The first document which I found documenting Willoughby’s life was an extract of the 1810 US Census of Howeles District, Edgecombe County, NC. I found this record in a small library in north Georgia. I was quite excited. According to this record, there were 2 males under 10, 1 male between the ages of 15 and 25, 1 female between the ages of 15 and 25, 1 female under the age of 10, and 1 slave. Based on this record and the 1820 US Census of Captain Andrew’s District, Pitt County, NC, his birth year is determined to be about 1790. By the 1820 census, his household had grown to 10, himself, his wife, 1 male between 10 and 15, 2 females under age 10, 1 female between 10 and 15, and 2 slaves under 14 - one male and 1 female. By the 1830 Magnolia, Leon, Florida US Census, Willoughby’s household had grown to 18, himself, his wife, 3 males under 5, 2 males 5 to 9, 1 male 10 to 14, 1 male 15 to 19, 1 female 10 to 14, and 8 slaves - 1 male under 10, 3 males 10 to 23, 2 females under 10, and 2 females 10 to 23.
From census records, it appears that Willoughby and Elizabeth were married very young by today’s standards. Willoughby may have been as young 18 and Elizabeth may have been as young as 16. If memory serves me correctly, Willoughby either purchased or was given a 100 acre farm by his father-in-law, Samuel Crisp. It appears that he lived most of his life in the Pitt County, NC area. There are no records of him being active in local political offices; however, he as well as his brothers, Pelatiah and John Wesley served a stint in the militia during the war of 1812. Willoughby served in the Pitt County Regiment (Cobb’s), NC militia.
From my research and various legal documents, Willoughby appears to be closely related to Batson Whitehurst of Pitt County, NC and he and Elizabeth lived an apparently quite life in the Pitt County area until the deaths of Batson Whitehurst before June 1826 and the death of Elizabeth’s father, Samuel Crisp on June 10, 1829.
About the time of Batson’s death, Willoughby’s brother, Pelatiah, purchased 80 ⅓ acres in Leon County in the territory of Florida through the federal land office and began plans to move from Henry County, Alabama to Leon County, Florida. After arriving in Leon County, he purchased an additional 160 acres for Willoughby.
After the deaths of Batson and Elizabeth’s father, Samuel Crisp, Willoughby and Elizabeth packed up and made the trip to Magnolia, Leon County, Florida to grow cotton. After 2 crops of cotton, Willoughby, his wife Elizabeth, and Pelatiah had died. Mary settlers in the area died of malaria and yellow fever and that was probably their fate. Based on legal notices in the Floridian, Willoughby and possibly Elizabeth were the first to pass prior to November 22, 1831 and shortly after Pelatiah passed. Based on what we know, Pelatiah and John Wesley were the adventurers of the three brothers.
Part of me wishes that Willoughby had not made the move to Leon County, Florida and instead had lived a long and prosperous life in Pitt County, NC, but who knows what my life would be like today if he had chosen a different path. I am thankful to him and all of my fathers and mothers.
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