The following is a narrative and genealogy of North Carolina WILLIAMS
who migrated to Wilson County in the 1800's. Some of it is amusing and
some of it gives a view of life during those early times. This work
(which was typewritten) was found while researching this writer's WILLIAMS'
ancestry. Some of it is known to be true and most of it probably is true;
however, this work should not be used as a proof of one's genealogy.
Quotation marks within brackets indicate remarks that were penciled in
as added remarks or data. A list of surnames is listed at the end.
ROBERT WILLIAMS >From authen(t)ic tradition the name Williams originated in Wales. To all people of this name are either approximate or remote decendants from the Welch. A native of England, Robert emigrated to America some time from 1730 to 1740 and became the ancestor of many. He was a tailor by trade, but where he settled I am uninformed. I suppose he settled either in Mechlenburg, Va., or Warren, N. C., for in the latter part of the 18th century (and perhaps till yet) there were many of his descendants in both counties and on both side of the Roanoke. He married in America but his first wife's maiden name I know not, though it is certain she raised 8 children, viz. Robert and Seth. These all so far as I know reared large families, but who they married I know not. They all (so far as my information goes) accumulated good fortunes. John; Francis; Nimrod; Simon; Dorcas; Ashkenaz (married Sarah Hackney); Archelus; Permanas; Robert; Seth. There are many things of importance concerning the family I might have learned from my father, but failed to do so. I remember to have heard him say that in his early boyhood he had more than 70 own cousins. Fidelity, truth, and honesty was the characteristic pride of the family for the first two or three generations. ASHKENAZ WILLIAMS Ashkennaz Williams married Sarah Hackey by whom he raised 10 children, namely: Joseph married Mahala Howard Sarah married Daniel Elenton Henry married Francis Bowdon Nimrod married Susan Andrews Ashkenaz Elizabeth married John Hackney Dorcas married Wiley Nevels Anderson married Candace Hackney Dolly married Mark Bynumjun ? ("Julius")Joseph married Charlotte Temples ("must be a mistake-why 2 children named Joseph? It Seems it was Julius") Sarah Hackney was a daughter of Joseph Hackney who was an immigrant from England. Robert Williams died and left his second wife a widow and this same Joseph Hackney married her as his second wife. Thus she became alternately the stepmother of both Ashkenaz and Sarah. She had two children by each. 2 Our grandfather Robert Williams an Englishman from England and a tailor by trade but married in America: his first wife's maiden name I don't know, but she had 8 (?) children namely: (listed p. 1.). His second wife was Ann Edwards. They had 1-2 sons. One son was named Seth. Ann Edwards became the second wife of Joseph Hackney, my grandfather, after the death of Robert Williams. They had two daughters. One married Mark Bynum, the other Bradford Howard. They are both dead long ago. Grandfather Hackney had several children by his first wife, namely: John, Joseph, Williams, Daniel, Robert, Lote, Icmime, Salley, Mary, Elizabeth, Ailuy. (Some of the above names are illegible and had to be largely guessed at - J. H. Williams III, Clerk & Master, Lebanon, Tenn.) The original letter from which this information was taken is not in Dad's file. L. Wms. 1970, Lakeland Fla. ("See p. 6. Probably from record sent to Dad.") ("This should have preceeded p. 4") Joseph Williams died in Wilson Cty. May 7, 1824, age 52 y. 9 M. 21 D. Mahala Williams died June Ju. 1835, " 63 Y. 2 M. Julius I.