Britton Williams son of John Williams circa 1746-1781

BRITTON WILLIAMS (1746-1781)

The Williams family, whose branches are found in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, originated in Wales and in the very distant past Ireland.  DNA show that descendants of Britton Williams are also the descendants of John Williams a Welsh Indentured servant who came to Surry County Virginia in 1666. Sources indicate that he had brothers named Thomas and Lewis who also immigrated as indentured servants in the 17th Century.  

NORTH CAROLINA BEGINNINGS           

The Williams clan followed the waters ways of Virginia, which flowed southeasterly, into North Carolina. The Second generations of Williamses in the 18th Century were found in the Counties of Nansemond, Southampton, and Isle of Wight in Virginia Colony and in Chowan and Bertie counties in North Carolina Colony. These families in North Carolina obtained large grants along the Cashie, Meherrin, Roanoke and Chowan River and their tributaries.

The 3rd generation of American Williamses began to migrate to central North Carolina, locating on the Neuse River and in the counties of Onslow, New Hanover, Johnston, and Duplin. From here they and their children spread out to the Pee Dee River Region of South Carolina and into the Savannah River region on both sides of South Carolina and Georgia Colonies.  There is no doubt that Britton Williams if married by 1768 was born in North Carolina in the 1740's most likely Onslow County or Duplin. 

 Surviving legal documents, from the 18th Century, show that the Williams clans were landowners serving as magistrates, sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and Colonial Assemblymen. There are, however, few ecclesiastical documents found on the Williams Family since they were primarily Anglican then of the Baptist faith where baptistery or marriage records were not kept.  Certainly the anniversaries of their births, deaths, and marriages were kept in colonial era Bibles that have long since turned to dust.  A notable exception is Sheriff Joseph Williams of Johnston County North Carolina the son of Theophilus Williams, the presumed uncle of Britton Williams. He placed the dates of the birth of his children in the courthouse records where they have been preserved for over 200 years.

 For the rest of the Williams Family, the preservation of records of their children has not been as fortunate. Courthouses have burned down, family records lost, and cemetery plots have disappeared.  Much of what is recorded in many genealogies as fact is merely speculation.  Not all Williams children are mentioned in wills and probate records and deeds of gift and land records. What exists mostly at best suggest relationships between people.

With very few documents existing in regards to Britton Williams, our Revolutionary War ancestor it can be ascertained that he was man of some means, owning extensive property along King Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River in what today is Allendale County, South Carolina, and was also a slave owner. While he served in the South Carolina Colonial Assembly in Jacksboro, little is known of him except that he married and fathered at least three known children, a son and two daughters and probably others. 

Frustratingly there are no known land records or probate records which absolutely connect Britton Williams with any of the myriad of Williams who settled along the Savannah River in Georgia and South Carolina. However after his death in South Carolina, his two known daughters married men from Northampton County, North Carolina but no records there connect Britton Williams absolutely with the Williamses who settled along the border of Virginia and North Carolina irrefutably.

ST. GEORGE PARISH, GEORGIA COLONY

 The colony of Georgia became a Royal Province in 1732 when land between the Savannah River and the St. Mary River was set aside for a new British Colony to act as a buffer between Spanish Florida and British South Carolina which was one of the wealthiest of the colonies.  In 1733 humanitarian James Oglethorpe brought thirty-five indebted families from England and founded the city of Savannah at the mouth of the River for which it was named.  Halfway between Savannah and the southern border of South Carolina, Fort Augusta was established in 1734 to protect settlers from the Indians.

Georgia did not establish county governments until 1777, during the Revolutionary War, by the American Provincial Government. Prior to that time Georgia was divided into ecclesiastical and civil units that served also as governmental entities. St. George Parish encompassed an area roughly where Burke, Screven, Jenkins, and Jefferson Counties are presently located. Britton Williams’ land grant was located along Briar Creek, which would have been in present day Screven County.  Briar Creek, flows south-eastwardly into the Savannah River towards present day Allendale County, South Carolina. The legal jurisdiction in which Britton Williams received his land grant was called the Halifax District an area between Briar Creek and the Ogeechee River.

Prior to 1763 there were few white families in the St. George Parish area. Seven hundred Indians representing all the Southern Tribes plus the Governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia signed a treaty known as The Proclamation of 1763 that forbade white settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains and had the effect of funneling westward migration into the Georgia backcountry around Augusta. In 1763 Georgia's Governor James Wright and Indian Superintendent John Stuart, abetted by influential traders, arranged a cession of the colonial territory between the Savannah and the Ogeechee rivers as far north as the Little River for Anglo settlement.

The Proclamation of 1763 provided for cession by the Indians of more territory to the Crown and clarified the right to white settlements in all of St. George's Parish. The concentration of these settlers was located on lower Buckhead Creek and Upper Briar Creek. George Galphin, an Irishman, had Indian trading posts on the Savannah River and the Ogeechee River prior to 1763 and the British built a fort there to guard against possible Indian attacks. Inevitably, friction began between the settlers who coveted Indian lands and the Natve Americans who continued to travel the old trails to the post at Augusta.  

Those settlers, who had their land legally surveyed and recorded after 1763 as did the Williams families, Governor Wright called the "better sort," but he admitted that most settlers prior to 1763 were squatters who disregarded all laws. Wright and his friends called those newcomers "crackers." 

People traveled to St. George Parish in three basic directions.  Most came down the Savannah River from Augusta, others followed the Briar Creek up stream and still others crossed the Savannah River at the Stony Bluff landing which was located six miles above the court house at Halifax. The Halifax District comprised the major part of the civil jurisdiction of St. George Parish.

These pioneer settlers were farmers, building homes near fresh water outlets such as Beaverdam Creek, which empties into Briar Creek, not far from where it empties into the Savannah River. Here many of our families from Duplin and Dobbs Counties, North Carolina settled.

Britton Williams probably moved to Georgia from South Carolina in 1764 with his father, perhaps John Williams, originally from Duplin County, North Carolina. In 1768 he was granted lands vacated by John Jasper Hirtschman in St. George Parish, Georgia on Briar Creek near this John Williams. This grant was the earliest known record of Britton Williams.

“March 1768 Read a Petition of Britton Williams setting forth that he had been a year in the Province, had had no land granted him and was desirous to obtain land for cultivation having a wife and two Negroes.  Therefore praying for 200 acres in St. George Parish, Georgia being a tract heretofore surveyed by John Jasper Hertshman (Hirtschman) and elapsed in respect of time in which a grant ought to have passed. Resolved that on Condition only that the petitioner doth take out a grant for said land within seven months from date, that he doth also register the said grant in register’s office of said province within six months from date thereof, that his Majesty may not be defrauded of his Quit Rents, the prayer of said petitioner is granted.”

This petition revealed that, while Britton was married, he didn’t have children which indicated that he and his wife had not been married for long.  This petitioned also indicated that Britton Williams had lived in Georgia for at least a year before applying for the grant.

Britton Williams’ 200 acre Georgia grant was typical of headright grants given to settlers of Colonial Georgia. These grants were quite popular since they required no money. One hundred acres were granted to each head of a family plus 50 acres for each child and fifty acres for each slave. Britton Williams had two slaves in 1768, probably wedding gifts.  

