WILSON WILLIAMS of Swallow Savannah and
his Descendants [circa 1770-1835]
As far as
can presently be determined Wilson Williams was the only son of Britton and
Elizabeth (possibly nee Calthorpe) Williams. Wilson's two known sisters both married into families with ties to the Calthorpe family of Southampton County, Virginia although they each later settled in North Carolina and Georgia.
Wilson Williams was born between 1768 and 1770 as can be determined according to various census and land records. A St. George Parish, Georgia land grant petition of Wilson’s father Britton Williams in 1768 he indicated that he had no children at that time, but that he was married with two slaves. The 1790 census of South Carolina stated that Wilson was over sixteen years of age, indicating that he was born before 1774. The 1800 census of Georgia has been lost. The 1810 census for South Carolina listed Wilson Williams in the twenty-six to forty-five age group placing the year of his birth between 1765 and 1784. He has not been located for sure on the 1820 census but may have been in Georgia. According to the 1830 census of South Carolina, which is the last census to enumerate Wilson Williams, he gave his age as being between sixty and seventy years of age. This would place his birth between the years 1760 and 1770. Consequently, from these records, it would appear that Wilson Williams was born approximately between 1768 and 1770.
Just as we do not know the date of Wilson's birth, we do not know the location of his birth either. According to the 1880 census records of all his surviving children, all agree that he was born in South Carolina. If Wilson Williams was born near 1770 it is most likely he was born in St. George Parish, Georgia but he could have been born on the South Carolina side of the Savannah River in Granville County where many of his relatives had property. No Bible records have been located for Wilson Williams which would indicate when he was born or when he died. It is said the family had a Bible, which remained in the possession of his last wife, Esther, but the where about of it is unknown and probably lost.
Some of Wilson Williams’ descendants in South Carolina
resolutely believe Wilson was born no later then 1760 because of John Williams,
who is claimed to have been the first-born son of Wilson Williams. He or someone in his household stated in the 1850 census that he
was 70 years old; born in 1780! If this was true it would appear unlikely for Wilson to have been born after
1764. It is doubtful however that he was
siring a son at the young age of 16 years or younger although it would not have
been impossible. This this would also contradict census records regarding the age
of Wilson Williams. A more likely
explanation is simply that the 1850 US Census is wrong. John Williams may not have been the one to have given the information to the census taker or he was simply mistaken about how old he was. Another possibility is that John Williams is the son of Britton Williams instead.
What is for certain is that Wilson Williams
was born into the property class of the old colonial South, held African Americans as a captive labor force, and was raised in the
Savannah River area on both sides of the river in Colonial Georgia and Colonia South Carolina.
As a child Wilson Williams family fled to the safety of South Carolina after a Native American uprising against white occupiers. His father Britton Williams reestablished the family on a large farm near Kings Creek in what was then Granville County a part of Orangeburg District which later became Barnwell District. His father Britton Williams was a Representative to the South Carolina Colonial Assembly until later he joined the Partisan Rangers and was hanged as a traitor by the Tory Loyalists in 1781 when Wilson was just a lad.
As a child Wilson Williams family fled to the safety of South Carolina after a Native American uprising against white occupiers. His father Britton Williams reestablished the family on a large farm near Kings Creek in what was then Granville County a part of Orangeburg District which later became Barnwell District. His father Britton Williams was a Representative to the South Carolina Colonial Assembly until later he joined the Partisan Rangers and was hanged as a traitor by the Tory Loyalists in 1781 when Wilson was just a lad.
Wilson may have been as young as 11 years old but no more than 12 years when his father was murdered and his mother left a widow on the colonial frontier. She never remarried which is unusual for widowed women with property and slaves. In any instance, Wilson was old enough to know about
the bitter struggle between the British and the Americans during the War for
Independence. He knew first hand of the persecution that the Patriotic settlers
suffered at the hands of the British, his Tory neighbors and their Native American allies who were murdering and
massacring old men, women, and children on their isolated farms and
plantations in the backwoods of South Carolina.
His mother Elizabeth may have even sent her young daughters back to the safety of her relatives in Southampton, Virginia during this trying time when South Carolina was occupied by British forces. This would explain why these girls married men from there rather than local South Carolinians. Wilson Williams was barely a teenager when in 1783 the British forces surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia and the United States gained its independence.
His mother Elizabeth may have even sent her young daughters back to the safety of her relatives in Southampton, Virginia during this trying time when South Carolina was occupied by British forces. This would explain why these girls married men from there rather than local South Carolinians. Wilson Williams was barely a teenager when in 1783 the British forces surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia and the United States gained its independence.
THE 1790 US CENSUS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
After the war, prosperity came back to South
Carolina as the new United States of America came into existence. Records show that his mother had law suits in the late 1780's which indicates that he probably was in now Winton County still on his father's large plantation at King's Creek. 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 the son of Britton Williams.
Wilson Williams was listed between John Hicks and James Lee [Leigh]. Others near him were William Bryant, Rauley [Rowley] Williams, Tarleton Brown and John Cave. Wilson Williams was listed in the census as head of the household and having 13 slaves in his household. 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.
The 1790 census shows that Wilson Williams was the head of a family of females and a young male. The 13 enslaved African Americans in this household showed that they were extremely wealthy compare to their neighbors. Wilson Williams' household was listed as having in it one male over 16, one male under 16, and five females. The make up of the household opens itself to speculation. As he was only about 20 or 21 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. The young boy under 16 was certainly John Williams who was born in 1780. No other scenarios seem plausible. It is clear that by 1790 Wilson was a young man of marriageable age but generally men of property married later than in their early twenties.
The Williams family were primarily Baptists and probably settled in the Barnwell District region of South Carolina because of the Coosawhatchie Baptist Church which had been founded there in 1759 by Rev. James Smart. The Coosawhatchie Church structure was erected in 1769 on a one-acre lot on Duck Branch, donated by Thomas Collins. Wilson Williams’ uncle Joshua Williams lived nearby and probably was a member. The Duck Branch is just south of the town of Allendale and runs along the Allendale- Fairfax Highway and flows into the Coosahatchie River.
In 1796, James Smart, Jr, son of the first pastor, obtained 71 acres of land on Beech Branch waters of the Coosawhatchie River and granted seven acres to the church. Later Smart, by his will, left the remainder of his land for the church’s use. This constitutes the present property of the church. Church records ecords indicated that baptismal services took place, first, in Dr. William Thomas Breeland’s Mill Pond, and later in a small pool of water in the Coosawhatchie River between Barton and Fairfax. The Coosawhatchie Church became the Beech Branch Baptist Church in 1822. It is certain that the Williams attended church here. “The Coosawhatchie Church, is the oldest church in the county. The church is located in the southern tip of present day Allendale County, in a thickly wooded area.
In these early days members of churches took membership seriously and felt it their responsibility to see that no one misbehaved to discredit the church. Lack of law enforcement agencies on the frontier and inadequate or poorly organized courts, may have fostered this attitude. These early Baptists regularly submitted themselves to discipline of the church, and in all probability were
punished if they engaged in various offenses. Discipline awaited those who were
found guilty of drunkenness, dancing and fiddling, Quarreling, dueling,
cursing, fighting, adultery, fornication, and failure to support the church.
The family of Wilson William's wife Elizabeth Kirklands, like the most of the Williamses, were stanch Baptists and they helped financed the construction of the Kirkland Baptist Church near the community of Allendale in 1827 which was located near Wilson Williams' property. The exact dates of construction are not known, but local tradition maintains that the present structure was erected in 1827, the year the church was officially organized. Until the construction of a meeting house, the Kirkland Church members probably met in members homes or under bowerys prior to that time. A fellow Baptist, William J. Mixon, conveyed title to the church's site in 1849. The name was latter changed in 1856 to Smyrna Baptist Church. A cemetery surrounds the church.
The Smyrna Baptist Church building is an antebellum frame structure meeting house set upon a low brick foundation. A central Palladian window flanked by balancing nine-paneled entrance doors with transoms characterizes the front entrance. The church exemplifies the meetinghouse design,which gained prominence in the early nineteenth century. A cemetery adjoining the church contains the remains of Reverend Joseph Lawton [19 Aug 1777-23 Sep 1858] who would have been the minister during this early period.
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| Smyrna Baptist Church |
KING AND LITTLE BRIAR CREEKS
The farm on which Wilson Williams grew up belonged to his deceased father and was located on the Savannah River between Kings Creek on the South and Briar Creek on the North to the west of the Coosawhatchie River in what was at the time Winton County within the Orangeburgh District of South Carolina. Kings Creek was approximately 4 miles southwest of the present day community of Allendale.The exact size of this property has not been determined but was substantial and was worked by at least thirteen African Americans and tenant farmers. His near neighbors were James Lee and James Joyce . William and Sarah Brown's daughter Elizabeth Brown married John Joyce, the brother of James Joyce. Both Britton Williams and William Brown had been killed by Tories during the Revolutionary War.
On 10 August 1784 George Kearse conveyed 150 acres m bought from Reuben Golightly to his son William Kearse. William Kearse married Flora Brabham and was the father in law of two of Wilson Williams' sons. On 16 October 1784 the same George Kearse sold to Cyntha Murdock 270 acres in Orangeburgh District near the mouth of Kings Creek on the Savannah River adjoining vacant lands and lands of John Green and Britton Williams. This deed indicated that the Kearse and Williams families knew each other for a long period of time. George Kearse also had lands at Wells Branch near John Williams the presumed brother of Britton.
In this same area of Kings Creek where the lands of Britton Williams was located, another presumed brother named Asa Williams also lived. It would appear that the widow of Britton Williams and Asa Williams were near neighbors in an area called the "Little Swamp" on the Savannah River.
THE 1795 DEED Of GIFT
By 1795 Wilson's widowed mother, Elizabeth Williams, was dispersing some of her slaves probably as gifts to her recently married children Wilson, Martha, and Sarah. A deed dated 11 April 1795 is the only document that names Wilson Williams' mother and father and two of his sisters. This document if it was a deed of gift to his mother's married children then it would not exclude the possibility that she had other unmarried children. Elizabeth and Britton were married for at least 13 years and it is likely they had more than 3 children. Two women named Rebecca Williams and Holly [Olive] Williams are claimed by descendants of the McMillan Family as sisters of Wilson Williams.
Rebecca Williams was born 1776 and married Major James "Jim" William McMillan born circa 1760 in
Olive (Holly) Williams was the wife of William McMillan who was a nephew of Major Jim McMillan. The 19 Feb 1833 Columbia Telescope listed him as a Barnwell Veteran age 56.
John Williams who would have been 15 years old in 1795 and unmarried would not have been mentioned in a deed of gift to married siblings. The 1810 census for John Williams however showed that he had 4 children under the age of 10 and owned 5 slaves.
In 1795 Elizabeth Williams "widow of Britton Williams of Savannah River" deeded four African Americans to Wilson and his sisters Sarah "wife of Josiah Vasser", and Martha "wife of Charles Butts Bowen", "children of said Elizabeth."
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. Martha It is quite probable that Charles Butts Bowen and Patsy Williams were first cousins through their mothers which was not uncommon. Charles and Patsy Bowen later moved to Georgia.
Charles B Bowen's father Jonathan was the son of John Bowen Jr and his wife Mary Warren. This made Charles B Bowen the great grandson of Sarah Warren. After the death of her first husband Thomas Warren, Sarah married Thomas 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, the son of Sarah Williams Vasser. Polly Hart married Wilson Williams' nephew 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 thus 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. 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.
Wilson Williams other sister, Sarah Williams, married into the Vasser family of Southampton and Northampton Counties. She married Josiah Vasser before April 1795. Josiah 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, 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 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, 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 were 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.”
It is inconceivable that two of Wilson’s sisters would marry men from Northampton County, North Carolina 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 hardly plausible to accept that there was no connection between Elizabeth Williams and these families from these two counties.
This “deed of gift” recorded in Barnwell County conveyed from Elizabeth, to her "beloved children" "for natural love and affection." The names of Wilson Williams, Sarah Vasser and Martha Bowen were mentioned several times through out the document. The names of the four enslaved African Americans were 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.
Elizabeth however but a stipulation in the deed to her married children that these slaves were to be used by her as long as she lived. 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. While signed in 1795 this deed of gift was not recorded until 7 July 1807, which may have been near the time of Wilson’s mother’s death.
In September 1795 Elizabeth Williams also deeded to Wilson 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 on the 116 acres on Briar Creek Orangeburgh District, which surveyed by Robert Shields which had been surveyed on 29 September 1795 which his mother deeded him the property. 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 land his mother granted to him on 29 September 1795, 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.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Sometime after the birth of his daughter Elizabeth Harriett Williams in 1795, Wilson moved from Kings Creek, South Carolina to Washington County, Georgia. The county was established on February 25, 1784 and was settled by Revolutionary War veterans who were awarded grants there up to the Creek and Cherokee lands. Washington County was created from Creek and Cherokee land cessions and was the first in the nation to be named for President George Washington. Beginning in 1786, seven counties plus portions of nine more were eventually cut from the original Washington County.
Wilson's presumed uncle, Joshua Williams, who had extensive properties at Duck Branch in Winton County, South Carolina, received Washington County land grants in 1787. A History of Washington County, written in 1854, stated that Joshua Williams was one of its earliest settlers. Joshua Williams was named a member of the Grand Jury of Washington County, Georgia in records found there.
Wilson's presumed uncle, Joshua Williams, who had extensive properties at Duck Branch in Winton County, South Carolina, received Washington County land grants in 1787. A History of Washington County, written in 1854, stated that Joshua Williams was one of its earliest settlers. Joshua Williams was named a member of the Grand Jury of Washington County, Georgia in records found there.
William Campbell was also recorded as living in Washington County, Georgia as of 31 May 1784. As of 7 September 1789 William Campbell was on lands adjoining the Joshua Williams and a McGonders family.
It is unclear when Wilson Williams moved to Georgia with his wife and young family but a deed filed in Barnwell District dated 18 February 1799 listed Wilson Williams as “of Washington County Georgia” and in this deed Wilson sold his father’s lands on King Creek to William Campbell, the father of Joshua Campbell, Alexander Campbell, and Israel Campbell for $500. The deed description did not give the amount of acreage juts "all that tract or parcel of land lying on the Savannah River bounded on the southwest by said river and northwest by Kings Creek and by vacant land at the time of original survey granted to William Brown. The witnesses were John Mixon and Alexander Campbell. In April 1799 William Campbell also had 50 acres on the Savannah adjoining William Brown and Dr. Elijah Gillette.
Wilson Williams was certainly living with his family in Washington County, Georgia in 1800. according to a 1800 land deed in which he sold 116 acres to Joshua Campbell. Wilson Williams was not listed in the 1800 U.S. Census of South Carolina which also indicates that he was in Washington County Georgia at the turn of the century. This census in which Wilson would have been about 30 years old would have shed considerable light on the chronology of the ages of his children from the 18th Century but unfortunately that census of Georgia was destroyed when the British burned federal buildings in the nation’s capitol during the War of 1812.
RETURN TO SOUTH CAROLINA
For what ever reason Wilson Williams was unhappy living in Washington County and in 1802 Wilson Williams desired to return to his estates in Barnwell District South Carolina but found that an obstacle had been placed in his path. In his absence, the South Carolina House of Representative passed a law against bringing enslaved African Americans into the state. Wilson Williams evidently had some of his slaves, if not all, working his lands in Washington County, Georgia; therefore he sent a petition to the House of Representatives asking permission to bring his human property back into the state. In a Committee Report on the Petitions of Sundry Persons dated 10 December 1802 this document was found: "Your humble petitioner purchased in your state a valuable tract of land with the intention of becoming a citizen of said state at the same time being, entirely ignorant of the prohibition of the immigration of people of color in your state. Your petitioner therefore prays you will take his case into your serious consideration and pass a law to enable him to bring his Negroes from the state of Georgia to his plantation in this state for the object of which he will ever pray."
The request of Wilson Williams, to bring his slaves back into South Carolina was signed by him in a rather "flowery, shaky hand. He made the "s" in his name like and "f"--old English style". Wilson Williams received his wish and was allowed to bring his slaves back into South Carolina probably because of his former social standing in the community and perhaps because his father was once a member of that legislative body.
On 20 September 1804 William McMillan filed a plat for 440 acres near Wells Branch waters of the Salkehatchie River that was surveyed by James Thurston. His near neighbors were Benjamin Corbett, his own lands, and Wilson Williams. On 20 November 1804 Wilson is also mentioned as a neighbor of William McMillan at Wells Branch of the Salkehatchie River in Barnwell District. It is not clear who this William McMillan was as that the name William was attached to several of that clan. There was Major Jim William McMillan and his brother Henry William McMillan but this may have been William McMillan, the son of Henry McMillan who was married to Holly Williams. Major Jim McMillan was the husband of Rebecca Williams. This William McMillan may have been Wilson Williams' brother in law in any case. Many land records from this period show that they had adjoining lands in the Wells Branch area.
Major Jim McMillan was granted lands on Alligator Branch of Salkehatchie River as early as 1774. He was a Revolutionary War Veteran having served from 1776 through 1781.In the1830 US Census of Barnwell County he was a near neighbor of Martin Williams, Wilson's son. He was a witness to the will of William Kearse Senior who was the father in law of Martin Williams and his brother William Green Williams.
Major McMillan and Rebecca Williams children were William McMillian, Jane Caroline McMillan wife of Josiah Dickerson, John McMillan husband of Milly Roberts, Elizabeth Rebecca McMillan 2nd wife of William Kearse Sr. and Joseph Brabham Jr., Henry McMillan husband of Gatsy Ann Moye, Richard Creech McMillan husband of Elizabeth Moody, Williams McMillan husband of Mary E. Brabham, William Lawrence McMillan husband of Priscilla Bradley. Milly Roberts wife of John McMillan was the sister of Esther Roberts the third wife of Wilson Williams.
Wilson and Elizabeth Kirkland Williams' son William Green Williams stated that he was born 7 March 1804 in South Carolina. However in the 1805 Land Lottery for Washington County it showed that Wilson Williams had registered for two draws but did not receive land. It is unclear whether one had to be living in Georgia to register. The 1805 Georgia Land Lottery showed that Wilson Williams along with his brothers-in-law Josiah Vasser and Charles Bowen drew for land in Washington County. The three men each got two draws because they were married and had been a resident of Georgia for at least a year. None of them received land from the drawing. Thus it is not certain when Wilson Williams returned permanently to South Carolina.
A 1806 deed, recorded in Book 59 on page 417 in Barnwell District records, showed that Wilson Williams received a 640-acre state grant which is a section of land one mile long, by one mile wide. This piece of property was on Wells Branch, and called in the records the "Williams Estate." On 29 August 1806 Wilson Williams filed a plat for this 640 acres on Well Branch of Big Salkehatchie River in Barnwell District which was surveyed by John Allen. His neighbors were listed as John Huggins, and William McMillan. Today Wells Branch is located at the county line between Barnwell County and Allendale County. This land was later sold to John Williams.
Wilson Williams added 64 acres to his lands when on 21 June 1808 he filed a plat surveyed by William Neely. His neighbors on the plat were Mr. Harrison, William McMillan, and Mr. "Pretcher" [Nicholas Prester].
1810 U.S. CENSUS
The next available census for Wilson Williams after the 1790 one, is the 1810 for Barnwell District, some twenty years afterwards. He would have been about 40 years old at this time. He is listed as the head of a household of nineteen people, eleven white folks and eight enslaved black folks. His family consisted of himself, his wife Elizabeth Kirkland Williams and nine children which included four sons and five daughters. Both Wilson and his wife Elizabeth’s ages were recorded as being between 26-44 years old (1766-1784). The two "free White" Males who were under 10 years old were William Green Williams born in 1804 and Martin Jones Williams. Three free white females under the age of 10 were daughters Patsy [Martha], Fanny [Frances], and Winifred Riley Williams. Winnie obvious named for her aunt Winifred Kirkland Riley was born in 1810. Two adolescent "Free White" females between the ages of ten and fifteen were mostly likely Elizabeth Harriett Williams born 1795 and perhaps Mary Williams. There are two teenage "Free White" males, one age 10 through 15 [1795-1800] and the other 16 through 25 [1785-1794], who have not been identified. They may have been hired hands enumerated within the household or sons who have never been identified and died before 1835. John Williams was married to Tamer [Creech or Chessereau] with a family of his own in 1810 could not be one of these individuals.
Nearest neighbors to Wilson Williams in 1810 were Ezekiel Smith and James Lee [Leigh]. James Lee had been a neighbor of Wilson Williams on his former Kings Creek properties. Other close neighbors were Kellis Halford, Eli Myrick, William Creech, John Hugon [Huggins], John Williams and Wilson's father in law George Kirkland.
On 26 November 1810, Bartlet Brown filed a plat for 188 acres on Brier Creek, in Barnwell District, surveyed by John Allen. The plat named his neighbors as Daniel Blake, William Campbell, and lands of "Britain Williams." The fact that Britton Williams lands were still being recorded as such in 1810 nearly 30 years after he died showed that family members were still owning the lands.
The next day Wilson Williams filed a plat for 720 acres on Well Branch of Salkehatchie Barnwell District surveyed by John Allen on 27 November 1810. This was a state land grant received in August 1810 as recorded in Book 8 page 572 at Columbia, South Carolina. He now owned over two square miles of property in the Wells Branch area. His neighbors were still Benjamin Corbett and William McMillan as well as William Creech, Abraham Markley, , Samuel O’Neal, and Thomas Riley. William Creech who died in 1834 was the brother of state senator Richard Creech Jr.
John Huggins who was mentioned as a neighbor of Wilson Williams in 1806 had filed a plat for 55 acres on Well Branch of Salkehatchie River Barnwell District surveyed by John Allen on 15 December 1812. His neighbors in 1812 were listed as William McMillan and Wilson Williams.
GEORGE KIRKLAND FATHER IN LAW
Wilson Williams' father in law George Kirkland died in 1815. He died before 31 October 1815 when his estate was inventoried by Matthew Moye and William Barker. Included in his property were 15 African Americans whose ages are unknown but in that how they were called "fellow, wench, girl, boy, and child" as well as their economic value. this may indicate whether they were adults, adolescents, or children.
There were three African Americans called "fellows" which would indicate that they were adult males. Their names and values were Tom $500, Prince $500, and Harris $500. Two were called wenches who would have been adult females one listed with an unnamed child with children were called wenches. The term wench was applied to a young woman; especially a young woman who was a servant. Their names and value were Dafney $450 and Miley with her child $400. Miley's [Milly] child while unnamed in the inventory is named Stephen in the December sale.
They boys probably ranged from adolescent youths to children as shown by their value. They were "Baleem" $350, Britton $200, Hampton $200, Nate $150, and Brister $100. The same for the girls who were named Tamer $400, Grace $300, Lise [Lucy] $250 and Nanna $240. These females were probably teenagers as their values as workers were considerably higher than the "boys" except for Balaam.
On the 6th of December property was sold from George Kirkland's estate, including 16 slaves who were all sold to his sons in law, perhaps to keep them together. Each of the adult males were sold to three of George Kirkland's sons in law. Wilson Williams purchased from his father-in-law's estate Harry [Harris] for $802, Grace for $500, and Lucy [Lise] for $474.
Nathan Grimes bought Tom for $701, Milly [Miley] and her two children Nat [Nate] and Stephen for $783, Britton for $320, and Hampton for $326. Tom and Milly may have been a family unit. Milly had two young children who were included in her purchase.
John Creech bought from his father in law estate Prince for $801, Tamer for $608, and Balaam [Baleem] for $550. Miles Riley purchased Dafney and her two children, Brister and Cato, for $891 and Nanny [Nanna] for $402. Dafney must have been pregnant when George Kirkland's estate was inventory in October as that by December she had a child named Cato who was not included in the October inventory. It does not appear that she was sold with the father of her children. George T Grimes was the only son in law not a buyer of George Kirkland's enslaved people.
There were three African Americans called "fellows" which would indicate that they were adult males. Their names and values were Tom $500, Prince $500, and Harris $500. Two were called wenches who would have been adult females one listed with an unnamed child with children were called wenches. The term wench was applied to a young woman; especially a young woman who was a servant. Their names and value were Dafney $450 and Miley with her child $400. Miley's [Milly] child while unnamed in the inventory is named Stephen in the December sale.
They boys probably ranged from adolescent youths to children as shown by their value. They were "Baleem" $350, Britton $200, Hampton $200, Nate $150, and Brister $100. The same for the girls who were named Tamer $400, Grace $300, Lise [Lucy] $250 and Nanna $240. These females were probably teenagers as their values as workers were considerably higher than the "boys" except for Balaam.
On the 6th of December property was sold from George Kirkland's estate, including 16 slaves who were all sold to his sons in law, perhaps to keep them together. Each of the adult males were sold to three of George Kirkland's sons in law. Wilson Williams purchased from his father-in-law's estate Harry [Harris] for $802, Grace for $500, and Lucy [Lise] for $474.
Nathan Grimes bought Tom for $701, Milly [Miley] and her two children Nat [Nate] and Stephen for $783, Britton for $320, and Hampton for $326. Tom and Milly may have been a family unit. Milly had two young children who were included in her purchase.
John Creech bought from his father in law estate Prince for $801, Tamer for $608, and Balaam [Baleem] for $550. Miles Riley purchased Dafney and her two children, Brister and Cato, for $891 and Nanny [Nanna] for $402. Dafney must have been pregnant when George Kirkland's estate was inventory in October as that by December she had a child named Cato who was not included in the October inventory. It does not appear that she was sold with the father of her children. George T Grimes was the only son in law not a buyer of George Kirkland's enslaved people.
A partition petition was filed in 1818 by Wilson Williams on behalf of his children were heirs of George Kirkland. In this partition petition he only named five children as the heirs although there are nine people listed in the 1810 census who could have been Wilson's offspring. The five were William Green Williams, Martin Jones Williams, Patsy Williams, Fanny Williams, and Winifred Riley Williams. Wilson Williams' married daughter Elizabeth Hariett Williams Kirkland died in March 1818 and would not been listed as an heir. That leaves the female and male listed between the ages 10 and 15 and the male between 16 and 25 that were listed in Wilson's 1810 household in accounted for. The girl may have been Mary Williams Brunson who must have died before 1818 but the two boys are unknown but were either not an heir or died before 1818.
It is assumed that Elizabeth Kirkland Williams died not long after her father, as that Wilson Williams remarried after her death Esther Roberts in 1817. Esther was the daughter of Stephen Roberts and granddaughter of Captain James Roberts.
On 28
March 1816, Wilson Williams, his soon to be father in law Stephen Roberts, John Allen, and Valentine Gill were called upon to appraise the estate of Christian Faust. On 26 May
1816 an inventory of Faust's estate was presented to the court by John Brunson, Wilson Willimas and Stephen Roberts.
HOME PLACE
It appears that his main residence was near Swallow Savannah a branch of the Coosahatchie River south of present day Allendale. This area is located between The Burton Ferry HWY 301 and State Road S3-47 known as the Old Revolutionary Trail. Here at Swallow Savannah, most of Wilson's children by his wives Elizabeth Kirkland and Esther Roberts were born. It is here also his second wife Elizabeth Kirkland died circa 1817. The Swallow Savannah Methodist Cemetery is not far from his main home and here his wife Esther and some of his children are buried.
Wilson Williams had farms of about six miles of land between the town of Allendale and the community of Ulmers on water ways known as the Wells Branch, Log Branch, Jackson Branch, and Big Salkehatchie. This area was also called the Great Cypress Area and Sycamore. He also held land in the Whippy Swamp area of Beaufort District among other locations at Swallow Savannah near the Coosahatchie River. south of the town of Allendale
Wilson Williams had farms of about six miles of land between the town of Allendale and the community of Ulmers on water ways known as the Wells Branch, Log Branch, Jackson Branch, and Big Salkehatchie. This area was also called the Great Cypress Area and Sycamore. He also held land in the Whippy Swamp area of Beaufort District among other locations at Swallow Savannah near the Coosahatchie River. south of the town of Allendale
On 25 November 1818 James Brown filed a plat for 278 acres on Well Branch in Barnwell District. His neighbors who lad lands there were Richard Brown, William Creech, Kellis Hansford, and Wilson Williams. The following spring on 31 May 1819 William Creech and Wilson Williams filed a plat together for 105 acres in Barnwell District surveyed by Benjamin Allen. Their neighbors were James Brown and Eli Myrick. In March of 1819 Wilson Williams received 105 acres from the state.
In the fall of 1818 Wilson Williams bought property from the sons of George Mallard who inherited the properties upon their father's death. in 1812. Mallard was from Duplin County, North Carolina and first cousin to George Stokes and his brother Ezekiel.
On 20 October 1818 Wilson Williams bought 191 acres from Daniel Mallard, which was his half of his inheritance from his father George Mallard. Wilson paid $400 for this land on the Coosawhatchie River in the Duck Branch area. The deed record showed this acreage was part of lands first granted to Charles Boyles, William Bryan, and Joshua Williams.
This complaint was over a tract of land "on the Coosawhatchie River", which had once belonged to George Mallard. The only surviving record of this case is found in an announcement in the Columbia Telescope newspaper. It stated that “Durin” Mallard resided outside the limits of the state of South Carolina and that a Samuel Jones was the commissioner handling the case. The results of this suit has not been located but this information strongly suggests that Wilson Williams had an interest in an estate belonging to George Mallard . This interest was probably due to the purchase of land from the estate of George .
This complaint was over a tract of land "on the Coosawhatchie River", which had once belonged to George Mallard. The only surviving record of this case is found in an announcement in the Columbia Telescope newspaper. It stated that “Durin” Mallard resided outside the limits of the state of South Carolina and that a Samuel Jones was the commissioner handling the case. The results of this suit has not been located but this information strongly suggests that Wilson Williams had an interest in an estate belonging to George Mallard . This interest was probably due to the purchase of land from the estate of George .
