Family and Education

b. c.1685, 2nd s. of William Willys of Austin Friars, London, Hamburg merchant (4th s. of Sir Thomas Willys, 1st Bt.), by his and w. Catherine, da. of Robert Gore of Chelsea, merchant, wid. of George Evelyn (d.v.p. 1676) of Wotton, Surr. unm. suc. bro. as 6th Bt. 17 July 1726.

Offices Held

Biography

Sir William Willys headed the poll at Great Bedwyn in 1727, presumably with the support of his brother-in-law, Francis Stonehouse of Hungerford and of Stokke, in Great Bedwyn, a former Member for the borough, who had married Mary Evelyn, Willys’s half-sister.1 He voted with the Administration in all recorded divisions till his death, 14 Apr. 1732.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: R. S. Lea

Notes

• 1. Muskett, Suff. Manorial Fams. ii. 102; Coll. Top. et Gen. v. 35, 361; Evelyn Diary, ed. E. S. de Beer, v. 358 n. 6, 7.