("or II")" -------------- May 1862, " 68 Y. 6 20 Dy. Elbert N. ----- " -------------- Aug 1871, " 76 Y. 1 26 Sarah H. ------ " -------------- June 1835, "("38") Henry H Mary S. ------- " -------------- 1804, " 3 (Died in Warren City, N. C.) Washington ---- died -------------- Sept 1845, "("43") Martha -------- " -------------- June 1825, " 21 2 Elizabeth ----- " -------------- Aug 6, 1870, " 65 8 16 Dorcas -------- " -------------- Apr 1838, " 33 4 4 Thomas G. ----- " -------------- Dec 1865, " 58 7 Ashkinaz William H. ---- " ------------- Sept 6, 1850, " 38 y. 3 m. 2 (All after the word Sept in last line has a mark drawn throught it.) JOSEPH WILLIAMS He has already been afflicted with rheumatism till he was unable to do much work, hence he taught school as an expedient, by which he could realize about $(8 ? nr) per month. But it was fatal to his health, he taught one session and walked four miles twice a day which brought on severe spells of rheumatism that drawed his neck and shoulders down so that for a remarkably straight man he ever after had to lean back to look up. (Probably was arthritis, L. Wms.) I have so far detailed a few of the trials of his life but the worst is yet to come. 3. He lived in the midst of a vivious community, gambling was common even among the leading men and all classes used intoxicating liquors. He kept a still of his own, did not distill whiskey but made apple and peach brandy every year from his own orchard and made a business of distilling his neighbors crops for toll. Drunkeness was common, hence it is no wonder if he became intoxicated himself, especially considering it a temporary relief to his pain, the wonder would have been if he hadn't. But whether drunk or sober, he never used profane language, he was a man of unimpeccable veracity and inflexible honesty, though irreligous, and if he possessed any cunning or deception, I failed to find it out. State of Tennessee Wilson Co. 1862 JOSEPH WILLIAMS Moved from Warren Co., N. C., to the western part of Chatham County, N. C., Rocky River in 1804. He lived there that year and then bought a farm in said county two miles north of Redfield Ford on the Haw River where he lived till the memorable 5th day of April 1815 when he started to the west and emigrated to this county. It was here scenes took place in his eventful life which led to the destiny of himself and family at least in this way if not the next. He prospered in his new home for the first two or three years and then came the days of adversity. He had sold his farm in Warren but before he sold it, he had given off one corner for a meeting house with the benefit of the family spring, the line running through it, so that it took but little work to dig out the head of the spring and move it entirely above the line on the meeting house land. After this here was suit brought for damages, and after defending the suit for years one hundred miles from home he lost it with heavy damage. Thus with the pressure of the times placed him in straitened circumstances. In those days he made tobacco and paid carriage 60 miles and sold it at two dollars to four dollars per hundred and sold corn at $1. to $1.25 bar. He had a large family and nobody to work till his children were old enough to help him. Let me here tell a story of those days. One day father was gone from home and mother was sitting in the door when an officer rode up, she asked him to alight. Where is Mr. Williams? She told him. "I have an execution and must levy on property." She mildly pointed out as she sat plenty. He went off and staid. (Doesn't make too much sense.) 4 Joseph Williams, son of Ashenaz and Sarah (maiden name Hackney) was born in Warren City, N. C., on the 16th day of July 1771. He married Mahala Howard on the 22nd of Sept. 1792, by whom he has 12 children. Mahala Williams, daughter of John and Mary Howard, was born in Warren City, N. C., on the 7th of April 1772. Mary Howard's maiden name was Sanders or Nichols. Of the 12 children, 6 were born in Warren on the Roanoke and the other 6 in Chatham City, N. C., viz: Julius Howard (the first) was born Tuesday Sept 24, 1793 Elbert Nichol ............ " " Thursday June 25, 1795 Sarah Hackney ............ " " Friday Sept 22, 1797 Henry Basdel ............. " " Sunday Mar 27, 1799 Mary Sanders ............. " " Monday Feb 2, 1801 Her clothes took fire in the smoke house and she burned to death, died in a few hours. Feb 1804 Washington .............. was born Thursday Oct 7, 1802 Martha .................. " " Sunday June 17, 1804 Born on Rock River, Chatham City, N. C. She professed religion and was baptised into the fellowship Union Church 1824. Died June 19, 1825 Elizabeth and Dorcas ... were born Thursday Nov 21, 1805 Thomas Gardner .......... was " Wednesday May 6, 1807 Ashkenaz ................ " " Wednesday Dec 6, 1809 William Howard .......... " " Thursday July 8, 1812 JOSEPH WILLIAMS cont. The crisis, the pressure of hard times had been growing worse for a number of years. In 1814 was the hardest: just then he was pressed on for an amount of money (maily security debts) that he could not pay without selling so near all of his property that he could not have enough left to live on in that country. He sold his farm and at a very reduced rate and resolved to move. It was shear necessity. But where should he move to? He first decided to go to Georgia, but the Lord (as I believe) sent an angel in the person of an old man who changed that purpose. This old man lived in Orange County, N. C., about 20 miles off and he had a farm in Georgia and was going to it for some purpose with an empty waggon. Father sent to him to come and see him that he wished to hire him to move him. The man came and 5 JOSEPH WILLIAMS cont. the man came and when he saw a large family of little children he told him Georgia was not the place for him. He then decided to go to Giles County, Tennessee. His cousin Anderson Hackney agreed to go with him and furnish one horse. He thus fitted out an able four horse team, two of them blind. He settled his business and got ready to start by the 5th of April with ten children and two little negroes, Father, Mother and Cousin Anderson made 15 in all (Elbert left behind). I have no recollection of an hours sickness on the road among all the 15. He started with about $100 in money and when he reached Falling Creek on the 6th of May, he did not have enought left to go on to Giles. It would be almost incredible to relate the hardships of this years. See an old man placed among strangers with his neck and shoulders drawn down unable to work and only two boys nearly big enough to plow (Julius was free), with a large family to maintain and no means till obtained by hard struggling. Hitherto the struggle had been of a different kind, but now it is for a subsistence. See a dear old woman furnish a large family plenty to eat out of what would now be considered nothing or nearly so, is enough to remind one of the Loaves and Fishes, but though I and my father before me suffered hunger more that year than any year, I always found plenty of wholesome diet at home if it was coarse. My father run his wagon all he could that year and he always took me or Washington with him and then we frequently suffered. Let me not forget the hand that fed us, at and abroad, by kind and generous friends the rememberance of which fills me with emotions of gratitude to this day. We made corn enough this year to supply us the next and sold enough to pay for a cow. In reviving this narrative we see the conspicious hand of profidence controlling for may years. While the said Joseph Williams was reveling with his comrades, he all the time had a praying wife, who ceased not to pray for deliverance from that vile community which she termed Sodom. But little did she think her prayers had to be answered by reducing her to almost the lowest depths of poverty. They had to leave there but it had to be a case of necessity as we have already seen. It was also of 6 JOSEPH WILLIAMS cont. necessity that he stopped in Wilson County. In 1817, he intered 25 acres of land and settled in a deep glen in the woods, one of the most solitary places in the world. This