As a young married man with two slaves it is very doubtful that Britton Williams would have settled far from his family and the only other Williams family mature enough to have had a grown son in 1767 was that of John Williams who had settled in St. George Parish as early as 1764.

Johann Jasper Hirtschman was a German who had settled on lands in St. George Parish, Georgia along the Savannah River by 3 Dec 1760 with his brother in law Andrew Greiner. Andrew Greiner hand grants to the north of Hirtschman’s grant which were adjoining John Williams who settled in Georgia in 1764.  I strongly suspect that this John Williams is the father of Britton Williams and the son of Theophilus Williams of Duplin County North Carolina. One of the land grants of Hirtschman was never cultivated and was forfeited when Britton Williams applied for it in March of 1768.

Seven months earlier, on 1 September 1767, Hirtschman had received another 200 acres grant adjoining Captain James Roberts.  Roberts came to Georgia from Dobbs County, which borders Duplin in North Carolina. Britton Williams’ land grant was adjoining this Roberts who may have been his uncle by marriage

This Captain James Roberts family is later intertwined with our Williams family. Roberts was married to Amy Creech daughter of Richard Creech, who may possibly have been a brother-in-law of John Williams.  Circumstantial evidence points to the fact that John Williams may have married Abigail Creech of the Creech Family of North Carolina.  .

Later Captain James Roberts, John Williams, and Britton Williams all left Georgia at the beginning of the Indian troubles there and settled in Granville District, South Carolina along the waters of the Savannah and Coosawhatchie River. Additionally Britton Williams’ only known son, Wilson Williams, was married to a granddaughter of James Roberts. They may have been maternal 2nd cousins.

Another link between the Williamses of St. George Parish, Georgia and Duplin County North Carolina is that of John Royall. Royall, whose lands were adjacent to John Williams, had a brother Samuel Royall who married 8 May 1759 at Ebenezer in St. George Parish, Esther Williams. Esther Williams was the daughter of Theophilus Williams and Christian Bryan Busby, and a sister of John Williams, presumably the father of Britton. Samuel and Esther Royal would have been the uncle and aunt to Britton.

John Royall was a resident of both Georgia and North Carolina. A land record dated 10 July 1765 shows that he held lands at Beaverdam in Duplin County, North Carolina and two years later he is shown on 7 July 1767 as owning property adjoining John Williams and James Pierce in St. George Parish, Georgia. Three years after that he is back in Duplin County, North Carolina buying land from John Bush on the west side of the Great Coharie River. This land is now in what is Sampson County, North Carolina.  John Bush was the brother-in-law of Ezekiel Williams a nephew of Theophilus Williams and Christian Bryan. John Williams and Ezekiel Williams were first cousins. Ezekiel Williams also moved to Barnwell County in the northern section. Britton Williams’s connection with Duplin County North Carolina families remains only circumstantial. 

The next known document regarding Britton Williams was dated 23 February 1770 when he was recorded as a witness to a deed between Martin Weatherford and John Bedingfield of St. Paul Parish.  St. Paul Parish was a community just north of St. George Parish with Fort Augusta its largest settlement. Martin Weatherford and John Bedingfield were kinsmen according to the document. John Bedingfield was from Duplin County North Carolina and was also found in Johnston County North Carolina in 1789.  Martin and Jane Weatherford came to Georgia in 1758 and in 1769 was granted 200 acres adjoining Brown’s Creek in St. Paul Parish on the Savannah River The grant stated that Weatherford was married with 4 children and 2 slaves. He later sold this grant to Bedingford. This deed that Britton Williams witnessed is the last piece of evidence connecting him to Georgia.

SOUTH CAROLINA COLONY THE BACK COUNTRY

Britton Williams' probably fled Georgia with his young family during the Indian uprising of 1773-1774. In December 1771 Indians murdered a settler named John Cary and the Treaty of 1763 was broken. Between Christmas Day 1773 and January 1774 two parties of Lower Creek Indians attacked St. George Parish, killing 13 settlers in the backcountry. The Georgia militia who had set out in pursuit was repulsed by the Indians which killed 2 or 3 men on 23 Jan 1774. The frontier settlements were at once thrown into a panic and the alarmed populace fled from Georgia to the safety of South Carolina. It was not until after the Revolutionary War, did settlers feel safe to return.

Britton Williams of St. George Parish, Georgia settlers fled across the Savannah River to the safety of South Carolina during the Indian uprising and settled in a section of Granville County which eventually became a part of Allendale County today. There he bought a large tract of land, 3 miles long, between King and Briar Creeks tributaries of the Savannah River from William Brown.   

William Brown was a Virginian, originally from Albemarle County. He and his brother Bartlett (Bartilott) Brown immigrated to St. George Parish Georgia by 1767. The Browns settled west of Isaac Copeland, who would also become a Barnwell District refugee, and also owned large tracts of land on both sides of the Savannah River.  Tories, who were British Loyalists, later murdered William Brown during the Revolutionary War in 1780, and it was his son Col. Tarleton Brown who wrote in his famous “Memoirs of the Revolutionary War” which mentioned Britton Williams being hung by the British in 1781.William Brown, from who Britton bought his estate, was murdered by the Tories and his house burned to the ground.  William Brown’s brother Bartlett Brown was killed by the Indians in 1784 and his son William Brown filed a suit against Britton Williams’ widow in 1788 over a land dispute.

Whether Britton Williams ever returned to Georgia after relocating to South Carolina is unknown. Land records, which might have shed light on his Georgia land holdings, were destroyed when the Burke County House burned down in 1854. However it is more likely he stayed in South Carolina since he was appointed a magistrate, a civil officer with certain judicial and executive powers, in 1774 of the Savannah River Section in the Orangeburgh District of South Carolina and later was elected to a two year term in 1776 as a member of the South Carolina Colonial Assembly. 

There are no known land grants, title memorials, or land deeds recorded in South Carolina for Britton Williams although his lands were mentioned in many other people's records which gives an indication where his property was located. Many unrecorded deeds were destroyed during the Revolutionary War when Tory militia burned the homes of Whigs who supported Independence. 

The residents of what was then Granville County and today Allendale County, had no courthouse in which to record deeds. Many transactions were recorded in the county's parish which at the time was Prince William. The British burned that church in 1779 along with all the vestry and tax records recorded there. When Britton Williams was hung as a traitor by the British and Tory forces and there is no reason not to believe that his home was burned perhaps with his deed records.

What is known of Britton Williams' years in South Carolina was that he was a prominent land owner who held numerous African Americans as slaves from which he derived his wealth. He was involved in the politics of the time was elected to several regional offices including being a representative to the South Carolina Colonial Assembly in 1776.

KINGS CREEK AND BRIAR CREEK ALONG THE REVOLUTIONARY TRAIL

Other early land owners in the region where Britton owned lands between Kings Creek and Little Brier Creek were  Absalom Best, Aaron Gillette, James Joice, George Kearse, James Lee, John Mixon, John Weekley and Asa Williams. 

On 19 September 1770 Absalom Best was granted 100 acres on Little Briar Creek on the Savannah River adjoining William Brown, James Sumpsion, and Samuel Colding in Granville County, South Carolina. The children and grandchildren of Absalom Best intermarried with the descendants of Britton Williams and William Campbell. 