THE 1820 CENSUS OF JONES COUNTY, GEORGIA
Wilson Williams cannot be located in the 1820 Census of Barnwell District, South Carolina and it is highly unlikely that a family so prominent would have been skipped. More likely, the family may have relocated to Georgia for a few years. There is a Wilson Williams in Captain Phillips District in Jones County, Georgia in 1820. Wilson Williams' brother in law Charles Butts Bowen is also located in Capt Mulkeys District in Jones County in 1820 with 17 slaves. There is also a Martha Bowen the same age as Charles Butts Bowen with 2 slaves but who is listed in a separate household.
In March 1818 Wilson Williams brought 4 slaves to Augusta, Georgia for registration according to records found in the Daughters of the American Revolution Quarterly (Vol. 58, #1, pp. 50-51.) He may have been bringing them to work his farm in Jones County.
The 1820 census listed Wilson Williams as a free white male over the age of 45 years [before 1775] with a male 16 through 25 [1795-1804], three females under the age of 16, a female age 16 through 25 [1795-1804], and a free white female 45 and older. The age grouping is problematic for his sons. One of the males could have been William Green Williams who was born 1804 but where was Martin Jones Williams? Wilson would have had four daughters when the census was taken, Patsy, Fanny, Winnie and Elliott. Patsy, Fanny, and Winnie were all daughters of Elizabeth Kirkland while Elliot was the daughter of Esther Roberts. As that only three daughters were mentioned and that both Winnie and Eliott grew to adulthood and married, either Patsy or Fanny had died by 1820.
There are two adult women in the household and the one born between 1795 and 1804 was certainly Esther Roberts who was born in 1796 and would have been 24 years old at the time of the census. Wilson was at least 25 years older than his young bride. Esther's father Stephen Roberts and other relatives were still enumerated in Barnwell District in 1820.
The 1820 census listed Wilson Williams as a free white male over the age of 45 years [before 1775] with a male 16 through 25 [1795-1804], three females under the age of 16, a female age 16 through 25 [1795-1804], and a free white female 45 and older. The age grouping is problematic for his sons. One of the males could have been William Green Williams who was born 1804 but where was Martin Jones Williams? Wilson would have had four daughters when the census was taken, Patsy, Fanny, Winnie and Elliott. Patsy, Fanny, and Winnie were all daughters of Elizabeth Kirkland while Elliot was the daughter of Esther Roberts. As that only three daughters were mentioned and that both Winnie and Eliott grew to adulthood and married, either Patsy or Fanny had died by 1820.
There are two adult women in the household and the one born between 1795 and 1804 was certainly Esther Roberts who was born in 1796 and would have been 24 years old at the time of the census. Wilson was at least 25 years older than his young bride. Esther's father Stephen Roberts and other relatives were still enumerated in Barnwell District in 1820.
Milledgeville which is presently the county seat of Baldwin County was at the time that Wilson Williams lived in Jones County the capital of the state of Georgia. Jones County was created out of Baldwin County. In 1820 Jones County was bordering the Creek Nation's lands in western Georgia. But Jones County was caught up in the lucrative cotton boom as large plantations were developed based on slave labor.
Wilson Williams and Esther Roberts had a son born 20 September 1822 who was named Wilson Roberts Williams. Whether he was born in Georgia or South Carolina is unknown as that he died as a young man in the Mexican America War in Mexico City.
Wilson Williams was back in Barnwell District when his father in law Stephen Roberts of "Crane Savannah" died before 30 December 1823. His brother in law Dr. Richard "Creech" Roberts applied to be the administrator and that fact was posted at the Salkehatchie Meeting House on Sunday 11 January 1824. Creech Roberts, Wilson Williams, and Amos Smart placed a bond of $6000 on 14 January 1824 to act as suretors.
Stephen Roberts had 14 heirs including his widow Elizabeth the former wife of Alexander Campbell. He also held nine African Americans in bondage. One these Wilson Williams bought for $399. Her name was Teaner who is probably the same girl that was called Tenah in the probate records of Wilsons. Between 1824 and 1836 she had four children. She was later bought from the estate of Wilson Williams by Dr. Creech Roberts in 1836.
Wilson Williams and his sons William Green Williams and Martin Jones Williams bought several items from the estate sale of Stephen Roberts. Beside the African American woman, Wilson bought from his father in law's estate 8 head of cattle, 3 beehives, a still for making whiskey, a table and an assortment of old iron and tools. William Green Williams bought 4 head of cattle, a saddle, 3 candlesticks, 2 banks of potatoes, a coffee pot, and an assortment of glass and tin. Martin Jones Williams only bought one thing from the estate, a shot gun.
James Lawrence Williams the second youngest son of Wilson Williams and Esther Roberts was born 28 September 1825 in Barnwell District, South Carolina. Wilson Williams was nearly 56 years old and Esther was 29 years old.
Wilson Williams in October 1825 he received another 518 acres from the state and on 30 November 1825 Wilson Williams filed a plat the land which was located on Jackson Branch and Log Branch of Salkehatchie River Barnwell District surveyed by Benjamin Allen. His neighbors were John Allen, Josiah G Allen, Benajah Best, Charles Boyles, John Boyles, and John Brunson. Log Branch was just north of the community of Allendale and flowed into the Jackson Branch of the Salkehatchie River
Another son, with a grave marker that just reads R.C. Williams was born in 1827. His name was probably Richard Creech Williams and he died in 1835 before his father.
Wilson Williams and Esther Roberts had a son born 20 September 1822 who was named Wilson Roberts Williams. Whether he was born in Georgia or South Carolina is unknown as that he died as a young man in the Mexican America War in Mexico City.
STEPHEN ROBERTS FATHER IN LAW
Wilson Williams was back in Barnwell District when his father in law Stephen Roberts of "Crane Savannah" died before 30 December 1823. His brother in law Dr. Richard "Creech" Roberts applied to be the administrator and that fact was posted at the Salkehatchie Meeting House on Sunday 11 January 1824. Creech Roberts, Wilson Williams, and Amos Smart placed a bond of $6000 on 14 January 1824 to act as suretors.
Stephen Roberts had 14 heirs including his widow Elizabeth the former wife of Alexander Campbell. He also held nine African Americans in bondage. One these Wilson Williams bought for $399. Her name was Teaner who is probably the same girl that was called Tenah in the probate records of Wilsons. Between 1824 and 1836 she had four children. She was later bought from the estate of Wilson Williams by Dr. Creech Roberts in 1836.
Wilson Williams and his sons William Green Williams and Martin Jones Williams bought several items from the estate sale of Stephen Roberts. Beside the African American woman, Wilson bought from his father in law's estate 8 head of cattle, 3 beehives, a still for making whiskey, a table and an assortment of old iron and tools. William Green Williams bought 4 head of cattle, a saddle, 3 candlesticks, 2 banks of potatoes, a coffee pot, and an assortment of glass and tin. Martin Jones Williams only bought one thing from the estate, a shot gun.
James Lawrence Williams the second youngest son of Wilson Williams and Esther Roberts was born 28 September 1825 in Barnwell District, South Carolina. Wilson Williams was nearly 56 years old and Esther was 29 years old.
Wilson Williams in October 1825 he received another 518 acres from the state and on 30 November 1825 Wilson Williams filed a plat the land which was located on Jackson Branch and Log Branch of Salkehatchie River Barnwell District surveyed by Benjamin Allen. His neighbors were John Allen, Josiah G Allen, Benajah Best, Charles Boyles, John Boyles, and John Brunson. Log Branch was just north of the community of Allendale and flowed into the Jackson Branch of the Salkehatchie River
Another son, with a grave marker that just reads R.C. Williams was born in 1827. His name was probably Richard Creech Williams and he died in 1835 before his father.
THE 1830 CENSUS OF SOUTH CAROLINA
The 1830 Census of Barnwell District South Carolina is the last census in which Wilson Williams is mentioned. He is the owner of 3,600 acres of land and thirteen African American slaves. Wilson had nearly six miles on either side of the community of Allendale. He listed his age as being between 60 and 70 years (1760-1770). His wife Esther is listed as a female between the ages of 30 and 40 (1790-1800). The following individuals are still within his household: Winifred Riley Williams enumerated as a 15-20 year old female (1810-1815), Elliott Williams enumerated as a 15-10 year old female (1815-1820), Elizabeth Hanson Williams enumerated as a 10-5 year old female (1820-1825), Wilson Roberts Williams enumerated as a 10-5 year old male (1820-1825), James Lawrence Williams enumerated as a 10-5 year old male (1820-25), and Richard Creech Williams enumerated as a 0-5 year old male (1825-1830)
Wilson Williams had 13 slaves in the 1790 Census and also 13 in the 1830 census but certainly they were not the same people over the 40 year span. The fact however that he petitioned to bring his enslaved African-Americans back into the state in 1802 rather than sell them off and buy new property in South Carolina suggests that he wanted to keep some of these people together.
The administration papers of Wilson's probate in 1836 only lists 11 of these 13 which indicates that two may have died, perhaps of old age. The value of his slaves showed that they were past their prime as farm workers and were probably middle age or older. The African American men held in bondage were Ben valued at $150, Isaac valued at $100, Penny valued at $100. Ben and Isaac were probably the men listed as between 36 and 54 years of age [1776-1794] and Penny was a female listed as being between 36 and 54 years of age.
Adam was valued at $600 and Daniel at $500. They were the men listed as between 10 through 23 [1820-1807] and 24 through 35 [1795-1806]. The two women ages 10 through 23 [1820-1807] were Milly valued at $450 and Tenah. Tenah's valued was combined with her four children Mariah, Pheby, Henry, and Hampton at $1200. She was bought in 1824 from an estate sale of Wilson's father in law when she was childless. The census taker stated that there were four African American children under the age of 10 on Wilson Williams estate, a boy and three girls so he must have made an error.
The African Americans purchased from George Kirkland's estate, Harris, Grace, and Lucy are not listed in the estate of Wilson Williams and may have died or more probably, sold.
The administration papers of Wilson's probate in 1836 only lists 11 of these 13 which indicates that two may have died, perhaps of old age. The value of his slaves showed that they were past their prime as farm workers and were probably middle age or older. The African American men held in bondage were Ben valued at $150, Isaac valued at $100, Penny valued at $100. Ben and Isaac were probably the men listed as between 36 and 54 years of age [1776-1794] and Penny was a female listed as being between 36 and 54 years of age.
Adam was valued at $600 and Daniel at $500. They were the men listed as between 10 through 23 [1820-1807] and 24 through 35 [1795-1806]. The two women ages 10 through 23 [1820-1807] were Milly valued at $450 and Tenah. Tenah's valued was combined with her four children Mariah, Pheby, Henry, and Hampton at $1200. She was bought in 1824 from an estate sale of Wilson's father in law when she was childless. The census taker stated that there were four African American children under the age of 10 on Wilson Williams estate, a boy and three girls so he must have made an error.
The African Americans purchased from George Kirkland's estate, Harris, Grace, and Lucy are not listed in the estate of Wilson Williams and may have died or more probably, sold.
In the 1830 US Census of Barnwell District Martin Williams was living near his father Wilson and his brother Green. He had a wife and three children, two sons and a daughter and 1 slave at the time. Only the name of one of these children is known and the others probably died in childhood.
Wilson’s last land entry was in 1829 when he sold 300 acres to his infant grandson, Josiah D. Williams, for $900 to keep the property out of the hands of his son, Martin Jones Williams’ creditors. The property was adjacent to his son, William Green Williams' land.
Previous to January 1828, Wilson's son Martin Jones Williams had opened an account with Josiah Dickinson a merchant at Buford’s Bridge and until 1830 was giving him promissory notes. for goods purchased from the store. Martin Williams became indebted to Dickerson who filed a suit to collect money owed him. A Judgment against Martin was filed March 1830 for $293. Martin was making payments on the debt so Dickinson did not enforce judgment until 7 April 1834.
The land that the Merchant Dickerson wanted to put a lien against did not belong to Martin Williams but to his infant son Josiah Dickerson Williams whom Wilson Williams, his grandfather ,had sold it to him 1 March 1829 for $900. Dickinson claimed that this land, long before 1829, was given by gift or payment and actually belonged to Martin Jones Williams. He maintained "Josiah D. Williams was and still is an infant of tender years and the son of Martin J. Williams. "
Dickerson also claimed that no money was ever paid to Wilson Williams and that Wilson’s deed to his grandson Josiah D. Williams was fraudulent. Martin J. Williams answered saying that the deed was good and the debt real and he wished to pay it. On 17 October 1834 the Judgment went against Martin J. Williams and Josiah D. Williams’s and some lands were sold to William Priester for $150 and $350. The land was in the neighborhood of Buford’s Bridge on Big Salkehatchie from a plat made by John M. Allen; part of a larger tract where Martin J. Williams resides containing 200 acres. The land was partly sold to settle the debt but title was confirmed to Josiah D. Williams.
Previous to January 1828, Wilson's son Martin Jones Williams had opened an account with Josiah Dickinson a merchant at Buford’s Bridge and until 1830 was giving him promissory notes. for goods purchased from the store. Martin Williams became indebted to Dickerson who filed a suit to collect money owed him. A Judgment against Martin was filed March 1830 for $293. Martin was making payments on the debt so Dickinson did not enforce judgment until 7 April 1834.
The land that the Merchant Dickerson wanted to put a lien against did not belong to Martin Williams but to his infant son Josiah Dickerson Williams whom Wilson Williams, his grandfather ,had sold it to him 1 March 1829 for $900. Dickinson claimed that this land, long before 1829, was given by gift or payment and actually belonged to Martin Jones Williams. He maintained "Josiah D. Williams was and still is an infant of tender years and the son of Martin J. Williams. "
Dickerson also claimed that no money was ever paid to Wilson Williams and that Wilson’s deed to his grandson Josiah D. Williams was fraudulent. Martin J. Williams answered saying that the deed was good and the debt real and he wished to pay it. On 17 October 1834 the Judgment went against Martin J. Williams and Josiah D. Williams’s and some lands were sold to William Priester for $150 and $350. The land was in the neighborhood of Buford’s Bridge on Big Salkehatchie from a plat made by John M. Allen; part of a larger tract where Martin J. Williams resides containing 200 acres. The land was partly sold to settle the debt but title was confirmed to Josiah D. Williams.
DEATH AND PROBATE
Wilson Williams remained on this Plantation in Barnwell District, South Carolina for the remainder of his life. In December 1835 Wilson Williams died intestate without a recorded will. Esther Williams was nearly 39 years old at the time of her husband's death at around the age of 66 years.
It seems peculiar that a man of his age and wealth did not have a will signed and witnessed. Nevertheless if he had a written will no one came forward to claim that they were witnesses to a said will. As it was ,he was said to have died intestate with the probate courts deciding the proceedings of his estate. Dying intestate indicated that he died suddenly without the chance of making a death bed will where in an orally communicated instructions could have been given regarding Wilson's wishes.
It seems peculiar that a man of his age and wealth did not have a will signed and witnessed. Nevertheless if he had a written will no one came forward to claim that they were witnesses to a said will. As it was ,he was said to have died intestate with the probate courts deciding the proceedings of his estate. Dying intestate indicated that he died suddenly without the chance of making a death bed will where in an orally communicated instructions could have been given regarding Wilson's wishes.
Wilson's widow, Esther, on 4 January 1836, was granted letters of administration over his estate by the Odinary Court. A notice was published at the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church on Sunday the 6th of January 1836. to that affect.
As far as can be determined no tombstone survived for Wilson Williams if he ever had a marker. He was probably buried in a family plot on his own property near his wife Elizabeth Kirkland and other children who may have predeceased him. If so today the plot probably sits in the corner of some a cultivated field or overgrown with tangled vines and underbrush long forgotten.
If the foundation of his old home could be located perhaps a cemetery site could be discovered. However one cannot explore his former property without permission and it is doubtful if any stones are still standing. In these old plots, the graves often sank and the stones, if any fall in on them. Some descendants feel that Wilson's grave is probably right outside of the town of Allendale on the road to Barnwell, just across the railroad, on the left.
Wilson's Estate’s Administration papers are found in Book E, p. 76, Bundle 64, page 5. On 15 January 1836 a securities bond of $6000 was supplied by Esther Williams brother, Robert Creech Roberts and Amos Smart so that she could act as the “Administratrix” of the Estate. She appeared before the Ordinary Court of Orasmus D. Allen and made an oath "on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that Wilson Williams, deceased, made no will as far as she knows or believes and that she would produce to show and inform the appraisers appointed all and singular the goods and chattel of said Wilson Williams deceased."
On 23 January 1836 a petition of Esther Williams was back in the Ordinary Court asking for a sale of the personal property of Wilson to satisfy his creditors and his heirs. "The petition of Esther Williams sheweth that her intestate Wilson Williams was considerably in debt before his death and the estate to divide among his heirs (say ten of them) a majority of whom are of age and will want their distribution after the payment of debt. Your petitioner therefore prays leave to sell the whole of his personal property consisting of negroes, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, corn and fodder, plantation tools and house and kitchen furniture on such terms and credit as you may think may be consistent with the interest of the heirs and creditors. And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray etc."
Judge O.D Allen agreed to Esther's petition setting the date of the sale for February 22nd from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. He stated that any item under $5 had to be paid at the time of the sale however all other items were given 12 months from the date of the sale. However other arrangements must have been made for the sale of Adam, an enslaved African American as that his sell price was not satisfied until 3 October 1842.
Earlier On 19 January 1836 Wilson Williams estate was ordered appraised by the Barnwell Ordinary Court and Wilson's neighbors Leroy Allen, Joseph Allen, and Elijah G. Allen were called upon to be the appraisers. These men were brothers and Joseph Allen had been one of the men who organized the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church in 1815 of which Esther Williams was a member. On 22 February 1836 the inventory was presented to the court and Wilson Williams' estate was appraised at $4,192.40.
The Inventories taken showed that Wilson Williams was a successful farmer. On his lands he raised crops of potatoes, corn, oats, peas, and fodder as well as cotton that was his principle cash crop. Livestock on his plantation included 25 head of geese, 20 head of sheep, 64 head of hogs, 8 goats, 8 head of cattle and four horses.
Included in the property of his household were eleven enslaved African Americans. Two of these were men named Adam and Daniel who were valuable field hands. Three less valuable older slaves were named Ben, Isaac, and Penny. There were two women, Tenah and Milly. Tenah was the mother of four children. These African-Americans may have worked as both field hands and house servants.
Wilson Williams' farm was quite self sufficient. It had its own cotton gin, plantation tools, and even beehives. Also found among the inventory of Wilson's estate were tools for making barrels, a loom for weaving cloth, cross saws for cutting lumber, wagon repair tools, and. other items for the successful operating of a plantation in the early 19th Century.
The inventory filed in court papers by the Allen brothers was as follows: "A True and Perfect Inventory of all the Goods, Chattels, and Personal Estate of Wilson Williams late of Barnwell District in the State of S.C. made the 10th of January 1836."
The inventory filed in court papers by the Allen brothers was as follows: "A True and Perfect Inventory of all the Goods, Chattels, and Personal Estate of Wilson Williams late of Barnwell District in the State of S.C. made the 10th of January 1836."
1 Negro man Ben $150, 1 Negro Man Isaac $100, I Negro Woman Penny $100, 1 Negro man Adam $600, 1 Negro man Daniel $500, 1 Negro girl Milly $450, 1 Negro woman Tenah & her 4 children Mariah, Pheby, Henry, Hampton $1200. These enslaved African Americans were valued at $3100 and made up nearly 3/4 of the value of Wilson Williams personal estate.
8 head of Stock Cattle $ 40, 8 head of Stock Goats $4, 12 head of Fat Hogs $60, 52 head of Stock Hogs $60, 20 head of Sheep $25, 25 head of Geese $12.50 4 head of Horses $210.00
1 Side Saddle $3, (a woman's saddle), 2 wagon saddles $3, 1 Wagon and Gear $130, 1 Cart $10, 1 old Wagon, Wheels & Gear $5, Plantation Tools $20, Cotton Gin $20, Grindstone $5, Tin 75 cents, 1 pair of Steel Yards 75 cents, Running Gear for Gin $1, Cooper Wares $3.00, Hogshead Barrels $5, 1 loom $1, 1 Cross Saw $3, Leather $5, Slaughter Hides $5, 10 stick Baskets $2.50, 1 spool lock bore Shot Gun $5, Packing parcels $1, 13 yards of cotton Bagging $3.90, 2 beehives $1,
Books $3, Household and kitchen furniture $125, 1 cutting knife 25 cent,
1 barrel of flour $6, 200 bushels of corn $150, 2 bushels of powder $1.50, 2000 lbs of fodder, of 3000 lbs of cotton seeds $97.50, 3 bushels of peas $2.25, 10 bushels of seed oats $7.50, 100 lbs of bacon $12.50, 10 lbs of lard $1.25 100 bushels of cotton seeds $6.25, Potato slips and potatoes $7, Corn Shucks $3
1 barrel of flour $6, 200 bushels of corn $150, 2 bushels of powder $1.50, 2000 lbs of fodder, of 3000 lbs of cotton seeds $97.50, 3 bushels of peas $2.25, 10 bushels of seed oats $7.50, 100 lbs of bacon $12.50, 10 lbs of lard $1.25 100 bushels of cotton seeds $6.25, Potato slips and potatoes $7, Corn Shucks $3
Debts due to the Estate $9.25, Debts Considered desperate $145.18, Debts due from or by the Estate$1000, Total Value of the Estate $4,192.40 Recorded February 22, 1836
After the estate appraisal was recorded an Estate Sale was ordered and performed on February 22, 1836. The African Americans were sold off however as that Richard Creech Roberts was buying for his sister Esther, Tenah and her four children were bought by him and kept together. He paid the estate $1,625 for these people.
Absalom Best, Wilson Williams son in law bought Daniel for $935, and J.M. Loper bought Adam for $1150. He also bought Ben who was reference as an "old Negro" for $225. John Williams bought Milly for $762. Moses Boyenton bought Isaac and Penny together for $500 which might indicate that they were a couple.
Absalom Best, Wilson Williams son in law bought Daniel for $935, and J.M. Loper bought Adam for $1150. He also bought Ben who was reference as an "old Negro" for $225. John Williams bought Milly for $762. Moses Boyenton bought Isaac and Penny together for $500 which might indicate that they were a couple.
William Green Williams, bought: Lot of Crockery $1.25, Castors and lots of Bottles $1.75, One Trunk and two Kegs $3.50, Lot of Ovens, Pots, and Pans $5.75, Cutting Knives $1.75, ½ bushel of Salt, Shot Gun, Leather and 4 Halter Chains $4.62, 1 old Saddle $1, 60 bushes of Cotton Seed $5.40
Son Martin Jones Williams, bought: 1 Razor and Apparatus $1.50, Lot of Grocery $1.25, 50 bushels of Corn $40, Peck Measurer and Saddle Bags $1.85, 1 Black Horse $64
Daughter Hanson Williams, bought: 1 Bed and Stead $5
Brother in law Richard Creech Roberts, bought: 1 bay mare $96, 1 sorrel horse $31, 1 sow and 3 pigs $5, 22 head of Geese $11.22, 3 beehives $1.15, 1 Pair of Hand Irons $1.13, Lot of Jugs $3, Safe and Chest $1.50, Large Trunk & Coffee, Sugar, etc. $1.25, Side Saddle $1.25, Coffee Mill and Small Mill $1.50, Lot of Pots $2, Cooper Wares and Old Loom 75 cents, Lot of Baskets and Barrels 36 cents, 1 bedstead, bed & etc. $31, 1 bedstead, bed & etc $21, 1 Mahogany Table $1, Glass Ware $2, 18 Silver Spoons $5.50, Knives and Forks $1.50, 2 Chests of Drawers $25.50, 8 Sitting Chairs. $2.12, Flour & Spinning Wheel $2.25, Large Bible & other Books $3.37, 86 lbs of Bacon @ 11 ½ cents per lb $99, 55 ½ lbs of Lard @ 10 ½ per lb $58.28, 15 ½ lbs of Tallow, 1000 lbs of fodder, Pen of Corn Shucks $1, Sack of Salt and Lot of Barrels $2.50, Lot of Barrels & Hogshead etc $1, 1000 lbs of fodder $7, 62 bushels of Corn $49.60, 23 bushels of Corn $9.20. R.C. Roberts, Esther’s brother bought up the furniture and kitchen equipment. He could have been buying it for Esther. A family Bible was included in the purchase.
Neighbors of Wilson Williams who bought the following items from his estate: B.N. Allen bought blowing horn $1.25, Elijah G. Allen bought 12 ½ lbs of tallow $13.13, Charles R. Gray brought 1 pair of sharp shears 37 cents, William Priester bought 1 large pot $5. Charles Boyles bought large pine table $2, Rev. John McFail bought pen of shucks $2.00. and Reuben Kirkland bought 1 sorrel horse $112.
There were many cash payments from Wilson Williams’s estate made to Creech Roberts as administer of his father Stephen Robert's estate. Several payments were made to his sons William Green and Martin Jones as legatees. Also some were made to Jacob Brunson, who could have been the husband of a daughter named Mary. Several payments were made to John Williams and his wife Mary. Payments were also made to Seth Daniel for Mary Brunson. Brunson is though to be Wilson's granddaughter, so Seth Daniel must have been her guardian in 1839. A Payment to James Brabham was made for $350.00. He was the husband of Wilson's daughter Elliott.
On 1 January 1838 William Green Williams was paid $300 for Ben, an African American slave. "Cash paid W. G. Williams for Ben." In 1838, in the estate papers, Ben was a slave sold to J.M. Loper for $225. He must have been old for that price. It seems logical to presume that the estate took Ben back from son William Green Williams when he moved to Randolph County, Georgia.
Only two daughters of Wilson Williams are actually mentioned in Wilson's probate records as distributees. In February 1841 Absalom B Best was paid $400 "in right of his wife a distribute." He was married to Winifred Riley Williams. The other daughter was Elizabeth Hanson Williams. On 3 October 1842, John Harley was paid $409.30 "in right of his wife Elizabeth formerly Williams."
In 1843, after Creech Roberts died, his widow, Catherine Campbell Roberts, petitioned for a release from the Bond of Security to Wilson Williams' estate. She wanted her sister in law Esther Roberts Williams to give another security, in place of her deceased husband, Esther's brother.
Only two daughters of Wilson Williams are actually mentioned in Wilson's probate records as distributees. In February 1841 Absalom B Best was paid $400 "in right of his wife a distribute." He was married to Winifred Riley Williams. The other daughter was Elizabeth Hanson Williams. On 3 October 1842, John Harley was paid $409.30 "in right of his wife Elizabeth formerly Williams."
In 1843, after Creech Roberts died, his widow, Catherine Campbell Roberts, petitioned for a release from the Bond of Security to Wilson Williams' estate. She wanted her sister in law Esther Roberts Williams to give another security, in place of her deceased husband, Esther's brother.
Dear Sir, My late husband, Mr. Creech Roberts, having been one of the securities of Mrs. Esther Williams, administratrix of Mr. Wilson Williams, and feeling myself somewhat in dread of being eventually injured by the same, do therefore petition to you to summon the afore said Esther Williams before you, requiring her to give another security in the place of my deceased husband in order that his estate may be released from all further liabilities concerning the same. And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray and do forth. Catherine Blanche Campbell Roberts-Administratrix of Richard Creech Roberts
On 13 January 1843 The court so ordered: “South Carolina-By order of O.D. Allen Esq. Ordinary to Mrs. Esther Williams administratrix of the estate of Mr. Wilson Williams deceased, whereof your security to wit Mrs. Catherine B. Roberts have complained that she is apprehensive that she may eventually be injured by the same and have petitioned to be released there from You are here by notified to be and appear at my office at Barnwell Courthouse on the 2nd day of January with good and lawful security in order to enter into a new bond, conditioned on before for the faithful discharge of your duties of administratrix of the Estate of the said Wilson Williams deceased, on default of which you are hereby required to summon and deliver up you present letters of administratrix in order that this may be a revocation in my office and administration granted to any other person Whom may apply for the same. Given under my hand and seal at Barnwell Court House the 13th of January 1843.
Esther's new securities were her sons-in-law Absalom B. Best, James M. Brabham, and John H. Harley. 17 February 1843- South Carolina Barnwell District- Know all men by these present that we, Esther Williams, Absalom B. Best, James M. Brabham, and John H. Harley are held and firmly bound unto Orasmus D. Allen Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the said district and the just sum of six thousand dollars lawful money of the said state to be paid to said Orasmus Allen or his successors in office or to their certain attorneys or Assigns. We bind ourselves for the whole. Sealed the 17th day of February 1843. The condition of the obligation is such that if the bound Esther Williams administratrix of the goods, chattel, and credits of Wilson Williams deceased do make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattel, and credits, of the said deceased which shall come into the hands of Esther Williams, she will be required to make a true account of her actions and doings. If a will is found, Esther Williams is required to give up her administratrix. (Esther previously swore on a Bible that Wilson left no will.) Esther Williams, A.B. Best, Jas. M. Brabham, Jno. H. Harley.
The personal estate sale in 1836 netted $6,573.50 but the estate had large debts. One debt was to the estate of Stephen Roberts (deceased), Esther's father. Her brother, Creech Roberts (one of her first securities), was the executor of his father's estate and as such, received large sums of money, in the estate papers, several times.