year my Fathered professed religion and the solitary place became a place of joy and gladness. O, the inexpressible joys that he and mother realized in that solitude. They both believed that it was by a controlling Devine Providence they left N. C. In 1819, he bought a farm low down on Falling Creek, lived there this year. It was the year he was baptized into the fellowship of Union Church. In 1820, he bought and moved to the place where he died. Signed July 27th, 1872 H. B. Williams State of Tennessee Wilson County Know all men by these present that whereas Joseph Williams of the said county died intestate in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty-four and Mahala Williams his wife died in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five. We the undersigned being the lawful heirs of the said deceased have proceeded to divide the estate of said deceased among our selves to the amount of between thirty-nine hundred and four thousand dollars in two divisions on 3rd of January eighteen hundred and thirty-one to the amount of between twenty-six and twenty-seven hundred dollars. The other 16th of Sept. eighteen hundred and thirty-five which amounted to twelve hundred and forty dollars after paying all the debts against the estate. This includes all the property of said estate both personal and real having sold all among ourselves and mutually agreed on the price thereof we therefore do each of acknowledge we have received our portion of said estate and by these present do receipt in full against any further claim on said estate. In testimony whereof we hereto set our hand and seal. This 28th of July A. D. eighteen and thirty-six. 7 JOHN HOWARD John Howard was an Englishman but whether he was born in England or America, I know not. He married Mary Nichols (though I have believed she was a Sanders) of English descent. The Sanders were also English. They had many relatives in Warren County, N. C., where they lived and died, both by affinity and consanguity. Among whom are to found the names of Nichols, Sanders, Basdel, Kimbrel, Kitral, Christmas, etc. The raised nine children (perhaps more), viz: Julius married John married Sarah married Elisha Simms Mary married Thomas Simms These Simms were all cousins to Elizabeth married William Simms each other. Thomas married a Christmas Hannah married William Dotson William Mahala married Joseph Williams ******************* Robert Williams, an Englishman married in America, 1. ? 2. Ann Edwards Ashkenaz Williams (son of Robert by 1st wife) married 9-22-1792 to Sarah Hackney, daughter of Joseph Hackney. After Robert died, Joseph married Ann Edwards. She became the step-mother to both Ashkenaz and Sarah. Children of Ashkenaz and Sarah Joseph; Sarah; See next p. 8 Robert Williams, an Englishman married in America, 1st. ? 2. Ann Edwards Children viz. first wife: John, Francis, Nimrod, Simon, Dorcas, Ashkenaz, Archelus, Permenas Children viz. second wife Ann Edwards: Robert, Seth Ashkenaz Williams, son of Robert by first wife: Married 9-22-1792 to Sarah Hackney, daughter of Joseph Hackney. After the death of Robert, Joseph married Ann Edwards, widow of Robert. She became the step-mother of both Ashkenaz and Sarah. Children viz: Joseph, Sarah, Henry, Nimrod, Ashkenaz, Elizabeth, Dorcas, Anderson Dolly, Joseph? must be a mistake, why 2 Joseph's; probably was Julius since that name was carried on. Joseph Williams, 1771-1824, married 9-22-1792 to Mahala Howard, 1772-1835 Children viz: Malaha daughter of John Howard & Mary Sanders or Julius Howard 1793-1862 (68) Mary Nichols Elbert Nichols 1795-1871 (76); Sarah Hackney 1797-1835 (38); Henry Basdel 1799- ( ); Cousin Norman's grandfather Mary Sanders 1801-1804 ( 3); Washington 1802-1845 (43) Martha 1804-1845 (43); Elizabeth (twin)1805-1870 (65) Dorcas (twin) 1805-1838 (33); Thomas Gardner 1807-1865 (58) Ashkenaz 1809- ( ); William H. 1812-1850 (38) Julius Howard Williams (I or II) 9-24-1793 - 