History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed.
by William Henry Perrin,  O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882.  p. 799.
[Nicholas County]  [Upper Blue Licks Precinct]

WM. S. WILLS, farmer, P. O. Moorefield, born in Montgomery County, Oct.
31, 1824.  His grandfather, Wm. Wills, came from Virginia about the year
1800, and settled on the waters of Slate Creek in what is now Menifee
County, where he devoted his attention to farming.  He was a man quite
noted in military history, though his humbler positions have made him
less famous than many whose deeds are no more worthy of record.  He began
his soldier life under Gen. Braddock when only thirteen years of age, and
was a witness of the disastrous failure of that haughty commander. He bore
an honorable part in the war of the Revolution, and when we were involved
with England a second time in 1812, he did not consider himself too old to
render all assistance in his power--serving under Gen. St. Clair, of whom
he was an ardent admirer.  He died in Menifee County about 1856.  Wm. S.
Wills, the subject of this sketch, was the oldest of seven children.  His
opportunities for obtaining an education in youth were very limited,
having been compelled to work to support himself and mother till [sic] he
was twenty-six years of age.  In 1850 he married Eliza, daughter of
Robert and Sarah (Whaley) Stone, of Bath County, by whom he has seven
children, all living, namely: J. C., John S., Albert M., Louisa, Leroy,
Laura and L. W.  At the time of his marriage, according to his own
statement, he had but fifteen cents left after paying his fee.  He bought
500 acres of land on Slate Creek for $900, and by almost superhuman
exertion, managed to pay for the same within four years, teaching school
and working for wages during the day and working on his house at night.
At the outbreak of the Civil war, he was led into a debate with a Methodist
preacher upon the subject of slavery, from which time he was marked as a
rebel.  His location between the Union troops and the lawless raiders who
took refuge in the mountains of Kentucky, was an unfortunate one for him.
He was elected Captain of a company, but was soon captured by order of
Col. Wm. Craig and thrown into prison at Mt. Sterling.  He took the oath
and endeavored to live a citizen, but his well known political principles
made him a target for those in power.  His thrilling adventures and
hair-breadth escapes during that four years would fill a volume in itself,
and need not be detailed here.  In June, 1862, he bought the store and
stock of goods of L. M. Stone, at Bald Eagle, in Bath County, for $3,500
and carried on a good trade for a while.  In 1863 the store was robbed and
he moved in Little Flat in Bath County, on Licking river.  In the course of
three or four years he accumulated sufficient to purchase his present farm
of 120 acres, where he resided since.  In 1869, he was elected Magistrate
of his precinct, and served four years, refusing a re-election.  He is a
member of the Chapter (Masonic) Lodge at Carlisle, was also elected
President of the Grange County during its existence.  He is a sterling
Democrat and with his wife is in communion with the Christian Church at
Mt. Zion.

Wills Whaley Stone
=
Montgomery-KY Menifee-KY Bath-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/nicholas/wills.ws.txt