George Kearse "of Granville County" on 8 March 1769 sold 100 acres at Boggy Gut a branch of Lower Three Runs waters of the Savannah to Aaron Gillette and John Weekley lands. The deed however was not recorded until 3 April 1775. This is an example of deeds being kept at home until at a later date recorded. A deed recorded after the Revolutionary War show that George Kearse was a near neighbor of the widow of Britton Williams and as that he lived in close proximity most likely knew Britton. On 16 October 1784 George Kearse Sr sold to Cyntha Murdock 270 acres in "Orangeburg District" 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 also had lands at Wells Branch near John Williams, a probable brother to Britton. 

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 adjoining James Joice, William Thomas, and Elizabeth Williams’ lands "supposed to join Lee". On the same day Thomas filed a plat for the 640 acres on “Little Swamp” on Savannah River in the Orangeburg District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were James Joice [Joyce] and Elizabeth Williams.

In this area of Kings Creek, where Britton Williams’ estate was located, also lived Asa Williams. Asa Williams is also thought to be a brother of Britton Williams due to his close proximity to him. Asa Williams, on 2 August 1774, had 150 acres adjoining Captain James Roberts on the north and east on Rocky Creek  in St. George Parish, Georgia. An earlier 13 October 1773 land grant of William Campbell showed that he had 250 acres on Rocky Creek and Brier's Creek at “Lee’s Old Place waters of Savannah” in St. George Parish Halifax District. These deeds suggests that both Asa Williams and William Campbell were near neighbors, pre Revolutionary War, of James Roberts.  

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 for 440 acres on Savannah River in Orangeburgh District also surveyed by William Green. The neighbors of this property were John Green, James Lee, Asa Williams, and lands of Britton Williams. On 3 October 1785 Benjamin Green filed a plat for 270 acres on the swamp of Savannah River in Orangeburgh District surveyed by William Green. His neighbors were Aaron Gillett, John Green, and Asa Williams.  On 18 May 1786 Elijah Gillet filed for a mortgage from the Commisioners of the Loan office for  two adjoining tracts on Savannah River in Orangeburg District, one for 300 acres granted to Aaron Gillett on 1 August 1786 and the other one for 440 acres granted to Aaron Gillett on 4 July 1785 His neighbors were John Brown, William Brown, Blanchard Colding, John Green, James Lee, Asa Williams and the lands of Britton Williams. It would thus appear that the Widow of Britton Williams and Asa Williams were near neighbors on the “Little Swamp” at the Savannah River. 

On 27 November 1799 Wilson Williams, the son of Britton Williams filed a plat for 116 acres on Brier Creek  Orangeburgh District, surveyed by Robert Shields on 29 September 1795. His neighbors names indexed "Mr. Joyce, James Lee, and lands of Brittain Williams".  Two years later Alexander Campbell the son of William Campbell on 23 June 1801 filed a plat for 131 acres on "Little Briar Creek waters of Savannah adjoining James Joyce, Wilson Williams and estate of Britton Williams."

The last mention of Britton Williams in land deeds is from 26 November 1810 when Bartlet Brown filed a plat for 188 acres on Briar Creek. The property was bounded by lands of Daniel Blake, William Campbell and  "Britain Williams." 

THE WAR FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

The Revolutionary War began April 19, 1775 in Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts. However the Southern colonies also supported the war against British rule. Britton Williams as a representative to the Colonial Assembly between 1776 and 1778 was dealing with the weighty matters of Independence from the United Kingdom. Britton Williams represented a region called the Fork District, which were the combined parishes of Orange and St. Matthews.  He certainly helped authorized the South Carolina delegation to the Continental Congress to vote for Independence in July of 1776.

After leaving state politics in 1778, Britton Williams returned to Kings Creek to manage his plantation along the Savannah River. There he remained active in his community serving as a Grand Juror for the region located between the South Fork of the Edisto River and the Savannah River in Orangeburg District. He also served as a magistrate again from 1778-1779.

On 30 December 1778 the city of Savannah, Georgia fell to the British Army and in 1779 all of Beaufort and Granville Counties where Britton Williams farms were located were in peril with only 6,000 patriots in the region to oppose the British, Tories and their Indian allies. 

The British began a sweep of the area that was considered a hotbed of anti-British sentiment and they burned the Parish Church of Prince William, which acted as the county seat, which served the region between the Coosawhatchie River and the Salketchatchie River where the lands of Britton Williams were located. 

By 3 May 1779, the patriots were defeated at the Battle of Coosawhatchie Bridge, and the low county of Beaufort fell in to the hands of the enemy.  The Tories and Loyalists used this opportunity to attack out lying homes of Patriots in the backcountry.

We know that Britton Williams fought in these skirmishes with the British for he received a colonial grant of 100 acres on Briar Creek in 1780 near his other lands on the Savannah for his service to the colony. The 1780 colonial grant of 100 acres on Briar Creek was recorded in Book C #6 Vol. 55 pg. 678 and Colonial Grants Book page 439 Vol. 35 C-6.

With the region between Savannah, Georgia and the county of Beaufort South Carolina firmly in the hands of the British, on 12 May 1780 Charleston, South Carolina fell and an American Army of 6,000 soldiers was captured. With the fall of Charleston, several American commanders formed partisan rangers and began resistant fighting today known as guerilla warfare. The American General Francis Marion, known as the “Swamp Fox” for being able to attack the British and then disappear into the swamps, became famous for out maneuvering the entrenched British.

General Marion also was the commander of Lt. Colonel William Harden of Prince William Parish. Col. Harden was a native of Granville District South Carolina and 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. and had been elected in 1776 as Captain of the Artillery Company in Beaufort District as well as the leader of the Granville Militia. After the fall of Charleston, Col. Harden formed troop of Partisan Rangers that included most of the patriotic men of the Granville, Colleton, and Beaufort Districts including Britton Williams, Nathan Williams, George Kirkland, Reuben Kirkland, George Kearse and William Kearse, to name a few.

These Partisan Rangers did not move with the regular troops but stayed in their home territories to defend and protect the patriotic inhabitants from the outrages committed by the Tories.  When the need arose they banded together with or without the Revolutionary Troops, to harass or resist the enemy. In 1780 Britton Williams must have fought with Harden at a skirmished near his Kings Creek plantation some where between Brier Creek to the north, Kings Creek to the south, and Coosahatchie River to the east. 

In December  of 1780, 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 the 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 [McCoy] of Georgia and Lt. Col. William Harden of South Carolina called out their militia and began looking for any signs of Loyalist raiders.

BATTLE OF WIGGINS HILL

Colonel Thomas Browne, who commanded the British garrison at Augusta, had sent one of his under-officers to dislodge Captain Johnson and Captain McCoy from the swamps along the Savannah River in lower Granville County, South Carolina. The Whigs had been playing havoc with the communications between Augusta and Savannah. However Col. Browne's detachment had been driven back, with the loss of its commander and a number of men, when the commandant at Augusta heard that Lt Colonel Harden's partisans were operating in the neighborhood of the Coosawhatchie River. 

The following is an extract from A.S. Salley's book "The History of Orangeburg County".Page 507. " The British Col. Brown marched down from Augusta with an overwhelming force of Tories and Indians, and taking their stand at "Wiggins' Hill" commenced a slaughter of the inhabitants. The news of which reached the ears of those brave and dauntless officers, Cols. McCoy and Harden, who soon hastened to the defense of the terrified Whigs, and coming upon the enemy, charged upon them and killed and routed them to a man, Col. Brown escaping to the woods. Cols. McCoy and Harden, having accomplished all that was required of them, retired from the field of action, after which Brown returned with the residue of his force and retook the "hill", at which he remained until he hung five of our brave fellows -- Britton Williams, Charles Blunt, and Abraham Smith, the names of the other two not recollected -- then he decamped for Augusta.

