Willis P. “Joe” Prescott (1851-1904)

Willis P. “Joe” Prescott

Birth

24 Dec 1851

Pike County, Mississippi, USA

Death

12 Jul 1904 (aged 52)

Amite County, Mississippi, USA

Burial

Prescott Cemetery

Amite County, Mississippi, USA Add to Map

Memorial ID

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Married Phoebe Elizabeth Bankston on March 2, 1876 at the bride's parents' home by Mr. Lea, in Amite County, Mississippi. Son of Ephraim Prescott and Talitha Simmons. Grandson of Willis Benjamin Prescott and Suzann (Susan) Jones; William Simmons and Nancy Hope. Old home place at end of Prescott Road across the street from cemetery as seen in photograph. One of his granddaughters, who is now in her 90s, told me the story she was told as a child about how he died. He went to visit one of his sisters and she had made him some fried green tomatoes. The sister didn't realize he had taken some Calamin?? before he came to call on her and she offered him some fried green tomatoes. Apparently, Calamin (I am wondering if maybe it was Laudanum that was used for anything that ailed you) is some sort of a laxative and for whatever reason, this caused him to die when he ate the fried green tomatoes. Sounds far fetched but this is the story his granddaughter conveyed to me. Go to his wife's site (click on link below) to see a photograph of 12 of their children. There were 13 children from this union. The youngest of their children, Uncle Willis, was not born yet when the photograph was taken. The baby in the photo is of my grandmother, Lula Elaine Prescott. His great great grandfather, Aaron Prescott was a revolutionary patriot and his father Ephraim was a Confederate soldier.

1. William Leon Prescott b. 9 FEB 1877
2. Albert Lafayette Prescott b. 4 JUL 1878
3. John Young Prescott b. 14 MAY 1880
4. Thomas Nelson Prescott b. 16 JUL 1882
5. Ella Prescott b. 8 NOV 1883
6. Lena Prescott b. 8 NOV 1883
7. Elizabeth (Betty) Prescott b. 10 FEB 1886
8. Edward Coleman (Bud) Prescott b. 26 JUL 1887
9. Infant Boy b. 8 NOV 1890
10. Infant Boy b. 8 NOV 1890
11. Mary Lelia Prescott b. 26 OCT 1891
12. Lula Elaine Prescott b. 25 SEP 1893
13. Willis Prescott b. 26 FEB 1896

Obituary from Terry's Creek Baptist Church Book:

W. P. Prescott was born and reared in Pike County, Miss. He was the son of Ephraim Prescott and wife. Born December 24, 1851. Married to Elizabeth Bankston March 2, 1876. Joined and was baptized at Line Creek Church. Withdrew and joined Terry's Creek Church June 18, 1880. Died July 12, 1901 . . . He leaves a wife and eleven children . . . Funeral services conducted by Rev. J. H. Lane and his remains laid to rest in the family graveyard at the residence of the deceased.