Col. Lewis Willis (1734-1813)

He was a first cousin and close friend of George Washington, and the two of them attended the same school. His son (Byrd Lewis) wrote of him: "My father grew up a strong, powerful man; to use the language of the day, was considered the best man about; that is, he could beat any man that dared to face him. He told a good story, especially when a Scotchman was introduced. I always thought he would make a good Sir Pertynox in Mecklen's Man of the World. He associated in early life with Whitehaven and Scotch merchants; was fond of books and humorous. He died February, 1813, just before the "Waverley Novels" came out. I regret this very much, for Bailey Jarvis and the Antiquary would have delighted him beyond measure."