I learned "WILLIS MAYBERRY" from the singing of Grandpa when he was in Chicago to do a concerthe Old Town School of Folk Music around 1965 or 1966. It was a version of the earlier ballad called "The Hills Of Roane County". As far as I know, "Roane County" was first sung by the truly wonderful harmony singing brother duo, Bill and Earl Bolick---better known as THE BLUE SKY BOYS. I guess I first heard it done by one of the very first folk revival old-timey bands called The Philo Glee And Mandolin Society---when they were around the University Of Illinois--Champaign in 1959 or '60 or '61. Folkilorist, ARCHIE GREEN, was a Labor Librarian a U. of I. then. One of my favorite verses in any song in all of folklore was the last verse of this song:

In the burning hot sands of the foundry I'm toiling,
Just working and slaving my life all away
Boys, when you write home home from this dirty old prison,
Place one of my songs in your letters for me.

Art Thieme