Willis (Willie) Lewis Wortham Sr.

  General Notes:

The 1900 Federal Census for Fallstown Township, Iredell Co., North Carolina, District 95, page 138A, dated June 1, 1900 records the Wortham brothers living at the Orphan's Home: Sprunt Wortham (Sept 1889), Carl Wortham (Oct 1887), and Willis Wortham (April 1885).

The 1910 Federal Census for Manhattan Ward 12, New York, NY, District 704 records Willie L. Wortham (25 - NC/NC/NC) with his wife Verna E. Wortham (23 - VA/VA/VA) and daughters Mildred (3 - NY) and Lois H. (1 8/12 - NY). Willie has been married for 4 years and is a Machinist for the Tobacco Factory.

The 1920 Federal Census for Jersey City Ward 9, Hudson Co., New Jersey, District 217 records Willis L. (35 - NC/NC/NC) and Verna (33 - VA/VA/VA) Wortham with their children Mildred (12 - NY), Lois (11 - NY), Carl (9 - NY), and Willis (7 - NJ). Willis is a Foreman at a Tobacco Factory.

The 1930 Federal Census for Jersey City Ward 9, Hudson Co., New Jersey, District 123 records Willis L. (44 - NC/NC/NC) and Verna (42 - VA/VA/VA) Wortham with their children Carl (19 - NY) and Willis (17 - NJ). Willis is a Foreman at a Tobacco Factory. Their residence is at 19 Bryon Place and the home is valued at $20,000.

The SSDI records:
Willis Wortham
SSN: 140-09-6895
Last Residence: New Jersey
Born: 1 Apr 1885
Died: May 1964
State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951)

  Research Notes:

Fron an email:
Subj: Mattie Lewis and Adolphus Wortham
Date: 7/20/02 9:56:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: vwhall@adelphia.net (Verna Hall)
... Willis and Sprunt are my grandfather and great uncle. Never knew Alexander Sprunt, just Sprunt. My dad's brother Carl used to say his middle name was Archibald. We thought he was teasing. Death of Adolphus from "white swelling," tuberculosis of the bones. Children
sent to Barium Springs Home south of Statesville, NC. Mattie went to Richmond and set up millinery. One son Charles (?) became foster son to Blackwell relatives. Became tobacco buyer for American Tobacco Co. Very successful but died in early middle age. His son (Charles or Carl) died in an auto wreck while a student at Princeton. Carl/Charles has been considered a hard luck name as my father's brother Carl Lewis (Archibald!?) Wortham died at 45 yr.

A certain Blackwell started Bull Durham Tobacco Co. which was overtaken by the Duke's American Tobacco. Judge Susie Sharp of Riedsville is my grandfather's 1st cousin once removed, or so I'm told. Her mother a Blackwell with a Wortham mother was foster sister
to Charles Archibald Wortham.

Mattie was by my father's account a dragon. She took pride in being an FFV. Willis Jordan Wortham got changed to Willis Fielding Lewis Wortham, at least I have this hunch this is so. I'm sure Mattie Lewis Wortham encouraged it. Are you familiar with the Britcom "Keeping Up
Appearances?" The social climbing Hyacinth Bucket--"That's Bouquet!"--syndrome at work here. I believe she wanted to give her children a social edge in Richmond by renaming them.


Verna Marie Wortham daughter of Willis L. Wortham, Jr and (Anna) Marie Loehr
born August 20, 1945, Jersey City, NJ

Willis L. Wortham, Jr son of Willis L. Wortham, Sr and Verna E. Bass

Willis married Verna E. Bass circa 1906 in Richmond , VA. (Verna E. Bass was born on 14 Dec 1886 in Virginia and died in Nov 1973 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., N.C..)