John Williston was born 1705, and died 1785 in Carteret County,N.C.. He married Mary Williston.
Notes for John Williston:
The general armory, by Sir Bernard Burke, page 1117 has this to say concerning the Williston family: Seated Halsnead Park and Hall Of The Hill, Co. Lancaster, England. Descended from Thomas Williston, member of family Williston of Bershire, who did remove to Lancaster and purchased estates there. His son, Martin Williston,Esq., the grandson of Halsnead, married Ellen,the daughter of William De Anyers, inherited some of the Williston estate from his kinsman Daniel,(son of Martin) and assumed the arms of Williston
Arms: a fess between three lions ramp gu. a bordure erm. Motto: virtus tutissia casis ( virtue is the safest helmet )
John Williston is belived to be the first of that name in Carteret County, N.C. He was a witness at court, and in 1743 he stated to the court that he had in his family 12 white persons. Included in a list made in 1747 was a Sergt. John Williston, as one of those who " watch when the Spanish Pirates threatened the coast " an it was recorded that he received 1 lb payment. Thomas Williston served under him. In 1761 there is a record of Samuel Williston buying of a Reland Bell who lived on Williston Creek. This supports evedence that this family had been in the area for a number of years. From 1761 through 1820, these Willistons continued to add to their patents through marriage or from the Crown of Great Britain, and later from the state of North Carolina. Most applied for land on the " SAND BANKS " on which they placed their livestock, such as horses, cattle, and sheep. No doubt, John Williston was the progenitor of all future Willis(tons), for a tale has been handed down that " old John Willistons grave " was located just across the bridge, north of where the Williston Community Cemetery is Located. By 1820 the name was shortened to Willis.
Children of John Williston and Mary Williston are:
John Williston (b. 1705, d. 1785)
Notes for John Williston: