By David A. Ralls, 18 November 2023
www.rallsdna.com
Objective
This study investigates whether Willis Ralls (b. c.1780–81, d. 1849, Obion County, Tennessee) and Larkin Rolls (b. c.1766–1784) were brothers. Both appeared on the 1810 U.S. Census in Hopkins County, Kentucky, suggesting a close familial or migratory connection.
Historical Context
By 1806, Willis Ralls had arrived in Hopkins County, Kentucky, from South Carolina. His associations with William Owen and surveying records show he was an active settler near Owens Creek, an area later part of Webster County.
Larkin Rolls also lived nearby — in the Clear Creek/Lick Creek area — alongside families from Chester County, South Carolina, such as the Conners, Wades, and Chapels. These shared origins provide the foundation for a FAN (Friends, Associates, Neighbors) network linking Willis and Larkin.
Establishing Identity: Willis Ralls
| Census Year | Birth Range (Implied) | Residence |
|---|---|---|
| 1810 | 1766–1784 | Hopkins Co., KY |
| 1820 | 1776–1794 | Livingston Co., KY |
| 1830 | 1781–1790 | Obion Co., TN |
| 1840 | 1771–1780 | Obion Co., TN |
Estimated Birth: 1780–1781
Migration Path: South Carolina → Kentucky (1806) → Tennessee (by 1824)
He married Priscilla [—?—], likely between 1794–1799, and had several children including William B. Ralls (b. 1803) and Sarah Ralls (b. 1805), both born in South Carolina.
Court minutes from January 1850 show that Willis died in late 1849 as a pauper in Obion County, with entries noting his coffin and burial expenses — confirming his final residence.
Establishing Identity: Larkin Rolls
Larkin appears only once, in the 1810 Hopkins County Census, with a household suggesting a birth before 1779. His land area neighbors included Isham Conner Jr. and Zacharias Wade — again tying him to the Chester County, SC migration group.
However, no tax, court, or probate records directly connect Larkin to Willis after 1810. The supposed “L. Rolles” land entry in court records was later proven to be Lawrence Rolleson, Sr., showing how transcription errors can distort genealogical conclusions.
FAN Analysis: Shared Communities
A FAN club (Friends, Associates, Neighbors) analysis shows overlap between Willis’s and Larkin’s associates:
| Family / Associate | Connection | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Isham Conner Sr. & Jr. | Neighbors of Larkin; father-in-law of Willis’s son | Census, Marriage, Wills |
| Zacharias Wade | Neighbor; from Chester Co., SC | Census |
| Rev. John Chapel | Married Jesse Cook & Susannah Rolls (1815) | Marriage Record |
| William Owen | Land partner of Willis | Survey Records |
Records Searched
| Record Type | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Probate | Negative | No estate for Larkin |
| Marriage | One match – Susannah Ralls (1815) | Likely Willis’s daughter |
| Military (War of 1812) | Negative for Larkin | Several unrelated Ralls/Rolls |
| Census 1820–1830 | Negative | Possible match in Arkansas (Larkin “Ruolls”) |
Conclusion
While no direct documentary evidence yet proves that Willis Ralls and Larkin Rolls were brothers, their shared geography, associates, and origins in South Carolina suggest a plausible kinship link.
Future research should explore:
- South Carolina origins — particularly Chester County records.
- Marriage bonds in Hopkins County that may survive outside digitized collections.
- The identity of Larkin Ruolls (Arkansas, 1830 Census) as a possible son.
- DNA matches among Ralls and Rolls descendants to test shared paternal lines.
Final Thoughts
Genealogical research often advances not through proof, but through eliminating errors, such as the misattributed “L. Rolles” record. By combining document analysis, community reconstruction, and DNA testing, the mystery of Willis and Larkin’s relationship may eventually be solved.
“Research not shared does not further our common goal of learning about our ancestors.”
— David A. Ralls
Citation
David A. Ralls, “Willis Ralls and Larkin Rolls – are they brothers?,” a working file last updated 18 November 2023.
Genetic Genealogy GuidePost 