On 18 March 1844 the Ordinary Court stated that the estate of Wilson Williams was valued at $6564.25 but only worth $4511.59 after debts were paid. The court ordered "the following distribution to be made after debts paid divided between the widow and nine children, the widow taking one third $1503.86, remaining two thirds, $3007.73, to be divided equally between the nine heirs giving each $334.19, with interest from 22 February 1836.
None of these nine heirs are mentioned by name but William Green Williams and Martin Jones Williams are mentioned in the records as receiving cash as part of their share, and the husbands of Winifred Riley Best and Elizabeth Hanson Harley were also mentioned as receiving money in right of their wives. Two of the heirs were the surviving children of Elizabeth Harriett Williams Kirkland, Charles Seaton Kirkland and Harriett Kirkland wife of Hampton Brabham. The remaining three heirs were most likely Elliot Brabham wife of James Miles Brabham, Wilson Roberts Williams, and James Lawrence Williams.
While John Williams is mentioned extensively in the probate records as being paid cash or owing money to the estate, from the above payout it would be another reason to believe that John Williams was not an heir of Wilson Williams.
The personal estate sale in 1836 netted $6,573.50 but the estate had large debts. One debt was to the estate of Stephen Roberts (deceased), Esther's father. Her brother, Creech Roberts (one of her first securities), was the executor of his father's estate and as such, received large sums of money, in the estate papers, several times.
On 18 March 1844 the Ordinary Court stated that the estate of Wilson Williams was valued at $6564.25 but only worth $4511.59 after debts were paid. The court ordered "the following distribution to be made after debts paid divided between the widow and nine children, the widow taking one third $1503.86, remaining two thirds, $3007.73, to be divided equally between the nine heirs giving each $334.19, with interest from 22 February 1836.
None of these nine heirs are mentioned by name but William Green Williams and Martin Jones Williams are mentioned in the records as receiving cash as part of their share, and the husbands of Winifred Riley Best and Elizabeth Hanson Harley were also mentioned as receiving money in right of their wives. Two of the heirs were the surviving children of Elizabeth Harriett Williams Kirkland, Charles Seaton Kirkland and Harriett Kirkland wife of Hampton Brabham. The remaining three heirs were most likely Elliot Brabham wife of James Miles Brabham, Wilson Roberts Williams, and James Lawrence Williams.
While John Williams is mentioned extensively in the probate records as being paid cash or owing money to the estate, from the above payout it would be another reason to believe that John Williams was not an heir of Wilson Williams.
By the 3rd of October 1845 it had been nearly ten years since her husband had died when Esther's son James Lawrence Williams received $394.31 from his father's estate. For 1846 and 1847 Esther declared that between those years she neither received nor paid monies out from Estate of Wilson Williams
On 3 Oct 1848 Esther Roberts Williams listed cash paid to John and his wife Mary Williams as $48.35. However by Balance John Williams owned the Administratrix $842.44. On 21 Dec 1849 the estate listed "Cash rec'd from John Williams $579.08
Because Wilson left no known will at the time of his death this may have caused some hard feelings between members of the family as the probation of Wilson Williams estate lasted nineteen years before it was settled. During this entire time Esther Williams had complete control of her husband's lands and estate. Esther Williams received over 1200 acres (1/3), therefore there must have been about 3,600 acres altogether. In Plats, AA-533, 364 acres is listed as "Wilson Williams estate," on Well Branch, in 1840. This is part of the "Mill Tract" (640A) granted to Wilson Williams in 1806.
The Ordinary Court on 31 August 1854 closed the probate of Wilson Williams, after Esther Williams was found to have "fully and finally settled the administration of the estate of her intestate having paid all the debts and settled with all the heirs.
THE WIDOW ESTHER ROBERTS WILLIAMS
Wilson Williams’s widow Esther Williams lived for another forty-four years following the death of her spouse. Esther stayed on in the home place after Wilson's death. The land that she and her son got from Wilson's estate was in the lower Salkehatchie River and Coosahatchie River areas of Barnwell County.
In 1848, Esther had built a 2-room log house (later known as the "Williams Place") in the community of Allendale. She had owned most of the land where Allendale now stands. Her only living son, James Lawrence Williams was living with her in the 1850 census. Her sons Richard Creech Williams died in 1835 and Wilson Roberts Williams was killed in the Mexican American War at the siege of Mexico City.
The 1850 U.S. Census of Barnwell District South Carolina on 1 August 1850 listed her in Household # 354. She gave her age as 50 and born in South Carolina. Within her household was her son James (Lawrence) Williams age 25 born in South Carolina, daughter in law Ellen Williams age 24 born in South Carolina and grandson (James) Wilson Williams age 9 months also born in South Carolina.
Also within her household was twelve enslaved African Americans who may have been all of a single family unit. Esther's property included a 45 year old woman and eleven minor children, an female 18, a female 14, a male 12, a female 10, a female 8, a female 6, two males 4, a female 3, a female 1, and a 6month old baby boy. This family may have been Tenah and her 4 children Mariah, Pheby, Henry, Hampton bought from Wilson Williams estate.
The Agricultural Census of 1850 showed that Esther Williams had 800 acres of land of which 130 was cultivated. Her farm was valued at $1200. She owned six horses, 4 milk cows, and 18 head of cattle. Additionally she had ten sheep, and forty swine and in all her livestock was worth $500. On her farm she produced six bushels of wheat, 1 bushel of rye, 600 bushels of "Indian corn", six bales (400lbs each) of cotton, 100 bushels of peas or beans and 1,200 bushels of sweet potatoes.
Esther Roberts Williams must have been an astute business woman. She sold some property to John McPhail in 1850 and again in 1859 for $1,524.00. On 26 February 1859 she sold to M.R. Richardson 700 acres on the Coosawhatchie River for $3,720 and later on 3 December 1859 she sold to Richardson 127 acres more on the Coosawhatchie River for $1,524. The Coosawhatchie River rises in Allendale County southwest of the towns of Allendale and Fairfax and accepts drainage from Swallow Savannah, Harters Pond, Little Duck Branch, Duck Branch, Beech Branch, Blood Hill Creek, and Cedar Branch. The channel flows southeast to the Broad River. It is 50 miles long.
The 1860 census showed that Esther was a wealthy woman with twenty enslaved African Americans worth $14,680. Her lands were worth $6500. The census taken on 15 September 1860 and had her Post Office address as Great Cypress and she is enumerated as "Hester" Williams age 65 living alone in household #763 next to her son James Lawrence Williams.
Between 1850 and 1860 Esther Williams bought at least four more adult slaves with the majority of the difference probably occurring naturally through childbirth. Nine of these people considering the age difference were among the eleven enslaved African Americans she owned in 1850. The former slaves were a female 50, a female 28, a female 24, a female 22, a female 20, a female 16, a female 12, a male 14, and a male 10. Children born after 1850 were two females 8, two females 4, a male 4, and an 11 month old baby boy and a 7 month old baby boy. That would leave a female 32, a female 26, a male 25, and a male 18 having been added during the decade. All this wealth vanished after the Civil War when her slaves were freed and the land devalued.
The 1860 Agriculture Census showed that Esther Williams had 250 acres in cultivation probably due to her increased labor force. She still owned 800 acres more than a square mile of land worth $6500. She now owned twenty horses, 3 mules, 6 milk cows, 9 head of cattle, and 30 swine worth $1,080. Her farm produced 10 bushels of wheat, 700 bushels of "Indian corn", 17 bales of cotton, 200 bushels of peas or beans, and 150 bushels of sweet potatoes. She also produced 52 pounds of butter and the value of her slaughtered animals was $300. Her son James Lawrence Williams must have lived on her land as he was listed with no land but had one horse, three milk cows, five head of cattle, twenty sheep and twenty swine all worth $310. He also raised 250 bushels of Indian Corn.
Esther Williams's Allendale log house had a room and porch added after 1848 then a breezeway connecting the 2-room clapboard addition. There was a foundation for another room that was never built. On the property was a gristmill, which brought in farmers to get their corn ground. Two corncribs, a gin house, a dairy house and a smoke house were also on the premises, as well as stock pens, 2 lots and barns. This old place is written up extensively (5 pages) in "Allendale on the Savannah". When Sherman's army came through Allendale, they set fire to this house, but it didn't burn. The original structure is completely mortised and pegged--without a single nail. There was a well on the property used by all the neighbors. It is still there.
The Civil War ended in 1865 in which her son James Lawrence Williams had served in the Confederate Army. The Civil War was devastating for South Carolina as it lost nearly 20% of its white male population and many of its plantations were burned.
The 1870 Census of Barnwell County, South Carolina does not include Esther Williams even though her son James Lawrence Williams is listed as living in Allendale Township as a farmer. Why she was missed is unknown. Certainly she must have been living within the household of one of her children as she was 74 years old. In 1870 Esther deeded to her son, James Lawrence Williams, 700 acres on the Coosawhatchie River which must have been her inheritance from Wilson. Lawrence Williams was on of the wealthiest men in Allendale Township with $16,800 worth of real estate and personal property worth $800.
The 1870 census lists twelve African American households with the surname Williams living in Allendale Township where Esther Williams lands were located. Often freed African Americans adopted the surname of their former masters when they were emancipated. While it is not known if any of these individuals were once property of Esther Williams there is a strong likely hood that some of them were. Esther Williams had 13 African American females and 7 males on her estates in 1860 with only two of the males being adults. Many of the females probably married after they had their freedom; but there were as heads of households the following; Lena Williams age 65 , Betty Williams age 50 , another Betty Williams age 40 , Girty Williams age 38, Jane Williams age 55, Ella Williams age 50, and Suckey Williams age 26. Males with the surname Williams were James Williams age 26, Nate Williams age 30, J.M. Williams age 25, N.C. Williams age 40 and Harkley Williams age 60.
Esther Williams died on the 5th of June 1879 and is buried in the Swallow Savannah Methodist Cemetery, located 1 mile West of the intersection of US 301 and Bluff Road and two miles east of Allendale. She was buried near two of her children Lt. Wilson Roberts Williams killed in the War with Mexico and Richard Creech Williams who died age 8 in the same year as Wilson Williams. She is the only one of Wilson's wives to have a known tombstone. It reads
Between 1850 and 1860 Esther Williams bought at least four more adult slaves with the majority of the difference probably occurring naturally through childbirth. Nine of these people considering the age difference were among the eleven enslaved African Americans she owned in 1850. The former slaves were a female 50, a female 28, a female 24, a female 22, a female 20, a female 16, a female 12, a male 14, and a male 10. Children born after 1850 were two females 8, two females 4, a male 4, and an 11 month old baby boy and a 7 month old baby boy. That would leave a female 32, a female 26, a male 25, and a male 18 having been added during the decade. All this wealth vanished after the Civil War when her slaves were freed and the land devalued.
The 1860 Agriculture Census showed that Esther Williams had 250 acres in cultivation probably due to her increased labor force. She still owned 800 acres more than a square mile of land worth $6500. She now owned twenty horses, 3 mules, 6 milk cows, 9 head of cattle, and 30 swine worth $1,080. Her farm produced 10 bushels of wheat, 700 bushels of "Indian corn", 17 bales of cotton, 200 bushels of peas or beans, and 150 bushels of sweet potatoes. She also produced 52 pounds of butter and the value of her slaughtered animals was $300. Her son James Lawrence Williams must have lived on her land as he was listed with no land but had one horse, three milk cows, five head of cattle, twenty sheep and twenty swine all worth $310. He also raised 250 bushels of Indian Corn.
Esther Williams's Allendale log house had a room and porch added after 1848 then a breezeway connecting the 2-room clapboard addition. There was a foundation for another room that was never built. On the property was a gristmill, which brought in farmers to get their corn ground. Two corncribs, a gin house, a dairy house and a smoke house were also on the premises, as well as stock pens, 2 lots and barns. This old place is written up extensively (5 pages) in "Allendale on the Savannah". When Sherman's army came through Allendale, they set fire to this house, but it didn't burn. The original structure is completely mortised and pegged--without a single nail. There was a well on the property used by all the neighbors. It is still there.
The Civil War ended in 1865 in which her son James Lawrence Williams had served in the Confederate Army. The Civil War was devastating for South Carolina as it lost nearly 20% of its white male population and many of its plantations were burned.
The 1870 Census of Barnwell County, South Carolina does not include Esther Williams even though her son James Lawrence Williams is listed as living in Allendale Township as a farmer. Why she was missed is unknown. Certainly she must have been living within the household of one of her children as she was 74 years old. In 1870 Esther deeded to her son, James Lawrence Williams, 700 acres on the Coosawhatchie River which must have been her inheritance from Wilson. Lawrence Williams was on of the wealthiest men in Allendale Township with $16,800 worth of real estate and personal property worth $800.
The 1870 census lists twelve African American households with the surname Williams living in Allendale Township where Esther Williams lands were located. Often freed African Americans adopted the surname of their former masters when they were emancipated. While it is not known if any of these individuals were once property of Esther Williams there is a strong likely hood that some of them were. Esther Williams had 13 African American females and 7 males on her estates in 1860 with only two of the males being adults. Many of the females probably married after they had their freedom; but there were as heads of households the following; Lena Williams age 65 , Betty Williams age 50 , another Betty Williams age 40 , Girty Williams age 38, Jane Williams age 55, Ella Williams age 50, and Suckey Williams age 26. Males with the surname Williams were James Williams age 26, Nate Williams age 30, J.M. Williams age 25, N.C. Williams age 40 and Harkley Williams age 60.
Esther Williams died on the 5th of June 1879 and is buried in the Swallow Savannah Methodist Cemetery, located 1 mile West of the intersection of US 301 and Bluff Road and two miles east of Allendale. She was buried near two of her children Lt. Wilson Roberts Williams killed in the War with Mexico and Richard Creech Williams who died age 8 in the same year as Wilson Williams. She is the only one of Wilson's wives to have a known tombstone. It reads
SACRED TO THE Memory of ESTHER
Consort of WILSON WILLIAMS
DIED 5 June 1879 IN HER 83rd YEAR
THE END Of THE Righteous IS PEACE
“The [Methodist] circuit swept on down to Robertsville and Purisburg, then on to Ebenezer and Kadesh, and up to Cave’s and Gillette’s then turning to Swallow Savannah, then down toward the Bluff and on down to Union and Brighton. There were some twenty appointments. It was always regarded as a choice charge in the Conference.” Most of the men of the circuit were men of wealth and deeply pious; “with many who, if not so well off in this world’s goods, held to the true riches.” In 1812 there were only "96 whites and 55 colored" in the circuit.
The Swallow Savannah Methodist Church of which Esther Williams was a member had its beginnings in a log house in 1815 and was a member of the old Methodist Black Swamp. The first church structure was built about a half mile northeast of Swallow Savannah Pond near present day Allendale. It was noted “the people were universally kind, and unexcelled in attention to their preachers. Union Church at that time was at the head of all. Major Lawton, one of the chief stewards, used to say to the preachers: “We keep no books; get all you can from the others, and Union will make up the deficiencies.” And on this being reported, in less than half an hour a deficit often amounting to hundreds of dollars was made up. Swallow Savannah came next in liberality.”
The Swallow Savannah Methodist Church of which Esther Williams was a member had its beginnings in a log house in 1815 and was a member of the old Methodist Black Swamp. The first church structure was built about a half mile northeast of Swallow Savannah Pond near present day Allendale. It was noted “the people were universally kind, and unexcelled in attention to their preachers. Union Church at that time was at the head of all. Major Lawton, one of the chief stewards, used to say to the preachers: “We keep no books; get all you can from the others, and Union will make up the deficiencies.” And on this being reported, in less than half an hour a deficit often amounting to hundreds of dollars was made up. Swallow Savannah came next in liberality.”
When the town of Allendale was founded, around 1873, the church moved to the town. The church members hated to leave the old spot and thus began using it as a burying ground. The cemetery is still in use today by several churches in Allendale.
THE TOWN OF ALLENDALE
Most of Wilson Williams descendants stayed in the area of Allendale in Barnwell District of South Carolina except for his son William Green Williams. Green as he was known did not get along with his relatives in South Carolina and moved to Georgia in the 1830's where he became a Baptist Preacher. He kept in touch with his South Carolina however up until at least 1854 when he was listed as one of the heirs of Wilson Williams but sometime after that he lost contact with them evidently on purpose. He would not tell his children anything about their relatives in South Carolina or refused to let his wife Harriett Kearse Williams to do so.
After rising from the ashes of Sherman's march during the Civil War, families due to financial circumstances in the early 1900s, were forced to sell their cotton fields to big corporate growers. With little industry other than the US nuclear facility on the Savannah River, run down infrastructure, dilapidated rail lines, some marginal cotton and timber farming and no Interstate highway to bring in traffic, Allendale County, South Carolina is the poorest and most neglected county in South Carolina and the 10th poorest county in the United States.
The town of Allendale had 3,482 people in the town in the 2010 census down over 600 people from 2000. Its been in steady decline ever since. The rapidly diminishing population is overwhelmingly African-American and majority female. The population of the community is nearly 80 percent descendants of the African Americans who were held in bondage and 20 percent white folks. Half the population of Allendale live below the poverty level. In The median income for folks living in the town is below $17,000
"In January 2011, there was no operating businesses on either of the two main drags. Likewise the streets were striking in their absence of both cars and people. The single operating restaurant was a warm and friendly place that was not prepared to serve more than coffee and iced tea.-J.A.Miller."
In his 2015 book entitled Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads, author Paul Theroux describes Allendale as a "ghost town", "poor, neglected, hopeless-looking, a vivid failure."
THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY
Slavery was psychological damaging not only to African Americans but also to the White Europeans who profited from their forced labor and servitude. A concept of racial superiority and inferiority was maintained through convoluted laws and by theological dogma to justify keeping human beings as chattel. The Williams Family's history is tainted by this stain on our ancestor's character despite the times in which they lived.
South Carolina's antebellum laws prohibited the freeing of slaves. Even mixed race slave children were not allowed to be freed by their fathers. Two examples of the cruelty of this system is that of Nathaniel Badger and Elijah Willis both of Barnwell District.
On 25 November 1825, along with John Badger, Nathaniel bought 993 acres at the Savannah River adjoining "Miss E. Roberts, William H. Roberts, Barney H. Brown, including part of plantation where Sarah Campbell is living" . This indicated that Nathaniel Badger was a near neighbor of the families on Kings Creek and a co administrator of Francis Campbell the illegitimate son of Sarah Campbell and grandson of William Campbell. Sarah was the aunt of Catherine Blanche Roberts.
Nathaniel Badger died in 1842 leaving three children and a slave daughter named "Clara the child of Lydia” who was given to his daughter Delia Ann Harden along with $500 for her upkeep. Clara was not to be “compelled to work or kept in slavery”. As that Nathaniel could not free his mixed race daughter, providing for her by giving her to her white half sister was the best he could do.
Chancery records from 1852 show that his son John P Badger had died before 1852 and that Delia Ann Harden was “advanced in life and without children." The records showed that another daughter Rebecca Badger was the wife of Edward Furse and that Nathaniel Badger had four female slaves at the time of his death named Lydia, Jenny, Maria, and Fillis [Phyllis]. “ Lydia had other children Delia, Nancy, Tempa, and Sally. Another woman named Jenny had children Jenny, Quincey, Maria had Becka, Polly, Betsey, Flora, and Fillis (Phyllis)’s children were Magg,and William.
Elijah Willis was the son of Elijah Willis, and born 1797 in Barnwell District. He was a wealthy planter with 42 slaves in 1850. His housekeeper was one of his slaves named "Amy", who was in all practicality his common law wife. She had several children by a previous slave union but she and Elijah had at least three children.
Elijah as he was aging decided to escape with Amy and her children to Ohio to free them rather than them become the property of his brothers and sisters after his death. He died shortly after he arrived and left his entire estate to Amy. A rather famous court case was fought between his relatives in South Carolina and the Ohio attorney Amy had obtained, a Mr. Joliffe.
Here is a transcript from the trial:
Depositions of Dr. John G. Guignard.
1. I was acquainted with Willis twenty years or more.
2. We occasionally visited each other. I had very few professional calls to his place previous to 1850, and not very many since.
3. His business appeared well conducted, his habits regular, and his ability fully sufficient for the management of his business.
4. About five years or more previous to his death, he appeared to become reserved and melancholy in social intercourse.
5. Elijah Willis, about two years, more or less, previous to his decease, took occasion to spend a night with me at my residence. We were not incumbered by company, and as it were tete-a-tete; he conversed freely, stating that his situation was apparent to his neighbors, distressing to him. That the connection he had formed was evidently unpleasant to his relations and acquaintances, and disreputable. He wished to place the cause of his disquietude on some small farm, remote from this region, where they could be in society of their own class. He had an idea of purchasing a small farm in Tennessee for them. I recommended placing them in the neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, where about two thousand or more free persons of color resided, and an ineffectual attempt for their expulsion had been made before the legislature of Virginia. He expressed himself under obligation to me for the recommendation or suggestion, and, as I understood, was governed by it so far as soon afterwards to carry the slaves alluded to, viz: Amy and children, to Virginia, for the purpose of settling them. But little communication was held between us afterwards. I did, on one occasion afterwards, at his house, in presence of F. W. Matthews, suggest to him in strong terms the propriety of shaking off his connection with Amy, and endeavoring to regain his proper position in society.
I had some business transaction with him early in May, 1855. He stated to me that he would travel abroad soon, and return in a few weeks, and probably occupy the summer, as he did for a year or so past, in travelling.
James M. Gitchell, sworn.-The paper marked A (the will) is in my own handwriting. It was written under the immediate direction and supervision of Elijah Willis. Said Elijah Willis came to the office of Jolliffe & Gitchell, in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the day previous to the date of the will, and introduced himself as Elijah Willis, of Barnwell district, in the State of South Carolina, and said that his object in coming to Ohio was to make his will, and provide for certain persons whom he held as slaves in South Carolina. That he desired to make those slaves his heirs, and wished to find some persons of property and character in Ohio, who would consent to act as his executors. Mr. Jolliffe recommended several persons, and finally went with Mr. Willis to see Messrs. Ernst and Harwood, who agreed to act as executors, and with whom Mr. Willis seemed to be satisfied. When the will was being written, Mr. Willis insisted that Mr. Jolliffe should act as one of the executors. He, at first, declined, but finally consented at the urgent solicitation of Mr. Willis, and his name was inserted as one of the executors. Elijah Willis was present during the time said paper (the will) was being written, and read it himself after it was finished. Said paper was executed in duplicate, either copy to be and have the effect of an original, and one copy was retained by Mr. Jolliffe and myself, at the request of Mr. Willis, and the other taken by himself.
Mr. Willis told me at the time said paper A (the will) was being written, and after its execution, that it was his purpose to have Amy and her seven children, Elder, Ellick, Philip, Clarissa Ann, Julia Ann, Eliza Ann, and Savage, the persons named in said paper, as his heirs, brought to the State of Ohio, and set free. On parting with Mr. Willis, he told me that he would return to South Carolina, and so arrange his business there as to bring the persons named to Ohio himself, and that he thought he should be in Cincinnati with them in about one year from that time. After that, I saw or heard nothing further from Mr. Willis until I heard that he had died upon the wharf, and I saw his corpse at the Dumas House, in this city, on the 21st day of May, 1855. Thomas Ewing, Jr., sworn.-I am a practicing lawyer.
Elijah Willis brothers and sisters were heirs in a will drawn up by him 8 August 1846 and they contested the second will providing for Amy and her children and the South Carolina Court sided with the heirs of the 1846 will in effect saying that Amy and her children were property of Elijah and one cannot leave property to property.
The family of Amy Willis is found in the 1860 census of Clermont County, Ohio. She is listed as 33 years old and may have been pregnant at the time of her escape from slavery as she had a four year old daughter at the time. The family was listed as only having $100 to their name.
Elijah as he was aging decided to escape with Amy and her children to Ohio to free them rather than them become the property of his brothers and sisters after his death. He died shortly after he arrived and left his entire estate to Amy. A rather famous court case was fought between his relatives in South Carolina and the Ohio attorney Amy had obtained, a Mr. Joliffe.
Here is a transcript from the trial:
Depositions of Dr. John G. Guignard.
1. I was acquainted with Willis twenty years or more.
2. We occasionally visited each other. I had very few professional calls to his place previous to 1850, and not very many since.
3. His business appeared well conducted, his habits regular, and his ability fully sufficient for the management of his business.
4. About five years or more previous to his death, he appeared to become reserved and melancholy in social intercourse.
5. Elijah Willis, about two years, more or less, previous to his decease, took occasion to spend a night with me at my residence. We were not incumbered by company, and as it were tete-a-tete; he conversed freely, stating that his situation was apparent to his neighbors, distressing to him. That the connection he had formed was evidently unpleasant to his relations and acquaintances, and disreputable. He wished to place the cause of his disquietude on some small farm, remote from this region, where they could be in society of their own class. He had an idea of purchasing a small farm in Tennessee for them. I recommended placing them in the neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia, where about two thousand or more free persons of color resided, and an ineffectual attempt for their expulsion had been made before the legislature of Virginia. He expressed himself under obligation to me for the recommendation or suggestion, and, as I understood, was governed by it so far as soon afterwards to carry the slaves alluded to, viz: Amy and children, to Virginia, for the purpose of settling them. But little communication was held between us afterwards. I did, on one occasion afterwards, at his house, in presence of F. W. Matthews, suggest to him in strong terms the propriety of shaking off his connection with Amy, and endeavoring to regain his proper position in society.
I had some business transaction with him early in May, 1855. He stated to me that he would travel abroad soon, and return in a few weeks, and probably occupy the summer, as he did for a year or so past, in travelling.
James M. Gitchell, sworn.-The paper marked A (the will) is in my own handwriting. It was written under the immediate direction and supervision of Elijah Willis. Said Elijah Willis came to the office of Jolliffe & Gitchell, in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the day previous to the date of the will, and introduced himself as Elijah Willis, of Barnwell district, in the State of South Carolina, and said that his object in coming to Ohio was to make his will, and provide for certain persons whom he held as slaves in South Carolina. That he desired to make those slaves his heirs, and wished to find some persons of property and character in Ohio, who would consent to act as his executors. Mr. Jolliffe recommended several persons, and finally went with Mr. Willis to see Messrs. Ernst and Harwood, who agreed to act as executors, and with whom Mr. Willis seemed to be satisfied. When the will was being written, Mr. Willis insisted that Mr. Jolliffe should act as one of the executors. He, at first, declined, but finally consented at the urgent solicitation of Mr. Willis, and his name was inserted as one of the executors. Elijah Willis was present during the time said paper (the will) was being written, and read it himself after it was finished. Said paper was executed in duplicate, either copy to be and have the effect of an original, and one copy was retained by Mr. Jolliffe and myself, at the request of Mr. Willis, and the other taken by himself.
Mr. Willis told me at the time said paper A (the will) was being written, and after its execution, that it was his purpose to have Amy and her seven children, Elder, Ellick, Philip, Clarissa Ann, Julia Ann, Eliza Ann, and Savage, the persons named in said paper, as his heirs, brought to the State of Ohio, and set free. On parting with Mr. Willis, he told me that he would return to South Carolina, and so arrange his business there as to bring the persons named to Ohio himself, and that he thought he should be in Cincinnati with them in about one year from that time. After that, I saw or heard nothing further from Mr. Willis until I heard that he had died upon the wharf, and I saw his corpse at the Dumas House, in this city, on the 21st day of May, 1855. Thomas Ewing, Jr., sworn.-I am a practicing lawyer.
Elijah Willis brothers and sisters were heirs in a will drawn up by him 8 August 1846 and they contested the second will providing for Amy and her children and the South Carolina Court sided with the heirs of the 1846 will in effect saying that Amy and her children were property of Elijah and one cannot leave property to property.
The family of Amy Willis is found in the 1860 census of Clermont County, Ohio. She is listed as 33 years old and may have been pregnant at the time of her escape from slavery as she had a four year old daughter at the time. The family was listed as only having $100 to their name.
THE WIVES OF WILSON WILLIAMS
According to the History of Buford's Bridge by a Methodist preacher, Reverend M.M. Brabham, Wilson Williams was married three times. However, the Methodist preacher’s recollection of who was married to whom, from years before he wrote his book, is quite faulty, especially when dealing with his Baptist neighbors. The fact that he mentions the Williamses at all is because several of Wilson’s children became prominent Methodists in the Buford Bridge area. He may have been entirely wrong about Wilson having been married three times as there is only documentation that he was married to Elizabeth Kirkland daughter of George Kirkland and to Esther Roberts the daughter of Stephen Roberts. Rev. Brabham does not name this third wife if she existed at all.
There is speculation is that Wilson Williams had a first wife related to the Mallard Family of Dublin County. The belief that Wilson may have been married prior to Elizabeth Kirkland is based on John Williams who was born 24 years before William Green Williams, Wilson's documented son. As there is no 1800 census to indicate the number of children Wilson Williams may have had or their ages it can only be speculated.
THE KIRKLAND FAMILY CONNECTION
Elizabeth Kirkland was the daughter of George Kirkland of the Alligator Branch Plantation in Barnwell County. George Kirkland was born circa 1750 and died 1815 in Barnwell District. According to Reverend M.M. Brabham, the Kirklands came originally from Scotland first to Virginia then to South Carolina. A Robert Cornelius Kirkland who settled near Matthew's Bluff on the Savannah River and died circa 1780 may have been his father. He, had several sons perhaps including George Kirkland who died 6 October 1815 in Barnwell District, South Carolina.
George Kirkland was a Revolutionary War Soldier from 1777-1781. He raised cattle on his plantation because Revolutionary war records show that he furnished the Continental Army with 3900 pounds of beef. Both of his brothers Rueben and Edward Kirkland served under Lt. Jacob Buxton. Reuben Kirkland lost an arm in the war but later married and had a large family. Edward Kirkland was Captain of the Militia's horses and held various ranks of Colonel, Major, and Captain. He also married and raised a large family in Barnwell District, South Carolina.