5-13-1862 (68) Married to Margaret Cason (Grandma Peggy). A strong-willed character Married Feb 24, 1820 ("in Wilson Co, TN") Children viz: Polly, Joe, Josh, Mahala, Becky, Sarah, Martha, James A., Julius Howard Polly + ? Quarles Joe (C.) + Pricilla Mount ("m. 12-17-1846, Wilson Co, TN") Dee Anderson + Vina Donnell Joe + Donna Pendleton Martin Luther + Lucy Alexander Florence + George Robertson Cale, Louise, James Sam + Myrtle Robinson Mary, Elihu, James Henry, Laura Agnes, Spurgeon Elihu Wash + Lowry Charles + Dement Ferdinand (Bud) + 1. Eugenia Penuel 2. Mollie Tarpley Edna + Dee Moody; Flora, Kate + Jennings, Jess + Newly, Infant, Carrie + Thompson, John Morgan, Irene + Dee Huddleston, Vera + Shores, Annie Mary + O. W. Phillips Julius + Lucy Owen Alma + Earl Green; Benten + Nell Williams; Lena Judson + Douglas Williams; Infant; Mary Kate Josh + Kittie Fields ("m. 1-8-1861 in Wilson Co, TN") Nannie + Chastain Jack + Louise + Twins Willie + Nannie Donnell Angie Jack + Coro Green Callie Mae + Riley Vanhook, brother to Mary Fred Jack + Mary Vanhook, sister to Riley Rosie + Jonas Stroud Infant; Ryal + Jennette Harris Richard + Callie Bass 2. ? Mary Angie 9 Mahala + George Huddleston (Gun) Children viz: Tom, W. T., Betty, Julia, P. H. (Jack), Morgan, Stonewall Thomas Antony + Etta Neely Willie, George, Dee, Ada, Antony, Betty, Howard, Dura, Homer Willie + Bonds George + Anna Hall Inez, Hollis, Clyde Dee + Cora Hall Benton, Glen, J. T., Ada Flora, Gertrude Ada + Byron Quarrles Lennette Antony + Effie Patterson Claude, Ettaway, John, Mahala, Collis, Hermine, Homer Betty + Alsup 5 children Howard + Patterson Dura + Boone Estes Anna, Julius, Bernice Homer W. T. (Duge) (bachelor) Betty + Dr. M. H. Grimmitt Julia + Dr. Preston Morgan + a French woman, married in France P. H. (Jack) + Allie Alsup Walter + Grace Huddleston; Allie; a sister; Stonewall; Henry; Bernice Morgan + Ella Preston Asalee, Alga, Annie May Stonewall (bachelor) Becky + Phillips Martha + Willie Malone; Margaret + Bond: J + Alford John Huse + 1. Short 2. Smith; Rosa + Jack Preston Julius + Lester Willie + Huddleston Sarah + Pat Short Anderson + Sallie Phillips Allie; Will + Lucy Jones Mag + Charles Rushing Ruby, Sarah, Nannie + Comer, Inez, Margaret, Walter Julius + ? ; Patrick + Mattie McCullah; John (bachelor) Martha + William Baird Mary Belle + Charles Davidson Mattie + R. T. Davis; Winnie + J. O. Cannon; Mary Bell; Henry Dr. A. Johnson Baird + Nannie Phillips John + Bland; Bernice + George Stewart; Charles; Evelyn Charles W. + Arnold 2. Mary Kate Owen William Owen + Maud Bone 2. ? William, Walter + Irma Hobbs, Doak, Gene Estelle Lucy Ann + G. M. Brown Peggy Mary; Estelle Catherine + Lucy Anna + W. R. King Willie, Hugh, Margaret 10 James A. + Bertha Short Children viz: Maggie, Alex, Emma, Anna, Sallie, John, Lee Howard, Winnie Maggie + W. P. Henderson Lena; Journal + Madre Hood; Dee Alex Emma + Sam Thompson Bertha + Rob Phillips Eugene + Mattie Mae Bass Richard Infant Richmond + Quesenbury Nell; Lillian + Hollis Short Fannie + Smith 2. + Everett Hewgley Roy Smith; Everett Hewgley, Jr. Ruth + Roy Sullivan R. P., Deemy Willette + Vail Williams Cornelia; Vail, Jr. Walter + Quesenbury Rosaline; Emma; Frances; Hope Mary Dee + McSpadden Sam + Lorna Mae Williams Anna Sallie John + Lillie Oakley Melvin + Eula Butte Melvin, Jr. Waterman (Dick) + Mable Walden James Kerford; Ruth + Moore; Oakley; John W. Winnie + W. W. Arnold Stonewall + Lester; Deemy + Mamie Francis; Annie Lee + Jones; Glen Julius Howard Williams (II or III), 3-6-1841 - 3-1-1920 Married to Sarah Elizabeth Owen (1844-98) on July 10, 1862 He served in the War Between the States, and was left for dead on the battlefield, his commanding officer rescued him. He served as County Judge of Wilson Co. Children viz: Bettie Lee; Robert Bone; Kate, Cora Mahala; Mattie; Ida Margaret; Alex (Bud); Ada Mae; Ernest Pillow 1. Bettie Lee July 20, 1863 - June 15, 1896 2. Robert Bone, Judge Feb 1, 