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A basic question usually asked in genealogy concerns the origin of a surname. The Latin word, sali, from which the name Sallis is said to be derived, means "salt." The name Sallis was not a common name in 17^th and 18^th century America. However, as the variations in the spelling of the name "Sallis" are many, it was more common in England and Europe. In different records it was spelled "Sallas," "Sallis," "Salis," "Silas," "Saller," "Seller," "Sollice," "Salice," "Sales," and "Sylice." It depended on who was doing the writing. Census takers, court officials and others spelled names as they sounded to them.

The Sallis/Salis/Sales name is associated in France with the Duchy of Savoy. Count de Salis was of the House of Savoy and supported the Norman invasion of England in 1066. In return for his support he was granted a coat of arms and land. A willow is the feature of the de Salis arms. The book A Dictionary of British Surnames, by P.H. Reaney (Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1958, page 281), gives the meaning of the name Sallis as a "dweller by the willows."

Introduction

This book is about the family of one John Sallis. The documentation of that family begins in the year 1742 in Bertie County, North Carolina. Although the ancestry of this John Sallis has not been definitely established, there are some strong possibilities. While the facts certainly demand further research, John’s earliest ancestor may possibly have been a Samuel Sallis of Virginia.

In an attempt to establish the lineage of John Sallis of Bertie Co., N.C., it was noted that there was a Samuel Sallis in Virginia prior to 1650. Samuel Sallis (In order to expedite clear understanding this Samuel Salis will be designated Samuel #1.) was apparently born about 1600-1620 and died in York Co., Va. About 1661. While the name of Samuel Sallis’ wife is unknown, they had at least two children. One was named John (designated John #1). John #1 was born about 1625-30 and died in Charles City Co., Va. In 1657. The other child, Samuel (designated Samuel #2), was born about 1625-30 and died in 1704 in Essex Co., Va.

Samuel Sallis #2 was appointed surveyor of the Highway in St. Mary’s Parish of Essex Co., Va. On May 10, 1692. At the 12^th of November 1695 session of the Essex county court, it was also noted that one Anthony Seale was appointed surveyor to replace Samuel Sallis. This fact may or may not have significance. However, the name "Seals" has been noted in later naming patterns of the family of John Sallis of Bertie Co., N.C.

Samuel Sallis #2 married the widow Mrs. Sarah (Catlett) Taliaferro in Essex Co., Va. About 1687/88. They had the following four children: Anne, Samuel (designated Samuel #3), and John (designated John #2).

John Sallis #3 was born about 1690 and died in Essex Co., Va. About 1730. Possibly he never married. His will left everything to a step-brother and made no mention of a wife or children.

John Sallis #2 was born about 1689. In 1717, he was mentioned in the will of Thomas Meadows (Meaders). Thomas Meadows was John #2’s brother-in-law, having married John’s sister Anne. There was no statement in the will as to whether John #2 was still a resident of Virginia.

The name "John ‘Saller’(Satter?)" appears on page 78 in the book Old Albermarle Co., N.C. Miscellaneous Records 1678 to ca 1737, by Wynette Parks Haun. This name may have been John Sallis. This is something that definitely needs to be followed up on. Bertie County was at one time part of Old Albermarle County. It places a man with possibly the same name – John Sallis – living very near, or in the same place, where our John Sallis first appears in the public records.