A plat filed by Joseph Lawton on 2 December 1774 for 330 acres in Granville County, South Carolina showed that John Kirkland and George Kirkland had adjoining lands. George Kirkland is included in the 1783 and 1787 tax list of Orangeburgh District. A court record from 1785 showed that his lands were on the north side of Great Salkehatchie River near Widow Williams’ Ford [Abigail Williams] bounded by Verdemon
Clemmons, James Brown, Zachariah Knight.
On 20 September 1785 George Kirkland filed a plat for 211 acres on waters of the Salkehatchie River. His neighbors were James Brown, "Vardmon" Clemons and Zachariah Knight. On 5 November 1785 George Kirkland filed another plat this time for 146 acres on the Alligator Branch of the Salkehatchie River. Today Alligator Branch is called Kirkland Creek. The land had been surveyed by William Green and his neighbors were Zachariah Knight and Nathan Walker. In 1787 he bought land from Verdeman Clemmons. He was a Grand Juror in 1788 and 25 February 1789 he had lands on the Great Salkehatchie Swamp [River] adjoining John McFail, N. Walker, William Carr, William Smith, and Isham Clayton.
On 20 September 1785 George Kirkland filed a plat for 211 acres on waters of the Salkehatchie River. His neighbors were James Brown, "Vardmon" Clemons and Zachariah Knight. On 5 November 1785 George Kirkland filed another plat this time for 146 acres on the Alligator Branch of the Salkehatchie River. Today Alligator Branch is called Kirkland Creek. The land had been surveyed by William Green and his neighbors were Zachariah Knight and Nathan Walker. In 1787 he bought land from Verdeman Clemmons. He was a Grand Juror in 1788 and 25 February 1789 he had lands on the Great Salkehatchie Swamp [River] adjoining John McFail, N. Walker, William Carr, William Smith, and Isham Clayton.
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 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.
George Kirkland was enumerated in the Southern portion of Orangeburgh District in the 1790 Census which would have been Winton County at the time. He is listed as being over 16, a son under 16 years, six females, and six slaves. His near neighbors were John McFail, Angus McFail and Joseph Brabham. Twenty-five households away was Abigail Williams. He was one of the appraisers of the estate of Abigail Williams in 1802. In 1790 George Kirkland, Nathan Grimes and Isham Clayton acted as suretors for the estate of James Bond. On 20 Jan 1790 he bought land from John Winn.
Tax records in 1800 show that George Kirkland held 557 acres worked by seven enslaved African Americans. This agrees with the 1800 Census of Barnwell that stated that George Kirkland's number of slaves was seven African Americans. He is listed as between 26 and 44 years old [1756 and 1774] with a wife over 45 years old [before 1755] and two daughters between the ages of 10 and 15 [1785-1790]. George Kirkland is probably older and the census taker may have inadvertently checked the wrong age category.
The 1810 Census showed that both he and his wife were over 45 years old [before 1765] and that 15 African Americans lived and worked on their farm. As that he had no children in the household all his daughters had married by this date. He is enumerated 10 households away from Wilson Williams and twelve from his son in law George T. Grimes.
On 4 March 1811 George Kirkland sold to his brother Reuben Kirkland 73 acres at Alligator Branch for $80. The property was part of a larger grant he received 5 June 1786. The witnesses were Robert Kirkland and George Kirkland [Jr.] They were sons of Reuben Kirkland and Robert was a son in law of Wilson Williams.
On 4 March 1815 probably seven months before he died , George Kirkland bought 250 acres from William Kearse, lands adjoining Joseph Brabham and William Kearse.
The family of George Kirkland included a wife named Mary and five daughters, and according to the 1790 at least one unknown son who died young unmarried. George and Mary's daughters were Winifred Kirkland the wife of Miles Riley, Sarah “Sallie” Kirkland wife of John Creech, Esther Kirkland wife of Jeff “Nathan” Grimes, Elizabeth Kirkland wife of Wilson Williams, and Mary Kirkland wife of George Tass Grimes. Through Wilson Williams marriage to Elizabeth Kirkland he became the brother in law of Miles Riley, John Creech, Jeff Nathan Grimes, and George Tass Grimes.
The estate of George Kirkland at the time of his death was valued at $8766.66 which was divided between his five daughters as his wife preceded him in death.
The estate of George Kirkland at the time of his death was valued at $8766.66 which was divided between his five daughters as his wife preceded him in death.
Very little is known of Elizabeth Kirkland except what was listed in the 1810 census when she was enumerated as being between the ages of 26 and 44 [1766 and 1784]. She was born certainly during the American Revolution [1775-1783] at her father's properties at Alligator Creek in Granville County, South Carolina.
When Elizabeth and Wilson married is unknown but after 1790 as that census showed that George Kirkland had all his daughters living within his household. If Elizabeth Harriett Williams who was born in 1795 was her daughter then she was married between 1790 and 1794 in Winton County of the Orangeburgh District. If married during this period she went with her husband when he moved to Washington County, Georgia before returning to Barnwell District in 1802. There she had five children between 1804 and 1810 which may have contributed to her early death.
Elizabeth Kirkland Williams died probably in 18186 in Barnwell District at her husband's plantation in Barnwell District. A partition petition was filed in 1818 by Wilson Williams in behalf of his children who were heirs of Elizabeth Kirkland and her father George Kirkland.
These heirs were named as William Green Williams, Martin Jones Williams, Patsy [Martha] Williams, Fanny [Frances] Williams, and Winifred Riley Williams. Not included in the petition were John Williams, Elizabeth Harriett Williams wife of Robert Cornelius Kirkland, or Mary Williams wife of Jacob Brunson. A possible explanation for this that both Elizabeth Harriett Kirkland and Mary Brunson were deceased by 1818.
It is clear however that John Williams was not a son of Wilson and Elizabeth Kirkland Williams as that he was alive and married in 1818. It an enigma whether Elizabeth Harriett Kirkland and Mary Brunson were the daughters of Elizabeth Kirkland or of an earlier wife.
THE ROBERTS FAMILY CONNECTION
The Roberts Family appears to have been neighbors of the Williamses for several generations. Wilson Williams was in his fifties when after the death of Elizabeth Kirkland, married the young 21 year old Esther Roberts. She was born 1796, the daughter of Stephen Roberts and Elizabeth Grimes. Her father remarried by at least 1820 Elizabeth
widow of Alexander Campbell. Esther Roberts step sister Catherine Blanche Campbell became her sister in law when she married Esther's brother Richard Creech Roberts.
Esther's grandfather was Captain James Roberts who married to Amy Creech. Wilson Williams' grandmother may have been Abigail Creech Williams. It is a possibility that Captain James Roberts and John Williams, Wilson’s grandfather were brothers-in-law. Capt. James Roberts had settled by 1767 in St. George Parish, Georgia and his lands bordered Wilson's father, Britton Williams’ lands on the north. During the Indian uprising, Capt. Roberts returned to North Carolina where his lands Dobbs Counties adjoined Joshua Williams, John Williams, and Benjamin Creech. When Captain James Roberts died in 1802 he had lands at Turkey Creek near present day Allendale County.
Esther's grandfather was Captain James Roberts who married to Amy Creech. Wilson Williams' grandmother may have been Abigail Creech Williams. It is a possibility that Captain James Roberts and John Williams, Wilson’s grandfather were brothers-in-law. Capt. James Roberts had settled by 1767 in St. George Parish, Georgia and his lands bordered Wilson's father, Britton Williams’ lands on the north. During the Indian uprising, Capt. Roberts returned to North Carolina where his lands Dobbs Counties adjoined Joshua Williams, John Williams, and Benjamin Creech. When Captain James Roberts died in 1802 he had lands at Turkey Creek near present day Allendale County.
Esther’s father Stephen Roberts Sr. was born circa 1755 in perhaps in Dobbs County, North Carolina and
died by 20 Jan 1824 at in Barnwell District, South Carolina. In
1794 Stephen Roberts bought lands from Joshua Williams on Saltketcher and Otter
Savannah lands originally granted 1788 to Joshua. Joshua Williams is believed to have been Wilson's uncle.
Stephen Roberts and wife Elizabeth on 15 February 1807 sold a tract of land for $700 to John Miller located by John Hill. This wife would have been Elizabeth Grimes as that his second wife also Elizabeth was the widow of Alexander Campbell who died in 1807. John Miller of St. Peter Parish South Carolina died 27 September 1812.
On 17 December 1810 Stephen Roberts sold to Samuel Carr 595 acres on Craigs Pond. This man was probably a relative of the Carr Family who lived at Miller Swamp. A John Carr who died before 1833 in St. Luke Parish, South Carolina married a Miss Roberts as his first wife and 2ndly to Mary the widow of John Miller. John Carr had lands Miller Swamp brought from William Carr and lands at Duck Savannah. Miller Swamp was north of Allendale and Duck Savannah was south of that community/
About February 1814 John Carr wanted to move to Georgia. His stepson was John Miller and daughters Rebecca Carr wife of Michael Brown and Susan Carr wife of Mr. Gardner and Charles J Brown who had lands on Duck Savannah. William Carr as of 25 February 1789 had lands on Great Salkehatchie Swamp adjoining George Kirkland, John McFail, N. Walker, William Smith, and Isham Clayton. In 1800 William Carr bought land from John Weekley at Miller Swamp.
On Christmas 1813, Stephen Roberts sold to William Fannon 440 acres at Upper Three Runs for $1.00. Nothing is known of the Fannon or Fanning family or why Roberts was so generous to him. A James Fannon was married Joanna Boyleston the sister of Elijah Boylston who died before February 1851. Other sisters were Martha the wife of John H. Mixon, Georgiana Boyleston wife of James Hair, and Elizabeth Boyleston wife of Samuel S. Hair.
Stephen Roberts sold 150 acres for $150 to Marmaduke Williams at Miller Swamp on 12 September 1818.
Marmaduke Williams was the son of Stephen Williams and grandson of
Susannah Burnett of Duplin Co. NC. He was born
1754 in Onslow County and died 10 July 1825 in Barnwell District. His wife Mary died after 16 Sept 1829. Their children were Stephen
Williams born 1792 husband of Sarah H. Loper, John
Marmaduke Williams born 1802 died 1870 husband of Catherine Mayer, Britton
Williams, and Mary Williams born Feb 1800 and died 13 Oct 1843 wife of John A.
Mayer.
In May 1776 Joseph Horne witnessed a deed from Susannah Burnett of Bertie Co. NC to her grandson Marmaduke. In February 1780 he sold his Bertie County inheritance to Ezekiel Wimberley witnessed by Benjamin Harrell. In the 1790 US Census Marmaduke is listed in Cheraw District South Carolina and in 1800 in Darlington District. Marmaduke Williams had in 1816 bought land from Kellis Halford for $1. In 1819 he sold 107 acres land to his son Stephen Williams on Miller Swamp adjoining Henry All and Sister Ferry Road. This land was first bought from Willis Knight and surveyed by James Thurston. On 9 November 1824 Marmaduke sold to his son John Williams 334 acres for $500. These lands were first bought from Willis Knight and were located on Milers Swamp adjoining John Deer and Cornelius Carr. Witnesses were Son in law John Mayer and William Register. These lands were northeast of Allendale towards the community of Ulmer.
Stephen Roberts first wife Sarah Grimes died before 1820 and he remarried as his second, wife Elizabeth the widow of Alexander Campbell. She died in 1828 as the widow of Stephen Roberts Sr. On 16 January 1824 Stephen Roberts deed personal property to "Catherine Campbell", his step daughter and future daughter in law. Alexander Campbell’s daughter Catherine Blanche Campbell was born 1796 and was the same age as Esther Roberts. She married Stephen Robert’s son Richard “Creech Roberts who was born in 1794 and died 1 April 1841.
After Stephen Roberts died, Wilson Williams on Jan 20, 1824 became a “Surety” for his father-in-law's estate. A surety provides funds to cover the debts of an estate until its assets could be sold. Only wealthy men who had an interest in the family usually served as sureties. Wilson was joined by Amos Smart and "Creech" Roberts, Wilson’s brother-in-law, as sureties. Amos Smart was a Baptist Deacon and brother-in-law to John Williams of Salkehatchie Baptist Church.
A postmortem deed of Stephen Roberts was filed 27 September 1829 to Richard C. Roberts for $7 to insure Creech's interest in five tracts of lands.
Stephen Roberts and wife Elizabeth on 15 February 1807 sold a tract of land for $700 to John Miller located by John Hill. This wife would have been Elizabeth Grimes as that his second wife also Elizabeth was the widow of Alexander Campbell who died in 1807. John Miller of St. Peter Parish South Carolina died 27 September 1812.
On 17 December 1810 Stephen Roberts sold to Samuel Carr 595 acres on Craigs Pond. This man was probably a relative of the Carr Family who lived at Miller Swamp. A John Carr who died before 1833 in St. Luke Parish, South Carolina married a Miss Roberts as his first wife and 2ndly to Mary the widow of John Miller. John Carr had lands Miller Swamp brought from William Carr and lands at Duck Savannah. Miller Swamp was north of Allendale and Duck Savannah was south of that community/
About February 1814 John Carr wanted to move to Georgia. His stepson was John Miller and daughters Rebecca Carr wife of Michael Brown and Susan Carr wife of Mr. Gardner and Charles J Brown who had lands on Duck Savannah. William Carr as of 25 February 1789 had lands on Great Salkehatchie Swamp adjoining George Kirkland, John McFail, N. Walker, William Smith, and Isham Clayton. In 1800 William Carr bought land from John Weekley at Miller Swamp.
On Christmas 1813, Stephen Roberts sold to William Fannon 440 acres at Upper Three Runs for $1.00. Nothing is known of the Fannon or Fanning family or why Roberts was so generous to him. A James Fannon was married Joanna Boyleston the sister of Elijah Boylston who died before February 1851. Other sisters were Martha the wife of John H. Mixon, Georgiana Boyleston wife of James Hair, and Elizabeth Boyleston wife of Samuel S. Hair.
In May 1776 Joseph Horne witnessed a deed from Susannah Burnett of Bertie Co. NC to her grandson Marmaduke. In February 1780 he sold his Bertie County inheritance to Ezekiel Wimberley witnessed by Benjamin Harrell. In the 1790 US Census Marmaduke is listed in Cheraw District South Carolina and in 1800 in Darlington District. Marmaduke Williams had in 1816 bought land from Kellis Halford for $1. In 1819 he sold 107 acres land to his son Stephen Williams on Miller Swamp adjoining Henry All and Sister Ferry Road. This land was first bought from Willis Knight and surveyed by James Thurston. On 9 November 1824 Marmaduke sold to his son John Williams 334 acres for $500. These lands were first bought from Willis Knight and were located on Milers Swamp adjoining John Deer and Cornelius Carr. Witnesses were Son in law John Mayer and William Register. These lands were northeast of Allendale towards the community of Ulmer.
Stephen Roberts first wife Sarah Grimes died before 1820 and he remarried as his second, wife Elizabeth the widow of Alexander Campbell. She died in 1828 as the widow of Stephen Roberts Sr. On 16 January 1824 Stephen Roberts deed personal property to "Catherine Campbell", his step daughter and future daughter in law. Alexander Campbell’s daughter Catherine Blanche Campbell was born 1796 and was the same age as Esther Roberts. She married Stephen Robert’s son Richard “Creech Roberts who was born in 1794 and died 1 April 1841.
After Stephen Roberts died, Wilson Williams on Jan 20, 1824 became a “Surety” for his father-in-law's estate. A surety provides funds to cover the debts of an estate until its assets could be sold. Only wealthy men who had an interest in the family usually served as sureties. Wilson was joined by Amos Smart and "Creech" Roberts, Wilson’s brother-in-law, as sureties. Amos Smart was a Baptist Deacon and brother-in-law to John Williams of Salkehatchie Baptist Church.
A postmortem deed of Stephen Roberts was filed 27 September 1829 to Richard C. Roberts for $7 to insure Creech's interest in five tracts of lands.
When Wilson's brother in law "Creech" Roberts died in 1841, Absalom Blanchard Best became the guardian of his children. A.B. Best was the son of Benajah Best and his two aunts Zilpha Best and Dicy Best has married sons of William Campbell.
A.B. Best was first cousin to Catherine Blanche Campbell Roberts and he was also a son-in-law of Wilson Williams, having married Winnifred Riley Williams. The three children of “”Creech Roberts and Catherine B. Campbell were Jane Hanson Roberts, born circa 1831, Dr. Richard Creech Roberts Jr., 23 Dec 1835 died 10 Feb 1905; who married a great-granddaughter of Wilson Williams, Sarah Emily Williams 1840-1917 a daughter of James Wilson Williams and Winifred Myrick, and Martha Myrick Roberts.
After the death of Creech Roberts, Catherine B. Roberts was remarried to John Anderson Hayes on 26 April 1843 as his second wife. John Anderson Hayes was born 1797 and died October 8, 1875 and is buried in the Cave Church Cemetery. Catherine B. Campbell Roberts Hayes became the stepmother of the four Hayes children. The Hayes Family were Methodists and members of the Caves Methodist Church situated approximately five miles from Allendale on HWY 278 just outside the Kline city limits in southern Barnwell County. The Hayes owned 46 African-American Slaves making them among the richest family in the county.
THE CAMPBELL CONNECTION
There seems to be an unusually close relationship between Wilson Williams and the family of William Campbell, the grandfather of Catherine Blanche Roberts.
William Campbell was born circa 1740 and died 1 July 1823 in Barnwell District. His wife was Mary "Polly" last name unknown but possibly Lee. His 2nd wife was “Milly” Williams. His Children were Joshua Campbell husband of Zipha Best, Millicent Campbell wife of Mr. Bryant, Israel Campbell husband of Leodica “Dicy” Best, Mary Campbell wife of Mr. Fullerton and James Bowie, Alexander Campbell husband of Elizabeth, and Sarah
Campbell. Zilpha and Dicy Best were diaghters of Absalom Best and Elizabeth Blanchard. They both remarried after the deaths of their husbands. Dicy remarried John Mears and Zilpha remarried Thomas Green Arthur.
In the 1760's William Campbell was living in Johnston County, North Carolina on lands bought from Robert Lee and near lands of John Lee and Theophilus Williams. William Campbell moved to St George Parish and in 1773 had lands on Briar Creek and Rocky Creek waters of Savannah River by "Lee’s Old Place." He fought in the Revolutionary War and settled in South Carolina. Ambrose Boatwright and John M Davis witnessed deed of William Campbell on 21 Oct 1796 in Winton County. On 18 Feb 1799 William Campbell bought from Wilson Williams his father's lands on King Creek first granted to William Brown [Deed Book A page 124]
In the 1760's William Campbell was living in Johnston County, North Carolina on lands bought from Robert Lee and near lands of John Lee and Theophilus Williams. William Campbell moved to St George Parish and in 1773 had lands on Briar Creek and Rocky Creek waters of Savannah River by "Lee’s Old Place." He fought in the Revolutionary War and settled in South Carolina. Ambrose Boatwright and John M Davis witnessed deed of William Campbell on 21 Oct 1796 in Winton County. On 18 Feb 1799 William Campbell bought from Wilson Williams his father's lands on King Creek first granted to William Brown [Deed Book A page 124]
Wilson Williams' mother Elizabeth, widow of Britton Williams made a deed of gift to her three married children in April 1795 witnessed by Israel Campbell, the uncle of Catherine Blanche Campbell. The deed was not recorded until 1807 the year Alexander Campbell died.
William Campbells son Joshua Campbell on 1 April 1799 bought 116 acres on Briar Creek adjoining James Joyce, James Lee, and property of Britton Williams from Wilson Williams for $8. The deed was recorded 28 Feb 1800. The small amount makes its appear that there was some special connection between the two men. Alexander Campbell witnessed the deed and on 23 June 1801 he had 131 acres on Little Briar Creek waters of Savannah adjoining James Joyce, Wilson Williams and estate of Britton Williams.
The 1800 US Census show that William Campbell was living near Richard Creech, Dempsy Phillips, and John Boyles in Barnwell District. He is shown as being over 45 years old [before 1755] and owning 9 African Americans in bondage. A wife is between 26 and 45 [1755-1774] and two daughters were been 16 and 25 [1775 and 1784]. There is also two boy and a girl under the age of 10.
Alexander and Israel Campbell lived next to each other in Barnwell District Census of 1800 and others mentioned in the same record show that they were living in the Kings Creek and Briar Creek region of the county. Alexander was listed as between 26 and 44 years of age [1756 and 1774] with a wife 16 to 25 years [1775-1784] and two daughters under the age of 10. Israel Campbell was listed as the same age as his brother with a wife the same age and with two daughters and a son under 10 years of age. Further away from these brothers was their brother Joshua Campbell who was younger listed as between 16 and 25 years old [1775 and 1784] with a wife the same age and 1 son and 2 daughters under 10 but also with a son age 10. He had 1 slave.
The 1800 US Census show that William Campbell was living near Richard Creech, Dempsy Phillips, and John Boyles in Barnwell District. He is shown as being over 45 years old [before 1755] and owning 9 African Americans in bondage. A wife is between 26 and 45 [1755-1774] and two daughters were been 16 and 25 [1775 and 1784]. There is also two boy and a girl under the age of 10.
Alexander and Israel Campbell lived next to each other in Barnwell District Census of 1800 and others mentioned in the same record show that they were living in the Kings Creek and Briar Creek region of the county. Alexander was listed as between 26 and 44 years of age [1756 and 1774] with a wife 16 to 25 years [1775-1784] and two daughters under the age of 10. Israel Campbell was listed as the same age as his brother with a wife the same age and with two daughters and a son under 10 years of age. Further away from these brothers was their brother Joshua Campbell who was younger listed as between 16 and 25 years old [1775 and 1784] with a wife the same age and 1 son and 2 daughters under 10 but also with a son age 10. He had 1 slave.
Alexander 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.
William Campbell's children and grandchildren are mentioned
in his granddaughter's husband, John Owens, Chancery & Equity Records, Box 1 Group 2 dated 21 Dec 1827 when he was administrator. The Surietors
for William Campbell were Michael Brown, Simeon R. Cannon. His son Joshua Campbell
was deceased but had managed estates from 1813-1820. His daughter Charlotte Campbell had married Cornelius Taylor May 1815-6 and died
shortly afterwards. Daughter Millicent Bryant "lives in North Carolina. His daughter Dicy Campbell "wife of John Mears" moved to Georgia. Daughter Mary
(Polly) Campbell married James Bowie in Georgia in 1827. His Alexander Campbell
was deceased. His daughter Thyzra Campbell died 1812 dau-Mahala Campbell dau-in-law-Zylphia
Campbell widow of Joshua Campbell married Thomas Green Arthur.
KNOWN CHILDREN OF WILSON WILLIAMS
By Wife Elizabeth Kirkland
Elizabeth Harriett Williams Kirkland
She was born 9 August 1795 in Winton County, Orangeburgh District South Carolina probably at Kings Creek. She died at the young age of 22 on 18 March 1818 near Buford's Bridge, Barnwell District, South Carolina.
Wilson Williams’ eldest known daughter was Elizabeth Harriett Williams. She married Robert Cornelius Kirkland the son of Reuben and Sarah Clark Kirkland. George Kirkland was Robert Cornelius' uncle and he was first cousin to Wilson Williams' wife Elizabeth Kirkland Williams.
Elizabeth Harriett Williams married her mother's first cousin Robert Cornelius Kirkland in 1811. "Cornelius" Kirkland was born 3 September 1788 and died 28 September 28 1866 at the age of 78. His father Reuben was one of the Kirkland brothers who settled in the Jackson Branch region of Barnwell District in the 1770's and served in the Revolutionary War where he lost an arm. He later served as a state senator.
Elizabeth died at the young age of 22 years the mother of three young children under the age of six. Elizabeth Harriett died in childbirth but the child survived. One of her children was name Britton Williams Kirkland the only known descendant named for Britton Williams. Two other children Charles Seaton Kirkland and Harriett Brabham wife of Hampton Brabham are listed as receiving money from Wilson's estate. However as that this Elizabeth is not mentioned as an heir of George Kirkland in Wilson's 1818 partition petition, she might not have been a daughter of Elizabeth Kirkland. But she might not have been mention simply as that she was a married woman or that she died 18 March 1818.
Elizabeth Harriett Williams married her mother's first cousin Robert Cornelius Kirkland in 1811. "Cornelius" Kirkland was born 3 September 1788 and died 28 September 28 1866 at the age of 78. His father Reuben was one of the Kirkland brothers who settled in the Jackson Branch region of Barnwell District in the 1770's and served in the Revolutionary War where he lost an arm. He later served as a state senator.
Elizabeth died at the young age of 22 years the mother of three young children under the age of six. Elizabeth Harriett died in childbirth but the child survived. One of her children was name Britton Williams Kirkland the only known descendant named for Britton Williams. Two other children Charles Seaton Kirkland and Harriett Brabham wife of Hampton Brabham are listed as receiving money from Wilson's estate. However as that this Elizabeth is not mentioned as an heir of George Kirkland in Wilson's 1818 partition petition, she might not have been a daughter of Elizabeth Kirkland. But she might not have been mention simply as that she was a married woman or that she died 18 March 1818.
After her death, Robert Cornelius remarried Lavicy [Lovicy] Mixon the daughter of John Williams Mixon and Mary Joyce. John Williams Mixon and Wilson Williams may have been first cousins, grandsons of John and Abigail Williams. Lavicy M. Kirkland was born 17 September 1801 and died in November 1881 age 80 years.
Robert Cornelius was one of the wealthier planters in Barnwell District. He bequeathed in his will 71 slaves, livestock, a mill, and several thousands of acres. One child was left 1,000 acres! But as that he died after the Civil War ended his wealth vanished with the freeing of his African American Slaves.
The Kirklands lived one mile north of Buford’s Bridge, 3 miles east of Hwy 301 and 300 yards east of Kirkland Mill Creek and here they established a family cemetery. Both Robert C. Kirkland and Lavicy Mixon are buried there as well as Elizabeth’s daughter Harriett E. Brabham and grandchildren. Elizabeth H. Kirkland and her son Brittain W. may both have been buried here but they have no visible marker.
Robert Cornelius Kirkland had three children by Elizabeth Harriett Williams and seven by Lovicy Mixon.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Charles Seaton Kirkland was born 1 August 1814 Barnwell District, South Carolina and
died there 13 October 1885. He was 71 years old. He was a veteran of three wars: Seminole War in Florida 1834, Mexican War 1846, and Civil War 1864. His father left him four slaves and notes held against him however slavery was abolished before provsions of the will could be enacted. He never married and was considered “peculiar and he never joined a church".
B. Brittain Williams Kirkland was born 8 August 1816 in Barnwell District, South Carolina and died 14 March 1831 Buford’s Bridge, Barnwell District, South Carolina at the age of 15 years.
C. Harriett Elizabeth Williams was born 18 March 1818 Barnwell District, South Carolina and died 9 July 1888 at Buford’s Bridge, Barnwell District, South Carolina at the age of 70. Her mother died giving birth to her. She was named for her mother and married Hampton Brabham 4 Feb 1836 at the age of 17 years. She was his 2nd wife. Hampton was the son of John Brabham and Martha Moye and born 11 September 1812. He died 8 December 1881 at the age of 69 years. Hampton bought a young bay horse from the estate of John Williams named “Brittain". Harriett's father left her 13 slaves, $400, and a piano in his will. Harriett was the only one of Wilson's grandchildren by his daughter Elizabeth Harriett Williams who left him posterity. They were Rosa Brabham, Elliott J. Brabham, Mary A. Elizabeth Brabham wife of LeRoy Wilson, Martha Brabham wife of Josiah Seth Mixon, Charles Franklin Brabham husband of Cornelia A. Brabham, William Robert Brabham husband of Laura Brant, Allen Hampton Brabham husband of Josephine Barker, Moye Elliott Brabham, Caroline (Carrie) Brabham, and Hattie Brabham. Harriett's son in law Josiah Seth Mixon, born 28 April 1836 and died 22 March 1899, married Martha on 23 Dec 1859. He was the son of William Joyce Mixon Sr. and Sarah Ann Johnson and a graduate of the Citadel. He became a judge in Allendale. Harriett's son Moye Elliott Brabham was born 1848 but never married. He was well established in business when he died young. Daughters Caroline (Carrie) Brabham, and Harriett (Hattie) Brabham died 5 June 1866 when the Masonic Lodge Building in Bamberg collapsed killing six children and two adults.
Mary Williams Brunson
She is perhaps a daughter of Elizabeth Kirkland. She may have been born circa 1797 and died before 1818. She is thought to have married Jacob Brunson but without issue. Knowledge of Mary Williams is from researcher the late Mrs. Elizabeth Davis.Jacob Brunson was the son of John Brunson Sr. and born 1800. The Brunson family had land at Jackson Branch and Whippy Swamp adjoining John Allen Esq., the estate of Benejah Best, Charles Boyles, John Boyles, Josiah G. Allen, and Wilson Williams.
Jacob Brunson later married Harriett Myrick daughter of Eli Myrick and Mary Creech. Jacob and Harriett had children, Eli Isaac Brunson and Elizabeth E. Brunson wife of William R. Williams.
Jacob Brunson is mentioned as receiving money from the estate of Wilson but Mary is not listed as an heir of either George Kirkland or Wilson Williams.
Jacob Brunson and Harriett Brunson are listed in a 1841 deed as living near Richard Creech Roberts on Jackson Branch. In March 1841 a 152-foot dam was destroyed and a mill that ground for neighborhood was also destroyed. Jacob Brunson was listed as insolvent in 1841.
