Davis Leaders & Heroes

William Finley Willis

Private

First North Carolina Volunteers

Company F

Davis, N. C.

Wm Finley Willis enlisted in the Union Army in Beaufort, N.C. in September, 1862. He served in Washington, N. C. during the Civil War. He was discharged in New Bern, N.C in October, 1865 at the end of the war. Wm Finley also served with his brother, Asa Jones Willis who was also assigned to the First North Carolina Volunteers. Asa Jones enlisted and was discharged during the same period of time. Both are documented in Muster Rolls received from Union Army records. Ferren died in November, 1863 and was accompanied home for burial by Wm Finely according to documented leave orders.

The 1st North Carolina Volunteers were also assigned to Fort Macon after the fort's capture. According to leave orders, Wm Finley was from "Davis's Landing" (now Davis, N .C.). He took annual leave on two occasions, for five days each occurrence. He was 5'10", brown hair, blue eyes and his occupation was listed as: Farmer. The photo was made from a wartime watercolor drawing in his service uniform. The watercolor has since (1972) been lost. The white mark at the neckline and chest is due to a tear in the watercolor fabric.

The other two brother, Fulford and DeWitt served in the same location at Washington, N. C. according to family verbal histories. However they have not been documented in local tax records as having received veteran's pensions.

Several copies of Leave Orders confirmed that Wm Finley was 5'-11 ", occupation was listed as Farmer. Both he and Asa Jones Willis are buried in the Murphy Cemetery in Davis, N. C. Their graves are marked with military cement headstones reflecting their membership in the 1st North Carolina unit.

Wm Finley Willis is the Great Grandfather of William F. (Fred) Fulcher.