The actually date of the skirmish at Wiggins Hill is muddled. Some historians place it in January 1781 and while others in April. It is possible that there were two engagements between the Tories and the Whigs. Elizabeth Williams stated at the time of applying for her annuity for her husbands service that her husband was killed 15 January 1781 which conflicts with other dates given for the Battle of Wiggins Hill. It is possible that she was mistaken on the actually date or he was killed prior to the actual Battle of Wiggins Hill. However her statement gives additional weight to the fact that this battle in which Britton Williams was hung took place in January.

Accordingly in January 1781 [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 east of the Savannah 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 or more Creek warriors. Other accounts claimed that the British had a company of  regulars, 70 Indians and 400 Loyal Tory militia men, far outnumbering the men commanded by Col. Harden. Still others claimed Col. Browne had a force of 170 men and 500 Indians. The Patriot force was made up of 76 partisan rangers under  the commanded of  Lt. Col. William Harden.

When the Whigs learned of the British's encampment at the Wiggin's Plantation, they made plans to attack them there. On January 24th, shortly after midnight, the Patriots made their move. They rode into the camp, terrifying the Tory militia. The British Rangers however 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 King's Rangers joined by the Indian allies, instead formed into their battle line, and charged the Patriots. Once again, the Whigs were forced back, scattering into the nearby Coosawhatchie Swamp and hiding out on an island until the spring.

In April 1781 Col. Harden’s Partisan Rangers skirmished with a force of 160 British regulars near Parker’s Ferry in Granville District  and then retreated southward.  Col. William Harden with about a 100 men crossed the Edisto River at Givhan’s Ferry and established a post at Godfreys Savannah near the Ashepoo River in Colleton District South Carolina. Here he severed British communications between Charleston and Fort Balfour and reported to General Marion on April 7 that he had stopped several supply vessels on the Salkehatchie and Combahee River. He also stated that he was able to keep the road from Purrysburg to Pon Pon clear.  Col. Harden hoped to join one or two hundred more volunteers from the Edisto region in Orangeburgh District but unknown to him, their Colonel Isaac Hayne, who had surrendered to the British, balked at breaking his parole.

Col. Harden had to proceed alone with his small force into Granville District. On April 7, 1781 a detachment of Harden’s men under Major Cooper captured Barton’s Post in Colleton County along with a Tory captain and six men after a sharp fight. However Colonel Thomas Browne surprised the rest of the rangers.

Col. Harden then took his men across the Salkehatchie Bridge into the Beaufort District where he attacked the British garrison at Fort Balfour which had sent Col. Fenwick and a corps of mounted dragoons up the Pocotaligo Road to stop Harden’s approach. On April 8th Harden laid an ambush along the road for the dragoons and his partisans opened fire on the horsemen and sent them scattering through the woods. 

Col. William Harden then retreated into Beaufort District along the Coosawatchie River and escaped to fight another skirmish with the British at Four Holes in neighboring Colleton District on 11 April 1781. Nathan Williams was at the battle at Four Holes under the command of Lt. Reuben House. Col. Harden then fought the British again on 13 April 1781 at Ft. Balfour in Beaufort District capturing the fort. 

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 Whigs were compelled to retreat to an island in Coosawhatchie swamp, which Col. Harden  made his headquarters. There the wounded were taken and cared for by the soldiers and their Whig friends. Colonel Harden and Captain McCoy continued their forays in the low country of the southwest, creating another potent source of uneasiness for the British forces of occupation in South Carolina. 

After the Battle of Eutaw Springs in Orangeburgh County, South Carolina in September 1781, the British Army began to withdraw from the colony. On 19 October 1781 General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, securing American Independence.

THE DEATH OF BRITTON WILLIAMS

The prisoners taken by Col. Thomas Browne met the most atrocious death, several of them being first hanged by the British and then mutilated by the Indians. 

The known Patriot prisoners captured at the Battle of Wiggins Hill 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. Browne's men  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. Browne 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. Browne 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 other grieving relatives and neighbors brought Britton Williams body back to his plantation on Brier 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. 

In the 29 March 1847 Issue of “The Southern Baptist”, Britton Williams’ grandson, Wilson Roberts Williams’ eulogy was recorded.  Williams had been a Lieutenent in the U.S. army who also was killed in the line of duty. This eulogy which was written some 65 years after the death of Britton Williams, still remarked on the bravery his grandfather  Britton William 

“Many years have passed away since the citizens of South Carolina poured out their blood on their own soil, in support of a common cause and country. But, though the soil of our State has been free from invasion since the period of the Revolution, our country has not unfrequently been engaged in wars with savage and noble tribes of Indians, and foreign nations, formidable in arms and resources. History will bear witness that whenever and wherever the flag of the Republic has been unfurled, on land or ocean, that there have stood the sons of the Palmetto -- and that many, in the noble performance of duty, have met a soldier’s death, far distant from the green graves of their sires.

In the great struggles for Independence, no State acted a more conspicuous part than South Carolina. Her numerous battle-grounds attest to the determined spirit with which her sons sustained the desperate conflict. At that trying period in the history of our country, this particular portion of the State which now constitutes the large and populous District of which we are citizens, was almost a wilderness, occupied only by a few scattered settlers. But those hard sons of the forest, though few in number, cherished all indomitable spirit of resistance to British control, and some of them sealed with their life’s blood their attachment to principles which they held dearer than their life. History has handed down to us some of the names and daring deeds of these devoted men; and the deeply solemn and interesting occasion which has brought us together carries me back to the contemplation of events long ago enacted, but the memory of which should be gratefully cherished by us all.

McCoy, in his history of the campaigns in South Carolina and Georgia, has preserved the incidents of the fight at Wiggin’s Hill, which is located in the lower part of this District, and near the Savannah river. In this fight, the small American force, under the command of the gallant Col. Harden, sustained a loss of seven men killed and eleven wounded; and I will here remark on other, but unquestionable authority that during the war, and within a few miles of the same place, two of the Browns were also killed, the grandfather and uncle of the two brothers of that name, who, on several occasions have represented this District in the State Legislature, and one of which has himself given a son to the wars of this country –

But the victims of Wiggin’s Hill -- their mournful story is not all told. In addition to the loss which the Americans sustained in killed and wounded, five of their number were made prisoners: Britton Williams, George Reid, Renals McKay, George Smith, and a Frenchman, whose name is not known; and on the morning after the fight they were all hung upon the gallows -- that terrible instrument of death, which at that memorable period, selected most of its victims from the purest and boldest spirits of the land.

Seventy years, in their silent progress have rolled away since these stirring scenes were enacted on our soil. Time has wrought vast changes in the condition of our whole country. We have grown to be a mighty people in arms and resources. But let us endeavor to go back, in imagination, to that period, now far distant, where a few bold and determined spirits were struggling for liberty, against a nation the most powerful on the globe, in all the monuments of war. Let us go back and ponder on that stern devotion to principles, which defied the blandishment and threats of power, and preferred the rugged track of duty, even though it should lead to death upon the scaffold.

