Edward and Daniel Williams

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Copyright 2015 by Bobby Daniel

There is a great group of people who participate in a discussion group on the Internet, the Eastern Kentucky Williams group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ekywilliams. They are Williams descendants who want nothing more than to understand our true ancestry based on proven facts. For six years they have searched court records, marriage bonds, deeds, family bibles, published history, genealogical research by people of previous generations, interviews with the old folks, etc to get the proven Williams ancestry. I compiled this summary in 2005 and its entire contents is based on their efforts.

Table of Contents

  1. 1. "Facts" That can be Proven as Not True about Edward and Daniel Williams
  2. 2. No Proof Either Way
  3. 3. What we know about Edward and Daniel Williams and their Wives
  4. 4. History of counties in Ky relating to Edward and Daniel Williams
  5. 5. Some Good Background Web Sites
  6. 6. List of Documents Used in this Summary and Some Events Ordered by Date
  7. 7. Still Some Dispute
  8. 8. Proven Children of Edward and Jemimah Williams
  9. 9. Claimed Children of Daniel and Violet Williams
  10. 10. Children of Squire John T. Williams and Phoebe Ferguson
My Williams ancestry comes through both my mother and father.

My Mother:

  • Edward Williams and Jemimah
  • Daniel Williams and Violet
  • Squire John T. Williams and Phoebe Ferguson
  • Daniel W. Williams and Rebecca Day (1st cousins)
  • Samuel Wallace Williams and Sarah Emily Adams
  • Sanford Williams and Lydia Lykins
  • Winford Williams and Mary Helton
  • Wanda Jean Williams, my mother

My Father:

  • Edward Williams and Jemimah
  • Daniel Williams and Violet
  • Squire John T. Williams and Phoebe Ferguson
  • Spencer Hill and Cyntha Ann Williams (daughter of John T.)
  • Edward Hill and Cynthia Amanda Fairchild
  • Joseph Clark Hill and Rachel E. Hill
  • Walter Daniel and Mintie Hill
  • William F. Daniel, my father

There is no doubt about any of these names. However, in the past, there was some confusion about which Edward Williams and Daniel Williams were our ancestors. I will use a consistent spelling for the names for ease of reading but if you check the references you may see Edward as Ed, Ned, Edwin or Edmund. Violet may be Vilot and Jemimah may be Jemima. Old documents can be faded and difficult to read and some of these differences are due to the transcribers of these documents making their best effort with difficult handwriting and strange abbreviations. Also some folks probably did not know how to spell their name because many could not read or write. The early clerks wrote the name phonetically the way it sounded.

"Facts" That can be Proven as Not True about Edward and Daniel Williams

Some of the popular stated facts about Edward Williams and his son Daniel Williams are simply not true. Some facts were assumptions that have been proven wrong with later document discoveries, some facts were claimed to give Edward and Daniel closer relationships with famous people like Daniel Boone or famous events like the Battle of Blue Licks. One of the biggest stretches was to claim that Edward was the first husband of the grandmother of Jefferson Davis and therefore Daniel Williams was the uncle of Jefferson Davis.

It is claimed that Edward Williams and Daniel Williams came to Ky with Daniel Boone in 1775 and helped him build Fort Boonesborough. This is not supported by the facts. Edward Williams, several of his lifetime associates and Daniel Williams testified under oath in 1804-1805 in a land dispute case that our Edward Williams first came to Boonesborough, District of KY, in 1779. The fort was built in 1775, hence the claimed date of 1775 for their arrival in KY for this legend to be valid. There is no proof for Daniel being in Ky before 1779. He would have been 12 years old in 1775. It is probable that Daniel came to Boonesborough in 1779 with his father, mother and siblings.

It is claimed that Edward Williams had two wives, the first one died and he married his 2nd wife, Jemimah Anderson, at Boonesborough. This is based on a single flawed paragraph in "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri" published in 1876 by William S. Bryan and Robert Rose which contains a biographical sketch of Caleb, Edward's son who moved to Missouri. It states Edward and Jemimah married at Boonesborough and were the parents of Daniel, Penelope (Pernell), Joshua, Caleb, Casper & Susannah. Daniel was born in 1763 according to his headstone and we know Edward first came to Boonesborough in 1779 so part of this statement is not correct if we assume Edward and Jemimah were married before Daniel was born. The document only states one mother for all the listed children. There are no other documents to support the 2 wife theory. Our Edward and a Jemimah Williams were at Chopawamsic Baptist Church, Chopawamsic Creek, Stafford County VA in 1767. It is probable that this was his one and only wife. There is no other reference to a 2nd wife and no other name for his wife except for Jemimah.

