Bio of Willis C Chandler - Bastrop County Texas
Submitted by:  Phil Spray <pspray@arn.net> 7 Sep 2001
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Willis C. Chandler was born to William and Elizabeth Chandler in Wilson 
County, Tennessee on March 11, 1811.  He moved to Jefferson County, 
Missouri  with his family during the 1830s; and it was there that he 
met and married Miranda Hildebrand on January 1, 1838.

In a general election held on August 3, 1840, Willis Chandler was 
elected Constable of Meramac Township for a term of two years.  He 
was placed under $1000 bond by  Duiguice {sp?} Pitzer and John McGiver.
{Marriage Records of Jefferson Co., MO, 1825-1838, Pg. 47.}

Willis and Miranda moved to Texas with their eight children about 1851.  
They purchased a farm near Blackjack Springs in Fayette County, situated 
between Buckner's Creek  and the Colorado River.  A   mill was set into 
operation as the family business.   Four more children were born here; 
and, it was during  the winter of 1856  that sixteen year old Missouri 
and six year old Julia died within weeks of one another.

In November 1874 Willis sold their farm and mill in Fayette County, 
valued at over $2000, and bought 225 acres in Bastrop County and a 65 
acre tract running along the Bastrop and Caldwell county line for $3000.

{Bastrop County Deeds, Book 3, Pg. 165.}  On December 22, 1884 Willis 
deeded one acre of his 225 acres to the Bastrop County Commissioners 
Court for $10. {Bastrop County Deeds, Book 6, Pg. 600.}  This one acre 
was located in the New Union School District and was to be used for a 
free school and church building.  On December 31, 1884 he sold his 
remaining 289 acres to the McCall brothers for $3000. {Bastrop County 
Deeds, Book 10, Pg. 416.}

However, this land had a lien against it filed  on August 7, 1888 due to 
an unpaid bill for construction work on the Chandler home in 1876.
No reason for non-payment was given in the suit.  On November 10, 1888, 
three days after Mrs. Miranda Chandler's death, the District Court of Bastrop
County awarded ownership of the 289 acres to H.T. Parr and ordered Willis 
Chandler and the McCall brothers to reimburse the indebtedness of $789.22, 
plus 10 per cent interest accumulated over a twelve year period, to H.T. Parr. 
{Bastrop County District Court Records, Book G, Pg. 381-388.}

Willis Chandler died July 3, 1897.  The place of his burial is unknown.  His 
wife, Miranda Hildebrand Chandler, died November 7, 1888 and is buried in Byler 
Cemetery in Fayette County.