Let us go back to Britton Williams and his companions in misfortune, on that gloomy morning which was to be their last on earth. There stood the brave men, bound for the sacrifice. Before their eyes the gallows reared its hideous form, and in the deep solitude of the waving pines, the enemy would be the only witnesses of how bravely they could die. It must have been a solemn spectacle, and calculated to soften even the steeled and rugged heart of the foe.

And yet these gallant men might have saved their lives, and no doubt many were the temptations held out to them. The whole State was overrun with British forces, and for aught they knew, disasters might everywhere else have attended our arms. Doubtless they were told they were warring against their righteous sovereign -- that their countrymen were few and unable to maintain their resistance, much longer -- that as to rational independence, it was out of the question -- that England would never part with so bright a gem from her crown, and that now was the time to enroll themselves under the standard of their sovereign, and that pardon and promotion would be extended to them.

But no -- far more glorious to Britton Williams and his comrades was death upon the gallows, no life, or fame, or fortune, in the ranks of the country’s enemies. They died as they had lived -- true to the noblest impulses of duty. They died martyrs to the cause of liberty. For nearly three quarters of a century the remains of these men have reposed in the soil of your District without a stone to tell where they lie or how they fell; and, perhaps, many have heard today, for the first time, a brief statement of their history. Let this no longer be a reproach to us. Let some memorial, however humble, mark the spot at Wiggin’s Hill where the heroes sleep. Let them not be neglected because they breathed not their last amid the roar of cannon and the shout of charging legions. They fell in the same great cause, with Campbell and DeKalb.

If more populous portions of the State contributed more largely to the struggles of our Independence, ours contributed its share; and, since that period, Barnwell, true to the spirit of the warrior’s name she bears, has been eager to sustain her part in all that concerns the honor and glory of the country. 

In Lot 533, Section K of the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah Georgia contains a marker which was placed by Jacquelin Williams Cruthchfield, a descendant of Britton Williams through his grandson John Wilson Williams. He is not buried there however.  She just wanted a marker to commemorate his Revolutionary War service.

POST MORTEM

After Britton Williams’ death in 1781 probably around the age of 35 years, his wife "Elizabeth A. Williams" continued to dwell south of Brier Creek and west of the Coosawhatchie River and remained there a widow, for as long as is known, the rest of her life. Certainly Britton died intestate without a will and just as certain Elizabeth was given letters of Administration but any of these probate records, if they existed are long gone.

While Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781 a Peace Treaty between Great Britain and the United States was not signed until 1783.  Records from South Carolina show the Elizabeth Williams continued to support the Whig cause after the death of her husband. 

On 8 March 1782 Elizabeth Williams sold a hog  and a steer to scouts in Col. William Davies Regiment commanded  by Captains William Creech and Richard Creech. As that Britton Williams mother may have been Abigail Creech Williams, these men may have been Britton's relatives. Later that year on July 1,  Elizabeth Williams widow sold beef cattle to Continental Army.  

"Mrs. Elizabeth Williams" was paid for "provisions and forage" used by the Whig militia in 1781 and 1782 on 8 December 1784. The next year she was granted a pension in the form of a land grant on Briar Creek adjoining John Weekley on 17 July 1785.  Later that year on 5 September 1785 the "widow Williams" was paid for livestock that was used by Continental Army.  

Elizabeth Williams nor her son Wilson Williams are listed in the 1787 Tax List which would indicate that Wilson Williams was still a minor and did not own land in his own name. Two neighbors of Elizabeth Williams were listed. They were James Joyce and Lionel Leigh and according to a Tax List  they had lands on Briar Creek by the "estate of Britton Williams". 

In 1788 Elizabeth Williams was involved in two law suits with her neighbors. On 18 January 1788, she was sued by William Brown, however the suit was dismissed by the Winton Court with Brown paying cost. On 8 May 1788, Eliza Myrick was sued by Elizabeth Williams over some livestock that Elizabeth had in her possession. The Winton County Courted ruled "By default the hogs & cattle under execution in Eliza Williams  vs. Eliza Myrick ordered returned to John Myrick son of Eliza Myrick and cattle returned to Sarah Southwell.

1790 CENSUS

Elizabeth Williams is not listed in the 1790 U.S. Census of the Southern Part of Orangeburgh District but probably was enumerated as in the household of her son Wilson Williams who is listed as head of a household containing 13 slaves.  On Page 14, of the Southern Portion of Orangeburgh District, at the end of the census, were listed the families 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 [Joyce], Mary Best, Sarah Best, Henry Best, Abraham Mixon, and Wilson Williams.   

Wilson Williams may have been 21 years of age at the time of the census and therefore listed as head of a household. Other slave owning farmers near him were Tarleton Brown who had 5 slaves and Sarah and Henry Best who each had three slaves. Wilson Williams was listed between the families of John Hicks and James Lee [Leigh]. Others near him were William Bryant, Rauley [Rowley] Williams, Tarleton Brown and John Cave.  

The 1790 census shows that Wilson Williams was the head of a family of  five females and a young male. The 13 enslaved African Americans listed in this household showed that they were extremely wealthy compare to their neighbors. The make up of the household opens itself to speculation. As he was only about 21 years old he could not have accumulated that many slaves on his own and mostly likely they belonged to his widowed mother. There is no way from the census itself to determine if he was married and raising a family at that time or whether he was simply  living with his mother and siblings. 

The five females within his household were most likely his widowed mother Elizabeth Williams, his two sisters Sarah and Martha, and perhaps another sister Rebecca.  The young boy under 16 was certainly John Williams who was born in 1780. No other scenarios seem plausible.   

THE 1795 DEED Of GIFT

By 1795 Wilson's widowed mother, Elizabeth Williams, was dispersing some of her slaves to her recently married children Wilson, Martha, and Sarah.  She made a deed of gift  which is the only document that names Britton and Elizabeth's only known children. As this record mentioned children who were known to be married at this time it would not exclude the possibility that she had other unmarried children.  The deed was dated in 11 April 1795 and was witnessed by Israel Campbell and Lionel Leigh.  Campbell was the son of William Campbell and uncle to Catherine Blanche Campbell Roberts who became Wilson Williams sister in law upon his marriage to Esther Roberts. Lionel Leigh was probably a relative of James Leigh a neighbor.

This  “deed of gift”, recorded in Winton County, conveyed from Elizabeth, to her "beloved children" "for natural love and affection," four enslaved African Americans named  Isaac, Cudjoc, Stephen, and Sylvia. Isaac may have been among the slaves Wilson owned at the time of his death in 1835 since an Isaac was listed among his property and was worth $100 indicating old age. Slaves at their prime of labor in the 1830's were worth up to $1000. 

The names of Elizabeth Williams listed in this document were  "beloved children" Wilson Williams, Sarah Vasser and Martha Bowen who were mentioned numerous  times through out the document.  Elizabeth however but a stipulation in the deed that these slaves were to be used by her as long as she lived. While signed in 1795 this deed of gift was not recorded until 7 July 1807, which may have been near the time of Elizabeth's death.

