John Williams son of Theophilus Williams 1721-1770

John Williams and Abigail Creech

There is no absolute proof that John Williams the eldest son of Theophilus Williams is the father of Britton Williams, the patriot of South Carolina who died in 1781. Its all supposition based on 30 years of research. Additionally there is no proof that Abigail was a Creech. There are no land deeds, probate records, nor marriage records to confirm a relationship between John Williams and Theophilus except an abundance of circumstantial evidence based solely on proximity of location and social standing in the agrarian culture of the old South.

However the DNA record proves without a doubt that Britton Williams was related to John Williams the Welsh emigrant who came to Virginia Colony in 1666. This John Williams also had a brother named Thomas Williams and possibly another brother named Lewis Williams all who also had sons from whom Britton would have shared the same Y chromosome that is only passed from father to son.

This Lewis Williams of Surry County Virginia perhaps a brother of John the Emigrant only had one son, named William, who does not track with his cousins after 1700. Thomas Williams of Isle of Wight County, the only known brother of John the Emigrant had several sons many whom migrated into Bertie County and lived near their cousins, the children of John Williams the Younger.

John Williams the  Emigrant’s son John the Younger of Bertie County, North Carolina is the most likely ancestor of Britton Williams as his children and grandchildren migrated to the same locality where Britton Williams is known to have been in 1767.  As that colonial families almost always migrated together it is logical to assume that Britton’s relatives did the same for security and religious reasons.  

The difficult search for the ancestry of Britton Williams is compounded by the frequency that various Williams clans of North Carolina named their sons John. Indeed this is even more difficult by the fact that Lewis Williams of Chowan County, North Carolina had a grandson also named John Williams who tracks to the same locality as John Williams the son of Theophilus Williams. Both these men are found in what became Duplin County and within miles of each other. To separate the two men is a daunting task and can really only be done through tracking their neighbors. While John Williams the Emigrant and Lewis Williams of Chowan do not have a DNA match their descendants may have thought they were related as there were many connections and marriages between these families.  John the Emigrant's great grandson Ezekiel Williams married a granddaughter of Lewis Williams of Chowan for an example. 

Until further evidence is found, or my hypothesis is proven wrong, I am convinced that Britton Williams is a descendant from John the Emigrant through his son John the Younger then through his son Theophilus Williams who had a son named John the alleged father of Britton Williams. This is my assumption and I am sticking with it.

JOHN WILLIAMS SON of THEOPHILUS

John Williams the alleged father of Britton Williams  was born circa 1721 in the Roquist River area, west of the Cashie River in what became Bertie County, North Carolina. He may have died circa 1770 in Granville County, South Carolina in an area that today is in Allendale County. All of this is pure speculation as there are no documents that would confirm this.

John Williams was born in the area of Cashie River and the Roanoke River in Bertie County, North Carolina.

John Williams was the eldest son of Theophilus Williams and Christian Bryan Busby and probably was named for his grandfather John Williams the Younger a pioneer of the Cashy River area. He also could have been named for Theophilus elder brother, John Williams who died in 1722 unmarried.

The first mention of John Williams, the son of Theophilus, is in the will of his uncle John Williams the third from 1722 who named him his as his “cousin”. Cousin is an old term for nephew or niece.  Nearly 25 years later his grandfather John Williams the Younger mentioned him Williams in his will dated March 1747. Often grandchildren who are namesakes were left a legacy in their grandparents will. “I give to my well beloved grand Son John Williams one iron pot & one grist that was my fathers.”  Evidently John the Younger wanted his grandson to have items that once belonged to his father, John the emigrant, who died in 1692 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. These items would have been used in a household that was probably already set up. The time between John Williams the Third's legacy and John the Youngers indicated that John the son of Theophilus was a grown man in 1747. John Williams was nearly 26 years old when his grandfather wrote his will, but he had to wait another ten years to receive tis legacy as that John the Younger did not pass away until 1757 in Bertie County, North Carolina.

John Williams’ father Theophilus Williams named the members of his household including his slaves in the Bertie County, in Court Minutes of 11 May 1742. However, John was not included in the list. Theophilus Williams, “on oath declared his right” listed those still living within his household were; “Theophilus, his wife Christian, and children Joseph, James, Esther, Lewis and Feribee Williams”. His enslaved people of African descent were included in his household and were listed as Toney, Boston, Pompey, Rose, Phillis, Patt, Jenny, Jupiter, Silva, Chloe, and Pegg.”   Feribee may have been his niece, the daughter of his deceased brother James, of whom Theophilus was her legal guardian.

That his eldest son John Williams was not recorded within his father’s household at that time probably. meant he may have already been married or at least had relocated to New Hanover County which later became Duplin County. Only surmising and circumstantial evidence can track John Williams, son of Theophilus Williams, whereabouts. If John Williams was born in 1721 he would have already reached his majority age of 21 in 1742. He probably married about 1742 as that in 1765 he stated he had 9 children when he applied for grants in St. George Parish, Georgia Colony. He may have died circa 1770 when his widow Abigail began to acquire property in her own name in March 1771. Land records show that he lived much of his adult life in Onslow and Duplin Counties before removing to South Carolina and Georgia. He may have been around 49 years old when he died and therefore family knowledge of him was not passed down to his own grandchildren.

NEUSE RIVER  ONSLOW COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA

John Williams’ father Theophilus Williams received a land grant on 16 February 1739 in Onslow County, just south of New Bern, the colony's capital. On 12 March 1745 [1746] Theophilus sold part of it to his son John. This property was on the south side of the Neuse River above Mill Creek west of Burnt Marsh. John Williams later sold the property bought from his father to Robert Lee on 31 March 1752, who in turn sold it to John’s cousin Isaac Williams in 1766. The witnesses to the 1766 transaction were Johnston County neighbors  Jethro Butler and John Ingram formerly of Bertie County.

Isaac Williams had also lands in 1766 on south side of Neuse River “adjoining Theophilus Williams line, south side of Burnt Marsh, John Lee’s second corner pine, from a grant made to John Blackman 4 April 1750.” John Blackman had been apprenticed to Theophilus Williams back in Bertie County when he was a child. Theophilus is thought to have died before 1766 so this could have referred to Theophilus’ property line or perhaps to a man of the same name, the son of John’s brother, Sheriff Joseph Williams of Duplin County.

This Robert Lee in 1766 sold off his properties in Johnston County in preparation for a move to Granville County South Carolina. By 1768 this Robert Lee was established in Granville County, South Carolina, an area that later became Barnwell District.

GREAT AND LITTLE COHARIE CREEK COMMUNITIES DUPLIN COUNTY

The first Indian groups to live in and around Duplin County were the Sioua and Tuscarora. When white settlers started getting land grants in this area from the British Crown, a few Coharie Indians were still here at the same time. Their villages appears to have been centered along the east bank of the Great Coharie Creek between present day Kill and Ward Swamps which are tributaries. However, burial mounds and Indian artifacts have been found throughout the entire area.  As settlers moved in, the Indians diminished and may have moved further south along the west bank of the Great Coharie, in what is now Herring Township. Two Indian names still in use today in high Sampson County are Coharie and Mingo.

Originally a part of New Hanover County, Duplin County was established on 7 April 1750, by the General Assembly. In 1784 the western half of Duplin County was cut off to form Sampson County. Any property along the Great and Little Coharie Creeks are now in Sampson County.

On 22 April 1745 John Williams received a land grant of 400 acres on both sides of the “Cohera River”  for four shilling paid yearly to King George II in New Hanover County, North Carolina. A Quit Rent Tax assessment  for John Williams in 1750 showed that he had a land patent of acres 150 on the Great Coheary Creek as early as 1 March 1738 [1739]. The term "Quit rent" is one that was used in Colonial America to refer to a property tax, which was assessed by the Crown. The local county sheriff collected it, and it was sent to the Governor for distribution and administration. It was paid in cash or tobacco. It was also one of the "Taxation Without Representation" issues leading to the Revolution.  The 1750 Quit Rent Tax by John Williams was owned to the crown and it stated that he hadn’t paid the tax for 11 years and owed the crown £3: 6 shillings. 

OTHER WILLIAMS FAMILIES OF THE REGION

JOHN WILLIAMS the MERCHANT of Black River

John Williams was the son of Anthony Williams and Martha Bush. He was also the grandson of Lewis Williams of Chowan Precinct. He was called a “Merchant  of Black River” in a document from 1760. On 23 September 1743 his brother Anthony Jr was granted 640 acres granted on Burn Coat Swamp in New Hanover County which later became Duplin. John’s other brother, Stephen Williams, died in 1751 in New Hanover County.  In Stephen’s will, written 3 July 1751, he left his estate on White Oak and Beaver Dam Neck to his wife and left 150 acres of land to his brother John Williams “Where William Prescott now lives”. 

John Williams is also named in his brother Anthony’s will of 1752 as his brother along with a nephew Anthony Beverley and grandson Cader Powell. who moved to St. George Parish, Georgia. 

In a deed dated 3 January 1760 John Williams the “Merchant of Black River” bought 200 acres from Arthur Blackman “of Craven County on “Little Coheary  Creek.” A witness to the deed was Phillip Williams. This Phillip Williams had a brother named Hardy Williams and he was kin to Anthony Williams. Phillip was in Craven County South Carolina by 1769 and had married by 1772 Mrs. Elizabeth Cantey. He was listed on  the 1783 Tax List of Orangeburgh District South Carolina and in 1789 had sold lands to Charles Pyre in Winton [Barnwell] County. Phillip Williams died in 1799  in Liberty County, Georgia. Hardy Williams  in 1763 had lands adjoining  William Sherrod and William Deloach in Edgecomb County, North Carolina. In 1788 he witnessed a  deed between Benjamin and Joseph Williams of Sampson-Duplin County.

The same year of 1760, John Williams” the Merchant” witnessed the deed of his nephew Stephen Williams “of Onslow County”.  A deed from 7 November 1761 stated he had lands on the westside of “Little Coheary” a deed witnessed by Joshua Platt . Three years later 28 October 1764 this John Williams may have bought from Ferguard Campbell “of Cumberland” county 200 acres on eastside of Black River on Beaverdam swamp. The witnesses were John Jones and Joshua Platt.  Eighteen months later on 8 February 1766 John Williams sold these lands on east side of Black River on Beaverdam Swamp to  Samuel Sessoms and also on the same day sold to Richard Sessoms lands on “Little Coheary Creek”.  In 1768 a citation was given to John and Elizabeth Williams to administer estate of Anthony Williams of St. Mark’s Parish “as nearest of kin.”

 FAMILIES of CONTENTNEA CREEK

JONAS WILLIAMS, BENJAMIN CREECH, and JAMES ROBERTS

Contentnea Creek is tributary of the Neuse River in North Carolina. It is part of the Neuse River Basin, and flows for 95 miles between the Buckhorn Reservoir, where it begins, into the Neuse River near the communities of and Grifton and Kinston.  This area is where the families of Jonas Williams, James Roberts, and Benjamin Creech settled which was then in Dobbs County about 50 miles northeast of Goshen Settlement in Duplin County.

JONAS WILLIAMS

Jonas Williams was probably the son of another John Williams and grandson of Thomas Williams and Mary Parnell. Thomas Williams was the brother of John the Emigrant. This Thomas Williams’ children were John Williams circa 1680, Richard Williams circa 1682, Thomas Williams circa 1684, Arthur Williams circa1686, Mary Williams circa 1688 and Ann Williams circa 1690.  The exact birth order of his children is an estimate.

John Williams son of Thomas Williams and Mary Parnell signed his will on 12 March 1740/41 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia which was probated about a year later on 2 February 1741/42. A witness was his cousin Thomas Parnell. The legatees of John Williams were his son in law Robert Jones and son Jonas Williams.  Jonas’ sister Martha married Robert Jones, who joined her in selling the 80 acres left to them by the will of John Williams. The conveyance was to William Rand.  This couple thereafter disappears from Isle of Wight records probably moving to North Carolina.  

Jonas Williams was married to Catherine, whose maiden name is unknown. On 13 September 1744, they executed two conveyances in the Isle of Wight. They deeded 210 acres from the 290 acres that William Moore and wife Sarah had sold to his father John Williams in 1710.  William Moore was the son of  John Moor the Shoe Maker who was the father in law of John the Younger of Bertie County. They also deeded another 200 acres to William Rand, “willed by Thomas Williams to his sons Thomas Williams and Arthur Williams.”

This said Arthur Williams exchanged his 100 acre part with Jonas Williams’ uncle Richard Williams and the other 100 acres for want of issue of said Richard Williams descended to said Jonas Williams.”  Arthur Williams moved to Bertie County where he died.

On 26 September 1766 a Jonas Williams had lands in Dobb Co. NC adjoining John Williams, James Williams, and Timothy Lee on the north side of the Contenteney River [Contentnae Creek] now located in Lenoir County.

The 1769 Poll Tax List for Dobbs County, included the following Jonas Williams, Evin Williams, John Williams, Joshua Williams, Nathan Williams, Benjamin Creech Sr, Benjamin Creech Jr, John Creech, and Jesse Croom. The names Evan, John, Joshua, and Nathan all show up in land deeds in the next decade in what became Allendale County, South Carolina.

During the Revolutionary War it is established that Britton Williams and Abigail Williams were in South Carolina however these Williams were listed as serving in the Dobbs County Regiment. How many of these men were related to Jonas Williams is unclear. These three Williams were drafted and served under Capt. John Kennedy and Col. James Glasgow David Williams, Job Williams and Joshua Williams.  

A John Williams and William Williams were known Privates under Capt. Jesse Cobb and Col. Abraham Sheppard. On 4 November 1780, both John and William were drafted under Capt. Jacob Johnston and Col. James Glasgow. William Williams was  in February 1781, a known Private under Capt. Joshua Davis and Col. James Darnell.  Stephen Williams served in the Dobbs County Regiment  and volunteered under Capt. William Speight and Col. James Glasgow 4 November 1780.  

Thomas Williams served in the New Bern District Minutemen on 27 February 1776 and was a known Captain under Col. Richard Caswell.  On 30 October 1778 he was a known Captain under Col. William Caswell in the Dobbs County Regiment.  He also served along with Frederick Herring and on 5 July 1779  was a known Captain under Col. James Glasgow. Later that year he was  promoted to Major.

Frederick Herring. on 5 July 1779 was a known Captain under Col. James Glasgow and in 1781 a Captain under Col. Benjamin Exum. A Stephen Herring was also a Captain serving under  Col. James Glasgow. The Herrings were grandchildren of John Williams the Younger of Bertie.

NATHANIEL WILLIAMS

Family ties and property transactions brought John Williams the son of Theophilus back to Duplin County from Georgina by 29 February 1764 when he sold lands on west side of Great Coheary to Abraham Odam. He had originally bought the property from Richard Holley. This Richard Holley had sold land to Nathaniel Williams on 6 July 1754 on west side of the Great Coheary Creek adjoining Richard Odam’s Marsh. The witness was Nathaniel's son Timothy Williams.

What the family relationship between John Williams and Nathaniel Williams, if any, is undetermined. This Nathaniel Williams is not a son nor grandson of John Williams the Younger of Bertie County. He may however be a descendant of  one of John the Younger’s uncles. This Nathaniel was granted land on the eastside of Great Coheary  Creek in Duplin County on 27 October 1762. On 15 May 1764 he made three Deeds of Gifts to his three sons, Timothy Williams, Isaac Williams, and Jacob Williams.  His son Isaac  Williams was given land on east side of Great Coheary Creek, his son Timothy Williams was given 50 acres on the west side of Great Coheary,  land first granted to Richard Holley, and to his son Jacob Williams he gave 100 acres on Great Coheary in Duplin County.

On 13 October 1764 John Williams bought lands from Thomas Gibbs land on Gum Marsh near Coheary Swamp. The transaction was  witnessed by Timothy Williams and Isaac Williams sons of Nathaniel Williams. Also on On 1 October 1764 Timothy Williams witnessed a deed between Richard Bass and Joseph Williams in Johnston County. This may have been Sheriff Joseph son of Theophilus Williams and brother of John Williams

BENJAMIN CREECH SR of DOBBS COUNTY

Benjamin Creech Sr. was born 28 January 1724 [1725] in Nansemond County, Virginia. He would have been about the same as John Williams who is believed to have married Abigail Creech. His parents were Richard Creech II and Mary Etheridge and he was the brother of Captain Richard Creech of  Wilmington who married Ann Williams and relocated to Orangeburgh [Winton] County after the war.

Benjamin Creech married “Mary Jane”  Lewis and had 9 children and named 8 of them biblical names and one a family name. He was the father of Richard Creech, Mary Nancy Creech; Simon Creech; Rebecca Creech; Benjamin Creech, Jr  husband of Louise Mozingo; Joshua Creech, Sr.; Ezekiel Creech, Jonathan [John] Creech, Sr, and Lewis Creech. Benjamin Creech died 1780 in Dobbs County [now Greene], North Carolina about 55 years old.

Benjamin Creech Sr. was in the area of Contentnae Creek as early as 1746 when he received a patent of 75 acres. On 23 April 1748, he paid 2 years delinquent Quit Rents of 6 shillings. On 26 September 1766 Creech had lands in Dobb County adjoining John Williams, James Williams and Timothy Lee. His son Benjamin Creech Junior on  26 September 1766 had l200 acres on eastside of Falling Creek joining Thomas Martin’s line, Merry Creek, and White Marsh in Dobb County. 

On 11 June 1767 Benjamin Creech had 148 acres eastside of Falling Creek but whether this was the father or son is unkown. Benjamin Creech still had lands in Dobbs and Johnston Counties as of 26 Sept 1767 along with Joshua Williams, John Williams, and James Roberts.  However it is known that James Roberts was relocating to St. Georgia Parish, Georgia Colony about this time where his brother John Roberts had relocated.

The following land grants only refer to a “Benjamin Creech” so it’s unclear whether they were to senior or junior. On 9 April 1770 King George granted to Benjamin Creech  100 acres in Dobbs County on Northside of the Neuse River at the eastside of Lower Falling Creek between Gum Swamp and White Marsh adjoining Jack Thompson, and John Walters “within 3 years must clear and cultivate". He also received 3 acres enrolled in the town of Wilmington  on 11 April 1770 by Charles Heron. Benjamin Creech's brother Richard lived within the Wilmington District of New Hanover.

On 21 July 1774 Benjamin Creech had lands in Dobb County adjoining John Williams and Joshua Williams.  A deed dated 21 July 1774 showed he had lands in Dobb County adjoining John Williams, Jonas Williams, James Roberts, and Benjamin Creech Jr.

Benjamin Creech Sr. raised 6 sons to manhood and all of them served in the Revolution War. They were Benjamin Creech, Jr, Ezekiel Creech, John Creech, and Simon Creech all who served in the Dobbs County Regiment under Captain John Kennedy. John Creech on 14 July 1780 received a $300 bounty from Col. James Glasgow for re-enlisting. Joshua Creech was also in the Dobbs County Regiment as Private under Capt. Joseph Green. 

All these Dobbs County men fought at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge between North Carolina Loyalists and Patriots. The battle was fought near Wilmington in present-day Pender County, North Carolina on February 27, 1776. Lieutenant Ezekiel Slocumb acting as a Captain under Col. Abraham Sheppard, from what would later become Wayne County, and his men moved downstream during the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, forded the creek, penetrated the swamp. They made a furious charge on the flank of the Loyalists and this action decided the fate of the day. The Loyalists broke and ran while  Slocumb's men captured a wagon containing 300 guns and 75 guineas (lbs.). The victory of North Carolina Revolutionary forces over Southern Loyalists at Moore's Creek Bridge helped build political support for the revolution and increased recruitment of additional soldiers into their forces.

RICHARD CREECH SR of WINTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

Captain Richard Creech Sr. who married Ann Williams was the brother of  Benjamin Creech Sr. Captain Richard  Creech Sr. was born circa 1730 in Nansemond County, Virginia and died 1787 in present day Allendale County, South Carolina.  He first settled in New Hanover County, North Carolina and from here he served in the Revolution as a Lieutenant from the Wilmington District, New Hanover. After the war he moved to old Winton County, an area. He was listed in the 1783 Tax List of Orangeburgh County which then included Winton County.  In Oct. 1786 the Court of Winton County made him a Grand Juror and a Commissioner of Roads. His will is on record in Barnwell County, which was recorded March 11, 1787. His administrators were his son Richard Creech and his wife Ann Creech. His estate was appraised 25 August 1788 by John Williams, William Creech, and Reuben Golightly. His widow Ann Williams Creech signed for a pension 18 October 1796 for her husband Richard Creech’s service in the Revolution.

