AFFIDAVIT OF HEIR SHIP
ESTATES OF JOHN STROTHER AND ELIZA WILLIS – WILLIAM WILLIS AND RHODA
STROTHER
Items appearing in parentheses, appears in the original text.
State of Louisiana, Parish of Rapides
Glenmora Post Office, July 6, 1907
Before me the undersigned authority, duly commissioned and sworn, personally came and
appeared; Lemuel S. Willis, age 62 years old; Joseph Willis, age 59 years; Alexander Willis, age 50
years. All of Osborn P.O. (Post Office), Parish of Rapides, State of Louisiana.
Whom after being by me duly sworn according to law, deposed and says, that they are well
acquainted with John Strother Senior, who entered the Northeast quarter of Northeast quarter, the
Northeast quarter of Northwest quarter of Section thirty-six (36) and the Southeast quarter of quarter of
Southwest Section twenty-five (25) all in Township One (1) South of Range Four (4) West of Louisiana
Meridian, the said John Strother Sr. was married but once and married to Eliza Willis, and the two
became the Father and Mother of Henry Z. Strother, Dempsey Strother, George W. Strother and John
Strother Junior. And that the four (4) latter named persons were the only living children and Legal heirs
or representatives of their deceased Father and Mother (John and Eliza).
We further swear that the said John Strother Jr. did marry Olive Ray – and the two became the
Father and Mother of Martha Strother, whom she (Martha Strother) became the wife of Gideon
Johnson and she (Martha) being the only child) John Strother Jr. and deceased.
We further swear that we are well acquainted with William Willis and that he was married but
once and was married to Rhonda [sic] Strother. Both of which are deceased, and that they were the
Father and Mother of Lemuel S. Willis, Joseph Willis, Jessie [sic] Willis, Matthew Willis, James Willis,
Alexander Willis and Mary Willis, and that the latter seven (7) named persons are the only children of
the said Wm. Strother and his wife Rhoda [sic] Strother, both deceased. The said Mary Willis was
married to Charles McDaniel, and the said Chas. McDaniel and Mary Willis became the Father and
Mother of the only child., William McDaniel, and that the said Mary Willis, wife of Chas. McDaniel, is
now deceased.
We further solemnly swear, that all of the heirs and Legal Representatives of the aforesaid John
Strother Jr. and his wife, Eliza Willis, and those of their deceased children have all been mentioned and
named in the above sworn statement and we further solemnly swear, that all of the heirs or Legal
Representatives of William Willis and his wife, Rhoda [sic] Strother, together with those of their
deceased children's heirs or Legal Representatives have all been mentioned and named in the above
sworn statement, and that there is no other heirs affecting or in any manner, touching the titles to the
NE ¼ od NE ¼, the NE ¼ of NE ¼ of Sec. 36 and SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Sec. 25 all in Township One (1)
South of Range four (4) West of La. Meridian.
We also further testify that we are all near neighbors to the said above described lands which
was Patented by the United States to John Strother Sr. and that we have for quire a numberer of years
lived near that land and know all about each and every transaction and touching the titles to the said
above described lands. This being done for the purpose of identifying all of the aboved mentioned
people, their marriages, deaths and their heir ship to the said aboved described lands and Mr. Lemuel S.
Willis is now in full ownership of said property.
Witnesses: [page cut-off on copy]_?_D. Elliott, _?_ Johnson
[signed] Lemuel S. Willis
[made their marks] Joseph x Willis Alexander x Willis |