Jechonias Willis

(1838-1862) Willis was a Beaufort man killed when Fort Macon was taken by Federal forces during the Civil War. Captured Beafort area garrison soldiers were brought home on a barge and released on parole. General Burnside himself stood at the Beaufort wharf to witness the reunion of Beaufort families happy to see their soldiers alive. Willis' body was brought home at the same time. When the pine box was delivered to his grieving family, it is said that General Burnside cried, too.