Death of Francis Willis, Esq., M.D.— Our obituary this day records the death of Fras. Willis, Esq., M.D., of Shillingthorpe Hall, the proprietor of the private lunatic asylum there. Although his health had been ailing for some time, his death, which took place on Friday last was somewhat sudden. He has left a widow and nine children (four sons and five daughters), the youngest of whom is only 9 years of age. His remains were interred on Wednesday last in Braceborough church-yard, in compliance with his wish to return to dust, acccording to the ordinance of his Maker, the coffin being deposited " in the moulds." The chief mourners were his sons: the funeral was performed by Mr. R. Bromhead, of Stamford. His loss will be greatly felt, especially by the poor in the neighbourhood, to whom he was a frequent benefactor. The church of St Margaret at Braceborough has been for some time undergoing extensive alteration, Dr. Willis having undertaken to defray the whole of the cost (between 1100l. and 1200l.) He was not, however, permitted to see the completion of the good work, upon which the artisans will be engaged for two or three weeks longer. Deceased was the last surviving issue of the Rev. Thos. Willis, Rector of St George's, Bloomsbury, Vicar of Wateringbury, Kent, and Prebend of Rochester, who died Nov. 9, 1827, aged 67 (the same age his son, now deceased), and who was the third son of the very eminent Dr. Francis Wlllis, formerly of Dunston and subsequently of Gretford, distinguished for his skill in the treatment of mental disorders. That world-famed man took the degree of M.A. in 1740, entered into holy orders, was first Vicar of Ashby de la Laund on presentation of J. King, Esq., and afterwards obtained the living of St John's, Wapping, from his College. He then studied medicine, and devoting his attention to maniacal diseases established a private asylum for lunatics at Dunston, near Lincoln, where he resided near his living of Ashby, the duty of which he served. Afterwards he removed to Gretford House. The anomaly of a clergyman keeping a mad-house being very sharply animadverted upon by the faculty, he proceeded to take his degrees and properly qualify himself as a physician. When George III. was seized with the malady which for a time prevented him from exercising the royal functions, Dr. Willis was called in, and, in opposition to the other physicians, pronounced his decided opinion that his Majesty would recover. The Doctor was in consequence entrusted with the principal care of the King, and the result confirmed the accuracy of his judgment. His success was rewarded with a handsome gratuity from Parliament, a pension of 15001. per annum for 21 years, and a vast accession of professional practice flowed in upon him. His establishment at Gretford was not sufficiently capacious to accommodate his numerous patients, many of whom lodged at farm and other houses in the vicinity. In 1792 the Doctor's services were procured for the Queen of Portugal, whose malady was soon pronounced to be incurable ; and it said he returned to this country bringing with him fee of 20,000l. At his death his son John conducted the asylum: In 1811 John & Robert both attended Geo. III., and were appointed the royal physicians in ordinary. On the death of John, who survived his brother Robert Darling 14 years, Dr. Francis Willis, just deceased, succeeded his uncle as proprietor of the establishment, which he conducted till his death on Friday last. All the elder branches of this family are now deceased, and is not considered probable that this private lunatic asylum will be longer conducted by a name that has for several generations been so celebrated for the successful treatment of mental disorders. —Hitherto the place of interment of tbis family, since their residence in this part of the county, has been in Gretford church, in the north chapel of which fabric are several handsome marble tablets, the oldest recording the death and attainments of the first Dr. Willis, as follows:—

"Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Francis Willis, M.D., who died on the 5th of December, 1807, in the 90th year of bis age. He was the third son of the Rev. John Willis, of Lincoln, descendant of an ancient family of the same name, who resided formerly at Fenny Compton, in Warwickshire.—He studied at Oxford, was Fellow and some time Vice Principal of Brasennose College, when, in obedience to his father, he entered into holy orders; but pursuing the bent of his natural taste and inclination he took the degree of Doctor of Physic in the same University, and continued the practice of the profession to the last hour of his life.—By his first wife, Mary the youngest daughter of the Rev. John Curtois, of Branston, in this county, he had five sons, who survived him. By his second wife he had no issue. —Initiated early into habits of observation and research he attained the highest eminence in his profession, and was happily the chief agent in removing the malady which afflicted his present Majesty (George III.) in the year 1789. On that occasion he displayed an energy and acuteness of mind which excited the admiration and procured for him the esteem of the nation.—The kindness and benevolence of his disposition were testified by the tears and lamentations which followed him to the grave."

Next to the above tablet is one erected to the memory of his wife, who died 10 years previously (both were erected by their children): it contains this inscription:— "Sacred to the memory of Mary youngest daughter of the Rev. John Curtois, of Branston, in this county. She married the Rev. Francis Willis, M.D., in 1749, and was the mother of five children—Francis, John, Thomas, Richard, and Robert Darling. She died on the 17th of April, 1797, in the 73d year of her age. Her manners were gentle and unassuming, and her whole life was worthy of imitation."

Another tablet records the death of the eldest son of the above, who according to a portrait of him published in 1813, " was well known for his great range of knowledge in mechanics:" he followed no profession. The inscription reads thus:— "This tablet is erected to the memory of Francis Willis, Esq., eminent for his mechanical science, who was born Sept 7, 1750, and died Nov. 3, 1831, aged 81 years. Son of Francis and Mary Willis."

A fourth handsome tablet is to the memory of the second son of the eminent physician, and who succeeded to his father's lucrative practice at Gretford: his death was very sudden, it having taken place at the seat of the Rev. P. Curtois, in the parish of Branston, near Lincoln, whilst on a visit during Lincoln races. The tablet was erected by the rev. gentleman to the memory of his very liberal benefactor (It is said to the extent of 100,000l.) It is inscribed as follows:— "Sacred to the memory of John Willis, M.D., second son of the Rev. Francis Willis, M.D., and Mary, his wife. He was born at Dunston, in the county of Lincoln, Sept 23, 1751. Was educated at Brazennose College, Oxford, and died at Longhills, near Branston, in this county, at the house of his relative, the Rev. Peregrine Curtois, by whom this monument is erected, Sept 25, 1835, aged 83. Refined in manners, in heart benevolent, in his profession a blessing to his country, to his church faithful, to this parish (in which he resided more than 50 years) a generous benefactor, by all beloved, and mourned by all—Death seized him unexpectedly when unimpaired in mind & body."

A fifth monument records the memory of the youngest son of the issue of Francis and Mary Willis thus—

"Sacred to the memory of Robert Darling Willis, M.D. Born May 18, 1760; died May 23, 1821, aged 61. In 1801 he aided his brother, Dr. John Willis, under Divine Providence, in restoring a second time the Sovereign to health and to his people—a benefit incalculable to the country at a moment pregnant with events. His well-known professional eminence, his literary attainments, his benevolence, and affability will cause his death to be long lamented in the bosom of his country and his family."

The remains of the two other sons, Admiral Willis and the Rev. Thos. Wlllis, were not deposited in the family vault at Gretford.

There is also a marble tablet erected the same chapel "to the memory of Mary Countess of Pomfret, who died 17th September, 1839, aged 70 years. She was the daughter and sole heiress of Thomas Trollope Brown, Esq., formerly of this parish. Her remains lie interred this church."

Stamford Mercury, Friday 05 August 1859