Contributed by Connie Moretti
Connie Moretti
http://members.aol.com/cwmoretti/family/page7.htm
1998
Sarah CANTRELL (daughter of Stephen CANTRELL and and Mary BLAKEMORE) was born 14 February 1785 in Sumner County, Tennessee, and died 1868 in Sumner County, Tennessee. She married Caleb WILLIS 09 November 1804 in Sumner County, Tennessee, son of Caleb WILLIS and Sarah (WILLIS).
I Sarah Willis do make and publish this as my last will and testament. Thereby revocing and
making void all other wills by me at any time made - First I direct that my funeral expenses and all
my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible, out of any monies that I may die possessed
of, or may first come in to the hands of my executors - - Secondly I disior that there shall be an
equal distribution of all my real & personal estate among my heirs, to wit, Minerva WALTON,
Julia ELAM, N.B. WILLIS, Mary _____,S. C. WILLIS, Louisa ALLEN, Sara SHAW & the heirs
of my de'st daughter Cornelia MORRIS - - Thirdly I consider that my daughter Julia ELAM is
indebted to my estate Six Hundred dollars in consideration of her having lived on my premises
some twenty three years, having had the use of fire wood, timber & a portion of the land to
cultivate. Fourthly I leave it discretionary with a majority of my heirs either to divide or sell my
real estate as they may think best - but in case they determine to sell I wish the proceeds to go to
my legal heirs & to be counted by them as real estate. Fifthly & Lastly I do here by nominate &
appoint my sons N B & S C WILLIS my executors in witness whereof I do to this my will set my
hand and Seal Oct 22nd 1868
Sarah Willis {seal}
Test: Wm M Dismukes proven
Albert Cooley proven
Sumner County Court Minutes, September 1828, pages 220-221, Salt lake Film #467461
Sally WILLIS by her next friend etc.Vs Petition for Divorce, Final Decree Caleb WILLIS
Be it Remembered that upon this day came on the above cause to be heard upon the petition or
amended, the answers and proofs in the cause, when it appearing to the Satisfaction of the Court
that the parties have both been Citizens of Sumner County and State of Tennessee, more than one
year next before filing the petition in this cause and that they [page 221] were married about the
time and place mentioned in the petition and it further appearing to the satisfaction of the Court
that the Said defendant has treated the Complainant in a very Cruel & harsh manner, Since their
Said Marriage, and it also appearing that Said Defendant has within the last two of three years
committed adultery with a certain Mrs.JINNINGS. It is further Ordered adjudged and decreed,
that the Marriage between Said Parties be & the Same is hereby dissolved and set aside and a final
Divorce is decreed between them. And it is further ordered and decreed that the possession &
Custody of the Children of Said Marriage be and shall Remain with the Complainant. It is further
ordered adjudged and decreed that all the Right title claim & Interest in possession of Reversion
which the said Caleb WILLISs had in & to the land & other property described in a deed of trust
executed by said WILLIS to said Complainant bearing date and Registered in Book page be
divested out of said Defendant, and Vested in the Said Complainant, her heirs & assigns forever
and it is further ordered adjudged and decreed by & with the consent of both parties, that the said
Complainant shall pay all the cost of this cause except the costs of the defendants witnesses,
which it is ordered he shall pay & that Executions under or at Law for the Same.
Children of Sarah CANTRELL and Caleb WILLIS are: