John and Edward Willis

In the west cloister of Westminster Abbey, just before the steps up into the Church, is the grave of John Willis, Abbey carpenter, his son Edward and niece Ann. The inscription is quite faint but reads: 

Here lyes the body of Mr John Willis, Carpenter to this Collegiate Church who died the 28 of December 1736 aged 37 years. Also of Mr Edward Willis son of the above Mr John Willis who died July 6 1780 in the 44th year of his age. Also Ann Foster niece of the above John Willis who died July 2 1814 in the 76th year of her age

About John Willis

He was carpenter at the Abbey from 1733. His signature appears in the Abbey's Funeral Fee book for work he carried out at various funerals.

His brothers were Thomas, Edward and Jonathan and his sisters Anne (Ward) and Grace (Bacchus). His wife Jane (Hayward) was buried with him on 22nd December 1744 aged 48. She resided in Tufton Street, at the back of the Abbey. Their son was William (who died before his mother), and their daughters were Elizabeth and Ayres. Posthumous son Edward was baptised at St John the Evangelist Westminster and died unmarried.

Ann was the wife of Nicholas Foster (Forster).