Rev. Martin Jones Williams
He was born circa 1800 in Barnwell District, South Carolina and died in October 1843 in Barnwell District, South Carolina at the age of 43 years. He married Sarah Kearse who was born 1805 the daughter of William Kearse and Flora Brabham and sister to Harriett Kearse Williams. Not only were Martin and Green Williams brothers they were also brothers in law. On January 29, 1824 Martin bought from the estate of Stephen Roberts a shot gun.
Martin had some serious debts and probably was not good at farming or business. Previous to January 1828 Martin Williams opened an account with Josiah Dickinson a Merchant at Buford’s Bridge. Until 1830 Martin was giving Dickerson promissory notes rather than paying what was owed. A Judgment against Martin was filed March 1830 for $293. Martin then was making some payments so that Dickinson did not enforce judgment until 7 April 1834. (Chancery and Equity Records Group 37 Josiah Dickerson vs. Martin J. Williams And Josiah D. Williams).
In the 1830 US Census of Barnwell District, Martin Williams was living near his father Wilson and his brother Green. He had a wife and three children, two sons and a daughter and had 1 slave at the time. Only the name of one of these children is known and the others probably died in childhood. This is the only census for which Martin Williams can be located.
The land that the Merchant Dickerson wanted to put a lien against did not belong to Martin Williams but to his infant son Josiah Dickerson Williams whom Wilson Williams, his grandfather ,had sold it to him 1 March 1829 for $900. Dickinson claimed that this land, long before 1829, was given by gift or payment and actually belonged to Martin J. Williams. " Josiah D. Williams was and still is an infant of tender years and the son of Martin J. Williams. " No money was ever paid to Wilson Williams and Dickerson claimed that Wilson’s deed to Josiah D. Williams was fraudulent. Martin J. Williams answered saying that the deed was good and the debt real and he wished to pay it. The land was partly sold to settle the debt but title was confirmed to Josiah D. Williams. On 17 October 1834 Judgment against Martin J. Williams and Josiah D. Williams’s and lands were sold to William Priester for $150 and $350. The land was in the neighborhood of Buford’s Bridge on Big Saltketcher from a plat made by John M. Allen; part of a larger tract where Martin J. Williams resides containing 200 acres.
In 1834 Martin resided in the Three Hole Savannah neighborhood on 300 acres adjacent to William Green Williams and James McMillan. In 20 Nov 1835 with his son Josiah Dickerson Williams, he sold more land to William Priester on Big Saltketcher.
The 1838 Equity Court Bundle 71 package 12 showed that Martin J. Williams was a son-in-law of William Kearse. His wife Sally was given two slaves, Mary and Lorra from her father’s estate in 1838. They were her property and not Martin's.
It is not known when Martin J. Williams became a Methodist Circuit Preacher but he evidently was frequently away and for long periods of time leaving his wife and children in the care of relatives. He and his brother Green Williams were religious men and poorly suited to be farmers. However they were separated by denominational differences. Green Williams became a Missionary Baptist minister while Martin became a Methodist Circuit Rider minister. Both eventually lost their inheritances from their father in law William Kearse. Green Williams removed from South Carolina to western Georgia while Martin's Methodist Circuit included eastern Georgia and western South Carolina.
The land that the Merchant Dickerson wanted to put a lien against did not belong to Martin Williams but to his infant son Josiah Dickerson Williams whom Wilson Williams, his grandfather ,had sold it to him 1 March 1829 for $900. Dickinson claimed that this land, long before 1829, was given by gift or payment and actually belonged to Martin J. Williams. " Josiah D. Williams was and still is an infant of tender years and the son of Martin J. Williams. " No money was ever paid to Wilson Williams and Dickerson claimed that Wilson’s deed to Josiah D. Williams was fraudulent. Martin J. Williams answered saying that the deed was good and the debt real and he wished to pay it. The land was partly sold to settle the debt but title was confirmed to Josiah D. Williams. On 17 October 1834 Judgment against Martin J. Williams and Josiah D. Williams’s and lands were sold to William Priester for $150 and $350. The land was in the neighborhood of Buford’s Bridge on Big Saltketcher from a plat made by John M. Allen; part of a larger tract where Martin J. Williams resides containing 200 acres.
In 1834 Martin resided in the Three Hole Savannah neighborhood on 300 acres adjacent to William Green Williams and James McMillan. In 20 Nov 1835 with his son Josiah Dickerson Williams, he sold more land to William Priester on Big Saltketcher.
The 1838 Equity Court Bundle 71 package 12 showed that Martin J. Williams was a son-in-law of William Kearse. His wife Sally was given two slaves, Mary and Lorra from her father’s estate in 1838. They were her property and not Martin's.
It is not known when Martin J. Williams became a Methodist Circuit Preacher but he evidently was frequently away and for long periods of time leaving his wife and children in the care of relatives. He and his brother Green Williams were religious men and poorly suited to be farmers. However they were separated by denominational differences. Green Williams became a Missionary Baptist minister while Martin became a Methodist Circuit Rider minister. Both eventually lost their inheritances from their father in law William Kearse. Green Williams removed from South Carolina to western Georgia while Martin's Methodist Circuit included eastern Georgia and western South Carolina.
Martin Williams nor his wife Sarah are listed in the 1840 Census of Barnwell District, South Carolina although the family would have been living in the Three Hole region unless they had temporarily moved out of state.
Rev. M.M. Brabham, in his often-quoted book, related that Martin Jones Williams died a mysterious death. His wife Sallie Kearse was tried in Barnwell District for the poisoning of her husband. Rev. Brabham stated not enough evident could be found to determine what had happened to Martin and she was acquitted. Evidently this bit of information was true.
In late 1843 the state of South Carolina tried Sarah Williams for the murder of her husband Martin Williams by poison. Judge Josiah J Evans presided over the trial. Edmund Bellinger, the prosecutor ordered Martin Williams' stomach removed from his body and it was taken by Dr. John Bignon to Augusta, Georgia for chemical analysis. Augusta was the closest town which had medical doctors capable of doing the examination. Bignon stayed a week assisting Doctors L.D. Ford and L.A. Dugas where the "work was done in the most scientific style" with "proof of poisoning complete." Arsenic was detected "while the "prosecution is idle." Dr. Dugas attended the trial as a witness testifying the "detection of arsenic in the dead man's stomach." His testimony was "most clear and satisfactory." However Sarah Williams was acquitted as that the "case turned on circumstantial evidence as the fact of poisoning by the prisoner." It may be that she was too well connected in the community to be hung for murder.
On 14 November 1843 the Citizens of Barnwell District filed a petition and supporting papers asking the state of South Carolina to award compensations to Doctors L.D. Ford and L.A. Dugas of Augusta, Georgia for examining the stomach of Martin J Williams to determine if he had been poisoned. They asked for $500 saying it was just and fair for their services. The petition stated that Martin J Williams was "murdered no doubt". and the names signed in the document were James J Aldrich, E Bellinger Jr., B.F. Brown, John S. Brown, J. G W. Duncan, Winchester Graham, James O Hagood, Joseph Harley, William Hay, J.M Hutson, J.J. Ryan, Wilson Sanders, M.F. Stansell, S.W. Trotti, N.G.W Walker, and V.J. Williamson.
A year later the inhabitants of Barnwell District sent another petition dated 19 November 1844 asking compensation be made to Dr. John E. Bignon for the chemical tests on the stomach of Martin J Williams "allegedly poisoned by his wife Sarah". The petition was 8 pages long. The names indexed in the petition were John Aaron, James Aldrich, Orsamus Allen, Edmund Bellinger, B.F Brown, J.C Buckingham, Winchester Graham, W. A. Hay; F. Miller, L O'Bannon, W.A. Owens, William H Rice, Wilson Sanders, S.W. Trotti, and V.J Williamson.
On 14 December 1844 a Committee of the Lunatic Asylum and Medical Accounts issued a 2 page report of the petition asking for compensation for Doctor Bignon who assisted in the chemical detection of arsenic in the case of the "alleged murder of Martin J. Williams. The content of the report has not been researched.
On 25 May1845 Martin Williams's estate paid $86.50 to the estate of Richard Creech Roberts through his agent A.P. Aldrich. There is no record of Martin Jones Williams after the 1854 settlement of his father's estate.
Rev. M.M. Brabham, in his often-quoted book, related that Martin Jones Williams died a mysterious death. His wife Sallie Kearse was tried in Barnwell District for the poisoning of her husband. Rev. Brabham stated not enough evident could be found to determine what had happened to Martin and she was acquitted. Evidently this bit of information was true.
In late 1843 the state of South Carolina tried Sarah Williams for the murder of her husband Martin Williams by poison. Judge Josiah J Evans presided over the trial. Edmund Bellinger, the prosecutor ordered Martin Williams' stomach removed from his body and it was taken by Dr. John Bignon to Augusta, Georgia for chemical analysis. Augusta was the closest town which had medical doctors capable of doing the examination. Bignon stayed a week assisting Doctors L.D. Ford and L.A. Dugas where the "work was done in the most scientific style" with "proof of poisoning complete." Arsenic was detected "while the "prosecution is idle." Dr. Dugas attended the trial as a witness testifying the "detection of arsenic in the dead man's stomach." His testimony was "most clear and satisfactory." However Sarah Williams was acquitted as that the "case turned on circumstantial evidence as the fact of poisoning by the prisoner." It may be that she was too well connected in the community to be hung for murder.
On 14 November 1843 the Citizens of Barnwell District filed a petition and supporting papers asking the state of South Carolina to award compensations to Doctors L.D. Ford and L.A. Dugas of Augusta, Georgia for examining the stomach of Martin J Williams to determine if he had been poisoned. They asked for $500 saying it was just and fair for their services. The petition stated that Martin J Williams was "murdered no doubt". and the names signed in the document were James J Aldrich, E Bellinger Jr., B.F. Brown, John S. Brown, J. G W. Duncan, Winchester Graham, James O Hagood, Joseph Harley, William Hay, J.M Hutson, J.J. Ryan, Wilson Sanders, M.F. Stansell, S.W. Trotti, N.G.W Walker, and V.J. Williamson.
A year later the inhabitants of Barnwell District sent another petition dated 19 November 1844 asking compensation be made to Dr. John E. Bignon for the chemical tests on the stomach of Martin J Williams "allegedly poisoned by his wife Sarah". The petition was 8 pages long. The names indexed in the petition were John Aaron, James Aldrich, Orsamus Allen, Edmund Bellinger, B.F Brown, J.C Buckingham, Winchester Graham, W. A. Hay; F. Miller, L O'Bannon, W.A. Owens, William H Rice, Wilson Sanders, S.W. Trotti, and V.J Williamson.
On 14 December 1844 a Committee of the Lunatic Asylum and Medical Accounts issued a 2 page report of the petition asking for compensation for Doctor Bignon who assisted in the chemical detection of arsenic in the case of the "alleged murder of Martin J. Williams. The content of the report has not been researched.
On 25 May1845 Martin Williams's estate paid $86.50 to the estate of Richard Creech Roberts through his agent A.P. Aldrich. There is no record of Martin Jones Williams after the 1854 settlement of his father's estate.
The 1850 census of Barnwell District taken on 29 July 1850 listed Martin J. Williams wife Sallie and his children. The Census listed Martin's family in Household # 308 with out any property. This suggests that the family had lost its land and slaves due to bad management of finances. The Census only listed Sarah Williams age 45 as head of household. Included in her household were her children, George [George Perry] age 11, Mary age 9, Sophronia age 8, Henrietta 6, Aldred [Aldrich] age 4, and Cornelius age 1.
A grown male named Allen Harter was also listed in her household. Allen Harter was the son of Abraham Harter. Allen Harter was born 1825 and died in 1866. He was listed as some twenty years younger than Sally Kearse Williams. The 1850 census indicates that any children born prior to George Perry Williams were either married or had died. The nearest neighbors to Martin Williams' family in 1850 were John Lyons age 56, Henry Mixon age 47, William Smith age 20, and Martin's half nephew William B Williams who resided in household 306.
Sarah Williams was cohabitating with other men after the death of Martin J. Williams as that Henrietta, Aldrich, and Cornelius were born after his death in 1843. Sarah's last known child Savannah was born in 1854 according to the 1860 census. Without the 1840 census there is no way of telling how many children may have been born between 1830 and 1840. The couple had at least 3 children before 1830. Who the father of Sarah's children were after Martin died is unclear but as she named one of her children Aldrich, therefore his father could have been J.J. Aldrich and the others fathered by Harter. The descendants of Abraham Harter's family became intertwine with the family of Martin J Williams and Preston L Williams, who was a descendant of Marmaduke Williams.
A grown male named Allen Harter was also listed in her household. Allen Harter was the son of Abraham Harter. Allen Harter was born 1825 and died in 1866. He was listed as some twenty years younger than Sally Kearse Williams. The 1850 census indicates that any children born prior to George Perry Williams were either married or had died. The nearest neighbors to Martin Williams' family in 1850 were John Lyons age 56, Henry Mixon age 47, William Smith age 20, and Martin's half nephew William B Williams who resided in household 306.
Sarah Williams was cohabitating with other men after the death of Martin J. Williams as that Henrietta, Aldrich, and Cornelius were born after his death in 1843. Sarah's last known child Savannah was born in 1854 according to the 1860 census. Without the 1840 census there is no way of telling how many children may have been born between 1830 and 1840. The couple had at least 3 children before 1830. Who the father of Sarah's children were after Martin died is unclear but as she named one of her children Aldrich, therefore his father could have been J.J. Aldrich and the others fathered by Harter. The descendants of Abraham Harter's family became intertwine with the family of Martin J Williams and Preston L Williams, who was a descendant of Marmaduke Williams.
On 20 Jan 1859 Sarah Williams bought 977 pounds of pork from the estate of Mary Myrick, widow of Eli Myrick. Why she would need so much meat is interesting. Sally Williams and Allen Harter are still living together in March 1859 when they, were mentioned in estate of John Platt as having doubtful accounts.
The 1860 U.S. Census of Barnwell District showed Sarah Williams still as the head of household or within the household of Allen Harter as the enumerated crossed out the name of Allen. The census was taken 21 July 1860 with Sarah Williams listed as 53 years old. Above her is listed Allen Harter age 40 years old who is listed as a farmer with $600 worth of real estate and $800 worth of personal property. The reason to believe that Allen Harter is listed as head of this Williams Household, is the inclusion of Andrew Harter age 60 who was Allen's uncle.
Also included in this household are all the children who was listed in 1850 except for daughter Mary Jane Williams. She was living with Allen's brother George Martin Harter who was also living with Teresa Ann Harvey. Both these women were not married to George M Harter but bore him many children. This was not the only unusual relationship as that Allen's sister Milly Harter was married to Preston L Williams who was also having offspring by Allen's sister Seleta Harter.
The other children of Martin and Sarah Kearse Williams included in the census was George Williams age 22, Sophrony age 20, Henry E Williams age 16, Aldred Williams age 14, Cornelius Williams age 12, and Savannah Williams age 6. The child Henry E Williams is certainly the same as Henrietta Williams age 6 in the 1850 census. What is peculiar is that in 1850 this child was identified as female but in 1860 the child was identified as male.
It would not be too speculative to accept that after Martin Williams murder that Sally Kearse Williams became the common law wife of Allen Harter. When the Civil War commenced, Allen Harter joined the Confederate Army and served until the Confederacy was defeated. He then he met a 23 year old woman named Melissa Padgett by whom he had a daughter named Minerva born 13 January 1865.
Sarah Kearse Williams probably died around this time. Allen Harter died in the fall of 1866 and his estate was probated until October 22, 1866. His widow then married Levi Padgett by 1870. His brother George M. Harter was appointed administrator and the estate was appraised by Preston L. Williams, Edward M. Cope, and Abraham Chasseareau. George M Harter was the son in law of Sally Kearse Williams.
Also included in this household are all the children who was listed in 1850 except for daughter Mary Jane Williams. She was living with Allen's brother George Martin Harter who was also living with Teresa Ann Harvey. Both these women were not married to George M Harter but bore him many children. This was not the only unusual relationship as that Allen's sister Milly Harter was married to Preston L Williams who was also having offspring by Allen's sister Seleta Harter.
The other children of Martin and Sarah Kearse Williams included in the census was George Williams age 22, Sophrony age 20, Henry E Williams age 16, Aldred Williams age 14, Cornelius Williams age 12, and Savannah Williams age 6. The child Henry E Williams is certainly the same as Henrietta Williams age 6 in the 1850 census. What is peculiar is that in 1850 this child was identified as female but in 1860 the child was identified as male.
It would not be too speculative to accept that after Martin Williams murder that Sally Kearse Williams became the common law wife of Allen Harter. When the Civil War commenced, Allen Harter joined the Confederate Army and served until the Confederacy was defeated. He then he met a 23 year old woman named Melissa Padgett by whom he had a daughter named Minerva born 13 January 1865.
Sarah Kearse Williams probably died around this time. Allen Harter died in the fall of 1866 and his estate was probated until October 22, 1866. His widow then married Levi Padgett by 1870. His brother George M. Harter was appointed administrator and the estate was appraised by Preston L. Williams, Edward M. Cope, and Abraham Chasseareau. George M Harter was the son in law of Sally Kearse Williams.
Preston L. Williams, son of Stephen Williams [1835- 1902] married Allen’s sister Milly J. Harter circa April 1851. Buyers from the estate included Daniel All, Martin Branch, Riley Cope, G.M. Harter, William Harter, Jacob Kinard, Milledge Lightsey, Miles Loadholt, Preston L. Williams and P.W. Williams. Interestingly Martin Williams' son Josiah Dickerson Williams agreed to be a suriety along with George M. Harter and Henry Mixon on November 21, 1866.
On 9 Feb 1869 Preston Williams sold land to M. J. Williams however Preston also had a brother named Martin Williams.
Martin Jones Williams and Sarah Kearse had probably at least six children and she had at least four more children after his death although she remained unmarried.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Josiah Dickerson Williams born 1828 and died 25 September 1894. He married married Susan Sanders Bassett the daughter of Thomas Bassett and Mahala Sanders. He married circa 1848 and had the following children, Rebecca Williams, Jeremiah W Williams, Josiah Joyce Williams husband of Hantie Knight, George Perry Williams, Mahala Ann Williams wife of John Virgil Dowling, Sallie Savannah Williams wife of Thomas Jackson Deer, and Sue Best Williams wife of Nathaniel B DeLoach.
B. Two unnamed children another son and a daughter who were born prior to the 1830 census.
B. Two unnamed children another son and a daughter who were born prior to the 1830 census.
C. George Perry Williams born 12 April 1838 died 8 Oct 1911 married circa 1866 Harriett S Priester daughter of George Priester and Rebecca Pulaski. She was born 1833 and died 23 Jan 1908. Their children were Martin Williams born 1868, Adam Duffie Williams 6 June 1874-1 June 1951 married 1st Mary Elizabeth Main and 2nd Clara Belle Beard and had children from both wives, Benjamin Franklin Williams 27 June 1876-18 Nov 1958 married Dalcelia Lorraine Roberts, and Sarai Williams born 1877.
D. Mary Jane Williams born 18 Sept 1840 died 10 May 1887. She cohabited with George Martin Harter the brother of Allen Harter and sons of Absolum Harter. George Martin Williams in the 1860 Census of Barnwell as living with two women by who he was having children. Mary Williams age 20 is listed with a 1 year old son George M Williams and others in the household was Teresa Harvey and her children Rebecca, William, Eleanor, and 6 month old Teresa. He continued to have children by both these women all whom went by their father's name Harter. Mary Jane Williams had nine children by George M. Harter. They were George M Williams 1859-1887, Harry Walton Harter Birth 1860 1921 married Rosa Pauline Faust, Sarah E Harter 1862-1937 wife of Virgil Wilson Manuel, Harriet "Hattie" Corine Harter 1865-1937 wife of Charles J Cadle, John Jasper Harter 1866-1899 married Savannah Bates Creech, Wyman Jones Harter 1871-1938 married 1st Addie Lou Ann Croft 2nd Rosa Wade 3rd Mrs. Angie Rebecca Owens Crumple, Eddie Frampton Harter 1878-1960 married brothers widow Savannah Bates Creech, Pinkey Mollie Harter 1881–1898, Joseph Perry Harter 1882-1961 married Harriet Eugenia Platts
E. Sophronia Williams born 1842 died after 1860
THESE CHILDREN WERE NOT CHILDREN OF MARTIN J WILLIAMS
THESE CHILDREN WERE NOT CHILDREN OF MARTIN J WILLIAMS
Henrietta Williams or Henry E Williams born 1844 died after 1860
Aldridge J Williams born 1846 married Frances Lyons the daughter of Edward Lyons and Milly All. He may have been named for J.J. Aldrich.
Allen Cornelius Williams born 21 March 1848 died 3 Aug 1927 Hickory Grove, Hampton, South Carolina. He married Harriett Simpson Cone 1839-1881 and 2nd wife was Mary Elizabeth Barnes 1862-1897. Children by his 1st wife were William Jones Williams 14 December 1872 - 21 June 1948 who married Susan C Platts, Wade Hampton Williams 16 Dec 1875-31 Oct 1941 who married Viola May Platts and John Allen Williams 27 Sept 1880- 28 Sept 1945 who married Verna Louise. Children by his 2nd wife were Harriett Cone Williams 18 Sept 1886-25 June 1981 who married Albert Roy Monroe, Thomas DeWitt Williams 17 April 1888-26 July 1960 who married 1st Olive Murray and 2nd Maude C Johns, Mary Ursula Williams 3Nov 1892-24 Sept 1982 who married Jasper Lee Weekley and Mamie Edna Williams 9 Jan 1897-24 Feb 1898. Interesting that he may have been named for Allen Harter.
Savannah Williams born 1853 died 4 October 1931 Edgefield County, South Carolina unmarried.
He was born 7 March 1804 in Barnwell District, South Carolina and died 12 July 1879 in Jenkins, Morris County, Texas at the age of 75 years. He married Harriett Kearse on 3 November 1825 at the age of 21 years. Harriett was the daughter of William Kearse and Flora Brabham. He was listed as an heir of Wilson Williams in 1854 and an heir of Elizabeth Kirkland on partition deed 1818. When he became a Baptist Preacher he left Barnwell District in 1838 and moved to Randolph County, Georgia. About ten years later he then moved to Troy, Alabama where he was living during the Civil War. After the Civil War he moved to east Texas with some of his married children. where he died. Half of his family stayed in Alabama and the other half went to Texas. The Kearse Family is written up extensively in Rev. M.M. Brabhams Mizpah: A Family Book. He had at least ten children all but William Rice and James Wilson leaving his posterity.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
Aldridge J Williams born 1846 married Frances Lyons the daughter of Edward Lyons and Milly All. He may have been named for J.J. Aldrich.
Allen Cornelius Williams born 21 March 1848 died 3 Aug 1927 Hickory Grove, Hampton, South Carolina. He married Harriett Simpson Cone 1839-1881 and 2nd wife was Mary Elizabeth Barnes 1862-1897. Children by his 1st wife were William Jones Williams 14 December 1872 - 21 June 1948 who married Susan C Platts, Wade Hampton Williams 16 Dec 1875-31 Oct 1941 who married Viola May Platts and John Allen Williams 27 Sept 1880- 28 Sept 1945 who married Verna Louise. Children by his 2nd wife were Harriett Cone Williams 18 Sept 1886-25 June 1981 who married Albert Roy Monroe, Thomas DeWitt Williams 17 April 1888-26 July 1960 who married 1st Olive Murray and 2nd Maude C Johns, Mary Ursula Williams 3Nov 1892-24 Sept 1982 who married Jasper Lee Weekley and Mamie Edna Williams 9 Jan 1897-24 Feb 1898. Interesting that he may have been named for Allen Harter.
Savannah Williams born 1853 died 4 October 1931 Edgefield County, South Carolina unmarried.
Rev. William Green Williams
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Mary Elizabeth Williams was born 1827 near Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died 1872 Titus County, Texas at the age of 45 years from complications from childbirth. She married John Allen West on 17 December1846 in Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia. He was born circa 1825 Jasper County, Georgia and died after 1880 in Kaufman County, Texas. The 1880 Census of Kaufman County shows that John West was living in Precinct 6 as a widower with a large family. Her children were Harriett Kearse West, John Allen West Jr. husband of Martha Daisy Smith, Miles Green West husband of Nancy A. Crocker and Barbara Ella Price, James Hartsfield West husband of Mary E. Crocker, Mary Amerine West wife of married Mr. Hines, W.C. Black, and A.W. Cunningham, David Franklin West husband of Mary E Kemp, Frances “Fannie” West husband of Samuel W Cole, Minnie West, Georgia Ann West, Mary “Mollie” C. West wife of Joseph Peter Jecker, Nancy West, and Evie West.
B. William Rice Williams was born 1830 in Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died September 7, 1845 in Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia age 15
C. Sarah Hanson Williams was born 4 August1832 in Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died 29 May 1900 in the Rural Home Community, Pike, Alabama at the age of 68 years. She is buried Chapel Hill Baptist Cemetery, Pike, Alabama. Hanson married Andrew Jackson “Jack” Mills the son of William and Eleanor Graham Mills. They were 30 October 1854 in Missouri Village, Pike, Alabama. He was born 1833 in Columbus, North Carolina and died 2 January 1863 at Murfreesboro, Rutherford, Tennessee during the Civil War as a soldier. Their children were John Allen Mills , Green Augustus “Gus” Mills husband of Edith F. A. Wise, James Robert Graves Mills husband of Mary Emma Rhodes. and Elizabeth “Lizabeth” A. Mills wife of George W. Moye.
D. Georgiana Williams was born 1834 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died 23 August1867 Lowndes County, Alabama at the age of 33 years. She married Dr. William L. Simmons 3 January 1856 at Troy, Pike, Alabama. After her death, Dr. Simmons married Mollie E. Kirbo and moved to Weatherford, Texas. She had two children before she died. They were George Joyce Simmons husband of Lennie Coleman and Elizabeth Perry Simmons wife of Winfield Scott.
E. James Wilson Williams was born 1837 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died 16 June 1862 at Oxford, Lafayette, Mississppi at the age of 25 years while serving in Alabama 18th Infantry Company H as a Private. He fought in the Battle of Shiloh.
E. James Wilson Williams was born 1837 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, South Carolina and died 16 June 1862 at Oxford, Lafayette, Mississppi at the age of 25 years while serving in Alabama 18th Infantry Company H as a Private. He fought in the Battle of Shiloh.
F. Elliot Winifred "Winnie" Williams was born 15 February 1840 in Cuthbert, Randolph County, Georgia and died 12 June 1911 in Jackson, Clarke, Alabama at the age of 71 years. She married James “Jim” A. Hawkins 29 December 1859 at Goshen, Pike, Alabama. He died in the Civil War. She then married James Jordan Prim 4 October 1866 Goshen, Pike, Alabama. Their children were Mary Etta Hawkins, William Green Hawkins husband of Josephine Browning, Eliza Ann “Annie” Elizabeth Prim wife of John Le Costa, Mattie Moyler Prim wife of Gerald “Watt” Walthall Creagh
G. Miles Williams was born 26 September 1842 in Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia and died 10 September 1924 Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama age 82 years. He is buried in Elam Cemetery, Goshen, Pike, Alabama. He married 11 January 1866 Nancy McLeod daughter Malcolm and Christian McLeod. She died 17 March 1922 Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama and is buried in Elam Cemetery, Goshen, Pike, Alabama. Their children were Hugh Williams husband of Mannie “Perry” Lee Moore, James Wilson “Jim” Williams husband of Laura Emily Jones, Mary “Ola” Williams wife of David Lee “Henry” Patterson, Sarah Christi “Sac” Williams wife of Joseph “Joe” Lee Rhodes, Fredonia “Effie Docie” Williams wife of Robert “Bob” Patterson, Willie Make Williams,
H. Lewis Crawford Williams was born 28 April 1845 in Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia and died 6 May 1906 in Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama. He was buried in Darian Baptist Church Cemetery. He Married 18 January 1866 Louisa J. Owens daughter of Evan Owens and Sophia Caffey. She was born 27 July 1844 and died 25 May 24, 1904. They were the parents of 10 children. They were George Lee Williams, Lewis Crawford “Dock” Williams Jr. husband of Leona Frances Carter, Ella E. Williams wife of Francis M. Golden, Evan “Green” Williams husband of Emma Jackson, Lula Jane Williams wife of James Zimri Thompson, Mary Etta Williams wife of W. Pink King, Bailey Griffin Williams, Georgia Ann Texas Williams wife of Columbus Davis, Sarah Winifred Williams, Calvin Kearse Williams husband of Oma R. Fowler.
H. Lewis Crawford Williams was born 28 April 1845 in Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia and died 6 May 1906 in Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama. He was buried in Darian Baptist Church Cemetery. He Married 18 January 1866 Louisa J. Owens daughter of Evan Owens and Sophia Caffey. She was born 27 July 1844 and died 25 May 24, 1904. They were the parents of 10 children. They were George Lee Williams, Lewis Crawford “Dock” Williams Jr. husband of Leona Frances Carter, Ella E. Williams wife of Francis M. Golden, Evan “Green” Williams husband of Emma Jackson, Lula Jane Williams wife of James Zimri Thompson, Mary Etta Williams wife of W. Pink King, Bailey Griffin Williams, Georgia Ann Texas Williams wife of Columbus Davis, Sarah Winifred Williams, Calvin Kearse Williams husband of Oma R. Fowler.
