Willis Turner

Quick Facts

Significance:

Florida Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Florida

Date of Birth:

December, 1861

Place of Death:

LaCrosse, Alachua County, Florida

Date of Death:

1925

On April 28, 1891, Willis Turner (“Turner”) of LaCrosse, Florida filed his homestead entry (Application No. 21345) with the Gainesville, Florida Land Office. He applied for 40.05 acres of federal land at the Southeast ¼ of the Southeast ¼ of Section 20, in Township 7 S of Range 19 E.

Turner solemnly swore on June 6, 1892, in an affidavit that he was a native born citizen of the United States and over 21 years of age, and that his application was made for the purpose of settlement and cultivation. In a separate affidavit, Turner swore that he had not previously applied for a homestead. Both affidavits were signed by Turner with the mark of an “X” and notarized by Alex Lynch, Register of the Land Office. Turner then paid the $6.00 filing fee.

Four years later on May 4, 1896, Turner provided notice to the Land Office of his intention to make final proof to establish his claim. He gave the names of four witnesses, two of whom would testify on his behalf. The witnesses were Robert Mott, Sam Burnett, Peter Wilson (also a Florida homesteader) and Amon Johnson – all of LaCrosse, Florida.

On June 20, 1896, Turner made final proof. He stated that he was a native-born citizen of the United States and was the identical person who made his original homestead entry. He built four pole houses on the land and cleared ten acres of land for cultivation. The improvements were totaled a value of $100.

Turner’s family consisted of a wife and ten children; however, none of their names were mentioned in his testimony. Turner may have been unsure of his exact age because he stated that he was “about 56 years old.” In 1896 (the year he made final proof) Turner, at age fifty-six, would have been born in 1840, which is inconsistent with other documented evidence.

Two (2) 1900 Federal census records were found for Willis Turner of LaCrosse, Florida. The first census was enumerated on June 14, 1900; the second, a few weeks later on July 4, 1900 by the same enumerator.

In the first 1900 United States Census, Turner (age forty-five) would have been born in 1855. He was head of house and married for sixteen years. His wife, Della was thirty-five. The children were Lottie (age fourteen), Fred (age twelve), Charles (age nine), Oscar (age seven), Geneva (age five), and Cora (age three).

In the second 1900 United States Census, Turner (age thirty-eight) would have been born in 1862. He was head of house and married for eighteen years. His wife, Delia was thirty-two. The children were Frederick (age sixteen), Lottie (age thirteen), Charles (age eleven), Oscar (age nine), Jeneva (age seven), Cora (age five), Viola (age three). Delia is the mother of seven children and all seven children alive. Also in this record, Willis and Delia were married in 1882. Their son Frederick was born in 1884; he was possibly their first-born child together. Notably absent from both censuses were the remaining three of Turner’s ten children who may have been born from a previous marriage or, of age and had left home.

Turner’s witnesses, Sam Burnett, twenty-five and Amon Johnson, sixty-nine testified on behalf of Turner. They were well acquainted with the land Turner and his family resided on. Burnett testified that Turner and his family settled on the land in January 1891 and had not been absent from the land during that time. Both witnesses testified that four houses were built on the land and about ten acres were cultivated to raise crops. To their knowledge, no coal or other minerals were present on the land; it was mainly used for farming. Burnett valued the improvements to the land at $100; Johnson at $50. Neither witness had an interest in Turner’s claim, nor had any portion of the land been mortgaged or sold.

Lee Graham, publisher of the Democrat, a local Gainesville newspaper published and advertised Turner’s final proof for six weeks. The land patent was issued to Turner on August 24, 1896. Turner died in 1925. It is not known whether the homestead land is still in Willis Turner’s family.

Patent Details - BLM GLO Records

~ Contributed by Deborah A. Mitchell
 

Deborah A. Mitchell

More about the contributor: Deborah is an avid family history buff. She has been researching the genealogy of her family for over 30 years. She completed her stepfather’s book, Bush Family Heritage Book 2000 in May 2000. In a book presentation ceremony held on July 21, 2012, the Bush Family Heritage Book 2000 was recognized as an authentic genealogy research book and is housed in the Genealogy Department of the Dougherty County Public Library in Albany, Georgia. In June 2014, Deborah completed an updated book, Bush Family Heritage Book 2014. In 2019, Deborah completed her mother’s family book, Duckworth Family Heritage Book 2019.

In her spare time, Deborah enjoys genealogy research, interior decorating, event planning and traveling.