Evidently there was some family connection between Abigail the widow of John Williams and Captain Richard Creech also named Richard. She sold off most of her personal estate to Captain Richard's son, and in the 1790 Census of the Southern Part of Orangeburgh District Abigail Williams within a few households of Ann Creech the widow. When Abigail Williams died in 1802, she named Richard Creech Jr as the executor of her estates.

Richard Creech Jr  was married to Mary Davis, said to have been a cousin, and  the widow of either Owen or Nathan Williams. Richard Jr. had been appointed Sheriff of Winton County on 2 November 1790. Richard Creech Jr.  died in 1808 in Barnwell County while serving as a state senator. He is buried in the Revolutionary war Cemetery at the Barnwell Courthouse along with his brother William Creech.

On 7 February 1809 Mary Creech "widow of Richard Creech" gave a deed of gift to her married daughter Jane A Harley. She deeded to her four African Americans that consisted of a mother named Dinah and her three children Dora, Julia, and Rachel.  She also deeded her household and kitchen furniture as well as five cows and calves. The witnesses were William Barker and Stephen Roberts who was a son of Captain James Roberts.

Senator Richard Creech Jr. had a brother William Creech who died in 1834 also in Barnwell County. He was married to Susan Kirkland the daughter of George Kirkland. This marriage made him a brother in law to Wilson Williams the son of Britton Williams whose mother was thought to be Abigail Creech Williams.

JAMES ROBERTS and JOHN ROBERTS

On 2 November 1764 a John Williams had lands on southside of Contentnae Creek  along with Joshua Williams, Captain James Roberts, Benjamin Creech in Dobbs County. They lived north of the town of Kinston which was created by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly in December 1762 as Kingston, in honor of King George III.  

Captain James Roberts was married to Amy Creech whose granddaughter Esther Roberts was the third wife of Wilson Williams the son of Britton Williams and presumably the grandson of John Williams and Abigail Creech. Amy Creech was said to be the sister of William Creech.

Captain James Roberts who had been a neighbor of Benjamin Creech Sr. was married to Amy Creech the sister of a William Creech and probably daughter of  Richard Creech and Mary Etheridge and perhaps sister of Abigail Creech. If so this would have made John Williams and Captain James Roberts brothers in law and would explain many of the family connections.

Captain James Roberts  was a Revolutionary War Soldier who died 1802 in Barnwell District South Carolina. His known children were Dorcus Roberts wife of Mr. Curlee, Elizabeth Roberts wife of Mr. Stancell, Irwin Roberts. James Roberts Jr, Stephen Roberts Sr., Mary Roberts wife of Matthew Paramore, Roland Roberts, Roger Roberts, Winniford Roberts wife of Mr. Barfield. Stephen Roberts Sr. was the father in law of Wilson Williams, the son of Britton Williams.

Captain James Roberts had lands in North Carolina as of September 1766 where his lands were on Contentnea Creek, in Dobbs County adjoining Edward and James Coward. But in 1766 Roberts had moved to St. George Parish, Georgia Colony to be eligible for property there. He would not have gone alone but in the company of other relatives and neighbors from Dobbs and Duplin Counties for safety as this was still Creek Indian Country.   

On 3 March1767 Captain James Robert was granted 82 acres in St. George Parish by David Hughes and Nicholas Fisher.  Later on 1 Sept 1767 he had acquired 150 acres adjoining William Colsen on the north, on the east side of Nehemiah Tindall and John Gaspar Hirtschman on the south.

John Gaspar Hirschman’s property is the linchpin that connects many of settlers on Brier Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River. Both John Williams and James Roberts were near neighbors of John Gaspar Hirtschman in St. George Parish and Hirschman’s  vacated lands were granted to Britton Williams in March 1768. It is possible that Captain James Robert and John Williams were brothers-in-law.  If so then Britton Williams’ land grant may have been adjoining his uncle Captain James Roberts. 

Captain James Roberts must have returned to Dobbs County, shortly after acquiring his land grant in Georgia, for on 26 Sept 1767 he is shown as owning lands near Joshua Williams and John Williams and adjoining Edward Coward in Dobbs County.  He is also shown of the 1769 Tax List in with two sons who were over 16 years.

JOHN ROBERTS of DUPLIN COUNTY

Captain James Roberts had a brother named John Roberts who was married to a woman named Sarah. He had lands in 1759 at Rowan Marsh [Creek] in Duplin County adjoining Michael Mixon who would also migrate to the Savannah River area. Rowan Creek is a tributary of the Six Run Creek. On 23 February 1764 John Roberts had lands on the west side of Six Run River and Beaver Dam swamp in Duplin County.

By 24 October 1766 John Roberts had moved to South Carolina where he filed a plat for 250 acres in Colleton County along the Salkehatchie River with neighbor Alexius Forster. From 1682 to 1768 this original Colleton County was never surveyed or properly laid out. Its boundaries were ambiguous. Its county government never became functional. Most records were kept at the parish level; none were kept at the county level. There was no county seat. In this case the term "county" had no meaning other than to describe an approximate geographical area. It was a county in name only and was abolished in 1768. At that time his property became part of Granville County. 

A year later on 2 June 1767 John Roberts was granted 350 acres adjoining John Tanner and James Anderson Overstreet in St. George Parish, Georgia directly across the Savannah River. A deed of John Tanner from 6 October 1767 shows that he owned 100 acres at Rocky Creek. John Roberts the next year filed a plat on 8 December 1768 for 500 acres on Black Creek on the Salkehatchie River in Colleton County. His neighbor was Alexis Forster.  Evidently this property was in St. Bartholomew Parish.

However a 1769 Poll Tax List of Dobbs County, showed that John Roberts was back in North Carolina.  Evidently there was a steady back and forth between new lands in Georgia, South Carolina and old homesteads in North Carolina.

Both Captain James Roberts and his brother John Roberts eventually left North Carolina for good and are found located in Prince William Parish , Granville County, South Carolina in the pre-Revolutionary War period. 

By 1771 John Roberts had property in Prince William Parish in Granville County. A plat for Jacob Kettle dated 11 April 1771 stated his neighbors were John Bergman, James Bullock, Elias Jourdan, Elias Roberts, John Roberts, and John Wragg.  On 26 June 1771 John Roberts filed a memorial title for 250 acres in Prince William Parish on the Coosawhatchie River in Granville. His neighbor was Barnabas Brandford. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  Memorials can include details of mortgages, discharge of mortgages, transfer of ownership, and leases – all of which affect the land in some way.

Here in Prince William Parish Captain James Roberts along with his sister in law  Sarah Roberts, witnessed a deed of Nathaniel Raynor on 7 August 1772. His brother John Roberts was a neighbor of Raynor. 

On 6 October 1772 John Roberts was granted 200 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia on the west side of the Savannah River. A few months later on 5 January 1773 Captain James Roberts was granted an additional 100 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia across the Savannah River from Prince William Parish. These lands in Georgia were adjoining properties of Joseph Allen.

Captain James Roberts must have crossed over the Savannah River several times as on 29 November 1773 he was back in Prince WIlliam Parish where he witnessed a deed of Elias Jordan of  Granville County. This property was on the Coosawhatchie Swamp adjoining John Roberts, William Davis, Thomas Bee and Jacob Kettle. A Peter Roberts also witnessed the deed along with James Roberts and he may have been another relative if not brother. 

Just prior to the start of the Revolutionary War, on 21 July 1774 Captain James Roberts was back in Dobbs County where he was granted 250 acres at Polecat Creek adjacent to Joshua Williams, John Williams and Benjamin Creech.  His brother John Roberts however remained in South Carolina. A deed dated 29 September 1774 for Daniel Boyden stated John Roberts had property at Boggy Gut part of Saltcatchers Swamp in Prince William Parish and that his neighbors were  John Roberts, Elias Jourdan and James Stewart. This gives an approximate location for John Roberts lands. 

Matthew Paramore who married Mary Roberts, a daughter  of James Roberts was listed 28 February 1775 as having lands adjoining Edward Cowards and James Roberts in Dobbs County on Contentnea Creek. The Paramores would also move eventually to South Carolina.

During the Revolutionary War Captain James Roberts had moved to Granville County, South Carolina where John Williams, his possible brother in law was now residing or at least his widow and sister in law. He was a captain in a partisan unit and in 1782 he sold corn to support the South Carolina  Militia. After the war in 1786 he was charged by Sarah Alberson as being the father of her child. This accusation however could have been against his son James Robert  Jr. James Roberts was on a 1787 Tax List for “Orangeburgh District” which included Granville. He died circa 1802 on his plantation at Turkey Creek in Barnwell District.

Captain James Roberts and John Roberts may have had other brothers who also owned property in St. George Parish Georgia and in Prince William Parish, South Carolina. Josiah Roberts on 4 April 1769 was granted 200 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia and on 5 June 1771 he was granted an additional 150 acres also in St. George Parish, Georgia. Elias Roberts is connected with John Roberts in several documents in South Carolina.  On 23 July 1771 Elias Roberts filed a memorial title for 100 acres on Davis Branch on the Saltcatchers River in Granville. His neighbor was Hans Jacob Platt. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  Memorials can include details of mortgages, discharge of mortgages, transfer of ownership, and leases – all of which affect the land in some way.

OTHER DUPLIN and DOBBS COUNTIES RELATIVES and NEIGHBORS

THE BARFIELD FAMILY

The Barfield family who descend from John Williams the Younger of Bertie County, North Carolina through his granddaughter Sarah Castellow Barfield. The surname Castellow is interchangeable with Castellaw. The Barfield family is well represented in Duplin County. Charity Barfield the daughter of Jesse Francis Barefield and Sarah Castellow married her 2^nd cousin Theophilus Williams son of Sheriff Joseph Williams. Sheriff Joseph Williams and Sarah Castellow were first cousins.  A daughter of Sheriff Joseph Williams, Susannah Williams married Frederick Barfield her 2^nd cousin also.

THE BEST FAMILY

The Best Family of Barnwell District South Carolina were originally found in Duplin County.  Absalom Best the son of John Best and Hannah married Elizabeth Blanchard and relocated to the Swallow Savannah area in Barnwell District. Their children were ; Benajah Best, John Blanchard Best, Zilpha Best wife of Joshua Campbell and Thomas Green Arthur, Leodica “Dicy” Best wife of Israel Campbell 1786. The Campbells were sons of William Campbell.  By 11 December 1786 Absalom had lands on Kings Creek, Winton County, South Carolina adjoining Dennis Belgis, Barlette Whittington, and Benjamin Buxton. Britton Williams lands were also on Kings Creek. 

THE HOLLEY FAMILY

The Richard Holley Family lived near John Williams, Nathaniel Williams and Isaac Williams and had property transactions with them. This Richard Holley sold land on west side of the Great Coheary Creek adjoining Richard Odam’s Marsh to Nathaniel Williams on 6 July 1754. The witness was Timothy Williams. Isaac  Williams’s land was given as being on east side of Great Coheary Creek where he gave to his son Timothy Williams 50 acres first granted to Richard Holley.  On 29 February 1764 John Williams sold lands on west side of Great Coheary to Abraham Odam that he had originally bought from Richard Holley

THE LEE FAMILY

The Lee Family of Duplin and Johnston Counties represented by John Lee Sr and Mary Deas parents of John Lee Jr and Robert Lee. They had family members who moved to Granville County South Carolina.  John Lee Sr. of St. Stephen Parish, Johnston County. was born circa 1705 and died after 4 December 1766.

On 11 May 1754 a John Lee Jr was granted 200 acres in Granville County.  Ten years later on 2 March 1764 John Lee Jr was grant for 100 acres in Granville County on the Savannah River. A deed record from 24 February 1765 showed that John Lee's neighbors on the Savannah River in Granville County were Sampson Griffin.  Two months later another deed dated 18 April 1765 showed that John Lee's neighbors were Benjamin Harris, William Pinckney,  Ezekiel Williams, William Withers, and John Young.

John Lee Jr. on 27 April 1768  “a breeches maker” sold lands on the Savannah River in Granville County to Ezekiel Williams, John Williams first cousin. The deed was witnessed by James Turner, James Cayson and Samuel Alexander the brother in law of John Williams.

Robert Lee the son of John Lee Sr was born circa 1726 and died 1788 in Winton County South Carolina. He married Elizabeth Williams the daughter of Joel Williams and granddaughter of Isaac Williams and Martha Hodges. She was John Williams' first cousin.


On 29 March 1762 Robert Lee of Johnston Co. NC sold 150 acres to Isaac Williams  lands on  southside  of Nuese River in marshes above Mill Creek lands first patented to Theophilus WIlliams 16 Feb 1739 and deeded to Joseph WIlliams  14 Mar 1745 and to Robert Lee 31 Mar 1752. The Witnesses were Richard Ingram, Jethro Butler and John Ingram.

In 1762  Robert Lee was granted property on the soutside of the Neuse River adjacent to Richard Ingram and the Great Marsh. The chainbearers who measured out the land was Francis Harrell and William Campbell.   

In July 1762 he bought 150 acres from William Campbell "by oath of Isaac Williams". This property was located on the southside of the Neuse River, adjoining the property lines of Mr. Rountree's, Theophilus Williams', the Bryery Marsh and John Lee's lower line.  The witnesses were Isaac Williams, Jethro Butler and Francis Harrell. In 1763 Lee sold these lands in Johnston County back to William Campbell. Also in 1763 Robert Lee received another grant on the southside of the Neuse River at the branch of Mill Creek. The Chain Bearers were Edward Lee and Thomas Lee.

In 1766 Robert Lee began selling off his lands in Johnston County in preparation for his move to South Carolina. He sold to Isaac Williams property on the southside of the Neuse River adjoining Theophilus Williams' line, south of the Briery Marsh and John Lee's second corner pine, lands first granted to John Blackman 4 April 1750. The witnesses were Richard Ingram, Jethro Butler, and John Ingram.  He also sold to Isaac Williams property located south of the Nuese River west of Burnt Marsh above Mill Creek part of a grant to Theophilus Williams dated 16 February 1739. Theophilus Williams sold it to John Williams 12 March 1745 who sold it tp Robert Lee 31 March 1752. Again the witnesses were John Ingram, Jethro Butler, and Richard Ingram.

No further land records for Robert Lee have been found in Johnston County after this time. By 17 May 1768 Robert Lee filed a plat for 50 acres on the Savannah River in Granville County near Stoney Point.  On 15 February 1769 Robert Lee received 300 acres in Granville County on the Upper Three Runs waters of the Savannah River.  He is listed as a Grand Juror for area between The South Fork of The Edisto River and the Savannah River in 1778-1779.    
       
Robert Lee made out his will 28 October 1782 in Granville County witnessed by John Bellenger, Jesse Purvis, and Phereby Collins. His executors were his son Godfrey Lee and sons in law Rev. Henry Peeple and George Robinson.  He died by November 1788 when his will was proved in a Johnston County court. A few months later the will was also filed in Winton County on 4 February 1789. 

Robert Lee and Susannah Williams children were Sarah Lee who married three times, first Edward Bush, second Rev. Henry Peeple, and third Robert Lancaster., Winifred Lee wife of Mr. Blackman and Isaac Ingram, Lewis Lee husband of Dorcus Odam, Mrs. George Robinson and Godfrey Lee,  

THE BUSH FAMILY

When Thomas Castellow married the widow of William Bush he became the stepfather of Edward Bush,  the eldest son of William Bush and Mary Hare [or Hand] of Johnston County. Edward Bush was born circa 1739 in Chowan County and died 1769 in Granville District South Carolina. He had married Sarah Lee the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Williams Lee. Edward Bush was in his teens in 1754 when he is listed as serving in the Colonial Army "from North side of Trent from Higgans Bridge to head of river under the command of Capt. Lewis Bryan.”

In 1752 John Williams sold lands of his father Theophilus Williams to this Robert Lee, the father in law of Edward Bush.  This Robert Lee later sold off his properties in Johnston County in preparation for a move to Granville County South Carolina. By 1768 this Robert Lee was established in Granville County, South Carolina, an area that later became Barnwell District.

Edward Bush’s sister Zilpha Bush married Ezekiel Williams, who was John Williams and Thomas Castellow’s first cousin. They were all grandsons of John Williams the Younger of Bertie who mentioned Ezekiel and John Williams in his 1747 will.  An interesting connection is that Thomas Castellow was Edward’s stepfather and Ezekiel Williams was his brother in law.

Edward Bush wrote his Last Will and Testament on 25 April 1766 wherein he bequeathed to wife Sarah “use of Plantation on Savannah”, to mother “Mary Castellow”, brother John Bush “plantation purchased from Seth Slocomb”, sister Zelpha Williams, cousins Isaac Bush Jr. “son of my uncle Isaac Bush”. He also  mentioned his father-in-law Robert Lee, and brother-in-law Ezekiel Williams. “I give and bequeath to Sarah my dearly and Well beloved Wife all my Right and Title to one Negroe Boy Named Seafer and one Girl Named Amy being now in the Care of Mr. Robert Lee, and one feather Bed, and the furniture thereunto belonging and my Bay Horse I bought of Robert Lee"

The will was witnessed by Isaac Bush, Owen O’Daniel, and William Castellow. His will was not probated until 11 June 1769 in Granville County. William Castellow was a brother of Thomas and another cousin of John Williams. Edward Bush’s widow was married three times after wards. She married Richard Horn, Rev. Henry Peeples, and Robert Lancaster.

On 4 September 1764  James Lee of Johnston County bought from Jacob Holley 200 acres on west side of Great Coheary Creek land that granted in1756. The witnesses were David Lee, Samuel Lee and Isaac Bush. Isaac Bush was the uncle of Edward Bush. 

On 7 Oct 1751 Isaac Bush of Johnston County had sold four African Americans named  Hannah, Prince, Press, and Grim to his nephews and nieces, Edward Bush, John Bush and Zelphia who had married Ezekiel Williams. In 1754 Isaac was granted 200 acres on the Nuese River adjoining William Bush. However by 19 Jan 1778 he had bought 100 acres from George Galphin of 96^th District on upper side of New Three Runs in Granville County South Carolina. In 1778-1779 he was a Grand Juror for area between The South Fork of The Edisto River and the Savannah River. 

THE GOSHEN SETTLEMENT IN DUPLIN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA

When John Williams left Bertie County circa 1741 he moved with other relatives and neighbors to a part of New Hanover County which later became Duplin County in 1750. He lived in what was called the Goshen Settlement of Duplin County named for the Goshen Swamp, a tributary of the North East Cape Fear River. To the west of Goshen Swamp is the Six Run Creek which flows southerly where it joins the Great Cohearie Creek where they both then join the Black River.  This appears to be the region where Theophilus Williams other children settled after leaving Bertie County and Onslow County.  The devastating hurricane of 1752 may have had them leave Onslow to seek out lands further away from the low coastal region.

John Williams’ younger brother, James Williams, was “of Goshen Settlement” also. He married Alice McRae the daughter of William McRae, but he died in 1751 in Duplin  County.  He left only one son William Williams who probably followed his uncle John Williams into St. George Parish, Georgia.

THE HERRING FAMILY of GOSHEN SWAMP

The Herring families of Duplin County were cousins of John Williams through his aunts Ann and Mary who had married brothers Samuel and Abraham in Bertie County. John Herring on 7 October 1751 witnessed a deed between Moses Taylor and Needham Bryan at Goshen Swamp. Needham Bryan was also a kinsman to John Williams’ mother Christian Busby Williams. Another cousin of John Williams, Stephen Herring, son of Samuel Herring and Ann Williams, on 2 October 1766 had 250 acres at Goshen Swamp.

Moses Taylor on 19 April 1750 “of New Hanover” deeded to Thomas Castellow land at north side Goshen Swamp. Thomas Castellow was John’s cousin from his aunt Sarah Castellow. The land transaction between Castellow and Moses Taylor was witnessed by John Fryer and John Slocomb. Thomas Castellow and his brothers James and William would eventually move to Granville County South Carolina along with John Williams and their cousin Ezekiel Williams.