It is claimed that our Edward was Thomas Edward Williams who married Mary Lydia Emory about 1752 and they had sons Daniel and Isaac. Thomas Edward died and Mary Lydia Emory Williams married Evan Davis in 1755. They had a son Samuel Emory Davis who was the father of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States, making Daniel Williams his uncle. Our Edward, father of our Daniel, was alive until at least 1804 in Montgomery County, Ky. There is no doubt that Mary Lydia Emory Willams was a widow when she married Evan Davis in 1755. Our Edward was alive in 1804 so he did not marry the grandmother of Jefferson Davis. Mary Emory Williams did have sons Daniel and Isaac but not our Daniel. Message 1721 at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ekywilliams/ is a good summary.

It is claimed that the date on Daniel Williams' headstone is incorrect and he was born in 1753, not 1763. There is no proof for this. However to make the story work that Daniel was the uncle of Jefferson Davis, he had to be born in 1753, before his claimed father, Thomas Edward Williams died, leaving his mother a widow in 1755 to marry Evan Davis. This man was not the father of our Daniel so this claim is irrelevant and there is no proof of any birth date except that as determined by his age and date of death engraved on his headstone. Also the 1810 Floyd County KY Census for Daniel Williams supports him being born in 1763 not 1753.

Oct 14, 2005 Fri 1:32:28 PM EDT Altitude: 956 ft Camera: Fuji FinePix E550Display on Google Map
Daniel
Oct 14, 2005 Fri 1:32:47 PM EDT Altitude: 953 ft Camera: Fuji FinePix E550Display on Google Map
Daniel
Oct 14, 2005 Fri 1:33:12 PM EDT Altitude: 953 ft Camera: Fuji FinePix E550Display on Google Map
Vilot

No Proof Either Way

It is claimed that Daniel Williams fought in the last battle of the American Revolution at the Battle of Blue Licks on 19 August 1782. History has carefully recorded and engraved on a monument the names of those that fought and died there or escaped. Daniel is not among them. There is a smaller monument for corrections and additions. Daniel is not among them. However there was a group of men who were "on their way" to the battle but arrived too late. The names of these men were not recorded. Daniel could have been in this group. That Daniel fought in this battle is one of the stronger traditional stories of his life and there is a DAR marker at his grave that says he fought in this battle as a private. The group has not found proof that he was or was not at the battle so I'll leave it the reader to form his own conclusion.

What we know about Edward and Daniel Williams and their Wives

Our Daniel Williams is buried in the Old Caney Cemetery in present day Morgan County, KY under a beautiful ancient oak tree beside his wife Violet. The cemetery was in Floyd County at the time of his death. Morgan County was created in 1822. Violet's maiden name was probably Couch based on tradition which claims Couch or Crouch and the middle name of her grandson, John Couch Lykins and great grandson, Elijah Couch Lykins.

Daniel is well documented in the history of Floyd county and areas that are now in Morgan County. There is really no doubt that this is our Daniel. The real question is which Edward is Daniel's father. There were at least three and sometimes four Edward Williams in KY during the late 1700's and early 1800's. Earlier researchers have often been confused by these different Edwards and even combined some of them into a composite Edward. I will give the detailed proof later, but our Edward was married to Jemimah, probably last name Anderson. Our Edward had several close associates for life. Nicholas Anderson is almost always mentioned any time our Edward appears in a document. Nicholas was born about 1730, probably in Virginia, and was married to Barbara, somtimes written as Barbary. Her maiden name is unknown. The others were John Harper, Ambrose Coffee and Raleigh Couch/Crouch. If any of these men are mentioned with an Edward Williams, he is our Edward. Nicholas Anderson was with him before Boonesborough at Chopawamsic Baptist Church in Stafford County, Virginia in 1767, signed a "corn compact" with him in 1779, was granted land beside him based on improvements made in 1779, served with him in the Revolutionary War, testified with him in the land dispute case in 1804-1805, lived on land adjacent to him on the Lulbegrud Creek and died in Montgomery County about 1809. Edward died in Montgomery County, Ky between 1804 and 1811. A date of 04 Sep 1804 is often claimed for Edward's death but no one has found proof for this exact date. John Harper lived across Little Mountain Creek (Hinkston - on the Lulbegrud) from Edward Williams.

It is written that Daniel Boone enjoyed a good book and he named the Lulbegrud Creek based on Jonathan Swift's classic "Gulliver's Travels."