Elizabeth and Britton were married for at least 13 years from March 1768 until January 1781 and it is  highly likely  that they had more than 3 children. Two women, Rebecca Williams McMillan and Holly [Olive] Williams McMillan are claimed by descendants of the McMillan Family as being sisters of Wilson Williams. By the evidence from the St. George Parish land grant, it appears that Britton and his wife Elizabeth A. Williams’ children were born after March 1768.  If Wilson Williams was the eldest and born in that year or shortly thereafter it his sisters Sally and Patsy were probably born in the first half of the 1770's if they were married by 1795.  

In the 1795 deed Elizabeth Williams named the husbands of her two daughters but not the wife of Wilson. Sarah was the "wife of Josiah Vasser" and Martha was "wife of Charles Butts Bowen", "children of said Elizabeth."  Charles Butts Bowen was a native of Southampton County, Virginia and Josiah Vasser was a native of Northampton County, North Carolina. Both counties shared a border at the Virginia and North Carolina state lines.

The Vasser and Bowen families, in to which these two Williams’ girls married, were both interconnected with the Calthorpe Family.  I think it is highly probable that Elizabeth A. Williams may have been a Calthorpe herself but it’s pure speculation.

A Charles Calthorpe of Nottoway Parish Southampton County, Virginia died in 1763.  He had married Eleanor Clifford who died in 1775.  They were the parents of at least eleven children including a daughter named Elizabeth certainly old enough to have married Britton Williams and a daughter named Martha Calthorpe who married Jonathan Bowen.  Jonathan Bowen and Martha Calthorpe were the parents of Charles Butts Bowen who married Patsy Williams. If Martha Calthorpe Bowen and Elizabeth Williams were sisters, it is quite probable that Charles Butts Bowen and Patsy Williams were first cousins through their mothers which was not that  uncommon.  
It is important to note that Sarah (Sally) Williams and Martha (Patsy) Williams did not marry South Carolinians.  They married into well-established families from Northampton County, North Carolina and Southampton County, Virginia. It is inconceivable that two of Elizabeth's daughters would marry men from these two counties unless the Williamses had a family connection there.

Although Britton Williams had ancestors who were from originally from this area, he would have had more recent family ties in Onslow and Duplin Counties, North Carolina. Therefore it is more plausible that Elizabeth Williams was the one who had more recent family connections in Southern Virginia and Northern North Carolina. It is entirely possible that after the death of her husband she sent her daughters there for safety from the struggle ensuing in the Back Country. There her children could be educated and perhaps protected during the Revolutionary War. As it is, it is hardly plausible to accept that there was no connection between Elizabeth Williams and these families from these two counties. 

Sometime before April 1795, Martha Williams married Charles Butts Bowen of Southampton County, Virginia. Charles was the son of Jonathan Bowen and Martha Calthrope also of Southampton. Charles B. Bowen and Martha Williams were in Georgia by 1805 to take part of a land lottery and his will was probated July 2, 1827 in Jones County, Georgia. 

Charles B Bowen's grandfather John Bowen Jr was married to Mary Warren. This made Charles B Bowen the great grandson of Mrs. Sarah Warren. After the death of her first husband Thomas Warren, Sarah married Thomas Williams a distant relative of Britton Williams. Records in Isle of Wight County show that this Thomas Williams “of North Carolina” married about 1750 Mrs. Sarah Warren “relict [widow]  of Thomas Warren”. Thomas Williams' other step daughters were Martha who married Arthur Hart, Patience Warren who married George Jordan, and Jane Warren who married Hardy Hart the brother of Arthur Hart.   

These Hart brothers lived in Northampton County, North Carolina and were the sons of Thomas and Ann Hart of Surry County, Virginia. Hardy Hart and Jane Warren’s son Jesse Hart  had a daughter Mary “Polly” Hart who married James Vasser, who was the son of Sarah Williams Vasser. This Polly Hart was thus married to Elizabeth Williams' Vasser grandson on March 3, 1817 in Hertford County, North Carolina.  

Charles B. Bowen's grandfather, John Bowen Jr. made out his will on Jan 19, 1762. It was recorded on 8 September 1762 in Southampton County, Virginia. In this document John named his children as Jonathan Bowen, Bethia Vasser, Benjamin Bowen, Martha Bowen, Rebecca Bowen, and Arthur Bowen. It is important to note that Charles Butts Bowen had an aunt who married a Vasser and his sister-in-law Sarah Williams had married Josiah Vasser. 

Charles B. Bowen’s mother was Martha Calthorpe. She was the daughter of Charles and Eleanor Clifton Calthorpe of Southampton.  Charles Calthorpe made out his on 8 Nov 1756 and it was probated 14 April 1763 in Southampton County, Virginia in which he names an unmarried daughter Elizabeth. Eleanor Calthorpe made her will out on 7 April 1772  and in it she names as her grandson Charles Butts Bowen. It was probated on 12 Jan 1775. 

Elizabeth Williams'  daughter Sarah Williams married into the Vasser family of Southampton and Northampton Counties. The Vasser family came to Virginia in about 1735 with their emigrant ancestor John Vasser. One of his daughters Elizabeth Vasser is thought to have married John Williams the emigrant ancestor of Britton Williams.  Sarah also married Josiah Vasser before April 1795. 

Josiah Vasser was the son of Joseph and Tabitha Vicks Vassar, according to his father's will, recorded in March Court 1796 in Northampton County, North Carolina. In it he names Josiah as one of his heirs.

Josiah Vasser’s grandfather was another Joseph Vasser. In his grandfather’s will Joseph Vasser mentions “my lands adjoining James Calthorpe”. This statement would indicate a type of connection between the Vasser and Calthorpe families  This Joseph Vasser was the son of William Vasser who died in 1724 in the Isle of Wight and whose will was witnessed by a John Williams. It is not entirely clear who this John Williams might be but certainly a relative of Britton Williams. A Thomas Williams witnessed the will of William Vasser’s brother John Vasser who died in 1736. 

Josiah’s brother, Lemuel Vasser, had moved to the Beaufort District of South Carolina as a young man, and had land along the Salkehatchie River in Beaufort County in 1806 which is another link between the two regions. Lemuel later moved to Dallas County Alabama in 1821. One of his daughters was married to Philip Milhous in 1820's and another Malinda Vasser was married to John Marcellus Allen who was a near neighbor of Wilson Williams. 

Josiah and Sarah Williams Vasser had moved to Georgia by the time of the 1805  Georgia Lottery for land in Washington County. Lottery records show that Josiah Vasser, his brothers-in-law Charles Bowen and Wilson Williams were all  in the county at this time. They were all in Georgia for at least a year as that conditions for  participation in the lottery were that a person had to be a one year resident of Georgia and a citizen of the United States.

Josiah Vasser died in 1815 most likely in Twigg County, Georgia. A passage dated 13 December 1815 in the Georgia Journal shows that Josiah had died “On the first Tuesday in January next, will be sold at the courthouse in Marion, Twiggs county, between the usual hours, the following property, to wit: One negro man by the name of Amos, taken as the property of Aaron Snowden and Mathew Hodges, administrators of Josiah Vasser dec'd, to satisfy an execution in favor of Thomas Hare; returned to me by William R. Jones, constable.”

A speculated daughter of Britton and Elizabeth was Rebecca Williams born 1776. She was said to have married Major James "Jim" William McMillan born circa 1755  in Antrim, Ireland, the son of Hugh McMillan. Major Macmillan died in August or September 1847 in Barnwell District.  James William McMillan, was a major in the Revolutionary War and known as "Major Jim" but in legal documents as "William". He was a sporting character, especially fond of horse racing, and for this purpose kept a number of fine horses.  He took horses to Charleston for racing events.  Major McMillan was a man of influence and good social standing and was a member of the State Legislature in 1826. 