FRYER AND SLOCOMB FAMILES of Goshen Swamp

The Fryer family was most likely descendants of Richard Fryer of Bertie County. John Fryer had married Sarah Bush the daughter of Isaac and Charity Bush. On 19 April 1750 John Fryer bought land from Moses Taylor “of Johnston County” at Goshen Swamp. The Witnesses were Thomas Castellow and John Slocumb.  John Fryer on 8 January 1757 witnessed the deed of Samuel Alexander at Goshen Swamp Duplin County.  Alexander was the husband of John Williams’ first cousin Bethiah Castellow, and Thomas Castellow’s sister. Samuel Alexander was granted 148 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia on 5 June 1764. John Fryer was granted 150 acres 2 July 1765 in St. George Parish from land first surveyed 15 August 1759. 

A Martin Fryer on 3 May 1755 sold to William McGee land between Great Coheary and Little Coheary Creeks. By 1764 he had moved to Granville County, South Carolina. On 2 March 1764 Martin Fryer filed a memorial title for 100 acres on the Savannah River “summarizing a chain of title to a grant to Christiana Housman dated from 7 November 1756. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  On 5 September 1766 Martin Fryer witnessed a deed between Ralph Wilson and Daniel Kelly on Three Runs in Granville County.  A year later on 7 August 1767 Fryer sold this land to Edward Bush in Granville County for  500 pounds. The witnesses were Seth Slocomb and Luke Mizzell. This deed was not recorded until 30 December 1790.   

The Slocomb Family of Goshen was represented by Samuel Slocomb and Seth Slocomb, son of Josias Slocomb. John Williams “of Craven County” on 6 May 1752 sold to Samuel Slocomb 100 acres of land on east side of Northeast Cape Fear River at Marsh Branch and Goshen Swamp in Duplin County. This was the first deed to land given in this Duplin County.

According to Edward Bush’s will he had bought land from Seth Slocomb. Seth Slocomb first appears in a grant deed of 200 acres of land in Duplin County by the North East  branch of the Cape Fear River. This deed is between the dates of 1759 and 1761, and was witnessed by his brothers John C. and Joseph Slocomb. The next record found of him is in Granville County South Carolina dated 13 June 1764 where he filed a plat for 112 acres. His neighbor was Martin Fryer.  He didn’t file a memorial title to this property until 2 August 1771. Martin Fryer and Seth Slocomb may have traveled together as that Fryer was also in the same locality in 1764.

Seth Slocomb on 25 August 1766 filed a plat for 43 acres near the Savannah River in Granville County. His neighbors were Thomas Holley, William Reaston, and Henry Wimberly.  This William Reaston or Reason filed a memorial title 5 July 1771 for property along the Savannah River in Granville in which his neighbors were Seth Slocomb and Martin Fryer.  The next record after that shows that Seth Slocomb was granted 100 acres of land in St. George's Parish, across the Savannah River and also 100 acres in same place in 1774. Seth Slocomb sold 100 acres 2 May, 1773, to Jonathan Kemp of same Parish. The last record found naming him shows him a resident of St. George Parish and loyal to the King of England, on 28 September 1774.

THE GRIMES FAMILY of Goshen Swamp

Another family associated with Goshen Swamp was the Grimes family, represented by Hugh and Willis Grimes. Hugh Grimes was a wheelwright  who on 10 April 1752 had lands on north side of Goshen Swamp near Thomas Castellow.  He died 1781 in Duplin County. Willis Grimes on 9 October 1764 bought 214 acres  from George Bell at Beaver Dam  and Goshen Swamp in Duplin Co.  Willis Grimes on 11 December 1770 had 275 acres in Duplin County and by 1783 he was on the Tax List of Orangeburgh District South Carolina. On 29 October 1792 Willis Grimes filed a plat for 99 acres on Shaws Creek on the Edisto River in Winton County surveyed by Charles Banks. His neighbor was Capt. John Randall who owned over 1000 acres along the Savannah River in Winton County. The Grimes descendants intermarried with many Barnwell District families. 

THE MALLARD FAMILY of DUPLIN COUNTY

The Mallard Family of Dublin County were the in-laws of Wilson Williams, the son of Britton Williams. Wilson’s first wife was Mary Mallard daughter of George Mallard. George Mallard was born 1728 and died 1798 in Duplin County.  His “Nuncupative Will” was dated 27 March 1798 when Phillip Southerland  made Oath that Mallard said Southerland to write his will. Mallard “appeared in a very low state but in his proper senses of the best of his knowledge”. To daughter, Mary land. “[Then] the Cough took him of a Sudden and [he] never appeared to be capable of making any  further will and died about ten aclock (sic) or som (sic) earlyer (sic) this day. Sworn before Robert Southerland.” He may have been the grandfather of Mary Mallard Williams.

Daniel Mallard was the brother of George and he had a son also named George. This George was born about 1750 and died 12 Sept 1812 in Barnwell District South Carolina. His will probated 30 Oct 1812. His first wife died about 1790 and his 2^nd wife was Esther Allen who remarried Charles Boyles. On 19 June 1802 George Mallard bought 200 acres lands from Joshua Williams adjoining Charles Boyles, Dempsey Phillips, William Bryan and Joshua Williams.  George Mallard’s children were Mary Mallard wife of Wilson Williams, Adam Mallard, and Hiram Mallard husband of Maria Moore. His children by his second wife were Sarah Mallard,  Rachael Mallard, Nancy Hester Mallard, Daniel Mallard and Duren (Dewring) Mallard.  The will stated that an equal share of 383 acres was to go Daniel Mallard and Duren Mallard lands first granted to John McFail and Aaron Gillette on the Cooswahatchie River.

SIX RUN CREEK COMMUNITY IN DUPLIN COUNTY

Six Run Creek is a tributary of the Black River, approximately 50 miles long, and in southeastern North Carolina.  It rises in northeastern Sampson County, approximately 15 miles north of the town of Clinton and flows generally south. In southern Sampson County, approximately 10 miles south of Clinton, it joins the Great Coharie Creek to form the Black River. In 1781 the Duplin county Courthouse was situated along a tributary of Six Runs Creek in what later became a part of Sampson County in 1784.  Sampson County was created from a portion of this  section of Duplin County and the Great Cohearie and Six Run Creek are now in Sampson while Goshen Swamp is still just within Duplin County.

English and Scot Settlers began arriving in the Duplin county as early as 1740, moving up the South and Black Rivers from the seacoast at Wilmington. The southern end of the county once contained farm lands but this end of the county today is largely devoted to the growing of pine trees. The dense woods has provided shelter for a large number of deer which made hunting quite good.

FARGUARD CAMPBELL

On 26 May 1756 a John Williams bought from Farguard Campbell 200 acres on east side of Black River on Beaver Dam Swamp. Beaver Dam Swamp is a tributary of  the Six Run Creek which was also called Black River.  It is unclear whether this was John the Merchant or John son of Theophilus however Campbell’s connections to the Whitfield family suggests that this may have been a transaction of John the son of Theophilus.

This Farguard Campbell married as his second wife the widow Elizabeth Whitfield Smith and as his third wife Rachel Whitfield widow of Henry Goodman. Rachel was the daughter of Constantine Whitfield and Barbara Williams. Barbara’s father was James Williams the son of John Williams the Younger and she was the sister of Ezekiel Williams.  Barbara Williams Whitfield was also John the son of Theophilus first cousin.

Farquard Campbell was a Highlander Scot who came to North Carolina at an early age and settled mainly in Cumberland County. He tried to remain neutral during the Revolutionary War but his dealings with the Royal Governor led to his arrest as a loyalist after the Battle of Moore's Creek. He was taken prisoner and the provincial congress on 20 Apr. 1776 found him guilty of assisting the enemy. Congress, fearing the personal and family influence of Campbell and other Highlander prisoners, removed them in the interests of public safety to Philadelphia, later transferred to Baltimore, and thence sent to Fredericktown, Maryland. On 3 March 1777, Campbell wrote Governor Richard Caswell, requesting parole to North Carolina, and offering to mortgage his property as security for his good behavior. Parole was granted on 12 April 1778 and he became committed to Independence.

James Williams probably not the son of Theophilus Williams on 7 October 1756 was granted  lands on eastside of Six Runs. Again on 22 August 1757 while a resident of Carteret County sold this land Valentines Holllingsworth that was located on the eastside of Six Runs between John Miller and Joseph Williams’ land . The witnesses were Joseph Williams, Thomas Hicks and Thomas Boon.

THE ROYALL FAMILY of DUPLIN COUNTY

In September 1752 a major Hurricane swept through Onslow County and destroyed the county court house and its records. So many land deeds and probate records that might have given us more clues to family connections were lost.

Charles Royall the father of Arthur, John, and Samuel Royall migrated from Bertie County and settled in Onslow County where he owned a gristmill on Turkey Creek where he died in 1755. He and his wife Ann were the parents of Arthur Royall husband of Susannah Cox, John Royall, Samuel Royall, Thomas Royall, Sarah Royall and Charles Royall.

Arthur Royall is listed in a 1756 deed as the eldest son of Charles Royall. Arthur married Susannah Cox, the daughter of Charles and Rebecca Cox of Onslow. Arthur Royall is listed in the Onslow Will of Charles Cox as his son-in-law.  Charles Cox died in 1771. Arthur and family moved to Georgia about 1764. 

John Royall is listed in deeds as early as 1750. He is likely the 2nd oldest.

Samuel Royall is likely the 3rd oldest as he is listed 3rd in his father's will in 1755. Samuel Royall and his brother Arthur Royall enlisted in the Onslow County Militia in 1754. Being a younger son his prospects in North Carolina were not as good as his older brothers or he was more  adventurous as he moved to Georgia in 1759.   There in Ebenezer he married  Esther Williams, daughter of Theophilus and sister of John of Goshen Swamp. He married after Esther's death, Verlinda Godbee

John Williams was a neighbor of Arthur Royall and it would have been likely that his sister Esther was acquainted with Samuel in Duplin although they married in Georgia. Why they married there is an enigma. Perhaps they may have even eloped. 

On June 13, 1756,  Arthur Royall sold to his brother Samuel Royall for £ 100 pounds, 200 acres on South west side of North west Branch of New River at “John Williams corner, purchased from Samuel Williams deceased”.   Who this Samuel Williams was is unknown. Theophilus Williams on 26 June 1756, nearly two weeks afterwards is shown to be located in Onslow County near this John Williams. These lands were on the southwest branch of New River at Mashburns Great Branch.

Arthur Royall and John Royall both left North Carolina for Georgia Colony after Samuel Royall who probably told of the rich free land to be had in Georgia and South Carolina. Arthur Royall left in 1764 however a land record dated 10 July 1765 shows that John Royall remained at Beaverdam Swamp a tributary of Six Run Creek in Duplin County. Two years later John Royall is shown on 7 July 1767 as owning property adjoining John Williams and James Pierce [Pearce] in St. George Parish, Georgia.

John Royall He also lived in Prince William Parish, Granville Count, South Carolina. By 7 April 1770 he is back in Duplin County, North Carolina buying land from John Bush on the west side of the Great Coharie Creek [Great Coheary], from grant first patented 13 Sept 1749. John Bush was the brother of Edward,  brother-in-law of Ezekiel Williams, and step-son for Thomas Castellow.  On 29 May 1773 John Royall sold 159 acres to William Royal, land on west side of Great Coheary Creek in Duplin County part of a tract first granted to John Bush. On 6 September 1774 John Royal is back on Brier Creek in St. George Parish on lands adjoining the widow Catherine Poole.  

CATHERINE POOLE

Catherine Poole was probably the widow of Lewis Pool and daughter in law of George Pool of Johnston County, North Carolina. George Poole sold a tract of land on the northside of the Neuse River to William Campbell. In 1762 Campbell sold this property to Robert Lee in a deed witnessed by John Williams’ cousin Isaac Williams son of his uncle and aunt Isaac Williams and Martha Hodges. On 21 October 1765 Robert Lee gave this property to his married daughter Elizabeth the wife of Jesse Pearce.

Catherine Poole moved to South Carolina Colony where on 11 April 1765 she filed a plat for 250 acres in Granville County on the Lower Three Runs Creek. Her neighbors were Isaac Perry, John Troup, and Thomas Johnston.  Six years later Catherine Poole on 4 December 1771 was mentioned as a neighbor of William Creighton along with Alexius Forster, and Josiah Murdaugh [Murdock]. This area was probably at the Lower Three Runs a tributary of the Savannah River and is about 14 miles northwest of the town of Allendale. 

However by 6 September 1774 Catherine Poole had acquired 200 acres in St. George Parish southwest of Brier Creek and southeast of John Royal.  She still held lands in Granville County across the river as that in a memorial title filed 3 November 1774 by Alexis Forster in which he stated his neighbors were Catharine Poole, William Brown, William Creech, and William Creighton.  This document shows that William Brown who had sold lands to Britton Williams and William Creech, brother of Richard Creech Sr. were her neighbors also.

After the Revolutionary War on 17 January 1786, John Wickley filed a plat for 180 acres on the Lower Three Runs on the Savannah River property surveyed by Harwood Jones for Cinthey Murdock on 24 August 1784. He said his neighbors were William Brown, Richard Creech Sr., and Catherine Poole.

On 19 April 1770 Jesse and Elizabeth Pearce sold to Lewis Bryan 100 acres on north side of Nuese River adjoining upper Mill Creek being all the land granted to Isaac Williams to Elizabeth Pearce being part of lands from George Pool and part from James Stallions.  A near neighbor was James Stallion [Stalling] who had lands in 1770 on the north side of the Neuse River by George Pool and Isaac Williams. James Stallion on 21 March 1774 witnesses a deed between Frederick “Stalling” in Prince William Parish, Granville County, South Carolina and John Scott. The 50 acres sold were first granted to Elias Stalling who was in Prince William Parish as early as 4 March 1757.

THE MIXON FAMILIES of SIX RUNS

Others family connections along the Six Run Creek were the Roberts, Mixons, and Register families. Michael Mixon as of 8 September 1760 had lands on Six Run River by neighbors William Lee and John Fryer. William Lee was a son of John Lee Sr. and Mary Deas and born circa 1730 and had witnessed the 8 September 1760 deed of Michael Mixon. 

Michael Mixon was a son of William and Elizabeth Mixon  and  born on 15 Apr 1727 in Surry County, Virginia. He died before 1820 in Burke County, Georgia.  He married Sarah Brittain or Britton on 3 Nov 1747 in Prince Frederick Parish Winyaw Pee Dee District South Carolina. His children were Sarah Mixon wife of John George Washington Sapp [son of Dylan B. and Luctretia Sapp], Francis Mixon  and John D. Mixon.

Michael Mixon was in Craven County South Carolina as early as 13 July 1757 where he filed a plat for 150 acres in the Welsh tract on Black Creek. His neighbors were John Marsh, and John Wade. He filed a Memorial title to this tract of land on 25 February 1760. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  On 11 April 1775 Michael Mixon received a Royal Grant of 150 acres on a fork of Jeffrey's Creek in Craven County. John Mixon received 150 acres on 8 February 1775 located on the southside of Lynch's Creek in Craven County. 

REGISTER FAMILY

A David Williams on 13 April 1756 sold to Joseph Register land on Six Runs of the Black River. In1769 Joseph Register was granted 200 acres in Duplin County and the wording of the document indicates that he had land there already. Joseph Register was probably a relative of William Register who in 1779 owned lands in Duplin County. The following men with the name Register are found in a 1783 Tax List of Duplin County; Benjamin Register, John Register, Joseph Register, Thomas Register, Thomas Jr. Register And William Register. William Register married Elizabeth Williams daughter of Marmaduke Williams and had moved to Barnwell District South Carolina where he had property at Miller Swamp.

CRAVEN COUNTY SOUTH CAROLINA

John Williams, when he was about 35 years old migrated out of North Carolina to Craven County South Carolina where he settled in Prince Frederick Parish also known as Winyaw Parish along the waters of the Wateree River. The Wateree River is about 75 miles long and is a tributary of the Santee River in central South Carolina which then flows to the Atlantic Ocean. It is an extension of the Catawba River of North Carolina and they are the same river with different names assigned to different sections of it. 

Craven County was one of the three original counties established by the Lords Proprietor of the English colony of Carolana in 1682. It stretched  from Awendaw Creek north to the western shore of Winyah Bay and inland. 

In 1706, the Lords Proprietor established the Church of England Parish system in South Carolina, reducing counties to geographic designations with no administrative functions; the southwestern half of Craven County was organized into St. James Santee Parish, and in 1721, Prince George Parish was organized for the former northeastern half of Craven County, extending into the unorganized territory to the north and east of the county. In 1734 Prince Frederick Parish was split from Prince George Parish. 

There are records for many John Williamses in Craven County between 1756 and 1764 but none of them can be specifically applied to him. Certainly he owned property there and may have even migrated there with the Mixon and Odom families.

Names which show up over and over again in the land transaction records are John Bremar, Sir Egerton Leigh, and John Troup. These men were governmental figures and not necessary neighbors of the people in whose deeds they are mentioned. John Bremar was he Surveyor General of South Carolina and Sir Egerton Leigh and John Troup were both attorneys in the court of common pleas during the colonial period. 

There is however a possible connection through a man named John Evans who was a neighbor of John Wiliams, Abraham Odam, and Michael Mixon on waters of the Wateree River. 

On 26 November 1756 a John Williams filed a plat for 100 acres on Rogers Creek near the Wateree River  in Craven County and his neighbor was John Evans . John Williams filed a memorial title for this property on Rogers Creek 8 October 1759. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  . 

Earlier that year on 5 January  1756 Abraham Odam filed a plat for 400 acres on the Wateree River in Craven County. One of his neighbors was a John Evans. Later records show that these lands were on the southside of  the Wateree. On 16 April 1756 Abraham Odam  filed a plat for 200 acres on Rogers Creek on the Wateree  River for 200 acres. His neighbors were William De Braham, Robert Millhouse  and John Evans.

Family ties and property transactions brought John Williams the son of Theophilus back to Duplin County from Georgia by 29 February 1764 when he sold lands on west side of Great Coheary to Abraham Odam. A  plat filed by William Frost  on 16 March 1764 showed that Robert Milhouse, and Abraham  Odam  were all neighbors on Rogers Creek.

THE ODAM FAMILY

The Odam Family had a presence in Duplin County, North Carolina, Craven County, South Carolina and St. George Parish, Georgia. Abraham Odam Sr. and Richard Odam were brothers and sons of Jacob and Susan Odam. Richard Odam in 1754 had lands on west side of Great Coheary River in Duplin County however by 1778 he had moved to Granville County South Carolina where he was listed as a “Petit Juror” “of Savannah River” along with John Williams, Richard Kirkland, and John Roberts.

Abraham Odom, Sr. was granted land in Craven County, South Carolina on 23 Mar 1755. John Williams may have traveled with Abraham Odam to Craven County as that on 1 September 1756 he witnessed a deed of Abraham Odam  for lands located on the Wateree River. 

Abraham Odam and John Williams were both back in North Carolina in 1764 when in January and February Odam bought from John land on west side of Great Coheary Creek that was first first granted to Richard Holly in Duplin County. 

On 8 January 1767 Abraham Odam was granted  300 acres on Brier Creek in St. George Parish. A month later he was back in Duplin County selling his property he had bought from John Williams “on westside of Great Coheary Creek”. Abraham Odam Sr was of Granville County, South Carolina when he wrote his out his will on 30 January 1771 which was proved 6 April 1771

The earliest member of the Odam family in St. George Parish was Joshua Odam who on  8 Jan 1761 had lands on Brier Creek.  Frederick Odam  was granted on 5 May 1765 200 acres on Brier Creek. Abraham’s brother William Odam received on 6 Oct 1767 100 acres on Brier Creek.  Ephraim Odam on 3 Oct 1769 had lands by Abraham Odam in St. George Parish. Jacob Odam on 4 May 1773 also had lands in St. George Parish, Georgia. 

Abraham Odam Jr. eventually left Georgia for the other side of the Savannah River where he located on the northside of the Old Three Run by 1788 where his near neighbors were William Odam, Andrew Nimmons,  and Moses Collins.

