Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/559

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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primary education was supplied by public schools, and he subsequently graduated from Union College at Schenectady, New York. He inherited the paternal homestead, and after farming for some years, became teller in the North Granville National Bank, which position he held until the time of his death in 1886. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder, and was active in public affairs, join- ing his political fortune with the Republi- can party upon its organization. He mar- ried, 1853. Rhoda Barrett, born 1826, died 1872. Children: i. John Addison, of fur- ther mention below. 2. JMary A. W., born 1856, married, in 1881, Lemma Bishop jNIan- ville, of New York, and was the mother of William Willett, born 1882; Anna Barrett, 1890, married George Alexander Parker, and had Alary Annett Parker, born 1913. 3. William W., born 1858; married, 1882, Mary Ella Leveridge, and had : Seymour, born 1885, and Eloise, 1888. Seymour Wil- lett married. 1909, Grace Morrell, and had: Elizabeth, born 191 1, William Ward, 1913. Eloise Willett married, 191 1, Henry Byrd Prout, and is the mother of William Willett Prout, born 1913. 4. Anna B., born i860; married, 1885, Frank B. Mason, and is the mother of: Marion, born 1890, and Gladys, 1893. Marion Mason married, 1913, Hugh Robinson, and is the mother of Frank M. Robinson, born 1914.

John Addison W'illett was born April 26, 1854, in North Granville. New York, and was educated in the academy there. At a very early age he was accustomed to assist his father in the labors of the farm, and he assumed its management when the father engaged in the banking business. Subse- quently the son was also employed in the bank, and after the death of his father suc- ceeded the latter as teller. He continued as teller of the North Granville National Bank until 1891, when he removed to New- port News, Virginia, to take the position of cashier in the Bank of Newport News, which became later the First National Bank of Newport News. In this he is a director, and is also a director and president of the Mutual Home Savings Association. Like his forbears he is actively identified with the Presbyterian church, and now holds the position of elder in that body. He married, December 20, 1S76, Frances Allene Wiley, born 1853, and they are the parents of two

children: I. John Addison Willett (2), educated at the Newport News Military Academy, was employed for a time in the shipyard of that city, and is now paying teller of the First National Bank of Newport News; married Ida Crossley and has one child living, John Addison Willett (3). 2. Allene Wiley Willett, a graduate of Miss Fuller's school, Ossining, New York ; mar- I'ied Leroy Summerfield Edwards, and they have one child, Frances Willett Summer- field.

Marinus Willett, to whose memory was erected a bronze tablet at the corner of Beaver and Broad streets, New York City, was also a descendant of Colonel Thomas Willett, above mentioned. He was born in Jamaica, Long Island, New York. July 31, 1740, died in New York City, August 22, 1830. He was a lieutenant under General James .-^bercrombie in the expedition against Fort Ticonderoga and took part in the cap- ture of Fort Frontenac. He was one of the foremost agitators of the cause of American independence, and a member of the Sons of Liberty, that on June 6, 1775, prevented the sending of arms from the arsenal to the British troops in Boston harbor. He was commissioned captain in the patriot army ; served under Richard Montgomery in the invasion of Canada, and was given com- mand of the post at St. Johns, after the cap- ture. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Third New York Regiment ; was sec- ond in command at Fort Stanwix, and gain- ed a victory over Colonel St. Leger. He served under General Washington in New Jersey, 1778-79; took part in Sullivan's ex- l)edition against the Six Nations, and com- manded the American forces in the Mohawk X'alley, 1780-83. He was a member of the state assembly, 1783-84; sheriff of New York. 1784-92, and a commissioner to treat with the Creek Indians in 1794; he succeed- ed DeWitt Clinton as mayor of New Y^ork, 1807, served until 1808, and was the unsuc- cessful Tammany nominee for lieutenant- governor in 1817, the ticket headed by De- \\'itt Clinton succeeding in defeating the Tammany forces.

Timothy Ayer Mitchell. Timothy Ayer Mitchell, chief of police of Newport News, belongs to a Virginia family of Prince George county, and exemplifies the sterling qualities which have ever distinguished the