Douglas Bay, Isle of ManBy Neil Howard, via Flickr

John Edmund Willis

Seemingly born at Lambeth in Surrey in about 1826, son of Rev. John Willis of Haddenham and his wife(?) Catherine, and baptised at St. George, Hanover Square, 14 April 1827. Enumerated with his father at Haddenham in 1851, and then in 1854 seems to have impregnated the 16-year-old daughter of an Isle of Man Hotel Keeper. Living at Union Terrace, IOM in 1863. Died in 1891 at King's Heath, Birmingham, which is where his second wife was from. Sometimes he appears to have the middle name Edmund, and sometimes he doesn't.

WILLIS - At his residence, The Chestnuts, Vicarage Road, King's Heath, in his 66th year, John Edmund, son of the late Rev. John Willis, formerly vicar of Haddenham. Friends will please accept this the only intimation. Birmingham Daily Post, 15 April 1891

WILLIS.— John Edmund Willis, at his residence, King's Heath, Birmingham. Son of the late Rev. John Willis, formerly vicar of Haddenham, in his 66th year. He leaves a widow and three children. London Standard, 16 April 1891

He appears to have spent his time on the Isle of Man shooting things, making his wife pregnant, and writing letters to the local press.

RIFLE SHOOTING EXTRAORDINARY. – On Monday afternoon, Mr John Willis, of this town, made the following score at 1000 yards – Hythe position, Whitworth rifle:- In five rounds, three centres and two outers, the centre being only two feet in diameter. Had it been of the regulation size, viz three feet diameter, the score would have been four centres and 1 outer – (9 points). Mona's Herald, 30 April 1862

Married firstly, at St Matthew's, Braddan, Isle of Man, on 1 November 1854, to Violetta Victoria Elizabeth Duxbury. She was born at Salford 6 February 1838, daughter of Anyon Duxbury, and was thus 16 when she married; in principle she would have needed her father's consent, but he was not named on the marriage certificate. A week later the first child was born. She died on the Isle of Man 6 July 1881 and was buried at Kirk Braddan.

Married secondly, at Braddan, Isle of Man, on 20 September 1883, to Emily Jane Hopkins. She was the daughter of a butcher from King's Norton, born in Birmingham about 1854.

Willis - Hopkins.- On the 20th instant, at Kirk Braddan, by the Rev. W. Drury. John Willis, Stanley-terrace, to Emily, eldest daughter of John Hopkins, of Birmingham and Kings Heath. Isle of Man Times, 22 September 1883

Issue (with his first wife) 12 children, all born at Braddan (i.e. Douglas), on the Isle of Man.

  1. John Duxbury Willis, baptised 10 November 1854 at St Matthew's, Braddan, Isle of Man, and buried 20 November 1854.

  2. Sarah Willis, born 15 May 1856 and died 21 May 1856 on the Isle of Man.

  3. Sarah Edith Willis, baptised 6 October 1857 and died 10 October 1857.

  4. Sarah Willis, baptised 5 December 1858 and buried 8 December 1858.

  5. Georgina Edith Willis, baptised 12 November 1859 and buried 24 May 1863.

  6. Ruth Willis, baptised 19 October 1860 and died 14 November 1860

  7. Amy Ruth Willis, baptised 22 September 1862 and died 1 June 1878 at Marown, Isle of Man.

  8. John Richard Child Willis, baptised 30 September 1863 and buried 9 November 1863.

  9. John Willis, born 7 September and baptised 23 September 1864.

  10. Francis Willis, baptised 23 October 1865. Enumerated with his parents in 1871 and 1881, and died 26 April 1894.

    Jumping into Douglas Harbour. On Monday evening, a little before seven o'clock, a man named Frank Willis, watchmaker, aged twenty-nine, jumped into the harbour at the Royal Corner, Douglas. Willis was in a state of drink at the time, which will no doubt explain his insane act. Owing to the promptitude of the police and several of the boatmen standing in the vicinity of the Royal Corner, he was speedily got out and conveyed to his lodgings in Finch Road. Mr C. T. Cowell, his employer, was communicated with and at once telephoned to Dr Wood, Albert Terrace, summoning his attendance. Without loss of time Dr Wood visited his patient and rendered those important services the case demanded. Willis, who is a cripple, and somewhat physically weak naturally, did not pass a very good night, and yesterday suffered from severe nervous prostration as the result of his cold douche. It is said that Willis has taken to drinking heavily lately, he having had a large sum of money left him by his father. Mona's Herald, Wednesday 24 May 1893