I. Rev. George Kearse "Babe" Williams was born 6 December 1847 Cuthbert, Randolph, Georgia and died 6 December 1941 in Hughes Springs, Cass, Texas. He was 94 years old on his birthday. Rev. G.K. Williams is buried in Block 3 Lot 9 with wife and son Leonard Fermon Williams and his daughter in law Vera. Babe Williams married Rebecca “Shelomith” Rushton August 1, 1867, Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama daughter of William and Rebecca Rushton. She was born September 13, 1845 Ramar, Montgomery, Alabama and died July 24, 1924 Hughes Springs, Cass, Texas. Their 12 children were Margaret “Maggie” Jane Williams wife of Thomas J. “Tommie” Williams, Elizabeth “Bettie” Victoria Williams wife of Thomas Cobb Glover, Sarah “Fannie” Williams wife of Charlie Collins, Edgar Lewis Williams husband of Rosa Lee Perser, George Myles Williams husband of Nora Estelle Nelson, Hattie Kearse Williams wife of Riley Frederick Smith, Mattie Eva Rushton “Rus” Williams wife of Rufus “Ruf” Lafayette Fite, Mary Ellen Williams wife of William Bedford “Cap” Harris, Katy Belle Williams wife of William L. Parker, Lula May Williams wife of Leonard Weldon “Bud” Neville and Leonard Ferman Williams husband of Vera Reeder.
J. Martha "Mattie" Riley Williams was born August 4, 1851 Pike County, Alabama and died May 4, 1938 Bryan Mills, Cass, Texas. at the age of 87. She married December 3, 1868 in Vidette, Crenshaw, Alabama, Rev. John Smith, a Missionary Baptist Minister. He was the son of Henry George Smith and Susan Ledlow. He was born August 1838 in Georgia and died 5 February 1916 in Cass County, Texas. He is buried in Queen City, Cass, Texas. Their children were James A Smith Jr., William Lee Smith husband of Fanny Lee Humphrey , George Kearse Smith husband of Cora L Watson, Lou “Ella” Smith wife of Robert E Lee Humphrey and William Haskell Kelley, Pinkney “Pink” Bandy Smith husband of Lee Julia Gibson, Charley Homer Smith husband of Mary Francis Byrd, Sally Smith, Alice Smith wife of Colonel Levi Spivey Biddy, Hardy Lee Smith, John Arnold “Johnie” Smith husband of Dessa Green, Josephine “Josie” Smith, and Matthew Smith husband of Johnie Foster .
Martha (Patsy) Williams
She was born circa 1806 and died before 1835. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Kirkland and was listed as an heir of George Kirkland in a partition deed dated 1818 but not listed as an heir of Wilson in 1854. She died with no children.
Frances (Fanny) Williams
She was born circa 1808 and also died before 1834. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Kirkland and listed as an heir of George Kirkland in a partition deed dated 1818 but not listed as an heir in 1854. She died with no children.
Winifred Riley Williams Best
She was born 6 Nov 1809 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell District, South Carolina and died after 1882 Barnwell County, South Carolina. Winnifred was an heir of Elizabeth Kirkland according to a partition deed dated 1818 as well as an heir of Wilson Williams in 1854. She married 1834 Absalom Blanchard Best, born Apr. 7, 1811 and died June 28, 1850 at the age of 40. He was the son of Benajah Best. He’s written up in "Allendale On the Savannah". On July 6, 1822 he purchased from William Jones an African American woman named Abigail for $450. On December 31, 1833 AB Best sold a 2 yr old African American girl named Sally to his brother-in-law Richard Creech Roberts for the upkeep his sister Mary Best who was mentally retarded.
At the 1836 estate sale of Wilson Williams, A.B. Best bought Daniel, an African American slave for $925. AB Best received in right of his wife $400 which was her share of her father’s estate. In 1841 he became the guardian of the minor children of Richard Creech Roberts.
By 1849 he was a member of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church where he was buried. He died in the prime of his life and was the second person interred in the new cemetery of the Old Swallow Savannah Church. John W Allen, a son in-law, was appointed administrator of his estate on February 4, 1851. In another documentation Mrs. Winifred R. Best was named as "widow."
In the Household #1827 of the 1850 census of Barnwell District Winifred Best is listed with her four sons: Benajah Best, William Best, Wilson Best and Lawrence Best. In the 1880 Census Winifred Best was listed as age 69 and was living with the family of her son Benjamin B. Best.
Winnifred lived to be old and furnished much of the history of the old original church that is in the book. "Previous to that time (1847) many facts were gathered from Mrs. Winifred Riley Best and Charles H. Colding Sr, the first born Nov. 6, 1809, the latter 1799, about the history of the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church." (Source: "The History of Swallow Savannah Church, Methodist Episcopal South", By John W. Ogilvie, May 4, 1882.) She was listed as a member on 29 Jan 1882 of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church. While her husband is buried at Swallow Savannah Cemetery in Allendale, South Carolina, where she is buried is unknown
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Mary Elizabeth Best was born 4 October 1832 and died May 22, 1905. She is buried with her husband at the Allen Family Cemetery. She married John Wesley Allen who was born 11 February 1811 and died 24 May 1886 Virginia Catalano stated " in our family Bible my gg grandparents are mentioned by name of Absalom and Winifred Best. Their daughter Mary Elizabeth Best married John Wesley Allen, my great grandparents." In the 1850 Census for the Barnwell District for household #1825 is listed Wesley Allen agee 40, Mary age 18, and James age 2. In the 1860 Census, of Barnwell, J.W. Allen is listed with his wife, M.E., and five children. In the 1870 SC Census for Allendale TWP, Barnwell Co. JOHN W. ALLEN is listed with his wife and nine children.
B. Benjamin Blanchard Best Sr. was born September 1832 and died in October 1908. He is buried at Swallow Savannah Methodist Church Cemetery. He married in 1861 Susan Harley. Their children were Winifred Best wife of Mr. Shuman, Susan Cornelia Best wife of Wade Hampton Brabham, S.Elizabeth Best married Mr. Priester, Benjamin Blanchard Best Jr, husband of Carrie E, Ora S Best wife of James Wyatt Priester, William R Best, Willie Orr Best.
C. Andrew Best was Born 1839 and died _____? Buried at Swallow Savannah United Methodist Church Cemetery.
D. William Capers Best ....was Born Mar 18, 1841 and died Feb 1913. Buried at Mizpah United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bamberg Co., South Carolina. Married on Jul 1, 1865, Jane Rebecca Kirkland. .
E. Wilson Williams Best ...was Born about 1844 and died after 1884. He married his 1st cousin Susan W. Mixon the daughter of Edward Miles Mixon and Sarah C. Best. Children were Susan Best, son M.A. Best, M.J. Best, and Callie Best
F. Lawrence Capers Best ..was Born Jul 24, 1845 and died Feb 23, 1885. Buried at Swallow Savannah Cemetery. He married Nov 10, 1868, Julia Indiana McAvoy. Children were Son L.W. age 9, Son R.A. , Daughter M.J. , and Daughter CALLIE age 2.
G. Absalom Blanchard Best Jr. born September 15, 1850 died January 30, 1904. He married January 1873 in Fairfax to Mary Rebecca Allen born 1851. He was the father of U. I. Best, Wade Hampton Best, and Absalom Blanchard Best III.
Elliot Williams Brabham
She was born 11 September 1817 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell District, South Carolina . She died 10 July 1900 Barnwell District, South Carolina at the age of 82 years.
She married James Miles Brabham Dec 1835 son of Joseph Brabham Jr. and Sallie Kirkland. He was born 7 Sept 1810 and died 16 May 1895.
They were old fashion, hard working people with a plantation and slaves however they had no children. After her husbands death Elliott lived with H.J. Brabham’s family in Bamberg until her death.
They were active Methodists with James Miles being called the Bishop of Bamberg Circuit. He joined the Methodist Church on1 January 1828 at the age of 18 and was a steward in his church for more than fifty years. In 1895 he gave land in perpetuity for the Mizpah Church. Both are buried at Mizpah Methodist Church cemetery and had no children.
The cemetery at Mizpah Methodist Church is located in present day Bamberg County. It is the only building left from the old town of Buford's Bridge. The current church building dates from about 1851. The church and cemetery are located just of Hwy #301 less about a mile north of the Salkehatchie River.
In 2003 an article of the Charleston Post and Courier the entitled 'Labor of Love' described how the Mizpah Church is being preserved. Descendants of founders strive to preserve historic Mizpah Church by Bo Petersen Of The Post and Courier Staff ULMER--The church is so old the red clay mortar that caulked it no longer can be found. Its congregation is so tiny it fits on one of the hand-hewn wood pews. Sherman's troops burned the town for which it was built to the ground. All except for Mizpah Church. The heart-pine church is one of the last of its time, an antebellum rural family worship hall still preached in by a "circuit rider" minister one Sunday in every four, a practice that dates back to the wilderness Colonial days. Stiltz made his career circuit-riding -- moving church to church among smaller congregations each week -- so he was comfortable coming out of retirement to divide Sundays among four tiny churches in the region. Circuit preaching remains customary among the smaller Methodist churches in the state, those that have fewer than 200 members, said James McGee, conference district building board chairman. Still, the size of these four churches is unusual. They have maybe 75 members total, Sojourner said. Mizpah has the smallest congregation among them. Antique lanterns hang outside the windows behind the pulpit. The rumpled old window glass casts burnished sunlight in the sanctuary. Iron crosses of honor rise from the tombs of Confederate veterans in the church cemetery. One of the Brabhams buried there signed the state's Order of Secession. Around it was once the town of Buford's Bridge -- post office, boarding house, shoe shop, tailor shop and Masonic hall. It is now woods.
"In the wintertime sometimes you can see where the foundations of some of these things were," Sojourner said. Each year for generations, extended members of the five families have held a reunion at Mizpah that draws as many as 300 people from across the country. By the 1990s, the century-and-a-half old floor beneath them was rotting away. There already had been talk of what would become of the church when it lost the last of its members. The reunion families decided to try to save it. They raised more than half a million dollars with contributions and the trustees' sale of lumber from 400 acres deeded to the church in 1900 by James M. Brabham. They volunteered labor and expertise. Led by grounds committee chairman Clyde Kearse, they restored the 19th century sanctuary down to the old hand-cut nails. They preserved it so authentically that on the backs of the pews in the rear of the sanctuary are scrawled signatures and dates apparently penciled more than a century ago by mischievous children. "Sweetpea O'Neal, June 25th 1881," reads the flowing script of one. In 2000, the restored church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sojourner has attended the reunion all his life. His grandmother carried him when he was younger. He carried his children when they were young enough to stand on the pews. When there was nobody left to fill a vacancy on the church board of trustees, he was asked to step in because he is a Brabham, and because he is an active conference member, a board member of its Methodist Home in Orangeburg. When they needed cypress to replace the balustrades around the pulpit, they razed an old barn on the Sojourners' family farm in Demark and pulled the beams. "We don't want to see the church fall by the wayside. It's still of such value, family value," Sojourner said. "We're preserving history with family because we couldn't preserve it without families," said Kearse, who is now the trustee board chairman. "It's a labor of love."
They were old fashion, hard working people with a plantation and slaves however they had no children. After her husbands death Elliott lived with H.J. Brabham’s family in Bamberg until her death.
They were active Methodists with James Miles being called the Bishop of Bamberg Circuit. He joined the Methodist Church on1 January 1828 at the age of 18 and was a steward in his church for more than fifty years. In 1895 he gave land in perpetuity for the Mizpah Church. Both are buried at Mizpah Methodist Church cemetery and had no children.
The cemetery at Mizpah Methodist Church is located in present day Bamberg County. It is the only building left from the old town of Buford's Bridge. The current church building dates from about 1851. The church and cemetery are located just of Hwy #301 less about a mile north of the Salkehatchie River.
In 2003 an article of the Charleston Post and Courier the entitled 'Labor of Love' described how the Mizpah Church is being preserved. Descendants of founders strive to preserve historic Mizpah Church by Bo Petersen Of The Post and Courier Staff ULMER--The church is so old the red clay mortar that caulked it no longer can be found. Its congregation is so tiny it fits on one of the hand-hewn wood pews. Sherman's troops burned the town for which it was built to the ground. All except for Mizpah Church. The heart-pine church is one of the last of its time, an antebellum rural family worship hall still preached in by a "circuit rider" minister one Sunday in every four, a practice that dates back to the wilderness Colonial days. Stiltz made his career circuit-riding -- moving church to church among smaller congregations each week -- so he was comfortable coming out of retirement to divide Sundays among four tiny churches in the region. Circuit preaching remains customary among the smaller Methodist churches in the state, those that have fewer than 200 members, said James McGee, conference district building board chairman. Still, the size of these four churches is unusual. They have maybe 75 members total, Sojourner said. Mizpah has the smallest congregation among them. Antique lanterns hang outside the windows behind the pulpit. The rumpled old window glass casts burnished sunlight in the sanctuary. Iron crosses of honor rise from the tombs of Confederate veterans in the church cemetery. One of the Brabhams buried there signed the state's Order of Secession. Around it was once the town of Buford's Bridge -- post office, boarding house, shoe shop, tailor shop and Masonic hall. It is now woods.
"In the wintertime sometimes you can see where the foundations of some of these things were," Sojourner said. Each year for generations, extended members of the five families have held a reunion at Mizpah that draws as many as 300 people from across the country. By the 1990s, the century-and-a-half old floor beneath them was rotting away. There already had been talk of what would become of the church when it lost the last of its members. The reunion families decided to try to save it. They raised more than half a million dollars with contributions and the trustees' sale of lumber from 400 acres deeded to the church in 1900 by James M. Brabham. They volunteered labor and expertise. Led by grounds committee chairman Clyde Kearse, they restored the 19th century sanctuary down to the old hand-cut nails. They preserved it so authentically that on the backs of the pews in the rear of the sanctuary are scrawled signatures and dates apparently penciled more than a century ago by mischievous children. "Sweetpea O'Neal, June 25th 1881," reads the flowing script of one. In 2000, the restored church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sojourner has attended the reunion all his life. His grandmother carried him when he was younger. He carried his children when they were young enough to stand on the pews. When there was nobody left to fill a vacancy on the church board of trustees, he was asked to step in because he is a Brabham, and because he is an active conference member, a board member of its Methodist Home in Orangeburg. When they needed cypress to replace the balustrades around the pulpit, they razed an old barn on the Sojourners' family farm in Demark and pulled the beams. "We don't want to see the church fall by the wayside. It's still of such value, family value," Sojourner said. "We're preserving history with family because we couldn't preserve it without families," said Kearse, who is now the trustee board chairman. "It's a labor of love."
Elizabeth Hanson Williams
She was born 8 November 1820 in Swallow Savannah, Barnwell District, South Carolina and died October 18, 1899 in Allendale, Barnwell District, South Carolina.
She married 1841 Dr. John Harley son of Jackson Harley and Nancy Wright He was born October 20, 1809, and died June 23, 1881. John Harley graduated from Medical College of South Carolina in 1837. He wrote his medical thesis on dyspepsia. His practice was for the most part in and around Seigling, South Carolina, which is presently in Allendale County, but was in Barnwell District at the time. In 1841 Dr. John Harley was administrator of estate of Hezekiah Frazier. In 1854 he bought from estate of brother-in-law a Jackass for $126. He witnessed the will of Charles Boyles 4 May 1863.
At one point Dr. Harley owned more than 800 acres of land in Barnwell. Following the Civil War the Harley fortunes were considerably diminished. One of their sons, John, died in the war.
The Harley family worshipped at Mt. Arnon Baptist Church where many of them are buried. This church is still in existence.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
At one point Dr. Harley owned more than 800 acres of land in Barnwell. Following the Civil War the Harley fortunes were considerably diminished. One of their sons, John, died in the war.
The Harley family worshipped at Mt. Arnon Baptist Church where many of them are buried. This church is still in existence.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. John E. Harley b. 1842-1843, Barnwell City, South Carolina; d. June 25, 1864, Virginia. He died in Civil War as Pvt. John Harley, 1st Co. I and 2nd Co. C, 1st (Hagood's) SC Infantry. Age 18, Barnwell District, SC, enlisted in Captain J.J. Brabham's Co., 1st SCV subsequently Co. I) at Cole Island, SC, on 1 September 1861. He was wounded at second Manassas on 30 August 1862 and killed at Hanover Junction, VA. on 25 June 1864.
B. Anna Hayes Harley b. 1847. She married Joseph Thomas
C. Robert Rhett Harley born 25 Dec 1848 died 25 Aug 1895 married his second cousin Rebecca Barker daughter of James Barker and Elizabeth Harley. He married 2nd Mary Elizabeth Newman. He was married a 3rd time to another 2nd cousin Henrietta Hazeltine Harley on November 20, 1884. She was the daughter of James Harley and Susan Harley. He was a Civil War Soldier. He was the father of Ida Harley 1874-1954, Jack Roberts Harley born 1876 He married Ella Oglesby, Percy Harley born 1878, Mattie Harley 1880-1963, wife of Ernest George Strauss September 28, 1904 in Augusta, Georgia, son of George Strauss and Evaline Johnson
D. Isabella B. Harley born 1853.
E. Lawrence E. Harley born 1855
F. William T. Harley born 1857 married Kate Snider
G. Joseph Lawrence Harley born May 7, 1861 died April 19, 1920 married his cousin Columbia Harley and later Mary Alice Boyd
Wilson Roberts Williams
He was born 20 September 1822 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell, District, South Carolina and died 20 August 1847 wounded at the Battle of Churubusco, in Mexico at the age of 24.
President James K. Polk called for volunteers for the Mexican–American War and soon in 1846 South Carolina's "Palmetto Regiment" was formed. The regiment provided 10 companies of men, from both US Regular Army and Volunteers. Wilson Roberts Williams enlisted in Company K Hammond's Guard, of the Palmetto Regiment. His eulogy stated he was "-- a youth blest with the kindest and most generous nature. He had borne himself gallantly through the fight, and near its close, almost at the very last moment, he received a ball in his forehead, just above the eye, and he fell speechless to the earth, though life did not become extinct for several hours."
President James K. Polk called for volunteers for the Mexican–American War and soon in 1846 South Carolina's "Palmetto Regiment" was formed. The regiment provided 10 companies of men, from both US Regular Army and Volunteers. Wilson Roberts Williams enlisted in Company K Hammond's Guard, of the Palmetto Regiment. His eulogy stated he was "-- a youth blest with the kindest and most generous nature. He had borne himself gallantly through the fight, and near its close, almost at the very last moment, he received a ball in his forehead, just above the eye, and he fell speechless to the earth, though life did not become extinct for several hours."
The article below was transcribed from the 29 March 1848 Issue of "The Southern Baptist", copy courtesy of Jennings Rountree, Elko, South Carolina. June 5, 1998, and submitted for the Allendale web page by Robert Strauss, of Woodlands, Texas.
Eulogy of Col. S. W. Trotti, on Lieut. R. W. Williams
Many years have passed away since the citizens of South Carolina poured out heir 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 --
"The son, whom, on his native shore,
The parent's voice shall bless no more."
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 muniments 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 fill 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 the War of 1812, she sent down company after company to the board, burning with ardor to meet the threatening Briton; and I can point to individuals with the District who helped to silence the Indian yell at the Horse Shoe, or who, from the blazing lights of New Orleans, looked on the shattered columns of the foe. Fresh in the recollections of you all is that gallant corps of more than a hundred young men, which twelve years ago you sent down into the hammocks of Florida and some of which pierced by rifle balls, sleep their last sleep by the sluggish waters of the St. John's. And, at the mention of the Mexican war, and the mournful fate of the Hammond Guards what heart is not melted to sorrow. Noble was the contribution of Barnwell to that brave Palmetto Regiment whose daring deeds have reflected honor and glory on the State.
It is now but little more than twelve months since a call was made on South Carolina by the General Government for a regiment to be marched immediately into Mexico. You all remember the enthusiasm that prevailed throughout the State, and the eagerness of the different corps that were raised to have a place in the regiment. The Hammond Guards were soon organized and reported, and directed forthwith to join the regiment at Charleston. You saw them commence their march from that village green -- you heard the tap of their drum -- you witnessed their manly bearing, and in the ranks of that gallant corps, in the youngest of its commissioned officers, you saw the grandson of Britton Williams, the victim of Wiggin's Hill. Territory more than a thousand miles south of the spot where his martyred ancestor laid down his life has become American soil; over that soil the flag of an enemy has waved and the brave Lieut. Williams is pressing forward to meet the enemy who has ventured to pollute the soil of his country with his hostile step.
In the dead of winter, the regiment set out for Mexico. It is unnecessary that I should detail the trials and privations to which they were exposed at that inclement season. After a fatiguing route by land and water, the regiment arrives and is landed at the small island of Lobos; and from this bleak and desolate spot they behold the lofty mountains of Mexico, with their snow covered peaks glittering in the sun. The few weeks spent at Lobos were spent in constant preparation. The regiment were aware of their destination. They were to constitute a part of the force destined for the attack on Vera Cruz, a strongly built city, the key to Mexico, and defended by a fortress, the third most powerful in the world. Formidable preparations are made for the attack. Large reinforcements arrive, and all things being ready, the ships set sail. All Mexico is aware that a powerful armament is approaching, and our troops anticipate a desperate resistance. The fleet anchors at Vera Cruz -- the boats are launched -- the signal is given; and before the enemy's guns the soldiers ardently press for the shore -- eager, and more eager as they near the land, until many leap into the surf, their anxiety to be the first to plant their feet on the enemy's soil. South Carolina blood flows in the attack, and flowed as freely as any. But contrary to all expectations, by the most wonderful to all expectations, by the most wonderful achievements of military science, the city and its strong fortress were forced to surrender with comparatively small loss on the part of the Americans. The troops, however, throughout the siege had to encounter the severest privations and exposure; and none encountered them with more cheerfulness than the brave Palmettos.
It was at Vera Cruz that disease first commenced the work of death in the ranks of our devoted regiment. Some of the most robust sunk beneath the privations and fatigues they had to encounter, and the influences of a climate fatal to human life. The Hammond Guards, in common with the whole regiment, suffered greatly and each day some funeral train, followed to the grave a departed comrade. It was at this time that the gallant officers of the Palmetto Regiment, like the Knights Templars, became the nurses of the sick, and, as far as the stern mandates of duty would permit, watched over the sick and brave men who had been committed to their charge -- none more forward in the performance of this grateful duty than Lieut. Williams. The milk of human kindness flowed as abundantly around his heart as it ever flowed in the heart of youth or manhood, and the few small comforts he could obtain were freely bestowed on his sick and feeble comrades; and by the pale and haggard features of the dying did lie watch, with a brother's anxiety, the ebbing tide of life. In the midst of scenes so solemn and so well calculated to awaken all the bitter emotions of the heart, might not some bright angel, invoked from heaven by a pious and widowed mother's prayers, have been whispering to her soldier boy, cheering him on in his kind offices of love and mercy, and preparing his noble spirit for a communion with its God.
Having well secured and garrisoned Vera Cruz, orders were issued by the commander-in-chief for the army to advance in the direction of the city of Mexico. That portion of the army which was so fortunate as to have been ordered in advance gained the brilliant victory of Cerro Gordo. The Brigade to which the Palmettos were attached was not ordered in the advance, having been employed on the disastrous march to Alvarade. It was generally believed after the battle of Cerro Gordo that Gen. Scott would continue in the mountains to recruit the health of his troops, which had suffered greatly on the sultry sea-coast, and that he would not proceed further until he had received large reinforcements. While all were anxiously awaiting the course of events, we learn to our surprise that he has descended into the valley of Mexico with only nine thousand men and pitched his camp before the gorgeous palaces of the Montezumas. There stands the mighty city which has filled the world with the fame of its wealth and splendor -- the capital of a nation of ten millions of people, surrounded by forts and defended by an army of between thirty and forty thousand of their best troops. Tremendous are the odds and advantages against which our little army stood opposed. But nothing can damp the ardor of our troops -- their determination to conquer or die. The enemy were soon encountered and the field of Contreras bore glorious testimony to the valor of our soldiers. That night, Gen. Shields's Brigade, to which the Palmettoes were attached, were ordered to rest on their arms till the light of day -- a day that is destined to live in history forever. With what mournful pride can we contemplate our countrymen on that dismal night, which worn with fatigue and drenched with rain, they waited on their arms until the light of morning would enable them to confront the foe.
"Lightly they rose that dawning day,
From their cold couch of swamp and clay,
To fill, before the sun was up,
The bed that morning cannot know."
At an early hour the entrenchments at Contreras, which had not been taken out the evening previous, were gallantly carried in a few minutes, and our brave army pushed forward to the village of Churabusco, which was destined in a few hours to witness the great battle of the age. At this point, all the forces of the enemy were gathering and as the gallant Shields saw the storm of battle approaching his glancing eye rested on his brave Palmettoes. He knew they would not falter. The work of death has commenced; the conflict has become general; and the Palmetto flag waves over the thickest of the fight. Volley after volley of musketry rolled over the ensanguined field, and far as the eye can reach are seen the glittering columns of the foe.
"But on the Palmettoes heart were lost,
The terrors of the gathering host.
For not an eye the storm that viewed,
Changed its proud glance of fortitude,
As dropped the dying and the dead."
Loud amidst the din of battle is heard the voice of the heroic Shields, "Who will follow me?" "Every South Carolinian here, General" replied the noble Butler, 'will follow you to the death." And against the iron ball of death the Palmettoes dashed to the charge. Fast and thick their comrades fall, but onward they swept their fiery way,
"And on the wounded and the slain,
Closed their diminished files again."
They too can no longer bear up against the impetuous charge. They reel -- falter -- retreat; and loud upon their scattered squadrons are heard the Palmettoes' shout of victory. But
"Period of honor, as of woes,
What bright careers twas thine to close."
On the field of carnage and of fame, where the heroic Butler and so many honored Carolinians fell to rise no more, on that field -- struggling with the agonies of death, his face covered with blood, his sword grasped in his hand -- lay the brave Lieutenant Williams, the youngest officer of the Hammond Guards, -- a youth blest with the kindest and most generous nature. He had borne himself gallantly through the fight, and near its close, almost at the very last moment, he received a ball in his forehead, just above the eye, and he fell speechless to the earth, though life did not become extinct for several hours. Could the thoughts of the noble youth, as he lay on his last battlefield, leave found utterance, poetry has described what might have been the passing scene between the dying soldier and the iron-nerved leader of his gallant corps:
"Oh my noble Captain, tell me,
Ere I am borne a corpse away,
Have I done a soldier's duty,
On this great and glorious day?
Tell a dying soldier truly,
For my life is fleeting fast,
Have I done a soldier's duty,
Can they aught my memory blast?
Ah, brave boy, replied the Captain,
Thou a soldier's art has done,
I revere they wounds with sorrow,
Wounds by which our glory's won."
What was passing in the mind of the gallant soldier in his last moments we are not permitted to know. But, as his failing vision caught the tattered folds of his Palmetto flag, might not his thoughts have been turned to his distant home, and to his beloved and widowed mother, who, with all the blessings of a mother's love, had committed her darling boy to the fortunes of that brave banner, or to the period, when, a child upon his father's knee, he listened to the story of the sorrows and sufferings of the victim of Wiggin's Hill, and fancied now that he saw his martyred ancestor beckoning his warrior spirit from the field of strife up to the bright realms of bliss? But the pulsations of life are growing fainter; the spirit of Lieut. Williams is passing away -- it is gone.
"Gone like a sunbeam to its native skies."
This is not the time for me to trace the brave Palmettoes through all the brilliant victories which followed in rapid succession the battle of Churubusco, and which resulted in planting the stars and stripes triumphantly over the palaces of the Montezuma's. It is sufficient that they have won for themselves glory as imperishable as the gratitude of their country and that the State is proud of them all
The conquest of the city of Mexico has given repose to our arms, at least for a time; and, in accordance with the heartfelt wishes of all, such of the bodies of the gallant dead as could be obtained have been brought home for internment. The remains of Lieut. Williams have been borne over many miles of land and ocean. To be deposited in the soil of his fathers; and, for the performance of this mournful duty we are now assembled; and it is no ordinary consolation to see that the gallant leader of his corps, who saw him fall on the distant battlefield; and others who where his companions in the camp and the fight, have been permitted to be with us, and to participate in the funeral honors to the departed comrade. Wile, with a bursting heart we think of the dead, it is with emotions that we cannot now express that we grasp the hand of the living.
This solemn occasion is full of interest and instruction. And my brothers of the Squires and Compass have deemed it suitable and proper that some effort should be made, however feeble, to give utterance to the emotions that must fill the bosoms of us all. I feel how incompetent I have been to the task that has been assigned me. No human being, however gifted, could be so eloquent as the occasion itself, and I have felt, as I have heard my own voice falling on this assembly that it was almost an intrusion on thoughts too sacred to be disturbed. This is no time for the living to address you. That dead soldier boy is speaking. He is holding communion with your thoughts; and, long after my poor voice is stilled in death and your now animated forms are now mouldering among these sheeted dead, his noble example of patriotism and valor will be speaking to your children's children through the burning page of history, from the sculptured marble, and animating them to deeds of glory and renown.
Comrades of the Square on this little knoll, where the loved forefathers of the hamlet sleep, we will bury our brother mason. Hallowed is the sport that we have selected for him. Sacred is the ground on which we stand. Many are the tears that have been shed in this quiet church yard; and as time runs its course, death will still bring here its victims and their mourners. On this spot, then consecrated by the tears and affections of a whole community, we bury the widow's son, we bury the soldier, we bury all that can die of the brave Lieut. Williams.
"Sacred be the hero's sleep
Till time shall cease to run;
An, ne'ev beside his noble grave,
May any pass and fail to crave,
A blessing on the fallen brave."
