William Willett, Sr.

William Willett Sr. 1714 to 1772

The Willett family has a fascinating history deeply tied to both craftsmanship and distilling. William Willett Sr. was born in Prince George’s County, Maryland to Edward Willett and Tabitha Mills Willett. William grew up on the family plantation called Bealington not too far from where Upper Marlboro is today.

The Willett’s were a prominent family in the local community. In addition to farming, they had a successful pewter business. William learned the pewter business from his father who carried that as his profession in London, England. He was well regarded for his skills and craftsmanship. William met and married Mary Simmons in 1737. Together they had 14 children. In addition to his farming, and pewter business he decided to open a tavern. To ensure quality whiskey was served at the family tavern he learned and began distilling a Maryland Rye Whiskey.

William Willett Sr.'s establishment of a Maryland Rye Whiskey tradition in the 18th century off the Patuxent River reflects a lineage that blended artisanal skill as a pewterer with entrepreneurial spirit. He decided to pass different trades to his sons. His oldest Edward, he taught silversmith/pewterer, William Willett, Jr. the second eldest learned distillation, that way both family traditions and economic enterprises flourished.

William Willet, Jr. moved his family to Nelson County Kentucky in 1792. Soon after he opened the Willett & Frenke Distillery. William Willett Jr. son John David Willett began working at the distillery in1841 at the age of 14.

During the later 1800’s, John became Master Distiller for 5 local distilleries and developed the mash bills that would eventually shape some of the Willett Family Distillery’s first recipes. The Willett family's whiskey-making tradition has endured through generations, with their distilling expertise and recipes shaping the Willett Family Distillery's modern success.

Contributed by: Poppy Bruce Potash, Warwick, New York

with support from Bill & Vicki Gallagher, Mid-Atlantic Rye Whiskey Section Editors, Marriottsville, Maryland