Michael Mixon of Duplin County was  also in Craven County South Carolina as early as 13 July 1 757 where he filed a plat for 150 acres on Black Creek 

In 1763 John Williams moved to St. George Parish from Fort Winyaw in Craven County, South Carolina  with 3 children 3 slaves. This information is found in a grant request from 1764.  As that he later in 1765 stated he had a wife and nine children and 3 slaves, he probably only took his oldest sons with him to claim lands in Georgia and after securing property brought the rest of his family from Craven County.  As that John Williams had so many children to provide for he most likely moved for better economic advantages for his family.

HALIFAX DISTRICT and  ST. GEORGE PARISH, GEORGIA COLONY

When the Georgia colony was established in 1732, the area now known today as Burke and Screven Counties was called the Halifax District. Halifax District comprised the major part of what became St. George Parish and appears to have been created in 1752-54 as one of the voting districts for the Georgia colonial assembly formed when the province became a royal colony. The exact boundaries of Halifax District are not known but appear to have been roughly along both sides of Brier Creek and the west side of the Savannah River, below Augusta.

Georgia had ended the ban on slavery in 1749, and that made the colony very attractive to people who wanted to bring their slaves with them.  The largest percentage of the people moving into the backcountry were migrants from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina—rather than native Georgians.  There was a concentration of settlers were on lower Buckhead Creek and Upper Brier Creek where a fort was built in the area for possible Indian retaliations.

An Indian trader named George Galphin had trading posts on both the Savannah River and the Ogeechee River in the 1750’s. Families crossing the Savannah River and moving into the backcountry were part of what was a slow, multi-generational move from those states.  

The eastern boundary of Georgia, the Savannah River, was very permeable.  One did not have to cross mountains through difficult passes and hostile Indian tribes to get here.  A simple ferry crossing was all it took. The pioneers came down the Savannah River in three directions.  Some came down the Savannah River from Augusta, others followed the Brier Creek up stream and still others crossed the Savannah River at Stoney Bluff landing . Stoney Bluff was six miles above court house at Halifax

In 1752, after the relinquishment of the charter Georgia became a Royal Province and under the English Crown and its Royal Governors, fee simple grants were made to the land which gave a clear title to the grantees. These Royal Grants, in the Georgia Surveyor General Department of the Office of the Secretary of State, begin in 1755. The three year gap between 1752 and 1755 is variously explained by historians, but in any case, the latter year is the first date for the grants. There are some 5000 of these recorded. 

In 1758 Georgia was divided into eight parishes: These parishes were really counties and were Christ Church Parish, including the town of Savannah, St. Matthew's Parish, including the town of Ebenezer; St. Paul's Parish, including the town of Augusta; St. George's Parish, including the town of Halifax; St. Philip's Parish, including community of Great Ogeechee; St. John's Parish, including the towns of Midway and Sunbury; St. Andrew's Parish, including Darien; and St. James's Parish, including Frederica. These divisions were made for the better government of the colony. The law provided for the holding of public worship in each of these parishes. In 1765 four new parishes were added to the number then in Georgia. They were St. Patrick's, St. David's, St. Thomas's, and St. Mary's, and were all between the Altamaha and the St. Mary’s rivers.

The creation of St. George Parish in 1758 ended the use of Halifax District for elections but in the late 1760's and early 1770's, the District made a come back as a political entity. Because the western areas of St. George Parish were largely settled by Scot-Irish (Lowland Scots from northern Ireland)) Presbyterians, the taxation of that section to support the Anglican church in St. George Parish was deemed unfair by the Presbyterians who unsuccessfully attempted to have the parish sub-divided into Halifax.

District (for the Anglicans) and a Queensborough section for themselves. This action was done, but not for reasons of religious taxation, on March 12, 1774 when a dividing line was drawn to separate the two civil courts (courts of conscience) in the Parish. Halifax Court District was defined as being east of a line that started at the mouth of Bark Camp Creek to George Williams' ford on Brier Creek to McBean's Creek near Galphin's Cowpens. In 2 January 1770 George Williams owned land that was bounded on the south by John Tanner.

The Halifax District Courthouse is shown on some Revolutinary War maps as the "Old  Courthouse" and was located near the present-day Alexander Community in Burke County. The other courhouse in St. George Parish was in Queensborough Township. 

However there were few white families in the area of St. George Parish before the treaty with the Indians was signed on 10 Nov 1763.  The Treaty of 1763 was held with between 700 Indians, representing all the Southern Tribes, and the Governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.  

Almost all of the first landowners came from the older American colonies, especially after Georgia lifted its ban on slavery.  The first white settlers were "headright settlers," or those who acquired land via a system that granted parcels to the heads of families, with more land going to larger families. These families had their own initiatives for obtaining land grants from the crown. They received 100 acres for each head of a family plus 50 acres for each additional member and 50 for each slave.  These head right grants required no money

Most settlers did not come in large groups but instead arrived as individuals and in family units. The majority of these frontier settlers were farmers with small and medium-sized operations. They were attracted to lands by the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers, which offered transportation and water for their livestock.  

Many of the families of St. George Parish had connections to Duplin and Dobbs Counties in North Carolina and settled along Brier Creek [Briar Creek] a tributary of the Savannah River. The creek flows eastward from the Georgia side into the Savannah River directly across from present day Allendale County, South Carolina.  Brier Creek itself is a riverine watercourse traversing much of eastern Georgia between the Ogeechee River and the Savannah River. This waterway has a length of approximately 80 miles. In many places along the length of its course it is 30 to 50 feet in width. Near its mouth it is sometimes as broad as 80 feet. The joining of Brier Creek with the Savannah River forms a significant geographic constraint for settlers. The land surrounding Brier creek and the Savannah river is often swampy, and movement across both waterways was difficult except at certain landings.

 Another freshwater source was Beaverdam Creek which empties into Brier Creek not far from where it empties into the Savannah River. Today the area, where John Williams and Britton Williams settled in the 1760’s, is between Brier Creek and Ogeechee River and makes up the counties of Burke, Screven, and Jenkins in Georgia. 

During the Revolutionary War a battle took place on Brier Creek near present-day Brannen's Bridges. The patriots were routed by the British and Loyalists which kept Georgia under Royal rule for much of the war.

JOHN WILLIAMS OF BRIER CREEK ST GEORGE PARISH GEORGIA

By 1759 Samuel Royal had moved to the community of Ebenezer now in Effingham County in Georgia where he married Esther Williams the daughter of Theophilus Williams.  Esther Williams was married to Samuel Royall on 8 May 1759.at Ebenezer in St. Matthew’s Parish. 

John Williams on 1 July 1760 received a 300 acres grant on south side of Brier Creek by William Green in St. George Parish. William Green had received lands on a fork of Brier Creek about 2 miles from mouth of the creek  as early as 26 Oct 1758.  On the same date that John Williams received his grant, 1 July 1760 Green received lands on Brier Creek near William Campbell who also had lands on Brier Creek. This William Campbell may be the same man who had property also in Johnston County, North Carolina.  Certainly William Green was the man who surveyed so many land plats in Granville County, South Carolina across the river.

In 1763 John Williams moved to St. George Parish from Fort Winyaw in Craven County, South Carolina  with 3 children 3 slaves. He was then granted 300 acres in St. George Parish, near James Nesmith, Henry Summerley, and John Maner. A deed from 7 August 1764 said that these 300 acres were on the “north side” of Brier Creek “four miles below Stoney Bluff by James Nesmith.” James Nasmith was born in Scotland circa 1740 and was married to Anne Young and had 2 children. He passed away on 1780 in Burke County, Georgia.  Nesmith was granted 150 acres 4 miles below Stoney Bluff on 6 November 1764 on land that had been surveyed 13 December 1760. At the same time he also was granted 250 acres in the same vicinity. 

The “three children” of John Williams were probably his nearly grown sons who traveled with him as that in 1765 John Williams, as an applicant for land in St. George Parish, stated he had lived in Georgia 2 years [1763] and had a wife, and “nine children” and 3 slaves. He was then granted an additional 100 acres adjoining John  Maner.

If John Williams and Abigail Creech were married circa 1740 they could have easily had nine children within the  25 year span between the two dates. As these children were not named, it is pure speculation who they might have been. However it is likely some of the boys were Britton Williams, Joshua Williams, Asa Williams,  Owen Williams, Lewis Williams and John Williams Jr.

At the time of John Williams coming to Brier Creek in 1763 four German emigrants were his near neighbors. They were Andrew Greiner, Phillip Jacob Greiner, John Jasper Greiner, and John Gaspar Hirschmann. The area was even known as the Greiner Settlement. Andrew and John Gasper Hirschmann were brothers in law as that Andrew was married to Barbara Hirschmann.

On 3 December 1760 Andrew Greiner was granted 200 acres in St. George Parish on waters of the Savannah River. John Gaspar Hirschmann had property to the south of Greiner. On  27 November 1761 Andrew Greiner he was also granted 50 acres near  “Benjamin Williamson” on Creek Island in the Savannah River.  Six years later Greiner was granted 200 acres on 7 April 1767 bounded on the north by the Savannah River, east by Thomas Bell, and on the west by William Mainer.  His own properties lay to the south. At the same time he was granted an additional 500 acres bounded to the east by Samuel Royall, southeast by Samuel Haines and to the north by his own properties. This Samuel Haines had 200 acres on 2 April 1765 first surveyed 18 February 1761 bounded to the southeast by John Royall.

On 13 April 1761 his brother Phillip Greiner was granted 300 acres and 150 acres more 7 April 1767. This land was bounded on the south between the lands of John Royall, to the east by the Savannah River and to the west by Thomas Bell. On 21 May 1762 his brother John Gasper Greiner was  granted 200 acres in St. George Parish also.  

John Gasper Hirtschman also on 3 December 1760 was granted lands near the Savannah River in St. George Parish “adjoining lands to the north of Andrew Greiner”.  A few months later he received on 13 April 1761 250 acres “east of Savannah River” and adjoining Michael Zeigler on the south. On 21 May 1762 Hirschmann was granted 200 acres in St. George Parish also. On 7 April 1767 John Hirchmann was  granted 700 acres in St. George Parish east of the Savannah River. These lands  adjoined William Mainer [Maner], Samuel Royal, Samuel Haynes, and John Williams. By November 1774 Hirtschman was granted 300 acres adjoining Abraham Lundy and Modecai Sheftall on the east side of Andrew Griener and Hirtschman’s other properties.

Benjamin Williamson of St. George Parish died in 1775. He first came to Augusta in 1758 but relocated to St. George Parish where he was granted 250 acres on 5 February 1760, lands bounded Northeast by the Savannah River, Southeast by Thomas Red [Read], Northwest by William Newberry. He was granted on 7 August 1764 lands bounded on the southwest by Andrew Griener, West by Savannah River, Northwest by Richard  Hubbart, North and Northeast, South and Southeast by Kings Creek. On the same date John Williams was granted his 300 acres by James Nesmith and Henry Summerly.

On 3 September 1765 John Williams was granted another 231 acres west of Brier Creek and northeast of the Savannah River by John Royall and John Mainer  [Maner] in St. George Parish, “5 miles from widow Burney and ½ mile above old Chickasaw Ford.” John Royall was John's sister Esther's brother in law. John Royall's property was northwest of the “Great Sweetwater Creek” near the "King’s road" in  St. George Parish. 

About two months later on 29 Oct 1765 John Williams was granted an additional 100 acres east of Savannah River by John Mainer in St. George Parish, Georgia and his other properties to the south. This 1765 applicant stated he had lived in Georgia for two years, had a wife with 9 children and 3 slaves.  This record would indicate that John Williams and his wife had children born over a span of approximately 18 years which would suggest they were married at least by 1745.

On 5 April 1767 John Williams was granted 300 acres on Brier Creek near Solomon Boykin. Solomon Boykin,  a month later on 5 May 1767,  was granted 200 acres bounded on the west by John Williams’ 300 acres on Brier Creek.  Solomon Boykin Sr. was the son of Edward Boykin and perhaps Esther Hardy. He died 1770 in St. George Parish.

NEAR NEIGHBORS ON BRIER CREEK

THE ROYALLS

John Royall is shown on 7 July 1767 as owning property adjoining John Williams and James Pierce [Pearce] in St. George Parish, Georgia. James Pierce [Pearce] on 7 July 1767 was granted 110 acres in St. George Parish just to the south east of John Williams and North east of John Royall. This deed clearly showed that John Williams and John Royall had adjoining property lines.  This Pearce may have been a relative of Jesse Pearce who married Elizabeth Williams a granddaughter of Theophilus Williams.

Six months later John Williams' brother in law Samuel Royall, on 8 December 1767, filed a plat for 150 acres in Colleton County in South Carolina on the Big Branch of the Saluda River. His neighbors were James Pearce and William Anderson. James Pearce had lands on both sides of the Savannah River. He was granted 100 acres in St. George Parish 3 January 1769 and on 12 March 1770 James Pearce filed a memorial title for 150 acres on Big Creek on the Saluda River in Colleton County. His neighbor was Samuel Royal. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  

THE ROBERTS

Captain James Robert of Dobbs County husband of Amy Creech had moved to Georgia by 1766 where he received  82 acres in St. George Parish on 3 March1767. About six months later on 1 Sept 1767 he received an additional 150 acres adjoining William Colsen on the north, Nehemiah Tindall on the east, and  John Gaspar Hirtschman on the south.  Britton Williams was granted these lands vacated by John Jasper Hirtschman in St. George Parish, Ga on Brier Creek.  Therefore Britton Williams was a near neighbor of James Roberts at the time. If Britton’s presumed mother Abigail was a sister of Amy Creech Roberts, James would have been his uncle by marriage. Britton was married with two slaves. This deed indicated that James Robert also lived in the same area as John Williams and John Royal.

John Roberts, brother of Captain James, on 2 June1767 received 350 acres adjoining John Tanner and James Anderson Overstreet in St. George Parish, Georgia. Josiah Roberts also a brother of James Roberts on 4 April 1769 received 200 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia and on  5 June 1771 he was granted an additional 150 acres.

Both John and James Roberts are still in St. George Parish in the early 1770s where John Roberts on 6 Oct 1772 received 200 acres and James Roberts on 5 Jan 1773 received an additional 100 acres.

OTHER WILLIAMSES

A George Williams, who died in 1775, Georgia lived near John Williams but his relationship to him is unknown. On 2 Jan 1770 George Williams received 250 acres by David Howell on the northwest, John Tanner to the south and John Williams in St. George Parish. John Roberts, the brother of James Roberts had lands  adjoining John Tanner and James Anderson Overstreet.  He may have been a son of John Williams who died without issue.

Britton Williams may not have stayed very long in St. George Parish as  that in 1770 he witnessed a deed between Martin Weatherford and John Bedingfield in St. Paul Parish Georgia near Augusta. Martin Weatherford was a “kinsman” of John Bedingfield who was of “Duplin County.”  He may have been moving back to South Carolina.

JAMES CASTELLOW

John Williams’ first cousin James Castellow, born circa 1733 and husband of Priscilla Barton. On 20 October 1760 James Castellow filed a plat for 200 acres near Three Runs on the Savannah River His near neighbors were George Foreman, Robert Manning, Thomas Newman .  By 3 November 1762  James Castellow was granted 200 acres at Three Run Creek on the Savannah River in Granville County, South Carolina.  On 5 June 1771 he was in St. George Parish Georgia where he was granted 300 acres and lived just south of Joel Walker near Charles Walker. He appears to have lived in Georgia during the Revolutionary War but fought in South Carolina. Castellow joined the military on 14 February 1777 in South Carolina and served with General Francis Marion known as the Swamp Fox. He was mustered out 10 August 1785.  

James Castellow lived to the west of James Read  who on 7 July 1777 had 400 acres northwest of James DeVaux , and south by Jourdan on Brier Creek. A month later on 5 August 1777, Read  “of Christ Church Parish”, Georgia deeded to Jacob Read of Charleston South Carolina 76 slaves and 1,238 acres lands on the Great Ogeechee River and 400 acres in St. George Parish adjoining Davis, Jourdan, Joel Walker and James Castellow. James Castellow died 26 September 1785 Winston County [Barnwell District] South Carolina. 

Another cousin of John Williams was Thomas Castellow and brother of James Castellow. In March 1767 he applied for a grant stating he had a wife, 10 children, and 1 slave. He was given lands on Brier Creek, in St. George Parish. By November 1770 Thomas Castellow was listed as having 6 slaves on lands on Brier Creek by Arthur Wall.  Neighbors of Arthur Wall were Edmund Pearce and Isaac Perry. Isaac Perry was a surveyor in Granville County and  Edmund Pearce may have been related to the Pearce Family of Jesse and James Pearce. In the Augusta Land Court Thomas Castellow on 8 November 1773 was granted 250 acres on Red Lick Creek adjoining Cader Powell. He stated he was from South Carolina and had one son and seven daughters from 16 to 5 years old. 

On 27 March 1775 Thomas "Castellow" filed a memorial title for 400 acres on Back Swamp in Granville County. His neighbors were Patrick Butler. Joseph Perry, John Tanner and Ralph Wilson. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.   Thomas died prior to 10 April 1790 in Winton County when his estate went into probate.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL

William Campbell was born circa 1735 in Scotland and died 1 July 1823 near Brier Creek, in Barnwell District South Carolina. His children married into Barnwell District families and had connections with the children of Britton Williams. His children were Alexander Campbell married Elizabeth, Joshua Campbell married Zilpha Best daughter of Absalom Best, Millicent Campbell circa 1772 married Mr. Bryan of Northampton County, North Carolina, Israel Campbell married Dicy, Mary Campbell married James Fullerton and 2ndly before 1824 Cornelius Taylor, and Sarah Campbell. Alexander Campbell and Elizabeth were the parents of Catherine Blanche Campbell who was a sister in law to Wilson Williams, the son of Britton Williams.

William Campbell on 29 September 1762 bought 200 acres from Robert Lee  on the Southside of the Nuese River “at Theophilus Williams corner” in Johnston County. In 1763 Campbell bought an additional 150 acres from Robert Lee in Johnston County. In July 1764 he sold lands to John Ingram in Johnston County and on 15 October 1764 William Campbell sold to Richard Ingram of Johnston County land “except a 10 foot grave parcel of his child on southside of Neuse River adjoining Theophilus Williams adjoining John Lee.”  Witnesses were Francis Harrell and John Ingram.

William Campbell on 13 October 1773 had 250 acres of lands granted  on Rocky Creek and Brier Creek at “Lee’s Old Place waters of Savannah” in St. George Parish. He had at the time a wife, a 5 year old son [1768], 3 year old son [1770].  At Rocky Creek there was a man named Asa Williams who had 150 acres on the east side of the creek adjoining Captain James Roberts southern property line. This 2 August 1774 deed of Asa Williams suggests that Rocky Creek was near Captain James Roberts property and as Captain was a neighbor of John Williams, William Campbell and Asa Williams were in the same vicinity. John Royall and John Tanner also both had property at Rocky Creek at one time or another. 

Ten years later William Campbell was as of 31 May 1784 in Washington County, Georgia. The county was established on February 25, 1784. It was named for the Revolutionary War General before he was president. Washington was settled by Revolutionary War veterans who were awarded grants there up to Creek and Cherokee lands.  Wilson Williams would eventually move there was a resident between 1791 and 1802. Beginning in 1786, seven counties plus portions of nine more were eventually cut from the original Washington County.

William Campbell in 1796 gave a deed of gift to his children of 600 acres in Liberty County Georgia on the Altamaha River.  Liberty county was established in 1777 from St. Andrew, St. James and St. John Parishes.The Altamaha River marked at the time the western border of the Colony of Georgia until the American Revolution.

On 18 Feb 1799 William Campbell bought from Wilson Williams lands on King Creek in Barnwell District South Carolina that was first granted to William Brown and then acquired by Wilson’s father Britton Williams. In April 1799 he had 50 acres on the Savannah adjoining William Brown and Dr. Elijah Gillette.

SETTLERS ON SOUTHSIDE OF BRIER CREEK

The families that settled on the southside of Brier Creek were many of the same families who later moved to the eastside of the Savannah River in South Carolina. John Among the earliest settlers on the Southside of Brier Creek were William Brown, John Brunson, James Castellow, John Conyer, Capt. Danel Green, Solomon Kemp, John McNish, and Benjamin Moody. 

John Brunson on 5 September 1760 received 300 acres bounded on the southeast by John McNish and northwest by John Conyers. On 31 May 1768 he received an additional 200 acres on southwest side of Brier Creek on the east by Benjamin “Moodie”.  Benjamin Moodie on  6 Aug 1765 received 400 acres on Brier Creek near John Conyers in St. George Parish, Georgia.