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| Lawrence Williams Civil War |
He was born 28 September 1825 at Swallow Savannah in Barnwell District, South Carolina. He died 4 January 1900 Barnwell District, South Carolina at the age of 74 years and is buried in the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church Cemetery in Allendale. He was only about 10 years old when his father died and barely knew his half siblings, except for perhaps Winifred Riley. His half brother William Green Williams was grown and married when Lawrence was born and had moved away when Lawrence was about 13 years old.
Lawrence was the youngest surviving son of Wilson Williams and the only surviving son of his wife, Esther Roberts Williams. When Wilson died in December 1835, his personal estate was sold for division among his legatees. It is not clear about the home place in the records or his other real estate. The records do not show how much acreage Lawrence inherited from his father from the estate settled in 1854, but in cash he received $334.19 In
Lawrence married Eleanor "Ellen" Lydia Thurston by 1849 when the 1850 census taken 1 August show they had a 9 month old baby. Ellen was born 20 Sept 1826 and died 19 June 1898 at the age of 71. She was the daughter of Seth Thurston and Lydia Kirkland who was the daughter of Reuben Kirkland Sr. Wilson's wife Elizabeth Kirkland was first cousin to Lydia Kirkland who was Lawrence's mother in law.
Lawrence was one of the first citizens of the town of Allendale. The old community in Allendale township was called Buddenville at one time with the Post Office address of Allendale in Census Records. Much of the town of Allendale was located on his widowed mother's inherited estates. Lawrence contributed a great deal to the development of the present town of Allendale, and he was part of its first government. He was on a committee of three to legally organize and establish the town. He gave 50 acres in 1872 for the town and laid out the street plans in the deed record. Lawrence Williams is in the deed records of Barnwell County as selling many lots within the town limits which made him a wealthy man. He even set up his three son in business in Allendale.
It's easy to see that Esther's favorite child was James Lawrence and as a doting mother spoiled him. She gave James Lawrence 20 shares of stock in the Port Royal Railroad, which were later worthless.
On 27 October 1878 Lawrence Williams was listed as a member of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church and on 24 April 1881 he paid $12.15 for a cemetery fence for the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church cemetery. On 10 Nov 1887 he was on the building Committee of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church and he gave the land for the Swallow Savannah Methodist Church in 1890 however this wooden building was destroyed by fire in 1942.
In Lawrence Williams' will he seemed unfair in the bequests of his earthly possessions. There were 6 deeds in the estate papers, also surveyors' fees, which indicate the property division was for six legatees. The total of his property sale was $3,637.82.
There is a large, imposing marble monument to James Lawrence Williams and Ellen Lydia Williams in the Williams plot that is enclosed with a wrought iron grillwork fence in Swallow Savannah Cemetery. His estate paper stated that he paid $60.00 for the marker.
Lawrence deeded his home place to his son, Paul Allen Williams. Paul's spinster daughter, Lena Williams, lived there until her death in 1963. The house stood empty after that and all out buildings are gone. Vandals left the place in sad repair. It sits on an overgrown lot in the center of what was Allendale's nicest residential area, "like a haunting specter of another time." The home was one of Barnwell County's historical landmarks that should have been restored and preserved. "It can't last the ravages of time in its present deteriorating condition, even though the hand-hewn logs and pegged construction is still very solid." Vagrants made use of the old building, and "it will surely be lost by fire, if not age." This property is currently owned by Mrs. Richard Moorer of Reevesville, SC. and her brother, Dr, Herbert Smoak, of Orangeburg, SC., great grandchildren of James Lawrence Williams.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Wilson "Wilse" Roberts Williams born October 1849 died 5 September 1902 at the age of 52. He was named for an uncle killed in the Mexican American War and was called “Wilse. He married Mary Anna Brabham the daughter of Robert Cornelius Brabham and Mary Rebecca McMillan. Wilson lived all his life in Allendale and worked in the family saw mill. He received an equal share of father James Lawrence Williams' estate but not much from special bequests in the will--just a gold watch that was already in his possession. He is recorded as owing money, and father picked up deficit accounts for him. The executor of the estate (in the final papers) denies one of these, however. His cash share was $707.54. His share of land was deeded to him prior to father's death. His children were Robert Wilson Williams Jr, husband of Mary Estelle Jenkins, Alice May Williams wife of George F. Young, Mary Elenor "Nell" Williams wife of Wallace Warren Preister, Gatsy Maud Williams wife of Vasco Whatley, and James Lawrence "Laurie" Williams husband of Annie Mae Jeffcoat
B. James Britton Williams was born 1852 died 7 June 1883 at the age of 31. He married on 12 Nov 1876 Margaret Eliza Wilson the daughter of Charles Hillary Wilson and Mary Weiman Pooser. . She was born June 28, 1847, Edisto Island, SC and died January 9, 1929. They were married by Rev. J. B. Massofrau. He was a merchant in Allendale, SC. On 14 July 1878 he was elected secretary of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church a position he served in until his death. James Britton Williams died young but his share of his father's estate went to his 3 daughters, 1/3 each, plus one special bequest. Inez and her sister, Sallie (Sarah), who were under age in 1900. Their guardian was J. M. Gray. Sister Margaret was of age. Inez and Sarah operated a private school in Allendale and taught there. The daughters of James Britton Williams were Amy Williams, Margaret Eliza (Maggie) Williams wife of William E. Jones, Inez T. Williams wife of Alfred Dunbar, and Sarah (Sallie) Elizabeth Williams wife of Alfred Fripp.
Lawrence deeded his home place to his son, Paul Allen Williams. Paul's spinster daughter, Lena Williams, lived there until her death in 1963. The house stood empty after that and all out buildings are gone. Vandals left the place in sad repair. It sits on an overgrown lot in the center of what was Allendale's nicest residential area, "like a haunting specter of another time." The home was one of Barnwell County's historical landmarks that should have been restored and preserved. "It can't last the ravages of time in its present deteriorating condition, even though the hand-hewn logs and pegged construction is still very solid." Vagrants made use of the old building, and "it will surely be lost by fire, if not age." This property is currently owned by Mrs. Richard Moorer of Reevesville, SC. and her brother, Dr, Herbert Smoak, of Orangeburg, SC., great grandchildren of James Lawrence Williams.
Grandchildren of Wilson Williams
A. Wilson "Wilse" Roberts Williams born October 1849 died 5 September 1902 at the age of 52. He was named for an uncle killed in the Mexican American War and was called “Wilse. He married Mary Anna Brabham the daughter of Robert Cornelius Brabham and Mary Rebecca McMillan. Wilson lived all his life in Allendale and worked in the family saw mill. He received an equal share of father James Lawrence Williams' estate but not much from special bequests in the will--just a gold watch that was already in his possession. He is recorded as owing money, and father picked up deficit accounts for him. The executor of the estate (in the final papers) denies one of these, however. His cash share was $707.54. His share of land was deeded to him prior to father's death. His children were Robert Wilson Williams Jr, husband of Mary Estelle Jenkins, Alice May Williams wife of George F. Young, Mary Elenor "Nell" Williams wife of Wallace Warren Preister, Gatsy Maud Williams wife of Vasco Whatley, and James Lawrence "Laurie" Williams husband of Annie Mae Jeffcoat
B. James Britton Williams was born 1852 died 7 June 1883 at the age of 31. He married on 12 Nov 1876 Margaret Eliza Wilson the daughter of Charles Hillary Wilson and Mary Weiman Pooser. . She was born June 28, 1847, Edisto Island, SC and died January 9, 1929. They were married by Rev. J. B. Massofrau. He was a merchant in Allendale, SC. On 14 July 1878 he was elected secretary of Swallow Savannah Methodist Church a position he served in until his death. James Britton Williams died young but his share of his father's estate went to his 3 daughters, 1/3 each, plus one special bequest. Inez and her sister, Sallie (Sarah), who were under age in 1900. Their guardian was J. M. Gray. Sister Margaret was of age. Inez and Sarah operated a private school in Allendale and taught there. The daughters of James Britton Williams were Amy Williams, Margaret Eliza (Maggie) Williams wife of William E. Jones, Inez T. Williams wife of Alfred Dunbar, and Sarah (Sallie) Elizabeth Williams wife of Alfred Fripp.
C. Charles Shields Williams born 17 Aug 1854 died 2 May 1904 Buried Swallow Savannah Methodist Cemetery married Sarah J. Myrick born 30 June 1850 died 13 Aug 1907. In 1880 he was working in a Saw Mill. From his father's estate he received $707.54 and a special bequest of a mule, "Rolly." Charles Shields bought 5 lots at his father's estate sale. James Lawrence had picked up deficit accounts for Charles Shields. His children were Jane Williams born 1874, Infant son born 24 March 1875 died 25 March 1875, William Green Williams born 1877 1933 married Tellie, Cornelia Ella M. Williams born 1880-1881, Sallie T. Williams born 1887 -1910 and Mary Winnie Williams 1890 -1891.
D. Paul Allen Williams born August 28, 1856 and died June 3, 1933 . He married Sarah Peach (1861-1929). Sarah was a beauty from Alabama and considered quite a belle. It was easy to see that James Lawrence's favorite son was Paul Allen. He left this son the homeplace. Also wagon, mower, rake, horse named Jim, a mule named Dandy, hogs, hay and fodder. Also a gold watch already in his possession. Paul Allen was a small man, one of twins (the other twin died). He had a cat 17 years old. His children were Tom Frank Williams b. 1878, Lena (Lila) Lawson Williams 1890-1963, Agnes Peach Williams wife of Hubert Smoak, from Orangeburg, SC. He was in the state legislature for several years. James Williams, Medicus Green Williams 1899-1920
D. Paul Allen Williams born August 28, 1856 and died June 3, 1933 . He married Sarah Peach (1861-1929). Sarah was a beauty from Alabama and considered quite a belle. It was easy to see that James Lawrence's favorite son was Paul Allen. He left this son the homeplace. Also wagon, mower, rake, horse named Jim, a mule named Dandy, hogs, hay and fodder. Also a gold watch already in his possession. Paul Allen was a small man, one of twins (the other twin died). He had a cat 17 years old. His children were Tom Frank Williams b. 1878, Lena (Lila) Lawson Williams 1890-1963, Agnes Peach Williams wife of Hubert Smoak, from Orangeburg, SC. He was in the state legislature for several years. James Williams, Medicus Green Williams 1899-1920
Richard Creech Williams
He was born 1827 at Swallow Savannah, Barnwell District , South Carolina. He was eight years old when he died in 1835 probably of some childhood disease or accident. He is buried near his mother in the Swallow Savannah Cemetery in Allendale.
JOHN WILLIAMS of ULMER, BARNWELL, SOUTH CAROLINA
John Williams was a successful Planter on his own right with descendants still living in South Carolina. One of them, Mrs. Elizabeth Davis of Greenville (deceased), had contributed greatly to the gathering of information about Wilson Williams’s family.
John Williams was an extensive land and slave owner who also had a large family by two wives. The descendants of John Williams of which there are many firmly believe that John Williams, planter in the area of Ulmer, is the son of Wilson Williams and therefore included in this research. However while John Williams is mentioned in the settlement of Wilson's estate he is not listed as an heir.
They explain the discrepancy of John Williams saying he was 70 years old in the 1850 census by believing that Wilson Williams had to have been born prior to 1760. This is not borne out by census records. John Williams' age, given in censuses from 1810 through 1850, list him as being born circa 1780 which would make it impossible for him to have been the son of Wilson Williams considering other census records give Wilson as being born circa 1770.
Working backwards, the 1850 census states that John Williams's age as being 70 years old. The 1840 Census listed John Williams as even older born between 1771 and 1780. This would have placed him the same age rage as the birth of father, if Wilson was his father. The 1830 census makes the same claim as that of the 1840, that John Williams' birth range was between 1771 and 1780. The 1820 census has him born between 1776 and 1794. The first census in which John Williams is found as head of a household is in 1810. There he is listed as born between 1766 and 1784. In that census he is also listed with four children under the age of 10 showing that he was married at least by 1800.
In the same 1810 census Wilson Williams is listed in the same age category as John Williams having been born between 1766 and 1784. All this information does not fit for John to have been a son of Wilson Williams. The only other conclusion, that might be drawn from these censuses, is that John Williams was not a son of Wilson Williams at all but rather an infant son of Britton Williams who died in 1781 and was raised in Wilson's mother's household. He is most likely the male under 16 years listed in the 1790 census under the household of Wilson Williams. Still it is an enigma. Nevertheless the multitude of descendants of John Williams insist that he was a son of Wilson Williams and that Wilson was much older than stated in the census records.
John Williams
He was born circa 1780 probably at Briar Creek, in Orangeburgh District, South Carolina and died in March 1855 at his plantation near Ulmers, in Barnwell District [Allendale County], South Carolina. He was buried in the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church Cemetery, near Ulmers. John Williams estate was probated on 27 Mar 1855 John Williams was married twice but there are questions to the identity of each. He married first a woman named Tamer , maiden name thought to be Creech or Chessereau. As the close connection between the Creech and Williams family, Tamer was more likely to have been a Creech but as to who her father was, that is a mystery. As that she was the mother of four children in 1800 she probably was born no later than 1785. She died February 1816 probably near the time of the death of Wilson Williams' wife Elizabeth Kirkland Williams. She was buried in the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Cemetery.
As that John Williams had small children and had an estate to manage he married in September 1816 a widow named Mrs. Mary Jones Rawley. She was born 1797 in Winton County, South Carolina and died 1868 near Ulmer, Barnwell County. Some members of this family believe that Mary Jones Williams was the widow of a Mr. Rawley before marrying John. The name Rawley or Rowley enters the family through her.
A plat dated 17 July 1812 for Lewis M Ayer for property on the "Big Saltketcher River" showed that property owners near him were Benjamin Corbitt, Jacob Free, William Warnal, ad Edmond Jones. As these people were also in the same area as John Williams, Mary could have been a relative of Edmond Jones. The only Rawley mentioned in land records of a man named Rawley is Amos Rawley. In a plat dated from 1785 Amos Breland had lands on "waters of Savannah River" in Beaufort District with near land owners being Abraham Breeland, and Amos Rawley. The Breland Family represented by William Breland Sr., the son of Abraham Breland, had marriages within the Kearse family.
GREAT SALKEHATCHIE BAPTIST CHURCH
John
Williams was a member of the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church at Ulmer, South
John Williams' widow Mary J. Williams is found in the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church Records several times. She was even excluded from the Salkehatchie Church at one time. Her slave Eliza was also excluded in October 1858.
ULMER
The community now known as Ulmer goes back for many years and is located in northeastern Allendale County where US 301 and US 321 converge.. The surrounding
lands belonged to only two persons, Ephraim Ulmer and John Williams. There are
authentic records dating back to the 1700s. When the citizens were choosing a name for their town, the land around the train depot was owned by two men, Ephraim Ulmer and a grandson of John Williams. The plans for the town's new business district encroached more on Mr. Ulmer's property than on Mr. Williams'. Mr. Ulmer agreed to give up his acreage in exchange for having the new town named for him.The first building in Ulmer was erected on the banks of the Salkehatchie River. The site was near a settlement known as Buford's Bridge - which was there prior to the Revolutionary War.
The ancestral home of the John Williams family still stands. It was lived in until sometime in the 1950s. Known as the Williams House it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
WIFE TAMER
John's first wife was a woman named Tamer who died in 1816 and is buried in
the
Great Salkehatchie Baptist Cemetery. Her monument reads: Beneath this stone
rests the remains of Tamer Williams wife of John Williams-Who departed this
life in February 1816. She was a kind mistress and neighbor, devoted wife and
mother-In her, many qualities of Christian virtue were exemplified-Having been
for many years A member of the Baptist Church-She died, leaving a husband and
six children to mourn their loss-They that trust in the Lord shall be as
mountains which cannot be moved, but endureth forever.
Tamer’s identity has
been a mystery with some members of the family believing that she was a Creech
while others believed that she was the daughter of John Chessereau. William
Chessereau of Winton County
(Barnwell) Book of Records 1787-1791 left a feather bed and 1/3 of bed clothes,
a sorrel mare, and a yearling colt to his wife to descend to sons at her death
but there appears to be no other record of this family.
The Creech family, on
the other hand, have intermarried with the Williams and their kin for
generations.
1810 CENSUS
The 1810 US Census of Barnwell District showed John Williams five families away from Wilson. He is married with a son and three daughters which indicated that Tamer was having a child every other year. John Williams gave his age as between 25 and 44 years old. This would indicate that he was born between 1785 and 1766 which was the same age group as was Wilson. The His wife Tamer gave her age as between 16 and 24; 1796 and 1786. Certainly she was born in 1786 to have had four children born between 1802 and 1810. This family is listed with five enslaved African Americans. He is located between the widow Mary Edgefield and the family of John Hugon.
In 1811 John owned 333 acres on Big Salkehatchie; lands between Saltketcher and Miller Swamp adjoining Kellis Halford, Henry Creech, John Harrison, Stephen Creech, and Nicholas Priester. The proximity to the Creech families gives more circumstantial evidence that his wife Tamer was a Creech.
While Wilson Williams’ lands were scattered, John’s were concentrated mostly in the Ulmers area and contained nearly 6000 acres or almost 10 square mile! The full appraisal of personal property at the time of his death was $13,636.96 which included 31 slaves.
THE WILLIAMS HOUSE
John Williams built a two story
The house’s exterior walls are of log construction covered with clapboards. There is no evidence of chinking. The floor joists consist of undressed logs resting on heavy hand-hewn plates and sills atop brick piers.
The main body of the house consists of two rooms measuring approximately 30 feet by 16 feet. The larger of the two rooms on the first floor had a Federal-style mantle with gouge work in the form of scallops and stars on the piers and semicircles on the center panel. A porch stretches
Although its physical condition is currently less than perfect having lost one chimney stack and some of its exterior weatherboard siding, the house’s overall integrity of design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association have not changed significantly throughout the building’s history.
The Williams Home Place has been named a National Bicentennial Farm, as the property has remained continually in the same family for more than 150 years. Listed in the National Register February 17, 1999. -It is now in the owners’ possession in Georgia.
1820 Census
. After the death of his first wife in 1816, John Williams married Mary Jones Rowley
The 1820 US Census of Barnwell District showed that John Williams had a household of 10 people. They were 1 male age 26-45 John Williams (1775-1794), 1 male 10-16, Angus Williams, 3 males under 10, James Wilson, Jones M, 1 female age 16-26 Mary Jones Williams, (1794-1804) 2 females 10-16, Mary , Elizabeth, and 2 females under 10 Zilpha, Elsie
1830 Census
The 1830 US Census of Barnwell District, showed that John lived seventeen households a way from Wilson Williams but was enumerated on the same page. Wilson was listed on line 3, next to his sons Green Williams on line 4 and son Martin Williams on line 5. John Williams of Barnwell, South Carolina
Free
White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: William B Williams
Free
White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: Jones M Williams
Free
White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: J. Wilson Williams
Free
White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: John Williams
Free
White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: Elsie Williams
Free
White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: Mary J Williams
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 2 Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 2 Slaves - Females - Under 10: 2 Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1 Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 2 Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1 Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99: 1 Free White Persons - Under 20: 4 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1 Total Free White Persons: 6 Total Slaves: 11 Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 17
In 1832 he purchased 149 acres near the Great Salkehatchie and on 15 Oct 1832 John bought a African American man named Dick for $230 from the estate of John A. All
The will was witnessed by Josiah J Brabham, Hampton Brabham, and G.J Priester.
1840 CENSUS
The 1840 US Census of Barnwell District listed John Williams as being between 60-70 years (1770-1780) Mary J. Williams 40-50 years (1790-1800) Jones M Williams 20-30 years (1810-1820) and William B Williams 20-30 years (1810-1820).
In
the 1840 John Williams had 28 African Americans in bondage with 13 of them
employed in agriculture. As ten of these
African Americans were children were under the age of ten, 7 boys and 3 girls,
that left eighteen of these folks to be working as farm laborers but as the
census stated only thirteen were engaged in agriculture, five of these people
were probably house domestics or too old to work . Seven of the 28 African Americans were young
adults ranging in ages 10 through 23. These were three males and four
females. Three males and three females were
between 36 and 54 years old. Two females
were between the ages 24 and 35. Three
of John Williams people he held in bondage were between the ages of 55 and 99
years; one man and two women.
In 1841 John Williams petitioned the court to be released from securityship to R.C. McMillan who was the administrator for the estate of James Moody, his former son-in-law. He says, Having lately been unwell with the prevailing fever of the country, and now considerably advanced in life (in his sixties) and apprehensive that I may eventually be injured by my securityship…… etc.
In 1848, John Williams deed the Savannah Tract to his son Jones M. Williams lands which were on the Wells Branch.
1850 CENSUS
The 1850 census of Barnwell District South Carolina showed the county had more slaves than free persons. The census showed a white population of 12,289 people with 14,008 African Americans in bondage. Evidently much of the wealth of the county was based on human bondage.
The 1850 US Census of Barnwell District South Carolina listed on 25 October 1850 John Williams as living in the community of America which later became Ulmer. He is listed age as 70 (1780). Mary Williams age was given as 50 (1800). His occupation was given as "planter" and his estate was worth $6000 which made them some of the wealthiest people in the county due to their human chattel.
They were living on their home place with 29 African Americans kept in bondage. One of these was a 100 year old woman. Another was an 80 year old woman. Two males and one female were 60 years old. There were eight other adults. A 56 year old male, a 50 year old female, a 40 year old female, a 35 year old female, a 30 year old female, a 28 year old male, a 25 year old female, and a 23 year old female. There were four young teenagers, an 18 year old male, a 16 year old female and two 15 year old females. There were twelve children listed; a 12 year old male, two ten year old males, a 10 year old female, an 8 year old male, two 6 year old females, a 6 year old male, two 5 year old males, a 3 year old female and a 2 year old male. Undoubted most of these people were family units.
The 1850 US Census of Barnwell District South Carolina listed on 25 October 1850 John Williams as living in the community of America which later became Ulmer. He is listed age as 70 (1780). Mary Williams age was given as 50 (1800). His occupation was given as "planter" and his estate was worth $6000 which made them some of the wealthiest people in the county due to their human chattel.
They were living on their home place with 29 African Americans kept in bondage. One of these was a 100 year old woman. Another was an 80 year old woman. Two males and one female were 60 years old. There were eight other adults. A 56 year old male, a 50 year old female, a 40 year old female, a 35 year old female, a 30 year old female, a 28 year old male, a 25 year old female, and a 23 year old female. There were four young teenagers, an 18 year old male, a 16 year old female and two 15 year old females. There were twelve children listed; a 12 year old male, two ten year old males, a 10 year old female, an 8 year old male, two 6 year old females, a 6 year old male, two 5 year old males, a 3 year old female and a 2 year old male. Undoubted most of these people were family units.
The names of 24 of these people were mentioned in the 1854 Last Will and Testament in which John Williams devised his property to his children. His daughter Mary Williams received Cato, Berry and her children Hannah, Maria, and Melly. His daughter Zilpha received Larry, Hannah, and Silas. His daughter Elsie received Mile [Milly] and her children Grace, Prince, Elleck, and Stephen. His son Wilson received Lucy, Paul, Hagar and her infant child. His son Jones received Old Abram, Sandy, Handy, and Flora. His son William B recieved Cynthia, Amy, Amada and Viney.
In 1853 John Williams owned 394 acres by Eli Myrick.
On 16 August 1854 John Williams wrote out his will in which he stated that his wife: "She will
have of my estate as much as any one of the most favored of my children has
gotten or will get from me." She was
given the choice of slaves from his estate. After wife’s "share is ascertained,
rest and residue of estate to be divided among my children in such a manner as
will put them all on an equality."The will was witnessed by Josiah J Brabham, Hampton Brabham, and G.J Priester.
John Williams died in March 1855 when his will was probated 27 Mar 1855. The appraisers of his property were John
A. Hayes husband of Catherine B. Campbell Roberts Hayes, , John C. Sanders,
Hampton Brabham (husband of Harriett
Elizabeth Kirkland) and George I Priester.
The top part of John’s headstone was broken
off and lost. The remainder states: "In him the poor and needy found relief. He
was ten years a consistent member of the Baptist Church. His wife of the 2nd
marriage and six children still survive him-Who will long continue to cherish
his memory with the most grateful recollections-The memory of the Just is
blessed And shall come to his grave in full age, like a shock of corn Cometh in
his season."
Together with John Williams' sons James Wilson Williams, William Britton Williams, and Jones Martin Williams, these families owned 97 African Americans kept in bondage. Their human chattel was worth nearly $100,000 near the beginning of the Civil War. There is no doubt that the economics of human bondage was the real cause of South Carolina succeeding from the United States in 1861 and firing on Fort Sumner in Charleston Harbor.
THE WIDOW MARY J WILLIAMS
John's widow Mary J. Williams continued to live in the community near Ulmer and in the 1860 Census she is listed as living within the household of her son William B Williams. Her Post Office address was Buford Bridge and she was enumerated on 13 July 1860. Her age was given as 63. She owned $4800 worth of personal property which was probably her 19 year old African American female slave. Together with John Williams' sons James Wilson Williams, William Britton Williams, and Jones Martin Williams, these families owned 97 African Americans kept in bondage. Their human chattel was worth nearly $100,000 near the beginning of the Civil War. There is no doubt that the economics of human bondage was the real cause of South Carolina succeeding from the United States in 1861 and firing on Fort Sumner in Charleston Harbor.
The cost of secession was the lost of African Americans after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and General Sherman's army swept through Barnwell District burning rebel homes and towns.
Mary J Williams died in April 1868 and is buried in the Great Saltkehatchie Cemetery near her husband.
Children of John Williams and Tamer -
Harriett Elizabeth Williams
She was born in circa 1806 in Barnwell District and died 1836 the same place. She married
Married James Moody Jr (1808-1840)
A.
Mary
Elizabeth Moody 1829-? Married Wilson Sanders 1829-1865. They were first
cousins. John Williams left his granddaughter $400 and her mother’s share of
his property. in his will. She had three children William
Sanders, Charles
Sanders and Etta Sanders
Sophronia (Sophia) Williams
She born 1808 Great Salkehatchie,
Barnwell, SC and died 1841 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, SC. She Married 1828 Charles Sanders born March 13 1803 died Sept 27 1865
Charles was son of Moses and Rebecca Sanders
A.
Wilson
Sanders born 1829 died March 16, 1865. He was with Company G 2nd South
Carolina Artillery and was mortally wounded at the battle of Averyboro, North
Carolina. He was shot in the face. He married his first cousin Mary Elizabeth
Moody and had three children. (See above)
Zylphia (Zilpha) Williams
She was born 1810 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, SC and died 1878 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, SC. She Married as the 2nd wife Charles Sanders. In 1854 Charles Sanders bought table, crockery, glassware, fire
logs, 1 bed and stead and furniture, leather goods, a bushel of whippoorwill
peas, a table and plow from father-in-law estate. Zilpha raised her sister’s
child and had several of her own. The Sanders were members of Mount Olivet
Church and good singers. Charles Sander was a substantial planter. He was tall
and muscular. Zilpha inherited three slaves and considerable property from her
father’s estate. Charles and Zilpha thought secession was a mistake but they
had three sons in the Confederate Army
Will 19 Sept 1865. Inventory of estate by Wilson Sanders, W.S. Sanders
and W. J. Creech. Letters of Executor given to Jones M, Sanders on 8 Dec 1865)
(Equity Records- (165-1) His lands were on Hurricane Branch of Great Saltketcher
A.
Mary Sanders born 1833
B. Sarah Sanders born 1837
C. Jones M Sanders born 1841 died Sept 1868
D. John W. Sanders born 11 March 1843 died 28 Feb 1856
B. Sarah Sanders born 1837
C. Jones M Sanders born 1841 died Sept 1868
D. John W. Sanders born 11 March 1843 died 28 Feb 1856
E.
James
Henry Sanders born 1846 both of Hurricane Branch of Great Saltketcher,
F.
John C. Calhoun Sanders born 1849,
G.
Sophronia
Priscilla Sanders born 1848
H.
Martha
Sanders born 1856
Angus Williams
He was born 1810 Great Salkehatchie,
Barnwell, SC and died died 1856 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, SC
James Wilson Williams
He was born 31 Dec 1813 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, SC Barnwell, SC and died 26 June 1879 Ulmers, Barnwell, South Carolina and Buried in Great
Salkehatchie Baptist Cemetery. In 1849 he married Mrs. Winniford Susan Myrick Dunn daughter
of Eli Myrick and Mary Creech. She was born October 11, 1820 and died February
23, 1900. James Wilson Williams was known as "Ole Rock Williams".
He married in
his mid-thirties Winiforrd Myrick whose first husband had deserted her. Winniford was
the wife of William W. Dunn whom she married before 1840, and had a daughter by
her first husband who then deserted her. When Winnifords father made a Will he
stated that the husband of my daughter Winniford Dunn shall not enjoy, or
receive, a cent in any manner. There is a story that Dunn returned and Eli
Myrick gave him $100 to get lost, which he did.
Ole Rock was an executor of his
fathers estate. He received slaves Lucy, Paul, Hagar, and an infant from
father’s estate. Additionally John gave him $325 and 64 acres. James Wilson ran a cotton gin and grist mill in the area. In 1848 he was given 484 acres near Salkehatchie River. In 1853 he made several transactions probably from monies from his inheritance. He bought 207 acres from Stephen Williams (son of Marmaduke Williams) for $1650. He bought 630 acres in Millers Swamp for $630 from William Register (son-in-law of Marmaduke Williams. He also bought from Thomas Raysor 500 acres for $1500, In 1860 he paid $660 for 165 acres on Steel Creek.
Winneford Williams was
baptized at Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church in 1870. James Wilson had been a member
there since before the Civil War. He allowed three slaves to be baptized there
at Great Salkehatchie. A former slave named Philip was excommunicated from the
church in 1869.
