willy cutting was born in 1832 in new york city. he was the eldest son of new york state assemblyman and u.s. representative francis brockholst cutting (1804–1870) and anne markoe (née heyward) cutting (1807–1885) of south carolina. among his siblings was francis brockholst cutting (who married marion ramsay and was the father of f. brockholst cutting) and heyward cutting.