Our Edward was probably born about 1740 in Virginia and married his only wife, Jemimah (probably Anderson) about 1762 in probably Virginia based on Daniel Williams being born in 1763. There are no proven parents for Edward and therefore no proven siblings for Edward. Edward Williams and Jemimah Williams were at Chopawamsic Baptist Church, Chopawamsic Creek, Stafford County, Virginia in 1767 with Nicholas Anderson, his wife Barbara and John Harper. Edward joined this church on 24 Nov 1767 and Jemimah Williams joined 3 Dec 1767. Daniel Williams would have been 4 years old. Remember Nicholas Anderson was with Edward all his adult life so we are sure this is our Edward. John Harper is also often documented with our Edward. They were together at Chopawamsic Baptist Church in 1767 and Boonesborough in 1779.

In 1769 a large group of people moved from the Chopawamsic Creek area to the Watauga River settlements in the Virginia wilderness (roughly Johnson City, Tennessee area today). Edward, his family and his close associates are thought to have been in this group but there is no solid proof. Researchers have found a few records of other folks migrating from Stafford County, Virginia to the Watauga River settlements in 1769 but the group has found no proof that our folks were part of this group.

Daniel Boone came to the Caintuck River in the Virginia wilderness (present day Kentucky) with 33 men, 1 woman and a slave (all documented) through the Cumberland Gap in 1775 cutting the Wilderness Road and built Fort Boonesborough. Our Edward and Daniel were not in that group. There is an Edward Williams in the wilderness at Fort Harrodsburg about this time, but he is not our Edward.

Daniel Boone led a larger group from the Watauga settlements to Boonesborough in 1779. It is believed that Edward Williams, family and associates were in the Watauga settlements at this time and we know they were in Boonesborough by June, 1779 (testimony under oath in the land dispute case). So it is believed that they were in the group led by Daniel Boone. It is probable that Edward brought his family with him at this time as it was later stated under oath in the land dispute case that Edward built a cabin at Boonesborough for him and his family.

The Colony of Virginia offered four hundred 400 acres of land to any settler who could prove he had marked a piece of land and subsequently made an improvement (i.e., built a cabin, no matter how crude) and raised a crop of corn. The corn fields were often very small, just big enough to qualify as a "crop" in order to gain the land. If a settler could prove a crop of corn to the land commissioners then he could make claim for and gain title to 400 acres (on which the improvement and crop must be therein located) plus the option/right to purchase an additional preemption of 1,000 acres adjoining the 400 earned by the crop of corn.

Edward Williams, Nicholas Anderson, John Harper and others signed a "corn compact" on 15 April 1779. Note the associates of Edward. A set of rules, six in number, was drawn up; and among these rules were the following: that each member shall appear each morning at the beat of the drum or at other notice; that every morning two or more men shall reconnoiter the grounds under cultivation which shall remain constantly under armed guard (because of Indian attacks); and that constant attention to the cultivation of the crop shall be obligatory. Information from Simpson History of Nathaniel Hart and the Draper Papers - KY Series CC Vol. 29, p.59.

Edward lived for about two years at the Boonesborough settlement (not the fort) before moving to Little Mountain Creek/Hinkston Creek area on the Lulbegrud Creek. Edward had 400 acres of land there and had made improvements in 1779 and planted a corn crop to claim the land.

Edward Williams lived on his Lulbegrud land until his death, probably in 1804 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. Our Edward is often referred to as Edward of Lulbegrud to distinguish him from the other Edward Williams of the time.

This Edward Williams is well documented. Our Daniel Williams is well documented. How do we know they are related? I'll give the highlights now with the detailed references later.

The flawed paragraph in "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri" published in 1876 must contain some true facts and it states that Edward Williams and Jemimah Anderson were the parents of Daniel, Penelope, Joshua, Caleb, Casper & Susannah. Even without this document we can connect Edward Williams of Lulbegrud and his wife Jemimah to our Daniel Williams. In 1794 Edward Williams and Jemimah Williams, his wife, sell for 30 pounds, 100 acres to Daniel Williams from their 400 acre preemption granted to Edward Williams based on his 1779 improvements and corn crop. There is another deed in Clark County, Ky Deed Book 1, pages 484-485 Williams to Talbert which records Daniel Williams, Violet Williams his wife and his father Edward Williams selling 100 acres of Edward Williams' 200 acre tract on Bresh Creek (Lulbegrud). This land (and as recorded on another deed) is the same land, more or less, as in the land dispute case where our Daniel Williams claims this Edward Williams as his father. Through these and various other deeds the connection between Daniel Williams and wife Violet is made to his father Edward Williams of Lulbegrud and wife Jemimah. Known deeds are listed later in this summary.