Another daughter was Olive (Holly) Williams, said to have been the wife of William McMillan who was a nephew of Major Jim McMillan. and son of Henry McMillan. The 19 Feb 1833 Columbia Telescope listed William McMillan as a Barnwell Veteran age 56.

A male named John Williams and purported to be a son of Wilson Williams may have been an infant son of Britton Williams. He would have been 15 years old in 1795, unmarried and would not have been mentioned in the deed of gift to his married siblings. This John Williams who had a large plantation near the community of Ulmer is identified by his descendants as a son of Wilson Williams but this is seemingly impossible as that John Williams was born in 1780 and Wilson was born circa 1770. Certainly Wilson was John's elder brother and head of the household after Britton Williams died. The 1810 census for John Williams  showed that John Williams who was 30  had 4 children under the age of 10 and owned 5 slaves. It is doubtful he could have acquired that many slaves unless he inherited some of them. 

Elizabeth the widow of Britton Williams appears to have dropped from the public records after a September 1795 deed to her son Wilson Williams. The last known record of Elizabeth Williams is from September 1795 when she deeded a 116-acre tract of land that she had received as a pension for Britton’s war service. The land was on Briar Creek in Winton County, Orangeburgh District adjoining the estates of James Joyce, James Lee, and his  late father, Britton.  On 27 November 1799 Wilson Williams filed a plat for the 116 acres on Briar Creek  Orangeburgh District, which surveyed by Robert Shields which had been surveyed on 29 September 1795.  His neighbors listed in the plat were Mr. [James] Joyce, James Lee, Mr. McAfuce; and the lands of "Brittain" Williams. 

Another deed record dated 28 February 1800  listed Wilson Williams as “of Washington County, Georgia”. In this deed he sold the 116 acres  his mother gave to him to Joshua Campbell, another son of William Campbell.  This property was bounded by James Leigh [Lee], James Joice [Joyce] and lands of Britton Williams. The witnesses were Benajah Best and John Cone. Wilson Williams "of Georgia" sold this entire 116 acres for a mere  $8 indicates that there was either a familial bond between the Williams and the Campbells or the land was worthless. 

DEATH OF ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

When Elizabeth Williams died is unknown. She is not listed in the 1800 census of Barnwell District South Carolina but she may have gone with her son Wilson Williams when he removed to Washington County, Georgia. That census for Georgia was destroyed.  If she died in 1807 when her deed of gift to her children was finally recorded then she most likely died in Barnwell District, South Carolina perhaps at her son's home west of the Coosawhatchie River just a few miles southwest of present day Allendale. 

She outlived her husband by a quarter of a century, raising her children on the frontier of South Carolina's back country.  She must have been a formidable individual to support the American Revolution after the British killed her husband leaving her vulnerable living among Tories and scalping Creek Indians.  She still supported Independence by providing her livestock for the subsistence of American Troops for which later she was compensated for her patriotism.

Elizabeth Williams spent the majority of her life as a widow and relied on the labor of her enslaved African Americans and her tenant farmers to sustain a prosperous life carved out of the swamps and piney woods of early Allendale County. It is a shame we know so little about her. 

TIME LINE of BRITTON WILLIAMS

1740-1750 born possibly in Onslow County, North Carolina son of John Williams and Abigail Creech

1763-  came with father at the age of 17 from Winyaw Craven County, SC who was granted 300 acres in St.George Parish, Ga near John Nesmith and John Maner

1768- File for land grant in St. George Parish, Georgia on lands vacated by John Jasper Hirtschman on Briar Creek. He was about 22 years old with a wife and 2 slaves

1769- son Wilson Williams born 

1770 February witness a deed in St. Paul Parish Georgia (Augusta) with William Kynnoire of Martin Weatherford of Wilkes Co. Georgia. He was about 24 years old 

1772-daughter Sarah "Sally" Williams born

1774 daughter Martha "Patsy" Williams born

1775 bought land from William Brown in South Carolina between King and Briar Creeks on the Savannah River. He was about 29 years old 

1775-1776 Served as magistrate for Orangeburg District Magistrate in Orangeburgh District being from Savannah River Section when he was 29 and 30 years old.

1776-1778 member of SC 2^nd Colonial Assembly in Charleston SC   Representing the combine parishes of Orange and St. Matthews which were known at the Fork District. He was about 30 and 32 years old 

1776 Rebecca Williams  born 1776

1778-1779 Grand Juror for area between The South Fork of The Edisto River and the Savannah River. He was about 32 and 33 years old. 

1778 daughter Olive (Holly) Williams born

1780 son John Williams born

1780 colonial grant of 100 acres on Briar Creek Book C #6 Vol. 55 pg 678 Colonial Grants Book page 439 Vol. 35 C-6 . He was about 34 years old

Died January 1781-  Participating in the American Revolution, as a partisan ranger with William Harden’s Troops Britton Williams was captured by the Tories following a skirmish at Wiggins Hill , an island in the Coosiewatchie Swamp and hanged. He was about 35 years old. 

1782-  March 8, Elizabeth Williams sold 1 hog  and steer to scouts in Col William Davies Regiment commanded  by Capt William Creech and Richard Creech

1782- July 1,Elizabeth Williams widow sold beef cattle to Continental Army

1784-December 8, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams paid for provisions and forage used by the militia in 1781 and 1782

1785-July 17,  widow granted a land pension on Briar Creek adjoining John Weekley

1785- September 5, widow Williams paid for livestock that was used by Continental Army

1787 James Joyce and Lionel Leigh according to a Tax List have lands on Briar Creek by estate of Britton Williams;

1788- January 18, Elizabeth Williams sued by William Brown- Suit dismissed with Brown paying cost

1788- May 8, Eliza Myrick sued by Elizabeth Williams widow of Britton Williams judgment. By default the hogs & cattle under execution in Eliza Williams (widow of Britton Williams) vs. Eliza Myrick ordered returned to John Myrick son of Eliza Myrick and cattle returned to Sarah Southwell.

1795-April 11 deed of gift to her children Wilson Williams, Sarah Vasser and Martha Bowen for 4 shillings four Negroes names Cudjoc, Isaac, Sylvia and Stephen. Witness: Lionel Leigh and Israel Campbell 7 July 1807 Deed of Gift Recorded

1795-  September, Wilson Williams received 116 acres lands on Briar Creek by Wilson Williams, James Lee and lands of Britton Williams;

1799- February 18 William Campbell bought from Wilson Williams his father Britton Williams’ lands on King Creek first granted to William Brown Book A page 124

1799- April 1,  Joshua Campbell bought 116 acres on Briar Creek adjoining James Joyce, James Lee, and property of Britton Williams

1800- February 28 Joshua Campbell bought 118 a. from Wilson Williams for $8 Book A page 122 near Britton Williams’ lands

1801-June 23,  Alexander Campbell filed deed on 131 acres on Little Briar Creek waters of Savannah adjoining James Joyce, Wilson Williams and estate of Britton Williams

1807-  December 7, Deed of Gift Elizabeth Williams deed of gift to three children Recorded. She probably died about this time. 

