No. 4508 Sarell James Willis, 1830-1922
From American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891.
Sarell James Willis, cashier of the Blue Hill National Bank, of Milton Lower Mills, was born in Dorchester, September 11, 1830, son of Solomon H. And Mary Ann Varoe (Cripps) Willis. He is descended from Deacon John Willis, who sailed from England for America, April 3, 1635, in the ship “Paul.” This early ancestor of Mr. Willis settled in Duxbury, Mass., before 1637 and in Bridgewater in 1650. He was the first Representative from Bridgewater to the Council at Plymouth and was such for seventeen years. He died 1692-93. He had four brothers, and possibly, six, who are the ancestors of the different branches of the family scattered through Massachusetts.
A grandson of Deacon John was Judge Benjamin Willis, who held important offices in the Colony, and was a man of property and influence; who wore his cocked hat, velvet coat, silk stocking, and shoe and knee buckles. It is said of him that he used to ride on horseback about his farm to do his planting. This inspired some wag of the time to write the following jingle:–
“Willis Ben, the best of men
That ever yet was born,
So filled with pride he needs must ride
To plant his beans and corn.”
Thomas Willis, fourth generation from Deacon John, was born October 31, 1744. He died December, 1836, in his ninety-third year. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and served under Washington during the occupancy of Dorchester Heights. He married for his first wife Susannah Hewett, by whom he had at least two children–Jedediah and Polly. By his second wife, Sarah Dean, he had four children–Dean, Stillman, Rhoda, and Sarah.
Jedediah Willis, son of Thomas and Susannah, was born October 7, 1784, and died January 27, 1828. He served in the War of 1812, being stationed for some time at Sackett’s Harbor. He married, August 3, 1802, Adah Hayward, who was of an old Easton family.
Solomon H. Willis, son of Jedediah and Adah H. Willis, was born in Easton, Bristol County, Mass., April 27, 1804. In his youth he served an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade, which he followed subsequently for many years. For some time he was employed in the Boston Custom-house, and for a while he was connected with the Dorchester police department. The last thirty years of his life were spent in Somerville, Mass. His wife Mary, who was born in Salem, Mass., October 15, 1809, was a daughter of James Cripps, a native of the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel.
James Cripps, when a lad of thirteen, was sent to Portsmouth, England, to learn the trade of ship-rigger, but had not been there more than a few months when he was impressed on board a tender of a man-of-war and transferred to the “Victory,” Admiral Nelson’s flagship. As a member of the crew of that vessel he took part in some of the most famous naval engagements in English history, including the battle of the Nile, that of Cape St. Vincent, the siege of Naples, the battle of Copenhagen, and the still more celebrated battle of Trafalgar, in which Admiral Nelson was killed. At the conclusion or suspension of the war he obtained his liberty and came to America, settling in Salem, Mass., where he entered the employ of the old merchant, William Gray. While a resident of that city he married Hannah Savery, of Marblehead, Mass. On the breaking out of the war of 1812, with Great Britain, he enlisted on board the “Constitution,” and subsequently as a member of her crew took part in the capture of the English frigate “Java.” After the war was over he married a second wife, went to Damariscotta, Me., where he settled on a farm, and where he resided until his death, which took place in 1875, after he had reached an advanced age.
Mr. And Mrs. Solomon H. Willis were the parents of three children-Sarell James, Charlotte Elizabeth, and Susan Adah. Charlotte E., who was born June 14, 1833, married Nathaniel Dennett, of Somerville, and died November 22, 1875. Susan Adah, who was born March 23, 1841, died April 25, 1846, at the age of five years. The father died on October 7, 1891. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. His wife’s death occurred December 20, 1895.
Sarell J. Willis received his education in the public schools of Dorchester. In 1847, at the age of seventeen, he began an apprenticeship to the tinsmith’s trade, which lasted four and a half years; and after that, he worked as a journeyman until 1864. He then made a decided change of occupation, becoming a member of the stock company at the Boston Theatre, where he subsequently remained till 1870, the first year playing under the name of John Scott, but afterward appearing under his own proper name. In 1870, abandoning the stage, he accepted a position as book-keeper with John F. Bispham, a lumber dealer at Harrison Square, Dorchester, which he held until January, 1876. In March of the year last named he was appointed cashier in the Blue Hill National Bank, which position he has now held for over twenty-four years. He is a member of Macedonian Lodge F.&A.M.,* of Milton, and also belongs to Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Honor. He is , besides, a member of the Old School-boys Association and an associate member of Post No. 68, G.A.R.**
Mr. Willis was married September 11, 1854, to Miss Mary W. Bispham, of Dorchester, a daughter of Eleazer J. and Mary E. (Tolman) Bispham (see separate sketch of her father). He has three children: Benjamin Cushing, born January 4, 1856, who is in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company; Mary Elizabeth Bispham, who is the wife of Dr. Homer Emerson, D.D.S., of Milton Lower Mills; and Howard Bispham, who is engaged in the cigar and tobacco business in Boston.
*F. & A.M. Free and Accepted Masons.
**G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic