William John Baillie Sr. was born on January 19, 1841 in Lowdens County Georgia to parents Peter Karr Baillie and Maria Ann Cope, pioneer settler of Georgia.  Prior to the Civil War Peter Karr Baillie acquire a 160 acres homestead in Hernando County, however they would move back to Georgia after receiving deed to the property. At the age of 22, Baillie went to Savannah, Georgia to enlist for service with the Confederate States.  On May 15, 1863 Baillie enlisted as a private with Company C of the 1st Georgia Volunteer Regt.  During his service Baillie was promoted to corporal of the company.  From the 1st Georgia Volunteer Regt. was formed the 1st Consolidated Georgia Volunteer Regt. where Baillie was then promoted to 4th Sergent of Company E. On June 16, 1863, Baillie was wounded while his regiment was on detached services along the coast of Savannah and Charleston.  Baillie's wounds were not life threatening and he returned to service, he was discharged at Bentonville, North Carolina on April 26, 1865 at the end of the war. After the Civil War, in January of 1866, the entire Baillie Family moved back to Florida coming back to Hernando County and Peter Karr's previously homesteaded property.  Soon after coming back to Florida Peter Karr purchased property at the mouth of the Anclote River where he established a trading business, it was here the William J. Baillie lived the remainder of his life.  The property owned by Perter Karr is now known as Baillie's Bluff. On Feb. 1, 1873 Baillie married to Sarah Ann Stevenson (1851-1940) at what would become Seven Springs, to this union 7 children were born, all born in Elfers, Pasco County.  William and Sarah eventually acquired their own property, in Pasco County, where they built a home and engaged in farming.  On August 25, 1890 William J. Baillie and his wife, Sarah Ann, deeded one acre of property to the trustees of the Anclote Missionary Baptist Church, this property is further described as being located in Section 16, Township 26, Range 16 being in Elfers. William John Baillie Sr. passed away on May 26, 1931 and was buried in the East Elfers Cemetery. (Photo provided by Brenda Knowles, Courtesy of Connie Veale Sprouse) (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2008)