Recently, a Wills cousin brought to my attention a newly published biography of Mary Anne “Minnie” Clinton (1864-1939). Minnie Clinton was a soldier in the Salvation Army and daughter of John Albert Berriman’s older sister Elystra Frances Wills. Minnie made tremendous strides evangelizing and establishing the Salvation Army as a church as well as a charitable organization in Victorian England. “The Making of Captain Clinton” was written and published by Keith Mitchinson in 2020 and is available on Amazon. The first chapter is of great interest to Wills descendants in the United States and Canada because Mitchinson describes Minnie’s maternal grandparents, William Wills and Elystra Berriman and their home life in Uny Lenant, Cornwall. Using census records, the author was able to identify where William and Elystra Wills were living, which children were still at home, which had left the nest, William’s occupation and which children were at school.
Mitchinson also writes that the Wills family were committed Methodists. John Wesley evangelized in Cornwall very close to Uny Lelant and many residents, farmers and tin miners, converted to his teachings in the late 18th century. There was a natural progression from Methodism to the Salvation Army and according to Wikipedia: “The theology of the Salvation Army derives from Methodism, although it differs in institution and practice. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army. Accessed 6 May 2023). Indeed, William and Catherine Booth, founders of the Salvation Army, were originally ardent Methodists.
It is not surprising to learn about the devoted religious nature of individuals in the Wills family and its branches. Perhaps it was a cultural norm in 19th century Euro-American working class and its culture.
Mary Ann Clinton married David Lamb, another early captain in the Salvation Army. Their united life and mission was service to the Salvation Army. Mary Ann was not the only Wills who devoted a life to the Salvation Army. Cousins also answered the call of the Salvation Army in Canada and the USA.