After
slavery much of his lands if not all were rented out to tenant farmers who were share croppers. After the Civil War he bought 300 acres near Thomas F. Hogg in 1878.
Most of
his property was in the Ulmers area like his father before him. His home was on
the road between Ulmers and Sycamore and was still standing in 1970.
James Wilson
died in 1879 when he fell from a wagon returning home from Allendale. He broke
his leg, which caused complications that led to his death. Dr. Henry W. Kearse,
(a grandson of William Kearse) and Dr. John William Ogilvie were the attending
physicians.
He was a Mason and was buried with full honors in the Great
Salkehatchie Baptist Cemetery. The gravestone inscription reads: J. Wilson
Williams departed this life June 26 1879 Aged 65 years, 5 months, 26 days.
Today the gravestone is broken and lays flat on the grave.
This was the end of
an era. After five generations of building, family lands and fortunes of this
line of Williams seemed to scatter and fade away. The depressions of the 1880s
and 1890s hastened the end. The region never recovered its pre Civil War
prosperity. This gene pool according to Mrs. Elizabeth Davis was devitalized. The young
gradually left and agriculture, the mainstay, declined with nothing to take its
place. The big plantation blocks were broken up into poor tenant farming.
A. Sarah Emilia Dunn-Williams 1840-1917 married Dr.
Richard Creech Roberts 1835-1905 son of Creech and Catherine B. Campbell
Roberts In 1861 J. Wilson transferred his wife’s inheritance to his
step-daughter which was worth $500. She had two daughters: Jane Winiford
Roberts 28 Dec 1860 died Aug 1867 and Clara Myrick
Roberts born 19 Oct 1866 died
March 1894
B.
Mary
Tucker Williams 1844-? Married James Hamilton Barker. They moved to Beaufort
County SC
C.
Owen
Wilson Williams born 1845-September 19, 1883. Married Rebecca S. Ulmer
1843-1923. Stayed at Ulmers. Owens was a law officer and was shot and killed
when he was 38 years old. Both are buried at Great Salkehatchie. His children were Tamer Elizabeth Williams died 1962 married
Dr. James S. Greenleaf died 1959, Robbin Plateau Williams (Robben Plato
Williams) born 1876 died April 27, 1894 and Heney Edgar Williams
D.
Harriett
Cornelia Williams 1849-? married Nicholas Franklin Priester son of William
Priester and Betsey Moye. She was his second wife. They lived at the old
Priester place on the road from Buford’s Bridge to Allendale. Cornelia was
baptized a member of the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church in 1870
E.
John
(Jack) Williams born April 1, 1851 died January 7, 1880. He married Clementine
Veila Bowers. She remarried Fleming Chavous (1857-1921) who was a mayor of
Allendale and a bank president. However he later committed suicide. Jack
Williams was said to be wild and reckless and had a temper also. He was charged
with assault but the charge was dismissed. He had one child who died young. He
was killed when thrown from his horse. He was named for his grandfather. He was
almost 29 years old when he died. His child was J. H. Williams 1872 - 1876
F.
Orinona
(Ola) Agnes Williams born October 11, 1853 died July4, 1928 married John
Turnbull (Bull) Hogg. Agnes Hogg was baptized 1871 a member of the Great
Salkehatchie Baptist Church. Her children were Thomas Franklin Hogg born July 27, 1880. He became a
prominent doctor in Barnwell
County after attending Clemson College and the Medical College of Charleston, SC. He married
Mollie F. Creech daughter of Henry C. Creech. Hogg,
Infant 1884 Girl child of J.T & O. Agnes Hogg and John Turnbull Hogg
Jr. 3-28-1888 9-15-1889
G.
Tamer
Eugenia Williams born September 27, 1858 died April 16 1901 married John Peter
Priester. (1859-1901) The son of William Priester and Isabella Mew. He was a
nephew of Nicholas Franklin Priester and twin to William Henry Priester.
Isabella died when the boys were quite small and they grew up to be spoiled
boys. John Peter rode his favorite horse, on a bet, one flight up and back down
the outside, circular wrought iron steps of the Barnwell County Court House. He
had fine horses that he took to Charleston to race. He had a racetrack on his
property. William Henry Priester in a fit of drunken lunacy over his young wife
shot his father-in-law in 1881. He was sent to an insane asylum for life. The account of his trial is contained in the
Barnwell SC The People newspaper accounts for May5, May 12, May 19, and June
16, 1881. Tamer Priester was baptized a member of the Great Salkehatchie
Baptist Church in 1872. She had 7 children. They were William Martin Priester 1882-1962, Sarah Priester 1884-1962, Henry Counts Priester 1886-1962, Jane Isabella Priester 1888-1953, John Peter Priester 1892-1962, Ethlene Malinda Priester 1894-1975 and James Wilson Priester 1896-1973 .
H.
T. Eli
Williams 1848-1910 He married Josephine Bowers (1856-1927) on June 15, 1871.
She was the daughter of Giles Calvin Bowers and Sarah Loadholt and sister of
Capus Bowers who married his cousin Rosa All.
Evidently Eli was a small man who was also hot headed, high strung, and
had an explosive temper. This bad temperament mixed with alcohol made him an
abusive alcoholic. He was also credited with nocturnal soirees on horseback—-in
the grip of the grape no doubt There was no understanding or treatment for
alcoholics in those days. He only stood
5 foot two inches and wore a size five shoe. His parents had a problem finding
shoes for him. He wore a mustache and was said to have been dead attractive! He
spent much too much time at his Uncle Jones’ Williams racetrack with cock
fighting, much betting, and booze making up the total scene. I guess the little
fella was over compensating. It was said he once snatched the dinner cloth from
the table, scattering dishes, food, and cutlery etc pell mell. Eli Williams was
elected the Town Marshall of Allendale in 1878 but got himself into trouble and
deserted his family fleeing to Dunellen, Florida. He was an alcoholic and had a
volatile temper. About a year later he became involved in a tragic accident on
an election day and his friend Emmett Allen was killed. There was one story
when the sheriff went looking for Eli at his father’s house, J. Wilson hid him
under a barrel, then sat on the barrel and talked to the sheriff.. When Eli
left Barnwell District, William Myrick, his mother’s nephew took him across the
Savannah River and he sang Barbara Allen all the way. His family moved to
Allendale and received a legacy from their grandfather. Eli is believed to have
died in 1910 and buried in Dunellen, Florida. It is also believed that he
remarried and started a new life there. His known children are Lucy Jane Williams born October 17, 1872
died November 25, 1934 married Jesse Frank Dyches. They had no children and
were buried at Bonaventura Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. William Aiken Williams born January 14,
1875 died December 12, 1913. He married Sarah Pauline Cave July 27, 1902. She
was born May 12, 1878 and died June 23, 1969. Both are buried in Boneventure
Cemetery in Savannah. Aiken was the dearly beloved only son of his mother but
like his father he could not handle alcohol. Aiken was high spirited, colorful
character. witty, with a keen sense of humor. He was always into mischief
usually at someone else’s expense. Aiken
attended the first trustee-operated school in Allendale in 1886 on the corner
of Esther Street and Main Street. Esther Street was named for Esther Roberts
Williams his great-great grandfathers 3rd wife. It was upstairs over
a funeral establishment. Professor Henry Hartzog was head of the school. He was
later President of Clemson College. Much later he remembered Aiken Williams and
said he was a handful but one of the most attractive young men he’d ever
taught. Aiken weighed 165 pounds and was of medium height. Aiken served in the Spanish American War and
he also managed liquor establishment for a time. He was killed in a shooting
accident in Kline, SC at the age of 33. After eleven years of marriage, Pauline
was left with six children and one on the way. Her life was full of hardship
afterwards. His mother was so devastated by his death that she would not go to
his funeral. Daisy Gertrude Williams born January 30,
1879 died August 5, 1934 married October 16, 1897 Judson Luther Lightsey
1877-1938.
Caroline Williams
She was born circa 1816 and died before 1854. Evidently no children.
Children of John Williams and Mary Jones Rawley
Ellsey Jones Williams
She was born July 23, 1817 near Ulmers, Barnwell, SC and died 26 June 1879 Ulmers, Barnwell, SC. In 1833 she married
Richard Adam All, (1812-1882). He was
son of Richard Adam Aull and Rachel Platts. Adam and Ellsey All were
baptized members of the Great
Salkehatchie Baptist Church in 1874. Ellsey J.
received four slaves from her father’s estate. In 1854 Adam All bought
table, bed, tools, a wagon, 15 head of sheep, and 7 heads of stock cattle from
father-in-law estate. She and her husband had fourteen children. The 14
children were listed on the back of Adam All’s photograph which Sara All
Abernathy of Newbern NC has in her possession.
A. William Angus All born October 19, 1834 died
October 22, 1902. He married Mary Ulmer (1838-1926). He was baptized at Great
Salkehatchie Baptist Church August 1, 1858. The pair were affectionately known
as Uncle Billy and Aunt Polly. Billy All was the first Mayor of Allendale in
1877. In 1898 the sheriff sold all his household goods and house lot for a $440
debt. His son William Angus Jr bought it for $786, the highest and last bidder.
He supposed died of a bloody nose during a terrible storm. His child was William Angus All who married Ida Wilson
(1874-1954) the daughter of Captain LeRoy Wilson and Mary Brabham.
B. James M. All born 1836 married Martha
McMillan and 2nd Mrs. Sanderson. James and Martha joined the Great Salkehatchie
Church in 1877. Served in Capt. Smarts Co. Cavalry CSA. His son J. Addie All was born January 3, 1856 died
August 14, 1885. He married Sallie V. Cave. Other children were Hammie All, Riley All, and Nita All who married Johnny Green
C.
John All born 1838 married
Lavincey Copeland Served in Capt. Smarts Co. Cavalry CSA. He had a grandson
Ernest All
D.
Mary Williams All born
June 20, 1841-June 2 1917 married Samuel Boynton. She had two children James Boynton and Ellie E.
Boynton born June 3, 1869 died February 19, 1919
E.
George
F. All born 1843 married Ida Conner. He served in the Civil War as a sergeant
at Fort Sumter. Ida Conner 2nd husband was Joseph J. Brabham Jr.. He had four children; I. Ethel All, Gordon All, Ruth All, and Heber All
F.
Elizabeth
All born 1845 married Fred McMillan and 2nd James Boynton
G.
Rebecca
All born May 22, 1847 died May 22 1878 married Joseph Josiah Loadholt
1845-1920. She was a member of the Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church. Her children were Charles Loadholt
born 1868, Ben Robert Loadholt
born 1870, William Hallie
Loadholt, and Rebecca Loadholt
H. Jane Ann Olive All born 1849 married
William Rivers of Hampton County, SC. Jane baptized Great Salkehatchie Baptist
Church. Her children were Rebecca Rivers who married Nathaniel Weekley, Elsie Suzanne
Rivers who married Cone Nixon, Rosa Josephine
Rivers married who Charles Harrison, Willie
Longenia Rivers who married George Young, Sophy
Lillian Rivers who married Henry Loadholt, Adam
David Rivers who married Polly Cone, and Amanda Jane Rivers married Mr. Cone.
I. Jones
Henry Columbus All born September 22, 1853 died December 12, 1937. He married
Theodosia Gertrude Bowers.
J.
Brooks
All born Sula Beard and Polly Thomas. Brooks All joined Great Salkehatchie
Baptist Church in 1877. He had two children Tom Brooks All and Becky All who married Mr. Padgett
K.
Richard
Allen All married Emma Brant. His children were Pearl All who married George Black, Jane All who married D.H. Moring, Charles All, Jones All, and Benjamin All died age 83 years
L. Rosa All married Capus Bowers 1854-1888
son of Giles Calvin Bowers and Sarah Loadholt and 2nd Mr. Morris.
Capus Bowers got into a fight in a tavern with Pig Sullivan. In self-defense
Capus shot him and was subsequently imprisoned. Capus was a wealthy man when he
went to prison. Rosa All remarried and gave up custody of her children. One
died young, Joe Josiah Loadholt reared one boy and William All brought up the
other. Capus became terminally ill in prison and at he the request of his close
relatives he was released in their care. He died soon after. What a sad
homecoming that must have been-sick, children scattered, wife gone, and life
shattered. Her children were Rawley Bowers, Richard Bowers, Mamie Bowers who married Willie R. Harvey, Harvey Bowers died young
M.
Elliott
All married Allen Lane. She had three children. They were Joseph A. Lane December 26, 1877 died
October 25, 1884, Martha M. Lane born November 16, 1892
died July 21 1898, and Jones Lane
N.
Sarah
(Sally) All married William Beard son of Thomas Beard. She had one arm and
remarkable energy.
Senator Jones Martin Williams –SC State Senator
He was born November 8, 1818 near Ulmers, Barnwell, South Carolina and died February 14, 1877 at Ulmers, Barnwell, South Carolina. He married Rebecca T. Priester [1825 died 1908] He was an executor of his father’s estate. and received four slaves from
fathers estate. He alos inherited from his father 300 acres called the Williams Estate.
Jones M. Williams ran a horse race track.
The sport of the day was horse racing with gambling a major part of it.
Several planters had their own racetracks. Jones M. Williams racetrack had a
mahogany rail around it. Rumor has it the door knobs in their home were of
silver. He was an influential and wealthy man.
His name appears in the deed records buying
and selling in Barnwell County many, many times. In 1851 Jones M. Williams sold 132 acres
which had once belonged to Wilson Williams: For purpose of
obtaining a new grant for himself-It being a part of a tract of 640 acres
granted to Wilson Williams in 1806 on Wells Branch. The Jones M. Williams plantation
contained 3,735 acres when he died.
He is included in the Biographical
Directory of the Senate of SC 1776-1964. It states: Jones M. Williams, Senator
from Barnwell County, the son of John Williams. Extensive cotton planter of
Briar Creek Plantation, Barnwell District. Married Rebecca T. Priester, who
died in 1908. Commissioner of free schools, Magistrate. Commissioner of Roads.
Soldier’s Board of Relief 1862-1864. SC
Senate, Barnwell Co. 1876-77. Member Great Salkehatchie Baptist Church. General
chairman for Barnwell Baptist Association 1867. As chairman finished paying for
publication of History of the Association and Its Churches by the Rev. Lewis H.
Shuck. Died in office as Senator February 14, 1877 in Barnwell County. Buried
in Great Salkehatchie Cemetery, in Ulmers.
Two of Jones slaves were members of the Salkehatchie
Church. Jones was Junior Warden when the Masonic Lodge at Buford’s Bridge was
organized. It was later moved to Jennys, and Loadholts Mill, then to Fairfax,
SC. In 1850 he donated for the preacher. His wife was excluded from Great
Salkehatchie. Jones gave property for Allen Chapel Baptist Church in 1856 near
Ulmers on the Barnwell Road. This church still stands and is used today. Most
of his lands was around the Ulmers area (Wells Branch, Jackson Branch, Big
Salkehatchie) was owned by Jones M Williams. This area was called the
Great Cypress. He left his widow and child well taken care of.
A.
Jones
Angus Williams born Dec 18, 1842 died December 20, 1876 married Celia Amanda
Barker (1843-—1916). After his untimely death, his widow married his cousin
James Roberts Williams. At her death she was buried at Great Salkehatchie
Cemetery next to Angus. She was very attractive and full of life. She had
nicknames Hon and Cele. Her father was Capt. William Ransom Barker. Angus was
indulged and spoiled being the only child. This was a period of prosperity
before the Civil War. Angus was a
student at Furman University when the Civil War broke out. He left school to
enlist. When Angus went to join his regiment for service in the CSA, his father
sent an African American boy to serve as a valet for him. The Captain of the
Regiment laughed at Angus, sent the boy home on the captains horse. He kept
Angus horse for his own use. Eventually Angus became a sergeant.
His children were Jones Angus Williams Junior born 1865 died
December 24, 1938. He married May Bamberg.
Her family was highly respected and well to do. Her father was General F. M.
Bamberg and mother was Mary Ann Jennings. Jones A. Williams Jr inherited all his
fathers property. This line of Williams was known to be proud, high living
people. When the ravages of the Civil War left an era of devastation and hard
times, with much change, many of these well to do families seemed to
deteriorate and not recover for generations. Two other children died in infancy
Elizabeth Wroten Williams and William Barker Williams.
Captain William Britton Williams
He was born 1820 near the Great Salkehatchie River in Barnwell District, and died August 11, 1893 at Ulmer. He married Sarah
Simpson Roberts daughter of Stephen Roberts and Mrs. Polly Lyons March 20
1819-March 22, 1878. Captain Billy
as he was known received monies in the name of his father’s estate several times. Captain Billy
Williams received 500 acres and four slaves from his fathers estate. He was the Tax Collector for Barnwell County
for years. Captain Billy Williams as recorded in Deed D 549 bought a slave Beth
and gave her to a free man of color named Moses.
His father John Williams witnessed the deed. He must have been the
favored son for he inherited the family home built by his father in 1810. He
was one of the executors of his father’s estate. "The remainder of my tract of
land that I have heretofore conveyed to him containing 62 acres more or less.
Also the remainder of my tract of 411 acres, after cutting off sixty acres for
my son James Wilson: on condition said son William B. pays $649 to be divided
as part of my estate. Also four slaves." This bequest contained the homestead.
He was buried at Great Salkehatchie Baptist Cemetery.
A.
John
Perry Williams born April 24 1842 died March 18, 1878. He married Mary (Mollie)
Hoover the daughter of Rev. John Hoover. April 4 1838-December 2, 1902. He
received his inheritance from his father in 1873, 400 acres. He was a member of
the Salkehatchie Baptist Church and was a Mason. This whole family died with Tuberculosis a
weakness for this disease ran through several generations of this branch of the
Williams. Much property in Barnwell County and surrounding areas was swampy,
which may have contributed to the diseased. His children were Mack Williams, Josie Williams 1876-1895 who never married, Hay Williams, Mamie
Williams married Dr. Craddock, Mary
(Molly) Williams, William (Willie) J. born August 11, 1866 died April
30, 1891, and Sally
Williams born May 1, 1871 died April 17, 1898 who married Henry Cummings
B.
Ann
Williams June 15, 1845 died June 3, 1908 married James Wilson Myrick son of
John Myrick. Her children were Viola
Myrick married Mr. Myrick from Virginia,
C. Amanda Rebecca Williams 1848-1878
C. Amanda Rebecca Williams 1848-1878
D. James Roberts Williams May 20,
1849-January 4,1916 married Minnie Hoover July 6, 1848-June 4, 1878. She was a
daughter of Rev. John Hoover. After she died J.R. Williams married Celia Amanda
Barker widow of his cousin Jones Angus Williams. J.R. inherited from his father
the old John Williams homestead. He had three children. Edwin Rawley Williams January 12,
1872-January 28, 1907 who married Lennie Drew Folk. They lived on the old John
Williams place. Rawley had tuberculosis.
He added a room off the kitchen for a sickroom. Lennie Drew was quite young
when they married. She never knew anything but an ill husband and she nursed
him faithfully. But she was inexperienced and everything came hard for her.
After Rawley’s death she married Malvin Hogg and gave up her daughter to be
reared by Rawleys sister Jane. Rawley Williams had a daughter named Rowley
Williams (daughter) born Dec 23, 1906 died August 16, 1991 who married Lewis Lovett
(1903-1984) of Wrightsville Georgia. She inherited the old Williams house and
property from her father. The old house was was occupied
until 1950. Rawley Lovett has taken many of the old boards from the house for
paneling to enhance her present home in Wrightsville, Georgia. The poor old
house so rich in memories with daylight shining through the cracks is about to
give up the ghost. J R Williams's other children were Jane
Williams who married Dr. Mack Lewis. She had no children but raised her niece Rowley
Williams. He had a store in Sycamore SC with his doctors office in the rear.
Later they lived in Bamberg, SC. Janes nickname was Doll. She graduated from
Winthrope College. The other daughter was Ann
Williams
E.
Jane
Caroline Williams was born August 23, 1852 and died May 13, 1886. She married 1873 William Jeter
Myrick June 19, 1848-April 4, 1937. He was the son of John Myrick (1812-1879).
He served in Company G 2nd Infantry CSA. She eloped from a second
story widow. Her children were William
Williams Myrick born March 7, 1873 died 1952 married Rosa Cave, and Mary
Pauline Myrick February 21, 1878-February 10, 1956 married John Matthew Griffin and John Myrick married Miss Fugeson
Mary Williams
She was born circa 1825 Great Salkehatchie, Barnwell, and married James "Jim" Hick Williams. She inherited 5 slaves and “a tract of land
whereon she now lives contains 163 acres from her father..
THE MALLARD FAMILY CONNECTION
Some researcher believe that Wilson' Williams had a first wife, the daughter of George Mallard. This is based solely on a Bill of Compliant filed in the Equity Court of Orangeburgh District on 12 March 1819, by Wilson Williams against "Durin" Mallard [George Duran Mallard] over a tract of land on the Coosawhatchie River, which once belonged to George Mallard.
George Mallard made out his will 12 September 1812 in Barnwell District South Carolina which was probated 30 October 1812. In Barnwell District Will Book 'A', on page 154 is the record of a George Mallard's will. This will list the name of his perhaps 2nd wife and her children. Their names are as follow: Wife Easter [Esther], children's Daniel, Dewring [George Duran], Sarah, Rachel, Nancy, and Hester Ann. 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. The will was witnessed by Ezekiel Stokes and Joseph Allen. On 31 October 1812, Ezekiel Stokes made a sworn statement before the Ordinary of Barnwell District, regarding George Mallard's will. In Ezekiel's statement he declared the will was George's true will, and he also said that George and he were cousins.
On 20 October 1818 Wilson Williams bought 191 acres from Daniel Mallard, which was his half of his inheritance from George Mallard. Wilson paid $400 for this land on Coosawhatchie River near the Beaufort District county line. The deed record showed this acreage was part of lands first granted to Charles Boyles, William Bryan, and Joshua Williams.
George Mallard was originally from Duplin County, North Carolina before moving to Barnwell District South Carolina where he had lands near Wilson’s uncle Joshua Williams in an area known as Duck Savannah. A deed from 1788 showed that Absalom Stricklin deeded 50 acres to George Mallard in Duplin County.
It is thought that George Mallard had two sets of children by two wives. His first wife's name is unknown and is thought to have died before 1790. Her children were possibly Miss 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.
It is thought that George Mallard had two sets of children by two wives. His first wife's name is unknown and is thought to have died before 1790. Her children were possibly Miss 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.
Hiram Mallard died after 1841 and married Maria Moore the daughter of William Moore Senior. Their children were Sarah Elizabeth Mallard wife of James Brawdy of Beaufort County, Virgil Mallard, Francis Mallard, Laura Mallard, James Mallard, Theodore Mallard, Gaspar Mallard, and Lucy Mallard. The last record of him is when he sold his wife's interest in estate of William Moore Sr.
The first record of George Mallard in Barnwell District is in the 1800 census. He is listed as being between 26 and 44 years of age [1756 and 1774]. This is problematic if this George Mallard is the father of Mary Mallard Williams. If Mary Mallard Williams had a son in 1790 she most likely would not have been younger than 16 years old [1774] and thus unlikely but not impossible to be a daughter of this man.
George Mallard is shown in this 1800 census with a young family of three children under the age of 10 and with a young wife between the ages of 16 and 25 [1775-1784]. His near neighbors were James Lipsey, John McFail, Benajah Best, Henry Creech and Adam Mallard.
The woman in the 1800 census was evidently his 2nd wife Esther Allen and these children were from that marriage which indicates that his children by his 1st wife were grown and on their own. Not far from George was Adam Mallard who is believed to be his son, married with young children. James Lipsey was George's first cousin son of Roscoe Lipsey and Sarah Mallard. Adam Mallard may have married Elizabeth Bowen and moved to Georgia. On 13 March 1802 Adam Mallard sold 70 acres on Duck Branch.
On 31 January 1801 Ann Meadows of "Winton County, South Carolina" sold to George Mallard of the same, 32 acres. The witnesses were James Lipsey and Charles Boyles. Another deed record dated 19 June 1802 Joshua and Elizabeth Williams of Georgia, sold to George Mallard of Barnwell District, South Carolina for $175.00, 200 acres adjoining Charles Boyles, Dempsey Phillips, William Bryan and Joshua Williams. . The witnesses to this deed were Ezekiel Stokes and George Stokes. These men were his first cousins son of Arthur Stokes and Catherine Mallard.
The Stokes moved to the Barnwell District of South Carolina from Craven County, North Carolina. On 1 August 1799 Arthur Stokes bought 922 acres of land from Benjamin Allen on the Coosawhatchie River in what is now Allendale County, but in 1799 was in Barnwell County. South Carolina. Arthur shows as the head of household in the 1800 and 1810 Federal census of Barnwell District, South Carolina.
George Mallard, James Lipsey, Ezekiel Stokes and George Stokes were all grandsons of George Mallard of Duplin County, North Carolina. James Lipsey's father and mother were Roscoe Lipsey and Sarah Mallard.
In the 1810 Census however George Mallard is listed as over 45 years old [before 1755]. His neighbors were Josiah Allen, Benajah Best, John Boyle Sr., Henry Creech, John Lipsey, William Lipsey, and Arthur Stokes.
The woman in the 1800 census was evidently his 2nd wife Esther Allen and these children were from that marriage which indicates that his children by his 1st wife were grown and on their own. Not far from George was Adam Mallard who is believed to be his son, married with young children. James Lipsey was George's first cousin son of Roscoe Lipsey and Sarah Mallard. Adam Mallard may have married Elizabeth Bowen and moved to Georgia. On 13 March 1802 Adam Mallard sold 70 acres on Duck Branch.
On 31 January 1801 Ann Meadows of "Winton County, South Carolina" sold to George Mallard of the same, 32 acres. The witnesses were James Lipsey and Charles Boyles. Another deed record dated 19 June 1802 Joshua and Elizabeth Williams of Georgia, sold to George Mallard of Barnwell District, South Carolina for $175.00, 200 acres adjoining Charles Boyles, Dempsey Phillips, William Bryan and Joshua Williams. . The witnesses to this deed were Ezekiel Stokes and George Stokes. These men were his first cousins son of Arthur Stokes and Catherine Mallard.
The Stokes moved to the Barnwell District of South Carolina from Craven County, North Carolina. On 1 August 1799 Arthur Stokes bought 922 acres of land from Benjamin Allen on the Coosawhatchie River in what is now Allendale County, but in 1799 was in Barnwell County. South Carolina. Arthur shows as the head of household in the 1800 and 1810 Federal census of Barnwell District, South Carolina.
George Mallard, James Lipsey, Ezekiel Stokes and George Stokes were all grandsons of George Mallard of Duplin County, North Carolina. James Lipsey's father and mother were Roscoe Lipsey and Sarah Mallard.
In the 1810 Census however George Mallard is listed as over 45 years old [before 1755]. His neighbors were Josiah Allen, Benajah Best, John Boyle Sr., Henry Creech, John Lipsey, William Lipsey, and Arthur Stokes.
George Mallard wrote his will 12 Sept 1812 in Barnwell District South Carolina and must have been ill as that he died not long after as that his will was then probated 30 Oct 1812. He may have only been in his late fifties. After his death his widow Esther Allen Mallard remarried Charles Boyles.
On 26 October 1818, Duren Mallard and his wife Eleanor sold to Wilson Williams 191 acres on the Coosahatchie River for $400.
On 26 October 1818, Duren Mallard and his wife Eleanor sold to Wilson Williams 191 acres on the Coosahatchie River for $400.
I am a descendant of Wilson Williams through his daughter Winifred Riley Williams who married Absalom Blanchard Best. Their daughter Mary Elizabeth Best married John Wesley Allen, my great grandparents. Their daughter Annie Susan Allen married Robert Francis Reeves and their son Carroll Edwin Reeves was my father.
ReplyDeleteVirginia Ann Reeves (Catalano)
Ben, I am a descendant of Wilson Williams through his daughter Winifred Riley Best (m. Absalom Blanchard Best). Do you have information on her mother Elizabeth who was married to Wilson Williams? I just looked up the will of George Kirkland in Barnwell Probate books and Wilson Williams was an administrator of the estate, but children were not named.
ReplyDeleteVirginia
ginyan@gmail.com
George had daughters Elizabeth, Esther, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Winifred. He was the son of Joshua Kirkland, son of Edward, son of Richard (1670-1743). You can view him on my tree here: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/72027249/family?cfpid=272054882291
DeleteI would like documentation (for DAR purposes) that Elizabeth Kirkland was a daughter of George Kirkland. She married Wilson Williams. I have read it a few places but no one lists a reference.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I would like documentation (for DAR purposes) that Elizabeth Kirkland was a daughter of George Kirkland. She married Wilson Williams. I have read it a few places but no one lists a reference.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
She is named in a 4 May 1818 deed as an heir of George Kirkland regarding distribution of George's property: ". . . summoned Wilson Williams, who is guardian of Wiley J Williams, Martin J Williams, Patsy Williams, Winifred Williams, and Fanny Williams, children of Elizabeth, lately Elizabeth Kirkland . . ."Kirkland Source Book of Records, Vol. I, p. 241 referencing Barnwell County, NC Deed Book M, pp 104-107 - viewable here: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS7S-ZY77?i=522&cat=360748
Deletegood
ReplyDeleteMy great great grandmother name is Mrs. Anna Kirkland Deer from Ulmer SC
ReplyDeletecorkydeer@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI descend from George Kirkland thru daughter Elizabeth who married Wilson Williams. Does anyone have proof of Revolutionary War records of George besides gift of need to cause??
ReplyDeleteGift of beef.....
ReplyDelete