Henrietta Willis

Henrietta Willis, born 24 March 1831 at Braceborough, daughter of the second Dr Francis Willis. Enumerated there in 1861, and then seems to have acted as her brother Alfred's housekeeper; living with him at Gillingham in Kent in 1871, and accompanied him to Hawaii when he was made a Bishop.

Married on 18 October 1881 in Hawaii to Rev. Richard Wainwright. He was born 8 November 1830, and died in Biltmore 17 March 1902, and was a widowed father of four:

ANOTHER FAITHFUL MINISTER PASSES - Rev. Richard Wainwright's Devotion to Missionary Work in Many Lands – the funeral of Rev. Richard Wainwright, who died at his home in Biltmore yesterday morning, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from All Souls' church. Dr. R. R. Swope will conduct the services. Dr. Wainwright was a native of England, born there 72 years ago. While very young he entered the ministry, becoming a member of the church of England. He was married in England and shortly after his marriage came to this country as a missionary to Labrador. He spent his early manhood in that region, travelling thousands of miles, from place to place, every year. He went north to a point within the Arctic region. Through the rigours of the climate his health finally gave way and he went to the Sandwich Islands, still as a missionary. Mrs. Wainwright died while in Labrador, leaving four children. After spending some time in the Sandwich Islands, Dr. Wainwright married Miss Willis, sister of Bishop Willis, then in Honolulu, and of Dr. Willis of this city, formerly Rector of the church down the the French Broad. About twenty years ago Dr. Willis came to the United States, and coming to this section, took charge of the parish at Bowman's Bluff. A number of English families had settled their and four 18 years Dr. Wainwright ministered to them, a warmly beloved rector. About two years ago his failing health compelled Dr.Wainwright to give up his active ministry. Summer months ago he presented to the missionary district of Asheville, which Bishop Horner has in charge, the farm and dwelling which he had occupied while rector at Bowman's Bluff, to be used as the Bishop thought best. Last autumn Dr. Wainwright came to Biltmore and since that time has lived in a cottage in the village, occasionally taking part in the services at All Souls'. His last public service was at All Souls on February 2, when in the absence of the rector, Dr. Swope, he officiated at the morning and evening services. He was taken ill on the following day and had been confined to his home since. His death ends a useful life, devoted to the service of his master and to the good of his fellow men. Dr. Wainwright leaves a wife and four children. The children, all of whom were by his first wife are Mrs Groser of West Australia, Mrs J. A. Bell of Montréal, Canada, Mrs J. J. Skerse of Duluth, Minn., and Eric Wainwright, a student at Chapel Hill. The son is in Biltmore, called by the death of his father Asheville Citizen, 18 Mar 1902, p1

They moved to North Carolina in 1885, and lived the rest of their lives near Asheville. She died 4 January 1916 at Biltmore:

MRS. WAINWRIGHT DIES AT BILTMORE – Well Known Lady Was Resident of Biltmore Since 1900 – Funeral Tomorrow. – Mrs. Henrietta Wainwright died this morning at the Clarence Barker hospital at Biltmore. Mrs. Wainwright was the sister of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Alfred Willis, who was the Anglican Bishop of the Sandwich islands up to the time when they were transferred to the United States. Mrs. Wainwright then Miss Willis, accompanied her brother when he was appointed to that jurisdiction in 1872, and while a resident there married an English clergyman, Rev. Richard Wainwright. They removed to the United States, and Mr. Wainwright had charge of the parish at Bowmen's bluff. He resigned this work in 1900 on account of failing health and became a resident of Biltmore, where he died in 1902. Several years ago Mrs. Wainwright suffered an injury from a fall and since then has been an inmate of the Biltmore hospital. She was a devout church woman and has many friends who will mourn her loss. The funeral services will be conducted at All Soul's Church Biltmore, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Internment will be at Riverside cemetery. Asheville Gazette-News, 4 Jan 1916, p3