In an 1803 deed, often referred to as Edward's will, he gives his real property to his son Daniel, his daughter Susannah Williams (sister of Daniel) and his granddaughter, Nancy Williams. This confirms a sister of Daniel Williams as being the daughter of Edward. Edward had deeded his homeplace to his son Caleb a couple of months before.

We are very fortunate because there was a land dispute case in 1804-1805 concerning land adjacent to the land that Edward Williams settled in 1779. This land is the same land deeded to Daniel Williams and others later but before the 1804-1805 suit. Depositions taken under oath of Edward Williams, Daniel Williams, Nicholas Anderson, John Harper, Ambrose Coffee and others and recorded in the court records give useful details to dispute many of the previously claimed "facts" and connect Edward Williams of Lulbegrud and Daniel. Edward and Daniel were not defendants in the suit and they had no reason to lie under oath. Some of the land in question started at the property line of the land Edward owned in 1779 so his testimony and that of his associates about the location of the property line was important. The depositions clearly state that Edward came to Boonesborough in 1779, not 1775. Also the combination of deeds and these depositions establish without a doubt that this Edward Williams of Lulbegrud and wife Jemimah are the parents of our Daniel who has a wife Violet.

Not much is known about Jemimah Williams after the death of Edward. It is believed, based on the 1810 Montgomery County KY census, that in 1810 the widow Jemimah Anderson Williams was living with her son Caleb C. Williams of Lulbegrud and his young family. Her sons Daniel and Joshua were enumerated in Floyd County KY in 1810 with their young families. Had she been living by herself she would have been enumerated by name as head of her own household. The home place had been deeded to Caleb in 1803 when Edward and Jemimah moved in with Daniel and his family.

The South Fork church at Malone, Ky was organized by Elder Daniel Williams in 1808. Jemimah and Joshua Williams joined this church (on the south fork of the Licking River) by letter in late 1811 or early 1812. This puts Jemimah in Floyd County (present day Morgan County) in 1812. We know that Caleb moved to the Montgomery Territory of Missouri in 1818 and as far as we know he remained on the Edward homeplace in Montgomery County, Ky until then. But here Jemimah is in Malone, Ky in 1812. Morgan County natives know Malone is between West Liberty and the Old Caney Cemetery where Daniel and Violet are buried so she might be staying with Daniel, we just don't know.

It is not known when Jemimah died. It would appear that she lived until at least 1825 or 1828. In the first Court Order book for Morgan County as abstracted by Joe Nickell and Ella Nickell in 1984 there are three references to a Jemimah Williams that seem to be our Jemimah Williams.

Page 35 (October Court 1825)

Jemima Williams "a poor widow of this county" gave proof by witnesses that she did not have "estate in her own right to the value of one hundred dollars" and thereby claimed benefit of an act of Assembly (21 December 1820) which was certified to Auditor of Public Accounts.

See message 3715 on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ekywilliams/ for an explanation of the Act of Assembly 21 December 1820.

Page 64 (March Court 1828)

Sheriff to pay William Jones "the money allowed to Jemima Williams which was ordered to be paid to John Williams."

Page 73 (November Court 1828)

Sheriff ordered to pay to court clerk "Ten Dollars instead of paying over to William Jones who was heretofore allowed that sum for the use of Jemima Williams."

Nothing more is known about Jemimah Williams.

We know Daniel Williams was born in 1763 based on his headstone and probably came to Boonesborough in 1779 with his father and family as a 16 year old boy.

It is written (no proof) that Daniel Williams and Violet were married about 1787 in Boonesborough by Squire Boone or Boone Jr. The date for the marriage of Daniel and Violet is based on their daughter Frances "Frankey" Williams' stated age of 63 on the 1850 Morgan County KY census, 1850 minus 63 equals a born date of about 1787.

Much has been written about Daniel Williams, some of it fact and some of it "a tall tale." However there is no doubt he left his mark on the history of eastern Kentucky and I've read nothing that says anything except he was a fine and moral man. He organized churches and associations of United Baptists, was often a moderator of a church and performed many marriages. Marriage Book 1 in the courthouse in Prestonsburg, Floyd County, Ky (Morgan County was formed in 1822 after his death) list many marriages by Daniel Williams and contain some marriage permissions signed by Daniel for his children. See the Genealogy link on http://www.bobbystuff.com for images of Marriage Book 1 for Floyd County, Ky.