John Conyer also on 5 September 1760 received  lands on Brier Creek near John Brunson and John McNish in St. George Parish, Georgia. On 13 April 1761 Conyer received 200 acres more  by John Brunson on Briar Creek in St. George Parish, Georgia.  He received 300 acres 3 April 1764 and 50 acres in 6 June 1769 bounded by Benjamin Williamson to the northwest. John Conyers  was born perhaps in  Liverpool, England and married Sarah Elizabeth Hicks [Hix]. They had a daughter Esther Conyers who married Capt Joseph William Humphreys of Barnwell District. 

On 7 April 1767 Edward Boykin, John Brantley, Isaac Copeland, and Capt. Daniel Green “of South Carolina”, all lived on the Southside of Briar Creek. Edward Boykin had 200 acres on the west by John Brantley and east Daniel Green.  He was the brother of Solomon Boykin sons of Edward Boykin.

Isaac Copeland on 30 July 1766 had lands by James Jones amd Solomon Kemp. James Jones was on Brier Creek as early as 1764. On 7 April 1767 Copeland had land on Brier Creek near William Brown. 

WILLIAM BROWN

William Brown and his wife Sarah Jennings and their nine children moved to Georgia and South Carolina in the late 1760’s from Albemarle County, Virginia. William Brown had a brother Bartlett Brown who settled two miles above Matthew's Bluff, on the Savannah river. William Brown had lands on both banks of the Savannah River but lived across from the Burton Ferry.

William Brown's children were Tarleton Brown husband of Almeda Mathews and Judith O'Bannon, Bartlett Brown, John Brown, Sarah Brown wife of John Cave, Elizabeth wife of John Joyce, Mrs,.Isaac Harden, Mary Brown wife of Henry Best, Emelia Brown wife of Bartless King and Robert Bradley, and Mrs. Alexander Kennedy. William Brown and a son was killed by Tories during the Revolutionary War.

William Brown on 11 February 1767 filed a plat for 300 acres on King's Creek waters of the Savannah River in Granville County.  Across the river in St. George Parish William Brown on 7 April 1767 received 200 acres northwest of Isaac C Copeland. Later that year on 20 August 1767 he received two land grant in Granville County. One was for 400 acres and the other was for 300 acres. Both properties were on King's Creek.

On 22 March 1769 William Brown received a land grant for 200 acres in Granville County. William Brown on 30 August 1769 filed a plat for 100 acres on Pipe Creek waters of the Savannah in Granville County. His neighbors were Isaac Perry.

James Joice on 11 October 1769 applied for a grant of 82 acres on King Creek and had a plat surveyed by Isaac Perry. However the land was not granted and the plat unrecorded. His near neighbor was William Brown.

On 9 November 1769 William Brown filed a plat for 100 acres on the Salkehatchie River in Granville County. His near neighbors were  Joseph Elliott, and Alexius Forster. A month later on 21 December 1769 he received a grant for 100 acres on Pipe Creek in Granville County.

In 1770 William Brown was listed in deeds as being on Little Briar Creek along with neighbors Absalom Best,Samuel Colding, and Isaac Perry.  On 20 December 1770 he filed a plat for 350 acres on the Coosawhatchie River in Prince William Parish. His neighbors were Joshua Brailsford, Stephen Bull, William Hife, Elias Roberts, and Edward Wilkinson.

On 10 April 1771 William Brown received a land grant for 350 acres in Granville County, however by 4 June 1772 he received an additional 200 acres between Brier Creek and McBean Swamp located by Richard Brown in St. George Parish. On 7 February 1775 he had lands by Edmund Hill in St. George Parish, Georgia from which he later moved to South Carolina where he had lands on Four Mile Branch in Granville County.  On 2 September 1775 William Brown filed a memorial for 400 acres there with his neighbors being Thomas Philpot and James Wilson. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land.  In 1775 William Brown sold land in South Carolina  between King and Brier Creeks in Granville County on the Savannah River  to Britton Williams.

William and Sarah Brown's  daughter Elizabeth,  who married John Joyce, brother in law was James Joyce. On 29 Sept 1795 James Joyce was a neighbor of Britton’s son Wilson Williams and James Lee. On 18 Feb1799 Wilson Williams “of Washington County, Georgia sold lands on King Creek to William Campbell, property that had been first  granted to William Brown. 

OGEECHEE RIVER SETTLERS

John Williams’ first cousin Ezekiel Williams filed for a plat of 100 acres on Steel Creek waters of the Savannah in Granville County 31 May 1763. In 1770 Ezekiel Williams “of Granville County, South Carolina petitioned for a grant in St. George Parish stating that he owned 12 slaves. The grant was denied at that time however by 1771 he managed to get land there anyway. In 1773 he was granted lands on the Ogeechee River in St. George Parish “where Moses Powell first entered”. He is listed with two children with the oldest being only 3 years old. Moses Powell had married Mary Williams a daughter of Stephen and Mary Williams and was a descendant of Lewis Williams of Chowan Precinct, North Carolina.

OTHER SETTLERS IN ST. GEORGE PARISH

William Williams on 6 April 1745 he had lands New Hanover (Duplin) County, North Carolina.  On 8 July1751 he sold to Lewis Powell land at Cypress Swamp, Duplin County. Thirteen years later on 2 Nov 1764 he is on the Trent River adjoining John Williams’ land and then he is found in St. George Parish.  Who this William Williams was is an enigma but may have been related to Nathan and Owen Williams or he may have been the son of James Williams, the brother of John William. 

This William Williams on 7 July 1767 was granted 300 acres on western corner of Brier Creek in St. George Parish, Georgia. On 7 May 1769 he received 800 acres on Brier Creek in St. George Parish, Georgia which because of the amount of land indicates that he had a large family or owned a lot of slaves. On 12 Oct 1769 he was mentioned as having lands on Brier Creek near Thomas Mobley and John Burnside in St. George Parish, Georgia.

He may have been a nephew of Nathan Williams and his heir. After  the Revolutionary War he is on a Winton County Tax List in 1783 and had lands on Cypress Pond. On an application dated 17 October 1787 a citation in behalf of William Williams, "nephew and heir at law of Nathan Williams, deceased" was issued by the Winton County court directed to "Mary Davis, the widow of the said Williams" to show cause why letters of administration not be granted to him of the "estate of Nathan Williams, deceased." On 15 January 1788 the court ordered that Mary Williams should have letters of administration over her late husbands estate with Abraham Richardson and Richard Treadway acting as securitors with 50 pounds. On 7 August 1788 the appraisement of Nathan Williams estate was returned to the court by Elijah Wasden, John Mooney and William Green. His estate was valued at 8 pounds 15 shillings and 4 pence.
1788: Winton County, S. C. Inventory of estate of Nathaniel Williams, returned by Elijah Wasden, John Mooney and William Green, appraisers 7 August 1788. Valued 16 Aug._4_.
Recorded 27 August 1788.[Winton Court Minute Book from October 1786 - July 1791, page 20]

In 1788 William Williams was a Petite Juror and he posted a bond 27 February 1788 with his Surities  being  Isham Clayton, George Kirkland and Nathan Grimes. George Kirkland was the father of Wilson Williams’ second wife Elizabeth Kirkland. In 1790 he received letters of administration for the estate of James Bond along with Isham Clayton.  That year he posted a bond for Benjamin Corbit along with Captain Richard Creech. Corbit was  accused of cow Stealing. On 25 August 1790 the Census recorder remarked “Gone to Georgia “ in the enumeration of William Williams in South Orangeburgh District South Carolina. 

On 14 October 1790 Isham Clayto of Winton County, sold to Nathan Grimes 250 acres located on Barton's Branch waters of the Salkehatchie River adjoining Samuel Perkins. Grimes paid 150 pounds for this property and the deed was witnessed by James Thurston, Richard Creech, and John Grimes.

This John Davis was eldest son of William and Mary Davis who married Charity Moody 22 December 1758 in St. George Parish.   On that date he was granted 50 acres near the 150 acres granted "by Spaniard cabin." John Davis was given a grant, dated 2 August  1774, of 150 acres on the northwest side of John Gasper Greiner, on the southwest by Brier Creek and to the South East lands of William Williams.  A month later on 6 September 1774 he was granted an additional 200 acres. By 1788 he had moved to Winton County, [Barnwell] South Carolina and had lands by  Hansford Morris, John Sanders Sr., Jeremiah Collins, and Nicholas Hutto.  In that year he also sued Richard Creech to be the administrator of the estate of Owen Williams. The suit continued when he contested Richard Creech Jr in 1789 to be the administrator of Owen Williams. He had to have been a relative of Owen Williams to have contested the administration of his estate. 

There are three unplaced Williamses that are found in records of St. George Parish who are not identified with other family members. They are Stephen Williams, Thomas Williams and Charles Williams.

Stephen Williams  died in 1770. He made a will on 22 January 1770 that was probated 18 May 1770 at Halifax. He named a wife  Elizabeth and children James Williams, Mary Webb and Elizabeth Godfrey.  Graham Lewis was the executor and the witnesses were Thitrell Murdine and Joseph Murdine. As that his daughters were married women he was not a young man.

Thomas WIlliams was killed by Indians on New Ford Creek near Halifax in November 1773 probably as part of the Creek uprising that occurred in late December.

Charles Williams on 5 July 1774 was listed as having 100 acres “by Catherine Johnson in St. George Parish” but nothing more is known of him.

THE CREEK INDIAN UPRISING

On 1 June 1773 Georgia's Royal Governor James Wright and British Indian Agent John Stuart concluded a meeting to resolve boundary disputes with the 1763 Treaty of Augusta, which ceded some 675,000 acres from the Creek Nation to the state of Georgia. On 11 June 1773 Wright issued a proclamation describing land recently ceded by the Creek Indians and encouraged  farmers and artisans to settle with their families. The year 1774 saw an insurrection among a group of the Lower Creek Indians.

Between Christmas Day 1773 and January 1774 two parties of Lower Creek Indians attacked St. George Parish killing 13 settlers in the back country.  Starting with the murder of a settler by the name of White on Christmas Day, 1773, the renegades attacked a stockade fort on Shirrols' Farm in the Ogeechee River. After killing or wounding eleven of the settlers, the Lower Creeks were held at bay by the remaining three survivors until relieved by a party of Georgia Rangers.

Fearing a general uprising was about to take place, the militia of the St. George Parish district was called out.  A  party of militia on 21 January 1774 approached  Shirrol's farm to attempt to round up their cattle. They were ambushed by about 100 of the Lower Creeks, who "were all naked and painted black, with a little red around their Eyes, the Signs of War."
Fleeing almost without resistance, 7 of the militia were killed and another was wounded. In consequence of the ineffectiveness of the Rangers and militia in dealing with the Indian problem, almost all settlements in the Ogeechee area were abandoned until stockade forts could be built to protect the inhabitants.

On 3 March 1774,  Head Turkey, a Creek Chieftan on the way to Savannah to negotiate a peace treaty was murdered near Augusta by Thomas Fee. Fee would later escape jail, but Royal governor Wright's offer of a $100 reward appeases the Creeks. 

Agents of the Indian Department were sent in among the tribes to find out who was responsible for the actions. The influence of these agents, along with a cut-off in trade with the settlers, finally lead to the chiefs of the Lower Creeks putting to death the leader of the renegades, thus ending the hostilities. The insurrection had lasted less than six months. On 20 October 1774 Peace treaty was signed with the Creek, ending hostilities that commenced on Christmas Day 1773. 

BURKE COUNTY GEORGIA 1777

In 1777 St. George Parish became one of Georgia's first counties, named for political philosopher and member of British Parliament Edmund Burke, who advocated appeasement of American colonial grievances.  Many residents of Burke County remained loyal to the king, and ensuing conflicts during the Revolutionary War (1775-83) led to major property damage. Two military engagements in 1779 between the king's troops and the revolutionaries were notable: a skirmish at the Burke County Jail in January, during which the colonists defeated 400 British troops; and a British victory at the Battle of Brier (later Briar) Creek.

GRANVILLE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

The search for pre Revolutionary War records in the originally Barnwell County is complicated due to the changing jurisdiction of the area. In 1708 one of the original three counties, Carteret County, was renamed Granville County. This early Granville County was never surveyed or properly laid out. Its boundaries were ambiguous. Its county government never became functional. Most records were kept at the parish level; none were kept at the county level. There was no county seat. There were no political connotations to the county's existence. In this case the term "county" had no meaning other than to describe an approximate geographical area. It was a county in name only. In 1768 Granville County was abolished. For documents of people who lived in this area at this time, parish records and papers filed in Charleston, South Carolina are the only resources. 

Before the American Revolution, the state church of South Carolina was the Church of England (the Anglican Church, or Protestant Episcopal Church). Besides keeping parish registers, the church kept many records of a civil nature in their vestry books. The Vestry was as much a political body as a religious one. The wardens and commissioners were responsible for the roads, education, the poor and orphans, voting and collecting taxes in addition to their church duties. The three parishes that roughly served Granville County, where the Williams Family settled were Prince William Parish created in 1745 from the northwest side of St. Helena's Parish part of Granville  County, St. Luke's Parish which was created in 1767 from the northwest side of St. Helena's Parish in the central part of Granville, and St. Matthew Parish created in 1768 by act of the General Assembly for the Township of Orangeburgh  which had been laid out in 1765 in Granville County to encourage Swiss, German and Dutch settlers. 

From 1768-1784 two more large districts extended to the Savannah River,-Orangeburg to the south, and Ninety-Six to the north. The descendants of Ezekiel Williams appear to have been in the northern part of Orangeburgh while John Williams descendants appear to have been near the border of Orangeburgh and Beaufort County to the south. 

After the Revolutionary War the Act of 1785 divided Orangeburg District into Orange, Lewisburg, Lexington, and Winton counties on 12 March 1785. However in 1792, the Winton County as a separate Court was abolished and was in 1798 Winton County was abolished all together. The area was transformed into Barnwell District. 

Many of the records pertaining to the Williams family have been destroyed. The British burned St. Luke Parish church down in 1779 and records for Orangeburg, Beaufort, Chesterfield, Colleton, Georgetown, and Lancaster districts were destroyed during the Civil War. Fortunately Barnwell District records were hidden and saved when the court house was burned.

JOHN WILLIAMS Sr.  IN GRANVILLE COUNTY 

The difficulty of  tracking John Williams after he moved to back to South Carolina has to do with the fact that he had a son of the same name and of an age to have been acquiring lands as an adult.  John Williams'  wife Abigail Williams also was acquiring property under her own name as early as 1770 which is a conundrum as that married women rarely acquired property under their own name. Could John Williams had died about then and Abigail Williams lived among her sons? It is a likely possibility as that John Williams would have been in his late forties. 

There is no will or probate records for John Williams the son of Theophilus so there’s no official record of his family. His nine children can only be assumed by their adjacent properties. People with the surname Williams who lived in the same proximity of John Williams were Abigail Williams, Asa Williams, Britton Williams husband of Elizabeth, Evan Williams,  George Williams, John Williams husband of Nancy, Joshua Williams, husband of Elizabeth, Lewis Williams, and Owen Williams.

John Williams speculated in land on both sides of the Savannah River in Georgia Colony and South Carolina Colony, however he or his family seemed to settled in the Coosawhatchie River area along Miller Swamp after 1770.  Here he probably died but when is an enigma.  

His presumed son Britton Williams bought property between King's Creek and the Little Briar Creek waters of the Savannah River from William Brown circa 1775. Kings Creek is about 14 miles southwest of Allendale and Little Briar is about six miles west of the town of Allendale. A deed of Absalom Best from 19 September 1770 showed some of his neighbors living on estates along  the Little Briar Creek on the Savannah River. Best's property was adjoining William Brown, James Sumpsion, and Samuel Colding.  

The deed for the purchase of William Brown's property by Britton Williams was probably lost when Brown's house was burned by the British or when they burned the Prince William Parish church which contained public records as there were no county seats at the time.

A surviving deed recorded 3 April 1775 showed that George Kearse "of Granville" on 8 March 1769 sold lands to Aaron Gillette and John Weekley  at Boggy Gut a branch of Lower Three Runs waters of the Savannah. The Lower Three Runs was just a few miles north of Brier Creek. This George "Kersh" also in 1775 had property in the Saxagotha Township in Craven County on the Congaree River according to a deed dated 16 February 1775 of William Sneider.

By the time shots were fired at Concord and Lexington in Massachusetts Colony the Williams family seemed to have been located in an area known as Millers Swamp that today is near the community of Sycamore in Allendale County.  Miller Swamp joins Jackson’s Branch which flows into Hampton County and joins the Whippy Swamp there.

COOSAWHATCHIE RIVER GRANVILLE COUNTY

The earliest record of John Williams being in Granville County was a land grant dated 1 March 1768 in which he was granted 100 acres on the Coosahatchie River, in Prince William Parish. The Coosawhatchie River is about 1 mile southwest of the present day town of Allendale.   Later on 4 November 1769 Lewis Williams had a plat drawn for 200 acres in Granville County on the Coosawhatchie River. 

 On 18 May 1769 John Williams acquired 100 acres on Walker Creek a branch of Long Cane River adjoining the lands of John Lewis Jervais. A deed dated 21 March 1768 for Andrew Kersh [Kearse] showed that Long Cane was on “Waters of the Savannah River.”  The question seems to be however,  is whether the John Williams' lands of these transactions those of Abigail Williams husband or son? A likely scenario is that this is John Williams Junior.

Interestingly on 15 March 1771 Abigail Williams received a Royal Grant for 100 acres on northeast side of a place called Alligator Branch on the southwest branch of the Salkehatchie in what was called Colleton County but actually in Granville County as Colleton had been abolished in 1768.  Alligator Branch or Pond is now known as Kirkland Creek.  If she had a husband living at this time it is very unlikely that she would have received a grant under her own name.  On 27 November 1771 Abigael [Abigail] Williams had a plat drawn for 100 acres on Alligator  Creek waters of the Salkehatche River. 

Three days later John Williams received a Royal Grant on 18 May 1771 for 100 acres in Granville County but no location was recorded. Several pre Revolutionary War land records for a John Williams exists in Granville County but it is hard if impossible to determine if they applied to John Williams Senior or John Junior. A deed dated 4 February 1771 showed that a John Williams had a  plat drawn for 100 acres Long Cane Creek and Walker Swamp in Granville County. This was the same property from 18 May 1769 as the neighbors were listed as  John Lewis “Gervais”, Matthew Long, and William Walker. On  28 June 1771 this John Williams filed a “memorial” for the same 100 acres on Long Cane Creek in Granville County. A title memorial is information recorded on a property title relating to a transaction, interest in or restriction over a piece of land. As that this John Williams filed a memorial for the 1769 property after Abigail Williams was granted lands in her own name it would be a safe assumption to believe this John Williams is her son and not her husband.

The following year on 7 July 1772 John Williams had a Royal Grant of 150 acres near the Coosahatchie River which he later sold to Thomas and William Haywood on 22 November 1773.  On 16 July 1772 a John Williams had a plat drawn up for these 150 acres on the Coosawhatchie River in Granville County and his neighbor or surveyor was James Thomson [Thompson] which showed that Abigail and this John were in the same proximity.  This John Williams was in the same area as of 20 January 1773 when he received a Royal Grant of  250 acres of lands adjoining John Rose’s estates on waters of the Coosawhatchee River and Black Creek in the Orangeburgh District. This new grant may be the reason he sold his earlier 150 acres to the Haywoods. 

A plat drawn up for John Rose for 700 acres near Black River and Coosawhatchie River in Granville County filed 16 November 1772 showed that his neighbors were  Isaac Oliver, James Peart, and John Williams. The following summer on  3 June 1773 Rose filed memorials for two tracts on Coosawhatchie River, one for 300 acres and one for 700 acres in Granville County. His neighbors were Isaac Oliver and John Williams. During the Revolutionary War this John Rose was a Loyalist and after the war on 3 October 1785 his 700 acres on the Coosawhatchie RIver was forfeited as a Loyalist Estate. His neighbors were still James Peart, and John Williams at that time in 1785.

Another connection to the Creech family is from a deed dated 6 July 1773 when Stephen Creech “late of the Province of South Carolina now Guilford County North Carolina” sold 100 acres to John Williams. The witnessed were John North and Martha Caldwell who is believed to be Stephen Creech's mother-in-law. Stephen Creech was the son of Richard Creech and Ann Williams and depending who this John Williams was, Stephen Creech was either the nephew or cousin of John Williams.