1866 - Dec 24, 1929 Married Gertrude Thomas (Lawrenceburg) ( ) Aug 17, 1899 Elizabeth Odgen 2/11/1901 - 5/15/1938 Married Roy Smith (of Va. Beach) Nov 1, 1924 Elizabeth Mary (Bettie Mae) 12/21/26 + George Bernard Smith Sat. 8/24/49 Elizabeth Helen 10/31/51 Susan Devore 4/26/54 Ellen Love 11/26/29 + Allen Lafayette Sweet Married Sat. Oct 6, 1951 Robert Allen 5/26/54; Kevin Roy 6/19/56 Mary Ellen 3/22/61 Irene Belle 6/19/1903 - 1908 Helen Gertrude 11/3/06 + S. O. (Gus) Smith ( ) 9/15/31 After his death 9/15/41 she married his brother Roy Smith 2/15/43. Roy died 1967 Robert Bone, Jr. 1/9/42 - 10/6/39 3. Mary Kate 1867 - 1878 11 4. Cora Mahala 1869-Thur 4:20 July 13, 1961 Gaston Hospital, Lebanon Funeral Fall Creek Baptist Church 1:00 P.M. 7-15-61 She was the oldest member of the Church Married to J. Wilse Leeman (1867-1924) 7-4-1889 Mable 1892-1923 + Charles Phillips ( 2-8-47) Jan 10, 1909 Ernest + Margaret Ann Bond in 1928 + Erlene 12-13-1954 Annie Mae 1930 + Harold Williams Ernie 11-29-1948 Sherry 12-18-1952 Tomi 1-18-1961 5. Mattie Mable 1871-1913 + W. T. Leeman (6-10-70 to 2-23-1940) 5-3-1888 Alger 1890-1923 + Reba Vanhook ( ) Aug 3, 1908 Joel Sept 25, 1944 ("Son of Pillow -(Alger's son)") 6. William Hannibal (Bill) (12-13-1873 to 7-13-1955) Married to Elizabeth (Bessie) Alexander (June 4, 1876 - Jan 1, 1954) Married ("Dec 25, 1898") Sarah Belle 1900-1959 + Dee Vanhook ( ) Oct 18, 1921 Rebert Peyton Oct 9, 1925 + Mary Ragdalene Rutledge ( ) Married Vickie Sue Sept 15, 1948 Bobby Feb 1950 Debbie 1955 Bettie Lucile May 9, 1906 + Robert Edwards 10-27-05 Married Sat., Jan 18, 1930 ("A Cold, Cold Day!") Bobbie Coe (Beau) July 3, 1931 + Willie Mie Evans (4-3-37) Married Sun., June 6, 1954, Miami, Fla ("|_ Debra Lucile") Dorthy Jacqueline (Jackie) June 17, 1935 ("|_ Robert Dale") Michael (Mike) June 20, 1950 Robert Alex May 6, 1908 + Martha Rachel Kitchin (June 1918) Married Jan 20, 1938 Thomas Sept 15, 1942 Rachel Ann 2-22, 1953 Willie Marguerite July 11, 1913 - June 14, 1956 Married to Glenn Cunningham ( 1911) Sat., Sept 21, 1935 Glenn Married Annita ( 1919) Sept 4, 1959 Glenna May 14, 1943 + Deemy Paty ( ) Mt. Juliet Married Fri., May 25, 1962 Johnny; Karen 7. Julius Howard (III or IV) Aug 13, 1876 - Sept 16, 1951 Married to Louise Beatrice Penuel (Aug 19, 1883 - Wed., Nov 7, 1906) at Lascassas, Tenn., Wed., Jan 10, 1906 Louise Ione Wed., 10-17-06 He was Clerk and Master of Chancery Court at Lebanon for 4 years after having served in the State House of Representatives. His funeral was the first held in the new Baptist Church at Lebanon 8. Ida Margaret 1879 - Sat., July 15, 1961 at 9 P.M., Martha Gaston Hospital, Lebanon. She died the dy Cousin Mae Phillips was buried, Fun. 10:30 Mon., July 17 First Baptist Ch., Lebanon Aunt Cora died the following week, 3 deaths in the family within 10 days. 9. Alex (Bud) 1880-1904 10. Ada Mae June 11, 1884 - June 18, 1884 11. Ernest Pillow 1885-1909 All the children of Julius & Sarah Owen are buried in the Williams Cemetery at Norene except Robert (buried in Lawrenceburg) and Cora Leeman (Leeman another cemetery at Norene). All are in the front row in order named except Julius is on the second row. Julius H., Sr.; Sarah Wms.; Ada Mae; Mary Kate; Bettie Lee; Sarah Belle; (Dee). Starting at the right side of the gate. SURNAME LISTING Alford Alsup Anderson Andrews Arnold Baird Basdel Bass Bell Bond Bonds Bone Bowdon Butte Bynum Cannon Cason Chastain Christmas Cunningham Davidson Davis Dement Devore Donnell Dotson Edwards Elenton Estes Evans Green Grimmitt Hackney Hall Henderson Hewgley Hobbs Hood Howard Huddleston Ione Jennings Jones Judson Kimbrel King Kitchin Kitral Leeman Lester Malone McCullah McSpadden Moody Morgan Mount Neely Nevels Nichols Oakley Odgen Owen Patterson Paty Pendleton Penuel Phillips Preston Quarrles Quesenbury Robinson Rushing Rutledge Sanders Shores Short Simms Smith Stroud Sullivan Sweet Tarpley Temples Thomas Thompson Vanhook Walden Williams