).
Following Susie's death, Willard remarried at least three times, to: Mary "Hannah May" Conwell (c1874-1913), in 1901; Ella B. Parker (c1872-1931), marriage year unknown; and Jessie L. Duncan Stanley (his previously-married widow - born in TN in 1904, died 1995), in Seaford, Sussex County, in 1933.
Willard's siblings: Rebecca J. (c1856-1925, wife of Isaac J. Hastings), Thomas J. (born circa 1853, husband of Mary E. Massey), Arzilla Catherine (c1859-1921, wife of Daniel Shepard Massey), Jacob Wesley (c1861-1918, husband of, first, Ella Abbott, then Caroline "Callie" Quillen Merritt, then Mary H. Bosman Johnson), Francis "Frank" A. (c1865-1933, husband of Viola "Ollie" E. O'Day), Charlotte L. (born circa 1865, wife, supposedly, of Henry Smith), and remaining sisters Zebbsy (born circa 1868), Eben "Eba" (born circa 1866), and Ola "Olie" E. (c1875-1939, wife of James A. Parsons).
Willard resided most of his life in the Woodland-Seaford area. He died in Beebe Hospital, in Lewes, from lockjaw, after stepping, with his right foot, on a rusty nail on 23 May 1936 while working on his farm in Woodland.
Following is a complete transcription of his Last Will and Testament:
I Willard S. Knowles aged 62 years of Woodland Sussex County Delaware being of sound and disposing mind and good memory do make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made ---------
I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Wallace Knowles the sum of Five Dollars $5.00/100
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellie Elizabeth Knowles the sum of Five Dollars ($5.00/100) ---------
I give bequeath and devise all my other property both Real . Personal to my beloved wife Jessie L. Knowles to her heirs administrators Executors and assigns forever ---------
I appoint my wife Jessie L. Knowles Executor of this will _ _ _
I direct that this Will be read to those assembled at my grave
Witnesses Willard S. Knowles
Walter M Loker
Harry L. Wheatley
Lillian A. Wheatley
Geo. E. Loker
June 13 - 1935
The following passage, published in 1994 in a booklet titled "Recipes and Remembrances of Woodland" by the Woodland Ferry Association, seems to refer to this Willard Knowles, though the 1947 reference, if accurate, would invalidate that possibility:
"The Woodland Post Office was constructed in the mid 1800's as a one-story one-room house. Trees, forming the floor joists, run the width of this old house. Seemingly, several families 'set up housekeeping' here in what was once known as the Johnson home. A second story was added on in 1947, and while working on this addition, Mr. Will Knowles stepped on a rusty nail, developed lockjaw, and died a painful death."
Despite an extensive careful search throughout the Bethel-Woodland-Seaford-Blades-Concord area for the tombstone of any Knowles male, particularly a William, who died in or about 1947, none could be found, thus adding to the likelihood that the Woodland Post Office story recounted above is, indeed, about Willard Saulsbury Knowles who the present memorial tribute is about.
Although Willard's Last Will and Testament, as well as his tombstone, suggest that his birth year was 1873 (or 1874), compelling evidence to the contrary exists that suggests his birth year more likely was 1876.
Willard was a child of Thomas W. (born circa 1832) and Elizabeth Jane Morgan (born circa 1836) Knowles, who were from the Bethel-Blades-Woodland portion of Broad Creek Hundred, Sussex County. They wed in 1854.
Willard's first wife was Susan A. Kirby (c1876-1900), whom he wed in 1895. The couple's marriage produced two children (Willard's only two), Ella Elizabeth (1896-1957 - wife, first, of William P. Hagerty, in 1911, then of [for the remainder of her life] Benjamin Owen Wilson [c1881-1958, of Lewes, Sussex County], in 1914) and Thomas Wallace "Wallace" Knowles (1897-1973 - husband of Clara Elizabeth Thompson [1897-1982]).
Following Susie's death, Willard remarried at least three times, to: Mary "Hannah May" Conwell (c1874-1913), in 1901; Ella B. Parker (c1872-1931), marriage year unknown; and Jessie L. Duncan Stanley (his previously-married widow - born in TN in 1904, died 1995), in Seaford, Sussex County, in 1933.
Willard's siblings: Rebecca J. (c1856-1925, wife of Isaac J. Hastings), Thomas J. (born circa 1853, husband of Mary E. Massey), Arzilla Catherine (c1859-1921, wife of Daniel Shepard Massey), Jacob Wesley (c1861-1918, husband of, first, Ella Abbott, then Caroline "Callie" Quillen Merritt, then Mary H. Bosman Johnson), Francis "Frank" A. (c1865-1933, husband of Viola "Ollie" E. O'Day), Charlotte L. (born circa 1865, wife, supposedly, of Henry Smith), and remaining sisters Zebbsy (born circa 1868), Eben "Eba" (born circa 1866), and Ola "Olie" E. (c1875-1939, wife of James A. Parsons).
Willard resided most of his life in the Woodland-Seaford area. He died in Beebe Hospital, in Lewes, from lockjaw, after stepping, with his right foot, on a rusty nail on 23 May 1936 while working on his farm in Woodland.