28 January 1774 Richard Creech bought 1000 acres on the Salkehatchie River adjoining John Miller  in Prince William Parish, Granville County, from Josiah Murdock of Georgia. Witness: William Creech; and James Roberts was married to Amy Creech the sister of William Creech. This Josiah Murdock is probably the husband of Cyntha Murdock.

Besides these Royal Grants for John Williams and Abigail Williams in 1771 there are several transaction for a Lewis Williams. On 15 March 1771, the same date of Abigail's grant, Lewis Williams received a Royal Grant of 200 acres on Coosawhatchie River in Granville County. The next month of 20 April he filed a memorial for the land. 

On 4 May 1773 Asa Williams received a Royal Grant for lands between Alligator Pond  and the Coosawhatchie River and located by Joshua Williams in Granville County, South Carolina.  As previously noted Abigail Williams had property at Alligator Branch. This may indicate that he was related to both Abigail and Joshua. My guess is that they were his mother and brother. The following year  on 2 August 1774 Asa Williams acquired another Royal Grant for 150 acres adjoining James Roberts lands in St. George Parish, Georgia. where Britton Williams once lived.  In 1778 Asa Williams was listed as Petit Juror in Granville District  “to the Savannah River”  and he was a Revolutionary War Soldier. Ten year later he is listed in a lawsuit against Captain William Ransome Davis in 1788.  He also lived close to Britton Williams at King's Creek in South Carolina. Nothing further is known of Asa Williams whether he married or had a family.

On 12 November 1774 Owen Williams bought from John Weekley 150 acres on a branch of the Salkehatche River "known as Whippy Swamp" bounded on the west by lands of Alexis M Forster.

This Alexis M Forster received a Royal Grant 25 May 1774 for 200 acres bounded on the northwest by William Creighton and "Catharina" Poole, on the southwest by William Brown, and on the southeast by William Creech. The property was surveyed 11 March 1773 by Elias Roberts and Forster filed a memorial title on 3 November 1774.

There are several more Royal Grants in 1775  for Abigail Williams and Owen Williams on Miller Swamp in Granville County. Miller Swamp is a creek that joins the Jackson Branch Creek in present day Allendale County. The Jackson Branch once in crosses into Beaufort County is known as Whippy Swamp.  The community of Sycamore in Allendale is approximately between Miller Swamp and Jackson Branch is where Abigail Williams' lands were. 

On 21 April 1775 Owen Williams received a Royal grant for 100 acres in Granville County on Crane Savannah adjoining Thomas Loveless.  Later on 1 June 1775 Owen Williams  and Abigael [Abigail] Williams both received Royal grants for 100 acres on Miller Creek [Swamp] in Granville County. Their neighbor or surveyor was  J. Barron. 

Also on 1 June 1775 Owen Williams received a Royal grant for 100 acres on Colson Branch in Granville County.  This description indicates that Miller Creek, Colson Branch, and Big Horse Creek in Granville County were in the same vicinity as that on 2 June 1775 Owen Williams received another Royal grant of  100 acres on Big Horse Creek  near the Salkehatchie River in Granville County.  

Joseph Lawton received a Royal Grant on 12 July 1775 of 330 acres bounded on the southwest by John Kirkland and George Kirkland and on the southeast by John Chisholm. 

Later in the summer on 28 July 1775 Abigail Williams received a Royal grant for 100 acres on waters of Millers Swamp as did  Owen Williams. Later on 16 November 1775 they filed memorials for their property at “Miller Swamp”. Owen Williams however filed on  three tracts, one for 100 acres in Granville County, one for 100 acres on Miller Swamp, and another 100 acres on Big Horse Pond.

William Brown on 2 September 1775 received a 400 acre Royal Grant on Four Mile Branch which runs parallel to the Savannah River before it joined it. His property was bounded by Thomas Filput [Philpot] and James Wilson and was property close to the Upper Three Run area. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1775-1783

The Williams family had left St. George Parish for good at the start of the Revolutionary War perhaps because of the strong loyalist sentiment there or perhaps because of trouble with the Indians. Few land deeds existed from the period of the Revolutionary War due to the uncertainty of the outcome of the event and the destruction of records.

In 1775 Britton Williams bought land from William Brown between King and Brier Creeks on the Savannah River in Granville County, South Carolina. He was a Magistrate in Orangeburgh District being from Savannah River Section and for two years 1776 to 1778 Britton Williams was a member of South Carolina’s Second Colonial Assembly in Charleston. He represented the combine parishes of Orange and St. Matthews which were known at the Fork District of Orangeburgh District.

On 1 December 1778 John Williams was elected an assemblyman for the region between the Savannah River and north fork of the Edisto River and also served as a Petit Juror for the area to Savannah River. On 30 Dec 1778 Savannah, Georgia fell to the British and all of Beaufort and Granville County was in peril.  Only 6,000 men was in area to oppose the British Army's advance. Those opposed to American Independence were called Loyalists or Tories while those who supported independence were known as Patriots or Whigs.

Joseph Glover Esq. of Charleston sold to Joshua Williams of St. Bartholomew Parish, planter, on 15 December 1778 for 500 pounds South Carolina Money 100 acres granted to said Glover 4 March 1760 at the foot of Bear Branch on branches of the Salkehatchie in Colleton County. The deed was recorded 15 March 1779. 

BRIER CREEK BATTLE IN GEORGIA

The King's forces after securing Savannah pushed quickly inland up the Savannah River and took Augusta by 31 January 1779. A force of Loyalist militia led by Col. James Boyd tried to make its way from South Carolina into Georgia to join the British at Augusta. They were badly defeated at the Battle of Kettle Creek 14 February 1779, by the America forces under the command of Gen.  Andrew Pickens, Col. John Dooly and Lt. Col. Elijah Clarke.

The destruction of Col. Boyd's command at Kettle Creek led the British to conclude that their position at Augusta was too vulnerable and they began a slow retreat to the safety of Savannah. When the British reached Ebenezer,  Georgia, they halted. Command was turned over to Lt. Col. Mark Prevost.

The American forces, led by Brig. Gen. John Ashe, moved across the Savannah River in pursuit. Ashe's total army included around 1,300 men, 200 of whom were light cavalry. The Americans, meanwhile, went into camp near the confluence of Brier Creek and the Savannah River on 26 February 1779. The British had destroyed a bridge over the creek during the withdrawal and the Patriots now began the effort of repairing it. They camped with Brier Creek between them and the British, who were thought to be far away at Ebenezer.

Lt. Col. Prevost however led a larger force of 900 regulars and seasoned militia soldiers north up Brier Creek to a mill owned by Francis Parish. A deed from 1 November 1774 showed that a John Williams owned 100 acres east of Francis Parish and northwest of Brier Creek. He may have been the same John Williams of Granville.

The British quickly repaired the  destroyed bridge there, using timbers from Parish's house and barn. The British crossing at Parish's Mill went completely undetected by the Americans and Prevost immediately pushed south toward the rear of Ashe's army. Prevost took full advantage of the false sense of security in the American ranks by sending a decoy force of around 500 regular and militia to within 3 miles of the burned out bridge being repaired by Ashe's army. They took up a position there to capture and hold the attention of the American commanders.

On the afternoon of March 3, 1779, the British struck. A man on horseback rode desperately into the American lines with word that a large enemy force was approaching. Ashe ordered his men to form for battle, but the effort was hurried and not carried out with precision.  The Battle was a decisive victory for the British.  The Americans lost between 150 and 200 killed or drowned.  The British suffered only five killed and eleven wounded and had captured over 200 Americans. Most of the surviving America militia abandoned their guns and other military stores for the British to claim, and "did not stop running until they reached their homes." After the battle the British counted more than five hundred captured muskets. Brier Creek was a staggering defeat that cost the Patriots heavily, setting the stage for the even greater catastrophe at Charleston the following year. 

American troops were defeated again on 3 May 1779 at the Battle of Coosawhatchie Bridge and the low country  between the Salkehatchie and Coosawhatchie River was in Tory  hands. In 1779 the British even burned Prince William Church destroying valuable records there.

Lt. Col. John Laurens and his men were in position on a slight rise near the Coosawhatchie bridge guarding the road against the expected assault by about 2,400 British soldiers and Loyalists under Brigadier General Augustine Prevost from Savannah. On May 3rd, Lt. Col. John Laurens and a 250-man detachment of the North Carolina Light Infantry were on a mission to bring back the Patriot rear guard before the British cut them off. When they encountered the British, Lt. Col. Laurens chose a bad position for his troops. The British fired long-range artillery at the Patriots, who were powerless to do anything. Lt. Col. Laurens was shot in the arm and his horse was killed by artillery fragments.

As Lt. Col. John Laurens was sent back for medical attention, he told Capt. Thomas Shubrick to maintain their position. Once Lt. Col. Laurens left though, Capt. Shubrick ordered the Patriots to withdraw. With many of the soldiers also wounded, they fell back to the Tullifinny River, about two miles east. He knew that if they had stayed, the entire group would have been captured. As it were three men were killed and eight wounded.

The following year on 12 May 1780, Charleston the capitol of the city fell to the British and a 6,000 American army was lost or captured. With the fall of Chalreston several American partisan commanders began resistant fighting. General Francis Marion commander of Capt. William Harden of Prince William Parish leader of the Granville Militia.  The Harden Partisan Rangers had a skirmish at Kings Creek after learning that Tories under the command of Daniel McGirt was terrorizing the countryside. 

In May 1780 seventy Tories under the command of Daniel McGirt and supported by Indians and armed African Americas operated as raiders independent of the British Army ravaging the "country in a barbarous manner killing people and burning a number of house as they go." These Tories crossed the Savannah river from Georgia, "killing every man they met who had not sworn allegiance to the king."  Seventeen of the Inhabitants of the neighborhood of King's Creek were murdered.

The Whig William Brown who had sold property to Britton Williams was among those murdered. The Tories burned William Brown's house to the ground, and destroyed everything he possessed. His wife and daughters escaped only by fleeing to the woods. It was the intense Whig sentiments and attachments of the Brown family that made the elder Brown the object of McGirt's wrath. Two of William Brown's sons, Tarlton and Barlett, were Revolutionary soldiers in Virginia when they learned of the death of their father.

During the Revolutionary War the backcountry on both sides of the Savannah was the scene of neighbor pitted against neighbor. Loyalists and Patriots murdered each other some in skirmishes and battles and often just burning homesteads. 

Those Williamses thought to be related to John Williams the son of Theophilus Williams who served on the side of the Patriots were Asa Williams, Britton Williams, John Williams, Joshua Williams, and Lewis Williams. Britton Williams actually was killed in 1781 by Loyalist forces. The others filed claims “growing out of the American Revolution.”  Abigail Williams was among those claiming compensation. 

BATTLE OF WIGGINS HILL SOUTH CAROLINA

In January of 1781, Col. Daniel McGirt and his Georgia Loyalists crossed the Savannah River and rode down the South Carolina side. He had vowed to kill everyone who had not sworn allegiance to the king. At Brier Creek Settlement, he kept his word. Seventeen citizens were murdered, among those was Henry Moore. The settlement was burned to the ground. The wife and daughters of Henry Moore ran into the woods to flee the destruction. McGirt's men tried to kill John Cave and left him for dead, but he recovered to tell the story. Because of this atrocity, Capt. James McKay of Georgia and Col. William Harden of South Carolina called out their militia and began looking for any signs of Loyalist raiders.

On January 23rd, at the James Wiggin's Plantation, a group of British, Loyalists, and Indians led by Lt. Col. Thomas Brown Commanding Officer of the King's Rangers made camp near the Coosawhatchie River. The King's Rangers was made up of nearly 200 men from the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants), 2nd Battalion (Young Royal Highlanders), and Light Company led by Capt. Ronald MacKinnon. The Tory Loyalist Militia was made up of nearly 100 men assisted by 30 Creek warriors.

The Patriot force made up of 76 partisan rangers, commanded by Lt. Col. William Harden, learned of the British camp and made plans to attack them. William Harden had a plantation in Prince William Parish near Whippy Swamp. He was elected in 1776 captain of the Artillery Company in Beaufort District and joined General Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, after the fall of Charleston. 

On January 24th, shortly after midnight, the Patriots made their move. They rode into the camp, terrifying the Loyalist militia. The British Rangers did not panic. They quickly formed into a battle line, fired at the Patriots, driving them out of the camp.

At 8:00 a.m., the Patriots attacked the camp again. They dismounted their horses and opened fire on the Loyalists. The Tory militia once again fled the camp, with some of them joining the Patriots. The Kings Rangers joined with the Indians, formed into their battle line, and charged the Patriots. Once again, the Patriots were forced back, scattering into the nearby Coosawhatchie Swamp and hiding out on an island. The Battle of Wiggins Hill lasted less than an half hour when Commander Harden retreated due to the superior number of the British forces under the command of Col. Brown. Seven Americans were killed and eleven wounded. Twelve was said to have been captured. For months, the Partisan Rangers  were too weak to be much help in the war effort of the low country.

The known Patriot prisoners were Britton Williams, Rannal McKoy a boy of 17 years, George Smith of Turkey Creek, George Reed of Long Cane Creek and a French man. Col. Brown however took the five Partisan Ranger prisoners from the Battle of Wiggin Hill and put them in a pen made of fence rails about 3 feet high with a covering of some material near Rush's Mill.  The prisoners were condemned as traitors to the Royal Crown by Col. Brown and were sentenced to the gallows. McKoy’s mother was brought to the camp and begged Colonel Browne to spare her son but to no avail. 

The five prisoners were hanged until nearly dead when then their bodies were cut down and delivered over to the scalping Indians in Col. Brownes assemblage, who scalped the bodies and otherwise mutilated them in their accustomed manner.  Col. Brown then turned his fury on Granville District burning homes, stealing livestock, food, and horses, and committing many other atrocities during the war. 

Elizabeth Williams, Britton's widow along, with grieving relatives and neighbors brought Britton Williams body back to his plantation on King's Creek where he was thought to be buried near present day Highway 301, a modern highway that runs across his former plantation. On 8 December 1785 Elizabeth Williams received as an annuity for being a widow 8 pounds and 15 shillings. An annuity is a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for the rest of their life. She stated at the time of applying for her annuity that her husband was killed 15 January 1781 which conflicts with the dates given for the Battle of Wiggins Hill. 

On 9 March 1781 two property deeds were recorded some of the few that were during the war. Owen Williams and "his wife Mary" sold to John Ayers 100 acres on Colson’s Branch in Granville County for "90 pounds south Carolina money" with the witnesses being William Ray [Wray], Edward Williams, Lisabeth Brake. The deed was not recorded until 2 January 1788. At the same time George Kearse bought 100 acres from Owen Williams also located on Coulson's Branch. 

After the Brier Creek Massacre, Capt. James McKay of the Georgia Militia began conducting raids along the swamps of the lower Savannah River and plundering Loyalist boats bound for Augusta. Lt. Col. Thomas Brown ordered Capt. Alexander Wylly of the King's American Rangers to mount an expedition down the South Carolina side of the Savannah River to eliminate this threat. A Lt. Kemp preceded this expedition with a detachment of 25 of the King's American Rangers with 20 Loyalists.

Lt. Kemp hired a guide named William to take him to Capt. McKay's camp on Matthew's Bluff. William did not care for the Loyalists and he alerted Capt. McKay who set up an ambush. Lt. Kemp's troops rode into the ambush site and at the first shot the Loyalists fled without firing a shot, forcing the King Rangers to surrender.

Capt. McKay asked Lt. Kemp to join the Patriot cause, but he refused. Capt. McKay's men were still seeking retribution for the Brier Creek Massacre, so one shot Lt. Kemp dead. The same fate was for all the Rangers, except for one. That one pretended to join the Patriot cause and then escaped at the first chance to tell Lt. Col. Brown what happened.

This event only happened once - some sources claim it happened on January 22, 1781, whereas just as many sources claim it happened in April of 1781.

Retreating from Wiggin's Hill, Col. Harden crossed the Edisto River at Givhan’s Ferry and established a post at Godfrey’s Savannah near the Ashepoo River, severing communications between Charleston and Fort Balfour.  There he reported to Gen. Marion on April 7 that he had stopped several supply vessels on the Combahee River and that he was able to keep the road from Purrysburg to Pon Pon clear.  Harden had hoped to join with one or two hundred more volunteers from the Edisto region but their Colonel Isaac Hayne balked at breaking his parole and Harden had to proceed alone with his small force.

Col Harden’s Partisan Rangers skirmished with a force of 160 British regulars near Parker’s Ferry and then retreated southward.  On April 7 a detachment of Harden’s men under Major Cooper captured Barton’s Post in Colleton County after a sharp fight.  That night they crossed the Salkehatchie Bridge into the Beaufort District.  The garrison at Fort Balfour sent Col. Fenwck and a corp of mounted dragoons up the Pocotaligo Road to stop Harden’s approach. On April 8^th Harden laid an ambush along the road for the Tory party. When Harden’s partisans opened fire the horsemen charged their position and sent them scattering through the wood

Col Harden retreated to a swamp along the Coosawhatchie River and fought  another skirmish with the British at Four Holes in Colleton District  on the 11 of April. Nathan Williams was at the battle at Four Holes under the command of Lt. Reuben House.

Charlestown had been occupied by the British for thirty months and two days when they finally left. Major General Alexander Leslie agreed not to destroy the city if the Patriots would allow his troops to depart safely. Upon the firing of the morning cannon the British, their allies, their Loyalists, and 5,000 slaves moved out of the forward works, while the Continentals of Major General Anthony Wayne moved in - keeping a respectful distance.

Over 5,000 slaves and former slaves sailed away with the British fleet. The slaves that came in on their own free will were promised their freedom. Britain honored their commitment to them and most settled in the Carribean and a small number in Canada. It is estimated that 25,000 slaves had been taken from South Carolinians during the British occupation. Since these were considered confiscated property of the Patriots, they were sold back into slavery.

Major General William Moultrie wrote in his memoirs (1802): "This fourteenth day of December, 1782, ought never to be forgotten by the Carolinians; it ought to be the day of festivity with them, as it is the real day of their deliverance and independence."

The day after the British evacuated Charlestown the Maryland Line decided that their enlistments were at an end and they prepared to go home. Major General Nathanael Greene rode to their camp and told them that though Charlestown was no longer a British stronghold the war was not over. It was true, the war was not over. But, there would be no more fighting in the Carolinas after Charleston was evacuated.

John Williams in 1782, along with James Moody and Solomon Owens, appraised the cattle for compensation that was sold to the continental Army by Elizabeth Williams the widow of Britton Williams .

On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed and Britain's war with the United States was officially at an end. When the war ended in 1783 and John Williams is found on the 1783 Tax List of Orangeburgh District.

LAND RECORDS RESUME 1784-1789

After the war ended a John Williams was located on the Wells Branch waters of the Salkehatchie River. Wells Branch is about 8 miles north of the town of Allendale.  He may have been and most likely was the son John and Abigail Williams.


On 10 August 1784 Reuben Golightly sold 150 acres to George Kearse, land that adjoined John Williams' lands in “Winton County”  The same day George Kearse conveyed the 150 acres to William Kearse  that he had bought from Reuben Golightly. George Kearse was the father of William Kearse who married Flora Brabham. William Kearse was the father in law of two of Wilson Williams' sons. On 7 September 1784 George Kearse bought land from John Williams and a month later on 16 October 1784 George Kearse sold to Cyntha Murdock 270 acres in Orangeburg District South Carolina near the mouth of King Creek of the Savannah River adjoining vacant land, and lands of John Green and Britton Williams.  This is the same George Kearse who had lands at Wells Branch near John Williams.  This area of Kings Creek where Britton Williams’ estate was located  also lived Asa Williams. It would appear that the Widow of Britton Williams and Asa Williams were near neighbors on the “Little Swamp” at the Savannah River. Kings Creek was approximately 14 miles southwest of the community of Allendale.