    ON Monday evening a person named Frank Willis, aged about 28, in the employ of Mr C. T. Cowell, watchmaker, Victoria-Street, attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the harbour at about eight o'clock. There was a considerable depth of water in the harbour at the time. Three men jumped into the harbour after Willis and rescued him in an exhausted condition. He was taken to the police station. It appears that the had been drinking rather heavily and was "flush" of money in consequence of a legacy left to him. Manx Sun, 27 May 1893

    A SAD END. – Frank Willis, a deformed young man, who will be remembered as having attempted to take his own life a few months ago by walking into Douglas Harbour while in drink, died at his lodgings in Finch-road this week. He was a jeweller by trade, and about a year ago inherited a fortune which has proved anything but a blessing to him. Isle of Man Examiner, 28 April 1894

    DEATH OF FRANK WILLIS. – Frank Willis, the eldest son of the literary gentleman who communicated for many years to the Herald above the signature of "J. E. W." died in Douglas last week under somewhat painful circumstances. Frank was as nice a lad in disposition as ever lived, and at one time gave some promise of literary ability. He was apprenticed to the newspaper business, and was only a short time at the first round of type-picking when the strain of standing at "case" found out a weak place in his spine, which shortly resulted in a curvature which was a virtual deformity to the young lad. He was compelled to leave the business he had chosen, and it was apparent to his friends that his physical misfortune was a great grief to him. He was not the same bright Frank that so many were pleased to know, and seemed to take quite a different view of life and its pleasures. After leaving the printing business he served his time with Mr C. T. Cowell as a jeweller, but did not stick close to the work once his time had been completed. Having means sufficient to make him quite independent of all work, he found enjoyment for his leisure in yacht sailing, and went through several hair – breadth escapes. He was of more than generous habits, and the sailors who accompanied him on his sailing adventures will greatly miss his bounty. With ourselves there are many who will join in saying, with all true–hearted sympathy, "Poor Frank." Mona's Herald, 2 May 1894

    THE LATE MR FRANK WILLIS – Administration was asked for in the matter of Francis Willis, whose personal estate was proved under £1,000 by his brother, John Willis, who is in residence at Oxford University. The deceased died intestate. The bond was signed by Messrs C. F. Johnson and C. T. Cowell. The matter was adjourned to swear in the administrator. The death took place on the 26th April. Isle of Man Examiner, 02 June 1894

  11. Edith Maude Willis, baptised 28 October 1868, and buried 13 May 1877.

  12. Florence Ethel Willis, born 4 January 1871 and baptised 18 March 1871, and died at Deal in Kent, 13 April 1905.

    Married at Colaba in Bombay on 31 August 1892 to Charles Edward Gordon Crawford, a judge in the Indian Civil Service. Crawford was born 14 August 1849 at Woodmansterne, and was a widower, having first married at Christ Church, Ahmednuggur, on 20 January 1880, to Alice Luscombe Mackenzie, and he died 4 May 1894 in India. Buried at Sewree, Bombay. He has achieved minor fame as one of the world's early nudists, founding the Fellowship of the Naked Trust in Bombay.

    She married secondly at Hayes, England, on 1 September 1896, to Frank Shackle. He too was a widower, having previously been married to Grace Nickalls, who died at Hayes, Middlesex, 19 March 1895, and after Florence's death he married for a third time (on 5 May 1906, at the Hanover Square Register Office), to May Winifred Sophia Dark. He was born at Hayes 18 July 1864, and died at Stroud 7 December 1916.

    They were enumerated as a married couple at 8 Ashworth Mansions, Paddington, in 1901, him as a theatrical manager, and Florence as his wife. He had originally been a stockbroker, but changed career after his business failed in 1898, and for a time he managed the famous actress Mrs Patrick Campbell. One of Florence's letters to Mrs C. survives.

    SHACKLE — CRAWFORD.-Sept 1. at St. Mary's, Hayes, Middlesex, by the Rev. J. Shackle, M.A, brother of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. J. Godding, M. A., vicar of the parish, and the Rev. C. A. K. Irwin, B.A., rector of Swyncombe, Frank Shackle, fourth son of the late Edward Shackle, Esq., of Botwell, Hayes, Middlesex, to Florence, widow of the late C. E. G. Crawford. Esq., I.C.S., Bombay Residency, and daughter of the late John Willis, Esq. London Standard, 03 September 1896