James Thomas Wills was (listed on some census as Mulatto, others as Colored) born on July 4, 1869 in Texas. His father Isaac Wills was a Negro Farmer from Alabama and his Negro mother, Emily Bates was from Maryland/Virginia. At 5, James lived in Beaver Township, Saline, Arkansas along with his five other siblings.
At age 13, James was a laborer on a farm and the head of household (dwelling). He and his siblings were under the care of neighbor James Lafayette Walker, a White school teacher and his wife (Pernecia E. Walker, 15). Pernecia Evie died young at 26 and Walker then married Lela Clark. He became a Baptist Minister in Waco, McClennan County, Texas in 1900. Mr. Walker started a Baptist Church in 1910 and Lela Clark was named Superintendent of the youth. The Wills children were a part of his church and listed with Mr. Walker’s census. The connection between Lafayette Walker, a Missouri native and the Wills children is unknown.
James lived next door to his mother Emily Bates Wills according to the 1920 census.
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Birth name
James Thomas Wills
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Place of Birth
Texas
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Place of Death
Waco, McLennan, Texas