Sam Willis (1816–1924)
Quick facts
- Born
- 1816
- Died
- 1924
- Source
- Names in Stone
When was Sam Willis born? 1816.
When did Sam Willis die? 1924.
Life story
Sam Willis (1816–1924) was born in 1816, and died in 1924, at about age 108. A cemetery record documents Sam's grave. Source: Names in Stone. AncestryData does not yet have further details about Sam's life.
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The world Sam lived through
1825 · age 9 — The Erie Canal opened
1848 · age 32 — The California Gold Rush began
1865 · age 49 — The Civil War ended and President Lincoln was assassinated
1871 · age 55 — The Great Chicago Fire burned much of the city
1892 · age 76 — Ellis Island opened to immigrants
1903 · age 87 — The Wright brothers made the first powered flight
1912 · age 96 — The Titanic sank
1918 · age 102 — World War I ended and the influenza pandemic swept the world
Questions about Sam Willis
When was Sam Willis born?
Sam Willis was born in 1816.
When did Sam Willis die?
Sam Willis died in 1924.
How old was Sam Willis at the time of death?
Sam Willis was about 108 years old.
Where is Sam Willis buried?
A cemetery record from Names in Stone documents Sam's grave; see the source link on this page for the cemetery map.
Who was president when Sam Willis was born?
James Madison was president of the United States when Sam was born.
Who was president when Sam Willis died?
Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States when Sam died.
What major events happened during Sam Willis's lifetime?
During Sam's lifetime: the Erie Canal opened (1825, age 9); the American Civil War began (1861, age 45); the first transcontinental railroad was completed (1869, age 53); Ellis Island opened to immigrants (1892, age 76); the San Francisco earthquake struck (1906, age 90); the United States entered World War I (1917, age 101).
Which U.S. censuses would include Sam Willis?
Federal censuses taken during Sam's lifetime and now public: 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920. Most 1890 census records were lost in a 1921 fire.
Census years to search
Life events
Birth
1816
Death
1924
Burial
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Cite this record
AncestryData, "Sam Willis (1816–1924)," record page, https://www.ancestrydata.com/person/sam-willis-1816-1924-4317d3a3/, accessed 2026-11-14.
https://www.ancestrydata.com/person/sam-willis-1816-1924-4317d3a3/
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