Lewis Williams was still living near the Cosawhatche River on property that was now described as being in Beaufort County. On 20 August 1784 Lewis Williams filed a plat for 100 acres on waters of Coosawhatchie Swamp in Beaufort District surveyed by Elias Robert. His neighbors were  Mr. Griffeth and Joseph Oswald. A land record dated 29 December 1785 listed Lewis Williams in St. Helen’s Parish in Beaufort County.  On that date Jethro Overstreet filed a plat for 100 acres on waters of Coosawhatchie River in St. Helen’s Parish Beaufort District surveyed by Elias Roberts. His neighbors were Mr. Griffith and Lewis Williams. Elias Roberts was probably a brother or relative of John and James Roberts.

The names John Green and William Green appear in many of the land transactions of people who lived near King Creek in South Carolina. William Green was a surveyor and shows up on many plats filed in the 1780's. They are probably related to a William Green who received a grant of 150 acres in St. George Parish from lands surveyed 26 October 1758. John Green had a grant of 200 acres in St George Parish dated 5 February 1771.

James Lee on 11 November 1784 filed a plat for 200 acres on Little Bryar [Brier] Creek waters of the Savannah in Orangeburgh  District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were John Green, Thomas Green, Thomas Owens. On 28 November 1784 Richard Riggans filed a plat for 300 acres on the Savannah River Swamp in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were Blanchard Colding, James Lee, and Mr. Mucklefoss. The next day on 29 November 1784 James Lee filed a plat for 300 acres near Savannah River Swamp in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors wereMr. Bryan, Blanchard Colding, Aaron Gillett, John Green, and Richard Riggins.

On 30 November 1784 Aaron Gillett had two plats drawn up one for 92 acres on “Savannah River Swamp” in  Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were John Green and Asa Williams.  The other plat was 440 acres on Savannah River in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. The neighbors of this property were John Green, James Lee, Asa Williams, and lands of Britton Williams.  Thomas Garnett on 23 March 1785 filed a plat for 113 acres on King Creek Little Swamp Savannah River Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green Neighbors Joseph Bryan, Blanchard Colding, Aaron Gillett, James Lee and Thomas William Owens.

On 3 October 1785 Benjamin Green filed a plat for 270 acres on swamp of Savannah River in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were Aaron Gillett, John Green, and Asa Williams so this property would have been in the King's Creek area. A month later on 3 November 1785 George Kearse sold to William Thomas 640 acres in  Orangeburg District South Carolina at head if Little Swamp and waters of the Savannah River. These lands were adjoining James Joice, William Thomas, and Elizabeth Williams’ lands "supposed to join Lee".  This Elizabeth Williams was the widow of Britton Williams and the Lee was James Lee. There no records of Elizabeth Williams acquiring property under her own name nor of selling off any of her late husband's property. On the same date 3 November  1785 William Thomas filed a plat for 640 acres on “Little Swamp” on Savannah River  Orangeburg District which was surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were James Joice [Joyce] and Elizabeth Williams.
 

Northeast of Kings Creek, John Williams on 1 December 1784 had a plat recorded for 150 acres near Wells Branch, in Orangeburg District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were Richard Creech and Reuben Golightly. A year later on 9 November 1785 John Williams filed a plat for 300 acres on Wells Branch in Orangeburg District  which was surveyed by William Green. This John Williams was certainly the husband of Nancy. In the spring, 6 April 1786, John Williams filed another plat for 138 acres on Millers Swamp and Salkehatchie River, in Orangeburg District. The land was surveyed by William Cook Jr. and his neighbors were Isaac Harrell, and Owen Williams. This does not indicate that Owen Williams was alive at this time, just that his property shared a boundary with John Williams. In 1786 Owen Williams evidently died without a will. Richard Creech husband of Mrs. Mary Williams and John Grimes sued to administer Owen Williams’s estate in that year.

The following year on 8 June 1785 Richard Creech filed a plat for 100 acres on “Creeches Branch” on the Salkehatchie River, in Orangeburg District surveyed by Harwood Jones. Where this creek was located is unknown but certain named for this family. 

John Kersh [Kearse] on 5 September 1785 filed a plat for 100 acres lands on “Cypress Waters” adjoining John Williams and Andrew Kearse in Orangeburg District surveyed by William Green. John Kersh was married to Rebecca McCain daughter of Solomon McCain Sr. John Kersh was a relative of George Kearse who on 5 June 1786 was granted 100 acres near “Cypress Pond.” On that same date John Williams was granted 100 acres near Cypress Pond. This John Williams was probably the John who died in 1802 and left property at Cypress to a son. On  5 November 1785, George Kearse sold to William Weekley 515 acres in  Orangeburg District South Carolina on Muscheto Pond near Miller Swamp adjoining Owen Williams and John Ayers. 

In the year 1785 George Kirkland's lands were on north side of Great Saltketcher near "Widow Williams’ Ford" bounded by Verdemon Clemmons, James Brown, Zachariah Knight.  This Widow Williams was certainly Abigail Williams as that Elizabeth Williams had lands on King's Creek and Brier Creek.  The Kirkland lands were in the Alligator Branch area which waters were later called Kirkland Creek. In the Alligator Branch area on 20 September 1785 George Kirkland filed a plat for 211 acres on waters of Saltlehatchie River surveyed by Robert Stafford. His near neighbors James Brown, Yardmon Clemons, Zachariah Knight, Mr. Pickins.  On 5 November 1785 George Kirkland filed another plat for 146 acres on Alligator Branch of the Salkehatchie River surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were Mr. [Thomas or Zachariah] Knight and Mr. Walker. George Kirkland's daughter married Wilson Williams as his 2nd wife. Wilson of course was the son of Britton and Elizabeth Williams of Kings Creek. George Kirkland on 16 January 1786 filed a plat for 634 acres on Alligator Branch of the Salkehatchie River. His property was surveyed by Wilson Cook Jr and his neighbors were Mr. Carr, Thomas Knight, Mr. Millhouse and Wright Rice.      
                                                             

A relative of George Kearse, possibly his brother, Andrew Kersh on 16 May 1786 deeded to his “only beloved son Joseph Kersh being born of Rhody Kirsh mylawful wife"  100 acres on the Cyprus[Cypress] adjoining John Williams in Orangeburg District. The witnesses were Richard Creech and Michael Campbell. 

On 18 May 1786 Elijah Gillet filed for two adjoining tracts on Savannah River in Orangeburg District. One was for 300 acres that had been granted to Aaron Gillett on 1 August 1786 and the other one was for 440 acres also granted to Aaron Gillett on 4 July 1785. His neighbors were John Brown, William Brown, Blanshard Colding, John Green, James Lee, Assee [Asa] Williams and the lands of Britton Williams. These lands would have been between Kings Creek and Little Briar Creek. 

 Later that year in the fall, on 1 October 1786 Abigail Williams filed a plat for 235 acres on Colson's Branch waters of the Salkehatchie surveyed by John Milhous. Her neighbors were Mr Eirs [Ayers] and Mr. Thomas. They were probably John Ayers and William Thomas. On 1 January 1787  Abigail Williams was granted an additional 235 acres on Colson’s Branch at the Beaver Pond waters of the Little Salkehatchie Swamp . In 1787 John Williams had lands granted on Colson’s Branch of Little Salkehatchie also. 

Dr. Demsey [Dempsy] Phillips began to acquire property on 6 February 1787. He was the son in law Joshua Williams having married his daughter Susannah. On that date he filed a plat for 560 acres on waters of Wells Branch in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Minor. His near neighbors were Henry Creech, Stephen Creech, George Lantham  Samuel Minor, and Samuel Wright Minor.  People who owned property in the Wells Branch area included John Williams, Richard Creech, and Reuben Golightly. In the fall on 29 October 1787 Dr. Dempsey Phillips bought additional from Abigail Williams land on Miller Swamp. 

In the Jackson Branch area George Kearse on 28 Feb 1787 bought from William Roberts 300 acres adjoining William Weekley and John Ayers. As that John Ayers was also a neighbor of Abigail Williams,  Jackson Branch and Colson Branch were in the general same area. On 28 April 1787 The Winton County Court Minutes stated "The Court hath taken it into consideration that the Road which was granted by order of Court from Perkins Bluff to widow Well's ford be altered and that said Road be carried the nearest and best way from Thomas Burton's ferry on Savannah River to said Widow Williams ford on Big Saltketcher [Salkegatchie]. Capt. William Weekly is appointed Overseer of said Road in place of Capt. Richard Creech, Junior who has moved out of the settlement. Two years later on 17 August 1789 the court ordered that a road be constructed from Widow Williams ford on Great Saltketcher [Salkehatchie] to intersect the Little Saltketcher [Salkehatchie] and old Savannah Ford much out of repair. 

At the same time in April 1787 the court ordered John Wyld, Elijah Gillett, Absalom Best, and John Weekley or any three of them "appoint to lay out and mark off the said road the nearest and best and most convenient way and see that the same is  cleared immediately for the relief of the public. These men were landowners in the King Creek area near the widow Elizabeth Williams and of course these roads were built by enslaved African Americans. 

Abigail Williams the next month on 5 May 1787 sold to Henry McMillan 150 acres on Great Salkehatche for 60 pounds. On 25 January 1790 Henry McMillan of "Winton County, Planter" sold to John Buford of "Burke County, Georgia, planter" the 150 acres he had bought from Abigail Williams for 35 pounds. This document is the only proof so far discovered that states "Abigail Williams widow of John Williams, deceased."  This stated that Abigail had bought this property from Jacob Hoyers [Meyers?] which had the land surveyed  26 September 1763.

Henry McMillan who was listed on the South Carolina 1790 and 1800 census born circa 1745/1755 in Antrim, Ireland.  He had brothers Major James William McMillan who also lived in the Barnwell District. These two brothers left many descendants in what is present day Bamberg County. The other brother was Private Daniel McMillan a Revolutionary Soldier who was drafted into service in the Old Camden District.  Daniel McMillan was grant a pension on 7th June 1832.  This pension is on file at the State Archives in Columbia, South Carolina.  Daniel and his family moved after 7th June 1832 to Morgan County, Illinois.  Henry McMillian was married to Sarah Chitty daughter of John Chitty Sr. and had the following children William McMillan husband of Holly [Olivia] Williams, Rebecca Priscilla McMillan wife of William Cave, and James M. McMillan husband of Martha Ann Sanderford, Mary “Polly” McMillan wife of John Chitty Jr. or William Chitty (1^st cousins), Elizabeth McMillan wife of Henry McMilllan Thurston Sr., Penelope McMillan wife of Ambrose Pelham Sr., Thomas McMillan husband of Sarah Myrick and Joel Daniel McMillan husband of Celia

  

On 6 June 1787 Martin Kimberhyde [Kimberhide] made out his will leaving his estate to Reuben, Margaret, and Jacob Brunton. He made Arthur Jenkins his executive. William Creech, William Roberts, and William Kearse witnessed the will. On 10 October 1787 the Inventory of the estate of Martin Kimberhyde was taken by John Williams, John Craddock, and William Weekley , "as shown to them by Arthur Jenkins".

On 22 July 1788 Richard Creech filed a plat for 264 acres on waters of Jackson’s Branch of the Salkehatchie River, Orangeburgh District surveyed by Wilson Cook. His neighbors were  John Ayers, David Hodge, Martin Kimberhyde, Thomas Pulley, and Cornelius Tinsley. This Martin Kimberhyde had died the previous years so these were his lands. This was also Richard Creech Jr as that his father also had died the previous year.

Sometime later that summer Richard Creech Sr. died as that on 25 August 1787 an inventory of his estate  was taken  by John Williams, William Creech, Reuben Golightly and Miles Riley. John Williams and William Creech were near neighbors if not in fact related to one another.   On 11 March 1788 John Williams recorded the inventoried estate of Richard Creech Sr.

Elizabeth Williams was living in Winton County when she filed a lawsuit against William Brown. Britton Williams had bought his Kings Creek planation from the William Brown who had died in 1780 so this suit must have been with a relative or even heir. On 8 May 1788 the Winton Court dismissed the suit between Elizabeth Williams and William Brown.  On the same date a suit against Elizabeth Williams by Charles Boyle was discontinued with the plaintiff, Boyle, paying the court costs. Also at the time Elizabeth Williams' suit against Eliza Myrick was found in favor of Myrick and Elizabeth Williams was ordered to pay Myrick 10 pounds and court costs. This was a substantial sum of money. It seems to have involve dispute over livestock. The court also ordered that Lorena French be compensated for her 4 days in attendant in the suit of "Eliza A Williams" versus James Myrick.  Eliza Myrick was the sister of James. On 5 November 1788 the Winton Court ordered that the hogs & cattle under execution in Eliza Williams versus Eliza Myrick suit returned to John Myrick son of Eliza Myrick and cattle returned to Sarah Southwell.

Elizabeth “Eliza” Myrick was born circa 1750 the daughter of James Myrick Sr. She had illegitimate children by Dennis Murphy, son of Hugh Murphy, and Edward Southwell Sr. who died before 1787, and William Southwell. Her children were son Lany Myrick whose father was Dennis Murphy of Congagee River, son John Myrick whose father was Edward Southwell Sr., Mary Myrick whose father was Edward Southwell Sr. and Sarah Myrick whose father was William Southwell.
 

James Myrick was born about 1730 in Bertie County, North Carolina and died 26 Mar 1814 in Barnwell District South Carolina. He married Mary Brooker the daughter of John Brooker and was a Revolutionary War soldier. He was a tavern keeper as well as a farmer. His children were Henry Myrick, James Myrick, Eli Myrick husband of Mary Creech, John Myrick, Eliza Myrick wife of John Gill, William Myrick and Mary Myrick wife of Daniel Jackson.   In 1772 he sold his inheritance from his father in Craven County, South Carolina to Robert Goodwyn. By 2 October 1781 Myrick was granted 300 acres on the forks of Moody and Wells branches on the Salkehatchie River in Winton County. On 8 November 1784 he received an additional 100 acres on Wells branch and 2 October 1786 he was granted an additional 200 acres "along forks of Moody and Wells Branches." On 18 October 1787 he obtained a license to keep an Ordinary (Tavern), with Thomas Morris his Security. On 6 May 1789 appraised the estate of Edward Southwell along with Rueben Golightly and Thomas Morris. Southwell was the father of his sister's children.

On 5 August 1788 a lawsuit between William Davis and Asa Williams was settled when the Winton Court awarded Williams one shilling for the court's cost. Davis appealed and the next day a new trial was granted. On 6 November 1788 the suit was discontinued at mutual cost to Davis and Williams.

When Owen Williams died in 1786 he left extensive property but evidently no will. He was married to a woman named Mary but whether he left children or not is unknown. What is known is that several men sued each other over the adminstratorship of Owen's estate. All these men probably had a kinship relation to Owens to justify their interest in his estate. In 1786 Richard Creech "husband of Mrs. Mary Williams" and John Grimes sue to administer Owen Williams’s estate. Richard Creech's interest could have been twofold. He may have been a cousin of Owen Williams if Abigail Williams' was his aunt, and he may have married Owen Williams' widow Mary which would have entitled him to be administrator.  John Grimes interest is unknown unless he was related to Mary. However on 7 August 1788 John Green also sued Richard Creech  for administration of estate. Also in 1788 John Davis sued to Richard Creech to administer the estate of Owen Williams. The suit continued into 1789 when he contested Richard Creech Jr  to be the administrator.  On 5 February 1789 John Davis suit against Creech to administer the estate of Owen Williams continued "under arbitration" and was referred to William Murray, Isham Clayton and others. However on 4 May 1790 the Winton County Court appointed  Richard Creech as  Adminstrator of Owen Williams’ estate. Evidently John Grimes, John Green, and John Davis all had some kinship  to Owen Williams to have contested the administration of his estate. 

Joshua Williams received 1000 acres in Orangeburgh, on 21 January 1789 located on the waters of Coosahatchie Swamp [River], and Duck Branch of the Salkehatchie River and Jackson Branch of Salkehatchie.  The property was surveyed by Robert Stafford  8 May 1788 for "Lewtrasha" [Lucretia] Gaskins and was bounded by Aaron Gillett's "Duck Savannah" tract. On 21 October 1789  Joshua Williams filed a plat for the above 1,000 acres on Jackson Branch and Duck Branch and waters of the Coosawhatchie and Salkehatchie.His plat showed that his neighbors were Charles Biles [Boyles] John Biles [Boyles] Aaron Gillett, Thomas Hartley David Hodges, and Edward Watts   Duck Branch is about 2 miles southeast of the town of Allendale. 

On 2 February 1789, James Kirkland, Michael Swicord, Moses Plummer and John Williams were  charged with "not appearing to serve on the Petit Jury and were on hearing their excuses their Fines remitted."  There is a John Williams who on 6 February 1789 filed a plat for 200 acres on waters of the Coosawhatchie River in Beaufort District surveyed by Grimball Robert. His neighbors were Edward Garven, and Rollins Lowndes.

Richard Creech on 28 September 1789 filed a plat for 236 acres on waters of Salkehatchie River in Orangeburgh District which had been surveyed by Wilson Cook Jr, for Richard Creech Sr. on 20 February 1786. His neighbor was Reuben Golightly.  Two months later Abigail Williams sold all her household property and livestock to him

Abigail Williams of Winton  "Spinster"  on 25 Nov 1789 filed a mortgage deed. "I Abigail Williams, "spinster" for 74 pounds 4shillings and 4pence mortgage all my cattle marked with a swallow fork in one ear and a pes--- crop and half crop in the other and branded Wes? and all my stock of hogs with the above mark, & my white flee bitten mare with her 2 year old filly, one tract of land containing 234 acres, and all my house hold furniture, together with all my property to Richard Creech." The document was witnessed by William Buford.  Abigail made her X mark as she could not write her name and probably was illiterate as well.  Abigail may well have been in her mid sixties in 1789 and was beginning to sell off her property.  

1790 CENSUS OF SOUTHERN PART OF ORANGEBURGH DISTRICT

Daniel Green was the enumerator for all those living on the southside of the Edisto River to the Savannah River to the road leading to the Bridge to the town of Orangeburgh in the southern part of the Orangeburgh District comprising what became Winton County and later the Barnwell District. He counted 5,681 white folks and 1,551 black folks living within the area in 1790. However it is evident that he counted several heads of families twice, including Abigail Williams and Joshua Williams. He said there were 1,421 free whites 16 and over the age of 16 years and an almost equal amount, 1,478, of males under 16 years. An almost equal amount of females undistinguished by age were in the area. Green counted 2,782 females, wives, mothers, and daughters in the county. Surprisingly there were 149 free persons of color in the region as well as 1,402 people in bondage. Clusters of neighbors may determine what section of the region in which the Williams and their allied familes lived.

On Page 3 the families of George Kirkland, John McFail, Angus McFail, Joseph Brabham, James Brabham, Benjamin Corbett were clustered together but on the same page some 20 households away was Abigail Williams who is listed with only having two females in her household. Near her were the families of Aaron Boyenton and Ann Creech who was the widow of Richard Creech Sr. Ann had a son16 years or older, a son under 16 and 4 females in her household. Of all these families only George Kirkland is listed as owning six slaves.

On Page 4 the families of Shadrack Jenkins, John Craddock, Henry Creech, Joshua Williams, Jacob Harter, Richard Creech, Joseph Brooker another Joshua Williams, John Boyles, William Buford, another Henry Creech, and David Edenfield were all clustered together. Richard Creech certainly is Richard Jr. and he had 8 slaves, his neighbor Joseph Brooker had 5 slaves, and William Buford had 6 slaves. One of the Joshua Williams living between Henry Creech and Jacob Harter had 1 male over 16, 2 males under 16 [1774-1790] , and 1 female. The other Joshua Williams listed between Joseph Brooker and John Boyles had 1 male over 16, 1 male under and 2 females. He is likely the son of the former Joshua Williams.

Further down the page were the families of Charles Boyles, another Shadrack Jenkins, Elijah Gillett, John "Weakley", Charles Brown, Nathan Grimes, Verdumon Clemmon, James Thurston and Joseph Corbet. Elijah Gillett was one of the wealthiest men in the area possessing 31 slaves. Charles Brown had 20 slaves, Nathan Grimes had 4 slaves, and John Weekley had 3 slaves.

In another cluster on page 4 were the families of Benjamin Kirkland, William Green the Surveyor who was the brother of Daniel Green, Richard Kirkland, Abraham Mixon and Reuben Mixon. William Green the surveyor had 4 slaves while Richard Kirkland had 14 slaves. Benjamin Kirkland married Alice Odam. Richard Kirkland was born circa 1750 died in 1813 His wife was Mary Brown daughter of Bartlett Brown. 

