Lucy A. Willis

Lucy Willis was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1828. She was enslaved by William Willis who lived in Grundy County in Missouri. While still enslaved, she gave birth to a mixed-race daughter, Rosa, in 1855. The records show that in 1863 Lucy and her daughter were enslaved by William Neill Peery, who was Mr. Willis' son-in-law. Lucy's emancipation date, which is unknown, likely occurred on January 11, 1865 when Missouri held a constitutional convention to immediately abolish slavery within the state’s borders. After being emancipated, Lucy continued to work in the Peery family as a servant. Lucy sewed quilts, and probably made other crafts that could be used for practical purposes to support daily living. Lucy died on June 5, 1914, and is buried in the Peery family cemetery.