Following is a complete transcription of his Last Will and Testament:
I Willard S. Knowles aged 62 years of Woodland Sussex County Delaware being of sound and disposing mind and good memory do make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made ---------
I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Wallace Knowles the sum of Five Dollars $5.00/100
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellie Elizabeth Knowles the sum of Five Dollars ($5.00/100) ---------
I give bequeath and devise all my other property both Real . Personal to my beloved wife Jessie L. Knowles to her heirs administrators Executors and assigns forever ---------
I appoint my wife Jessie L. Knowles Executor of this will _ _ _
I direct that this Will be read to those assembled at my grave
Witnesses Willard S. Knowles
Walter M Loker
Harry L. Wheatley
Lillian A. Wheatley
Geo. E. Loker
June 13 - 1935
The following passage, published in 1994 in a booklet titled "Recipes and Remembrances of Woodland" by the Woodland Ferry Association, seems to refer to this Willard Knowles, though the 1947 reference, if accurate, would invalidate that possibility:
"The Woodland Post Office was constructed in the mid 1800's as a one-story one-room house. Trees, forming the floor joists, run the width of this old house. Seemingly, several families 'set up housekeeping' here in what was once known as the Johnson home. A second story was added on in 1947, and while working on this addition, Mr. Will Knowles stepped on a rusty nail, developed lockjaw, and died a painful death."
Despite an extensive careful search throughout the Bethel-Woodland-Seaford-Blades-Concord area for the tombstone of any Knowles male, particularly a William, who died in or about 1947, none could be found, thus adding to the likelihood that the Woodland Post Office story recounted above is, indeed, about Willard Saulsbury Knowles who the present memorial tribute is about.
Although Willard's Last Will and Testament, as well as his tombstone, suggest that his birth year was 1873 (or 1874), compelling evidence to the contrary exists that suggests his birth year more likely was 1876.
Willard's first wife was Susan A. Kirby (c1876-1900), whom he wed in 1895. The couple's marriage produced two children (Willard's only two), Ella Elizabeth (1896-1957 - wife, first, of William P. Hagerty, in 1911, then of [for the remainder of her life] Benjamin Owen Wilson [c1881-1958, of Lewes, Sussex County], in 1914) and Thomas Wallace "Wallace" Knowles (1897-1973 - husband of Clara Elizabeth Thompson [1897-1982]).
Following Susie's death, Willard remarried at least three times, to: Mary "Hannah May" Conwell (c1874-1913), in 1901; Ella B. Parker (c1872-1931), marriage year unknown; and Jessie L. Duncan Stanley (his previously-married widow - born in TN in 1904, died 1995), in Seaford, Sussex County, in 1933.
Willard's siblings: Rebecca J. (c1856-1925, wife of Isaac J. Hastings), Thomas J. (born circa 1853, husband of Mary E. Massey), Arzilla Catherine (c1859-1921, wife of Daniel Shepard Massey), Jacob Wesley (c1861-1918, husband of, first, Ella Abbott, then Caroline "Callie" Quillen Merritt, then Mary H. Bosman Johnson), Francis "Frank" A. (c1865-1933, husband of Viola "Ollie" E. O'Day), Charlotte L. (born circa 1865, wife, supposedly, of Henry Smith), and remaining sisters Zebbsy (born circa 1868), Eben "Eba" (born circa 1866), and Ola "Olie" E. (c1875-1939, wife of James A. Parsons).
Willard resided most of his life in the Woodland-Seaford area. He died in Beebe Hospital, in Lewes, from lockjaw, after stepping, with his right foot, on a rusty nail on 23 May 1936 while working on his farm in Woodland.
Following is a complete transcription of his Last Will and Testament:
I Willard S. Knowles aged 62 years of Woodland Sussex County Delaware being of sound and disposing mind and good memory do make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made ---------
I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Wallace Knowles the sum of Five Dollars $5.00/100
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellie Elizabeth Knowles the sum of Five Dollars ($5.00/100) ---------
I give bequeath and devise all my other property both Real . Personal to my beloved wife Jessie L. Knowles to her heirs administrators Executors and assigns forever ---------
I appoint my wife Jessie L. Knowles Executor of this will _ _ _
I direct that this Will be read to those assembled at my grave
Witnesses Willard S. Knowles
Walter M Loker
Harry L. Wheatley
Lillian A. Wheatley
Geo. E. Loker
June 13 - 1935
The following passage, published in 1994 in a booklet titled "Recipes and Remembrances of Woodland" by the Woodland Ferry Association, seems to refer to this Willard Knowles, though the 1947 reference, if accurate, would invalidate that possibility:
"The Woodland Post Office was constructed in the mid 1800's as a one-story one-room house. Trees, forming the floor joists, run the width of this old house. Seemingly, several families 'set up housekeeping' here in what was once known as the Johnson home. A second story was added on in 1947, and while working on this addition, Mr. Will Knowles stepped on a rusty nail, developed lockjaw, and died a painful death."
Despite an extensive careful search throughout the Bethel-Woodland-Seaford-Blades-Concord area for the tombstone of any Knowles male, particularly a William, who died in or about 1947, none could be found, thus adding to the likelihood that the Woodland Post Office story recounted above is, indeed, about Willard Saulsbury Knowles who the present memorial tribute is about.
Although Willard's Last Will and Testament, as well as his tombstone, suggest that his birth year was 1873 (or 1874), compelling evidence to the contrary exists that suggests his birth year more likely was 1876.
Family Members
Siblings