On page 5 were two Castellows, William and Priscilla. Priscilla Barton Castellow was the widow of James Castellow, the first cousin of John Williams son of Theophilus.  William Castellow had one slave and Priscilla had 4 slaves. .

Abigail Williams is listed again on page 11 still with just two females in her household. She is listed between Samuel Bennett and Joseph Jones and after Jones was Evan Williams. Others near them was Henry Castellow and a Mary Williams and Benjamin Williams. Benjamin Williams had 7 slaves with 5 members of his family. Mary Williams must have been a widow as there are no male listed over 16 in her household.

On page 12 George Kierce [Kearse] was listed between John Plat and Ann Johnson and about 10 households from Amy Williams. Amy is listed with 3 slaves but no whites are listed in the household which indicates that this was a listing of the estate of someone who had.Slaves were counted for representation in Congress. Next to her was John Bassett.

Others on page 12 were James Kirkland, William Davis, William Brooker, and another William Creech. Living next to William Creech was John Williams. This would have been the son of  John Williams son of Theophilus. He had 7 people in his household. A male over 16 and 2 under 16 and 4 females. Next to him was listed John Evins who had 8 slaves and next to him was Dempsey Phillips the son in law of Joshua Williams. Next to Phillips was Stephen Creech and Arthur Jenkins who is listed with 23 slaves in his household. Clustered near them were Nancy Creech, Reuben Golightly who had 5 slaves, and Stephen Roberts. This area may have been between Log Branch and Jackson Branch. Log Branch is about 7 miles southwest of the town of Allendale.

On Page 14, at the end of the census, were listed the families who were listed in the Brier Creek and Kings Creek area on the Savannah River. They were the families of Henry McMillan, William Grimes, John Mixon, James Joice, Mary Best, Sarah Best, Henry Best, Abraham Mixon, and Wilson Williams the son of Britton Williams.  Wilson Williams was listed between John Hicks and James Lee. Others near him were William Bryant, Rauley Williams, Tarleton Brown and John Cave.  Wilson Williams was listed as having 13 slaves in his household. Tarleton Brown had 5 slaves and Sarah and Henry Best each had three slaves. Wilson Williams was listed as having 1 male over 16, 1 male under 16, and 5 females within his household. The boy was his son John Williams and the women were mostly likely his wife Mary Mallard, and his widowed mother Elizabeth Williams, two sisters Sarah and Martha, and perhaps another sister or daughter.

John Mixson Sr. married a Miss Williams thought to be a sister of Britton Williams. Hehad a brother named Abraham and was a patriarch of most of Hampton County Mixons. His son John Mixson Jr. was married to a Mary Elizabeth Joyce the daughter of  William Joice. Mary Elizabeth father, William Joyce had lived 10 miles west of Barnwell Court House on the Augusta Road now called "Joyces Branch"

THE 1790's RECORDS FOR KITH AND KIN

On 4 May 1790 Richard Creech who was appointed Administrator of Owen Williams’ estate filed a suit against John Craddock and Aaron Boyenton  the administrators of Moses Boyenton "deceased." On the motion of the plaintiff attorney the Winton County Court ordered the constable to sell the lands of the defendant to satisfy judgement.

On 30 November 1796 Richard Creech and John McFail filed a plat for 376 acres on Miller’s Swamp [Creek] Orangeburgh District surveyed by James Thurston. John McFail was the brother in law of Joseph Brabham.   John McFail was the son of Rev. John McFail a Baptist minister who was murdered by the Tories in 1781 at his plantation during the Revolutionary War.  In 1748 Bladen County North Carolina the Baptists petitioned for a minister and received Dugold McPhoile and John McPhoile [McFail]. 

Joshua Williams of Orangeburgh in Winton County on 25 January 1790 received 1000 acres at Otter Savannah waters of the Salkehatchie River bounded by John Williams, Mr. Bassett, and Mr. Weekley. John Boyles surveyed the plat at 50 "chains" by 200 "chains". There are 80 chains in one statute mile. In the fall on 1 October 1791 Joshua Williams filed a plat for 1,000 acres in Orangeburgh on waters of the Salkehatchie River surveyed by Robert Shields on 2 August 1791 bounded on both sides of the road from Jackson Branch by John Boyls [Boyles] and Thomas Harkley [Hartley]. Ten days later on 11 October 1791 Joshua Williams filed a plat for 400 Acres on Jacksons Branch waters of the Salkehatchie River, Orangeburg District, surveyed by Robert Shields. This property was bounded on two sides by his own property and Mr. [Aaron] Gillett, and Mr. Roberts on two sides.

On 16 December 1794 John Googe filed a plat for 300 acres on Jacksons Branch, Orangeburgh District surveyed by James Thurston. He named as his neighbors Mr. Boyington [Boyenton], James McGouing [McGown], Mr. Sauller, and Joshua Williams. Joseph Manuel filed a plat on 18 February 1795  for 246 acres near Jacksons Branch  Orangeburgh District, surveyed by James Thurston. His neighbors were Mr. Boyenton, Mr. Merreby, Joseph Thurston, and Joshua Williams.  

William Minor and George Latham on 7 November 1791 filed a  plat for 4,500 acres on Millers Swamp, Indian Camp Branch of Salkehatchie River in Winton County, surveyed by William Minor. His neighbors were Tarleton Brown, Richard Creech Jr,, James Gowen, David Hodge, Arthur Jenkins, Mr. Myers, John Newman, William Newman, Andrew Ugly, and William Weekly.  Tarleton Brown was the son of William Brown who sold property to Britton Williams in 1775. He also hung one of the Tories responsible for the death of Britton. William Minor on 27 Nov 1797 had 1000 acres at Miller Swamp adjoining George Latham, Col. James O’Bryan, and Capt. [Richard] Creech.

 A deed dated 13 September 1793 for a plat filed by Thomas Harrison and James Thurston for 806 acres on Colson’s Branch, Orangeburg District surveyed by David Squier, listed Abigail Williams as a neighbor. Lewis Johnston also had lands by Abigail Williams according to a plat filed 3 October 1793  for 800 acres on fork of Saltcathers in Orangeburgh District;  surveyed by Robert Brown. His neighbors  were Thomas Harrison, Angus McFail, James Thurston and Abigail Williams.

On 27 November 1799 the son of Britton Williams, Wilson Williams, filed a plat for 116 acres on Brier Creek  Orangeburgh District, surveyed by Robert Shields that was surveyed on 29 September 1795. His neighbors listed were Mr. [James] Joyce, James Lee, McAfuce; and the lands of "Brittain" Williams. 

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The 1800 United States census for Barnwell District, South Carolina shows that the population was now of a little more than 7500 white forks and a little less than 1700 enslaved African Americans. There were 111 free blacks down from 145 in 1790.  Ann Creech and Evan Williams are both enumerated in the census but not Abigail Williams although she was still alive at this time. Even WIlliams  is listed as born between 1774-1784 with a wife, four sons and a daughter. A plat filed 28 June 1800 by John Ayers  for 121 acres on fork between Big and Little Satcatcher Orangeburg District showed that his near neighbor was lands of Abigal Williams. Six months later on 15 December 1800 Evan Williams filed a plat for 260 acres on Colson’s Branch, Horsepen Creek, and Little Salkehatchie River.   

On 22 March 1801 Abigail Williams had 95 acres near Colson’s Branch on the Little Sakehatchie River in Barnwell District surveyed by James Thurston. She died before a plat could be filed which Richard Creech did on 27 April 1804.  Neighbors of this property were William Harrison, James McCaun, Ambrose Pollom, and Evant [Evan] Williams.

Dr. “Dempsey” Phillips  with John Allen on 22 April 1801 had lands on Log Branch and Jackson Branch adjoining Simon Bryan, James Lipsey, Thomas Herrington, William Sturgess, Elias Jenkins. Additionally David Edingfield husband of Ann  Phillips on 27 July 1801 also lands at Log Branch and Jackson Branch adjoining Joseph Allen, Thomas Allen, Henry Connerly, John Weekley, Williams Sturgis, and George Kersh. David Edingfield was the son in law of Dr. Phillips.  In 1811 Edingfield also had lands on Coosawhatchie River by Edward Evans, Joseph Allen,  andJoshua Williams that were first granted to William Davis. 

Alexander Cambell , the son of William Campbell and father of Catherine Blanche Campbell on 23 June 1801 had 131 acres on Little Brier Creek waters of Savannah adjoining James Joyce, lands of Wilson Williams and the estate of Britton Williams. Wilson Williams at the time was in Washington County, Georgia. He would marry as his 3rd wife Esther Roberts the granddaughter of Alexander.  

Abigail Williams died in the fall of 1802 perhaps nearly 32 years after the death of her husband John. In probate records packet 10 Case 4, Richard Creech was the administrator of Abigail Williams' estate. She had to have died intestate to have an administrator instead of an executor. At this time Richard Creech was a prominent state legislator and may have used his influence to be appointed executor. It is likely that all of Abigail's children were either dead, out of state, or did not have the means to act as an administrator. Her estate was appraised and inventoried by George Kirkland Joseph Brabham and John Brabham at 299 pounds and 50 shillings on 27 November 1802.   Abigail was in her 70's when she died in Barnwell District. She still had property in her name as late as 14 October 1805 when Brinkley Corbett filed a plat for 373 acres on Millers Swamp, surveyed by John Allen. He stated his neighbors were George Latham, William Minor, Nicholas Priester, and Abigail Williams. 

Her son John Williams was probably too ill to have acted as an administrator as he made out his own will on 2 December 1802.  To my dearly beloved wife Nancy [Ann] Williams all my stock of horses, cattle,& hogs, and 100 acres of land where I now live during her life. To Jenny Williams, my beloved daughter, 100 acres of  land joining the Big Cypress, to David Williams, my beloved son 100 acres lying on west side of South tract that I now live. Mary Williams my beloved daughter, 100 acres lying through the middle of said tract that I now live on to join her mother's part and Davids. One equal division of $116 that John Jackson now owes me divided between Nancy Williams, Jenny Williams, David Williams, & Mary Williams, and also at the death of Nancy Williams, my wife, all that part bequeathed to her is to be divided between the above named children. I appoint Thomas Riley and Ashford Jenkins as Executors. The  Witnesses were Joseph Parker, Lewis Thomas, and James? Kinerson?.[illegible] John Williams died before 1 September 1803 when his estate was filed in Probate Bundle 6 Package 10 Book A however the  bundle is missing from Barnwell Probate office. 

CHILDREN of JOHN WILLIAMS and ABIGAIL CREECH

John and Abigail Williams are presumed to be the parents of at least nine children according to a 1765 land grant in St. George Parish. Although John Williams died relatively young about 50 years old, Abigail lived some thirty years longer as a widow. She was illiterate and therefore it is doubtful any Bible Record existed in which the birth of children were recorded. They were primarily a frontier people and beside land records, they left few traces of their lives behind. Because of the close proximity of the people below to each other and John and Abigail Williams along with the fact there were so few inhabitants in the area they are assumed to be their children without a shred of evidence. The birth order is sheer guess work. 

Asa Williams in 1773 had lands at Alligator Pond  and Coosawhatchie River by Joshua Williams. On 2 August 1774 recieved a royal grant of 150 acres adjoining James Roberts lands on the north  own lands on the east on Rocky Creek  in St. George Parish, Georgia.He was a representative to the South Carolina Assembly during the Revolultionary War  From 1778-1779 he was on the Petit Jurors list "to Savannah River", in South Carolina and he was a Revolutionary War soldier according to an account audited file no. 8534 of claims growing out of the American Revolution. In 1786 he received a land grant of 150 acres in Burke County, Georgia. In 1788 he had a lawsuit against William Davis. He is not listed in the 1790 U.S. Census of South Carolina and had either died or moved to Georgia. There are no known issue. 

Britton Williams  was died 1781 in Winton County now Allendale County, South Carolina. He had extensive lands near Brier Creek and Kings Creek on the Savannah River. His wife Elizabeth's maiden name is thought to have been a Calthorpe. He had at least 3 children mentioned in a deed of gift by their mother. They were Wilson Williams, Martha Williams wife of Charles Butts Bowen, and Sarah Williams wife of Josiah Vasser. He was a representative to the South Carolina Assembly during the Revolultionary War and was killed by Tories. In 1768 he owned two African Americans when he applied for land in St. George Parish. He may have acquired more as that his son Wilson Williams in the 1790 census is shown to have had 13 African Americans in bondage in his household. 

John Williams Jr. may have been the eldest and died in 1803. His wife was thought to be Ann [Nancy] Creech. He was illiterate as that he signed by making a mark. He was one of the three appraisers of estate of Martin Kimberhide, "as shown to them by Arthur Jenkins," on 10 Oct. 1787 there was of a majority age.  On 2 February 1789 John Williams along with James Kirkland, Michael Swicord, and Moses Plummer were in court to show why they did not appear to serve on the Petit Jury and after hearing their excuses their Fines remitted. The 1790 U.S Census for the Southern Part of Orangeburg District show that John Williams was listed between William Creech and John Evins and a few households from Demsey Phillips, Nancy [Ann] Creech, Stephen Creech, Arthur Jenkins, Reuben Golightly, and Stephen Roberts. John Williams is listed as over 16 years old, with 2 sons under the age of 16 and 4 females in his household, probably his wife and three daughters. One 5 November 1800 John Williams and "Ann"  sold to William Cave 377 acres on Salkehatchie River for $500.  This property was bounded on the northwest by Mr. Shield and by the southwest by John's lands. The witnesses were William Davis and Henry Dortch. Both John and his wife signed their names with an X. 

When John Williams made out his will 2 December 1802 in Barnwell District. He signed his name with a mark.  His Will named "my dearly beloved wife Nancy Williams", [Nancy was a nickname for Ann] "Jenny Williams, my beloved daughter", [Jenny was a nickname for Jane] "David Williams, my beloved son" and "Mary Williams my beloved daughter". If John Williams had more children they were not mentioned in his will and as his daughters were not married they may have been under 21 years.

 Joshua Williams died circa 1800-1806. His wife Elizabeth's maiden name is thought to be Freeman. He was a large land owner and probably speculator. He was a Revolutionary War veteran and in 1785 he was granted 200 acres in Washington County, Georgia for his service. In 1789 he was granted 360 acres in Lamar Creek, and 230 acres, and 200 acres on the Ohoopee River in Washington County, Georgia. In the 1790 U.S. Census he is listed in the Southern Part of Orangeburgh District as living next to Henry Creech. However ten households away is another Joshua Williams enumerated next to Richard Creech. The Joshua Williams next to Henry Creech might have been his son as he only had a wife and 2 sons under 16. The other Joshua Williams lived between John Boyle and Joseph Brooker, Richard Creech and John Craddock. This Joshua Williams had a wife, daughter, and a son over 16 years.

 On 8 November 1791 Joshua Williams  and his wife Elizabeth of Winton County sold to John Boils [Boyle] 680 acres of a 1000 acre grant that was surveyed for him 4 January 1790. This property was at Duck Branch and Log Branch and John Boyles only paid 5 shillings for it which indicates there might have been a familial relationship between the two men. The witnesses were David and Mary Creech, and Matthew Long. 

Later on 10 December 1794 Joshua and Elizabeth Williams of "Beaufort" District sold to Richard Roberts also for 5 shillings 100 acres of the tract that had been surveyed for "Lucrecy" Gaskins on 8 January 1788. The witnesses were John Boyle and John Ervin. 

There are no Joshua Williams in the 1800 Census of Barnwell District South Carolina and he is most likely in Washington County, Georgia at the time. On 19 June1802 Joshua and Elizabeth Williams  "of state of Georgia, planter" sold to George Mallard, of "Barnwell, Planter" 200 acres part of original 1000 acre grant land bounded by Charles Boyle, Susannah and Dr. Demsy Phillips. The witnesses were Ezekiel Stokes and George Stokes who were George Mallard's 1st cousins. 

On 13 June1806 Surities for Estate of Joshua Williams Bundle were Demoy [Dempsy] Phillips, Joshua Phillips and John Henderson. The Administrator of estate was Dempsey  Phillips. His children are thought to be  Susannah Williams wife of Dr. Demsey Phillips. John Williams 1770-1825 of Beaufort Dist husband of Celia Huffman, Evan Williams born 1772,Freeman Williams 1775-1812, Ephraim Williams born 1778-1811, and Dennis Williams 1780-1839 husband of Jemima Getsinger, daughter of Jacob.  In the 1800 Census of Barnwell District Freeman Williams, Deny [Dennis] and Ephraim Williams lived next to each.  Freeman Williams was between 26 and 44 years [1756-1774] years old with a wife 16-25 years [1775-1786] with two young males 10 to 15 and 16 to 25. They may have been sons or perhaps younger brothers. He had four daughters under the age of 10. Dennis Williams was between the ages 16 and 25 [1775-1784]. He had had a son and daughter under 10 years old. There is no female listed in the household who would have been the age of a wife. However a woman born before 1756 was included in the household. Ephraim and his wife were born between 1774 and 1786. They had a son and daughter under 10 years of age and a son and daughter between the ages of 10 and 15.  Evin [Evan] Williams is listed in the 1800 census of Barnwell District as being between 16 and 25 as was his wife. They had four sons and 1 daughter under the age of 10 years. He lived next to George T. Grimes and up from George Kirkland who is listed with seven African Americans in bondage. 

Lewis Williams was born circa 1744 and owned extensive property in the same region as did Abigail Williams along the Coosawhatchie River in Granville and Beaufort Counties. He owned land as early as 1769 in South Carolina and there is no mention of him after 1785 when he was listed as living in St. Helen's Parish, Beaufort County. There is no Lewis Williams enumerated in the 1790 Census of South Carolina. If he was still alive he may have moved to Georgia. There are no known issue.

Martha Williams was born 1754 and married John Best Jr. They moved to  to Screven County soon after the Revolutionary War ended. Some records say he married Martha Williams in North Carolina on April 28, 1783 who with an illegitimate  son named William Williams. in 1814 John Best was granted 60 acres in Screven County, Georgia John Best is listed in the 1830 Georgia census for Screven County as being between (1750-1760) 70-80 years old. In 1834 he granted land to his son Henry Best. His pension application was filed on April 6, 1835 in Screven Co. His children were listed as: Jacob Best, George Best, Henry Best, and Absalom Best. 

Mary Williams wife of Nathan Grimes. She died 27 April 1805 in Barnwell District, South Carolina. Nathaniel Grimes of Johnston County, North Carolina on 25 January 1763 sold to William Brewer of Halifax County, North Carolina 100 acres on westside of Richland Creek adjoining Richard Kemp being ¼ of the land granted to Richard Kemp then to Nathnaiel Grimes and wife Mary Grimes. The witnesses were John Kemp, Reuben Ross, Benjamin Hardy. In 1787 Nathan Grimes was granted 600 acres in Washington County, Georgia and in 1788 he sued Richard Creech to be the administrator of the estate of Owen Williams. Nathan Grimes made out his will 8 July 1797 which was probated 10 November 1797. Their children were Isaac Grimes, George Tassey Grimes husband of Mary Brabham and Mary Kirkland, Elizabeth Grimes wife of Mr. Zorn, John Grimes husband of Mary “Polly” Odam, William Grimes, and Sarah Grimes wife of Robert Morrow. They would have been Wilson Williams's first cousins. John Grimes son Nathan Grimes and Wilson Williams both married daughters of George Kirkland making them brothers in law.

Owen Williams died 1786 and was married to Mary who may have remarried Richard Creech Jr. as that Richard Creech was made the official administrator of Owen's estate. He had no known issue. 

Sarah Williams married John Mixon who was  a tavern keeper in Barnwell District.  They had a son named John Williams Mixon 1775- 1836 husband of Mary Joyce daughter of James Joyce.  John Mixon is not included in the 1790 census of Orangeburgh District. in 1800 John Mixon is listed in Prince William Parish in Beaufort District, South Carolina. He and his wife are listed as between ages of 26 and 44 years [1756-1774]. They have 3 sons and 1 daughter in the census all under the age of 10 years. John Mixon Jr is enumerated as living in Barnwell District not far form Joshua Campbell so therefore in the Kings Creek area. He is listed as being between 26 and 44 years [1756-1774] and his wife 16-25 [1775-1784] They have 2 daughters and 1 son under the age of 10 years.