Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-06-01
sudden Dsalh-An InLeresLIng Case.

absut sixty yesTs OF age, came 10 this city
ia search Of Dr. Brisbane from whom he
wished advice as to the proper course to
pursue TO effeeiuate the nauumission of
number Of his slaves. Not readily finding
DR.. Brisbane he obtained the advice OF
John JOliae, Esq, and had duplicate wills
drawn up. One Of these he took with him,
and the other he deposited with Mr.. Joliffe.
to be used if be should die suddenly, and
the will ia bis possession be accidentally or
purposely destroyed He stated that one
Of his brothers had died very suddenly. and
that be himself being subject to palpitation
Of the heart, was liable TO be also summon
ed TO another world at a moments notice.
Elijah Willis, that was bis name. staid
only few days in Cincinnati, but his bright,
benevolent countenance and manly frank
ness were not soon forgotten BY those whom
circumstances had thrown into contact with
Returning home be dre% up complete
inventory of all bis property, aud making
two Of his neighbors bis con6dents, he de-
posted this inventory with them, to be US
ed in case Of his sudden death, at the same
time making them pledge themselves not
to make it public previously.
He was largely engaged in the lumber
business, and raised no crops except what
we're necessary for the support Of the twen-
ty-nins full grown slaves and the numerous
slave children that be owned. The lumber
got out by his slaves was RATED down the
Edisto river. In this business Mr.. Willis
had amassed large estate. He was no.
ted for the kindness with which he treated
his slaves, who we're never driven with the
whip, nor shut out by lock from the stores
Of provisions. They ate in the kitchen part
of the same food that Mr.. Willis ate in the
Parlor.
A number of the relatives Of Mr.. Willis
who are all in comfortable circumstances
lived near him, but seldom visited his resi-
dsnce. His housekeepsr was dark but
very shrewd mulatto woman whom he pur-
chased with her mother, brother and sister
about thirteen years ago. This housekeep-
sr's name was Mary Amy Elmore Turner.
Her father who was owned by another
master, had deserted her mother, and for
this was sold to a cotton planter in Alabama.
Amy, as the housekeeper was ordinarily
called by Mr. Willis, while the slave of
former master, Mr.. Kirkland, lad a col
ored husband BY whom she had three chill
dren before be was sent South.
This woman, by her faithfulness and
shreWdness. soon acquired great influence
over Mr.. Willis. BY whom she had three
children. She Wstchfully superintended
bis domestic affairs, attended to the wants
of the slaves, and advised as to the business
Mr.. Willis, feeling concerned for the fu-
ture welfare Of his children, and urged
thereto by Amy, at last determined to free
her, her mother, her six children, her bro
Iher and sister. When be came to Cincin-
matt, one year ago, and had his will written,
it was to carry out this intent
After his return home, he arranged all
bis business as rapidly as possible, and tax
ing notes for outstanding debts due him,
made preparations for disposing Of his en-
tire estate and moving to Ohio, where he
proposed to locate on fsrn, with Amy,
her mother and tie children.
Finding that the expense Of bringing
Any's brother and sister and their families
would be considerable, and there might be
some difficulty in at once securing home,
Mr.. Willis concluded finally to come North
with Amy, her mother and the children,
and having secured for them & residence,
return to close up the business and bring
the Others. On last Tuesday week, they
left home as thus proposed. Upon reach
ing Louisville, they got on board the steam
er Jacob Strader, and reached here about
.,w.Oscloclv 7or4a~Jar, noor,;no. Coo1 after
the boat touched the wharf, Mr.. Willis and
his company went on shore, and be called
q carriage, when, Just as be went to reach
one Of the small children into it, he breath
ed heavily. Amy asked him if be had an
other attack of palpitation of the heart
He nodded afirmatively, gave two or three
heavy bresthings, and then fell dead.
Just at this moment some one asked
where they came from; Amy's mother did
not answer and was threatened with being
kicked into the river. Some one urged
Amy to 60 on board the boat again, but she
refused. By the advice of friend she at
once secured the money (about $500 in
Mr.. WIS possession. notes and due bills
amounting to three or four thousand dol
lars, a gold watch and other valuabes.-
She was taken with the trunks and the
body Of Mr.. Willis, to the Dumas House
DR.. MeHzies being called in, held an iu-
quest, when a verdict was returned in &C.
coFdance with these facts.
MIR. Ball, of the legal firm of Chase &
Ball. being called in the will of Mr.. Willis
found on him was opened and read, when
it was found that be had wiled bis entire
estate to Amy and her children. and had
appointed John JoIife, A. H. Ernst, and
EdBard Harwood as executors. This will
is duplicate of that left in the care Of Mr.
Joige, which has not yet been opened. II
the property is attained each Of these col
ored children will have fortune of twenty
five or thirty thousand dollars. The body
Of Mr.. Willis will be buried to-day. The
executors of the wiz are all residents Of this
city Cincinnati Columbian.
ODD FELLowsH1P.-Lasty year 8, ,12G lod-
ges were in existence, with l99,l97 con-