1819 Hon. James Overstreet bought lands from Michael Brown on King and Briar Creeks waters of Savannah once owned by Britton Williams;

Known Children of Britton and Elizabeth Williams per Gift of Deed

1. Wilson Williams (1768-1835) married Elizabeth Kirkland daughter of George Kirkland, and Esther Roberts daughter of Stephen Roberts. He became a prosperous farmer in Barnwell County near present day Allendale and had at least 10 children by his wives.See Wilson Williams section for more details.

2. Sarah Sally Williams Vasser (1770-after 1826) married  before 1795 Josiah Vasser son of Joseph Vasser and Tabitha  Vick of Northampton Co. NC. The Vassers were Baptists. She remarried Mills Barnes Feb 13, 1826. Josiah and Sally Vassers children grew to maturity in Northampton County, and Hertford County, North Carolina where they married and raised families in turn. The 1800 Census of Hertford County which was formed from Bertie and Northampton showed that she was born between 1755 and 1774  and still had two daughters living at home. Her husband had died by 1800 and she was the owner of nine slaves.

A. Joseph Vasser married Nancy Hicks March 30, 1813 and Tabitha Johnson May 20, 1824.
B. James Vasser married Mary “Polly” Hart in March 3, 1817
C. Elijah Vasser married Fanny Barrett Jan 16, 1816
D. Tabitha Vasser married George Kea July 25, 1815
E. Lemuel Vasser married Rebecca Massey July 26, 1831

3. Martha Patsy Williams Bowen born 1774 died 1820 Clinton, Jones, GA married before 1795 Charles Butts Bowen (1765-1827) son of Jonathan Bowen and Martha Calthrope of Southampton Co. Va. later Greene Co. Ga. His grandparents were Charles Bowen and Eleanor Calthorpe. Martha Bowen died in Jones County GA.  Charles Bowen will was probated July 2, 1827 in Jones County, Ga. Bowen’s aunt Bethia Bowen married into the Vasser family forming another family connection between the Bowens and Vassers. After Martha’s death Charles married Susan Pratt Gardner and had a child Mary Anna Buford Butts Bowen.
A. Desdamona Bowen married Rufus K. George
B. Edward Bowen born 1796 Georgia died Butler County AL married cousin in 1822  Abi E. Bowen (Bowin)...
C. Martha Calthorpe Bowen married Jarrett Carter Aug 30, 1818 Jones County GA. Later moved to Madison County MS
D. Elizabeth Williams Bowen born 8 March 1807 died Nov 22, 1825, Clinton, Jones, GA, married Rev. Charles Baynes June 28, 1823. They were the parents of  Lt. Col. Thomas Levington Bayne CSA born 4 Aug 1824 Clinton, Ga died 10 Dec 1891 New Orleans, La.

Possible children of Britton Williams per Family Traditions

4. Rebecca Williams McMillan born 1776  married before 1836 Major James William McMillan born 1755 Antrim, Ireland  d. August 1847 son of Hugh McMillian. James William McMillan, was a major in the Revolutionary War and known as "Major Jim," He was born 1760 and died September 1847.  He was a sporting character, especially fond of horse racing, and for this purpose kept a number of fine horses.  He took horses to Charleston for racing events.  Major McMillan was of Scottish descent and a man of influence and good social standing.  He owned considerable property.  He was a member of the State Legislature 1826-7-8. 
A. Elizabeth Rebecca McMillan was born ca 1799 and married her 1st husband William Kearse and married second Joseph Brabham, Jr.  All her children were by 1st husband, none by 2nd husband.  She lived to be very old and was affectionately known as "Aunt Betsey."  Aunt Betsy was step mother to Hattie Kearse and Sally Kearse who married grandsons of Britton Williams.Her first husband William Kearse was born circa 1766 and died 1837 He was of German ancestry.  In the  will of her father, Major McMillan, left her 8 slaves.  Their children were William McMillan Kearse husband of Suzan Massa Brabham, Oliver Perry Kearse husband of  Martha Dickerson,  Miles Jackson Kearse,  Henry Jacob Kearse husband of Alice McMillan, James Lawrence Kearse, Caroline (Carrie) H. Kearse wife of  John Moye Brabham, andJohn Frank Kearse.
B. Henry McMillan was born 29 Aug 1801 and died  21 Apr 1835.  He died at age 34 with T.B.  He is buried in the Moye Cemetery, at Buford's Bridge, South Carolina, married Gatsey Ann Moye and they had three daughters,  Suzannah Elizabeth McMillan wife of  Joseph Josiah Brabham,  Mary Rebecca McMillan wife of  Robert and  Henrietta McMillan
C. Jane Caroline McMillan was born in 1805 married. and married Josiah Dickerson from North Carolina. Her inheritance in her father's will was "7 slaves". Josiah Dickinson was a merchant and had a store at Buford's Bridge. Their children were Caroline Dickerson wife of George Isaac Priester, William H. J. Dickerson husband of Miss Ferriby, Jane Dickerson,  Francis “Frank” H. Dickerson husband of Sallie Moye, Josiah Dickerson Jr. husband of Eugenia Moye, Henry C. Dickerson husband of Sophia F. Hay, Olive “Amanda” Dickerson wife of  Washington Rodgers and Rev. Wesley Pegues, and Martha A Dickerson  wife of Oliver P. Kearse
D.  James (Jimpsey) R. McMillan born about 1807 and died 1856 (Will-book E) He married Nancy Sanders first and then 2d Esther A.  His inheritance' was 6 slaves and 1/6 share in estate sale. They moved to Florida.
E. Richard Cornelius McMillan was born 1812  and died after 1870. He married Elizabeth Moody.  His inheritance was 7 slaves and 1/6 of estate sale.
F. John McMillan was born circa 1815 and married Milly Roberts.  His inheri­tance was 3 slaves and 1/6 of estate sale, plus $100.00. He was executor in his father's will. Their Children were Duffie McMillan m.___Ayer, Sarah McMillan wife of Mr. Furman, Mary McMillan wife of Mr. Boatwright, Oswald McMillan, Stephen McMillan, Henry McMillan, and  Jasper McMillan.
F. William Lawrence McMillan was born Feb 19, 1818 and died before 1883. He married his cousin Mary Priscilla Bradley. They had no children. She remarried to a Mr. Riley - they also had no children His inheritance was 8 slaves and 1/6 of estate sale. 
G. Williams McMillan was born circa 1819 and died December 1843.  He was given his mother's maiden name.  He married in 1842 Mrs. Mary Brabham Jeter. Williams McMillan drank a lot, one night he was drunk and was just racing his horse which hit a tree and  killed him. There was one daughter, Elizabeth Alice McMillan who married her cousin, Henry Jacob Kearse.  In her grand­father's will (J. William McMillan) she receives$600.  She was age 4 years at the time.

5. Olive (Holly) Williams McMillan married William McMillan who was born 1773 the son of Henry McMillan and nephew of Major Jim McMillan. 19 Feb 1833 Columbia Telescope listed him as a Barnwell Veteran age 56. No known off spring

6. John Williams who is listed as a member of Wilson Williams’s family may actually be a son of Britton Williams and a baby brother to Wilson. Some of John Williams records says he was born in 1780 which would make him nearly impossible to be Wilson’s son. He died in 1855 near Ulmer in present day Allendale. See Wilson Williams section for more details.