It is written that after a few trips into what is now Morgan and Magoffin Counties, hunting and preaching, Elder Daniel Williams was invited by early settlers of the region to come there and settle and preach to them regularly. As a further inducement, they offered to help him clear land and build a cabin if he would remain there and preach. About five acres on the Licking River was cleared and a cabin was built near a spring that flowed from the ground at the base of a small hill. This is said to be the first cabin in present day West Liberty and its location was on Riverside Drive behind the former Stamper Motel.

Daniel organized the Burning Springs Association in 1813 and the Low Gap United Baptist Church on Grape Creek in present Magoffin County in 1814 among others. More churches are listed later.

Daniel died on 31 July 1820, aged 57 years, 4 months and is buried in the Old Caney Cemetery. His wife Violet died on 10 June 1830 and is buried beside him.

History of counties in Ky relating to Edward and Daniel Williams

Present day Kentucky was part of Virginia until 1 Jun 1792 when it became the 15th state of the United States. Following are the counties we care about for records pertaining the Edward and Daniel. The dates came from http://kentucky.gov/. This will help you understand the next section listing documents from various counties.


1776 Kentucky County, VA formed from Fincastle County, VA
1780 Jefferson County, VA (county seat Louisville) taken from Kentucky County,VA.
1780 Lincoln County,VA (county seat Stanford) taken from Kentucky County,VA.
1780 Fayette County, VA (county seat Lexington) taken from Kentucky County,VA. There are Williams records in Fayette.
1783 The District of Kentucky was formed for judicial reasons and consisted of Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette Counties
1785 Bourbon County, VA (county seat Paris) was formed from Fayette. There are Williams records in Bourbon.
1786 Madison County, VA (county seat Richmond) was formed from Lincoln. There are Williams records in Madison. Boonesborough ended up in Madison.
1789 Mason County, VA (county seat Maysville) was formed formed from Bourbon.
1792 State of Kentucky was formally added as the 15th state from part of Virginia.
1793 Clark County, KY (county seat Winchester) was formed from Bourbon and Fayette Counties. There are Williams records in Clark
1797 Montgomery County, KY (county seat Mount Sterling) was formed from Clark. There are Williams records in Montgomery.
1800 Floyd County, KY (county seat Prestonsburg) was formed from Fleming, Mason and Montgomery. There are Williams records in Floyd.
1822 Morgan County, KY (count seat West Liberty) was formed from Floyd and Bath Counties. There are Williams records for descendants of Daniel in Morgan. He died in
1820 in then Floyd County, present day Morgan County.

Some Good Background Web Sites

http://www.familypast.com/anderson_chronology.htm
http://www.familypast.com/depositions.htm
http://www.familypast.com/deposition_pt1.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~vastaffo/cemeteries/chopawamsicbapchurch.htm

List of Documents Used in this Summary and Some Events Ordered by Date

1779 Dec 20 Preemption Warrant #142
Edward Williams is granted a preemption for 400 acres of land in the district of Kentucky lying on the Dividing Ridge of Small Mountain Creek, a branch of Licking Creek & Lulbegrud on account of his settlement made on the first of June 1779.

1779 Dec 27 Preemption Warrant #138
Nicholas Anderson is granted a preemption for 400 acres of land in the district of Kentucky lying on the head of a branch of Licking called Little Mountain Creek to include the said Settlement this 27th day of December 1779. Adjoining Edward Williams preemption.

1779 Dec 21 Preemption Warrant #140
John Harper is granted a preemption of 400 Acres of land at the State price in the district of Kentucky lying on So. side of Lulbre Grud Creek opposite the land of Edward Williams by making an Actual settlement on 1st June 1779 satisfactory proof being made to the Court, they are of the Opinion that the said Harper has a right to a preemption of 400 Acres.......

1780 Sep 06 - Oct 21
Our Edward Williams was with Nicholas Anderson and John Harper in Captain David Goss' Company

1782
Our Edward Williams served with Captain Nathaniel Hart's Company along with Nicholas Anderson guarding Lincoln County.

1782 Pay Roll of Capt. William Hoyes Company
Lincoln Militia State of Virginia in Actual Service on an Expedition against the Shawnee Indians Under the Command of George Rogers Clark, Brigadier General 1782: SOLIDERS Ambrose Coffee, Sgt. Edward Williams, Nicholas Anderson, Rolly (Raleigh) Crouch.

1783 Providence Separate Baptist Church
also known as "Old Stone Church" because of its construction of limestone blocks, was one of two "traveling churches" whose congregations migrated en masse from Virginia to Kentucky. It was built about 1783 on Howards Creek in Clark County, Kentucky, was led by Robert Elkin and was a member of the South Kentucky Separate Baptist Association when it was formed in 1787. The current United Baptist Church of Kentucky was formed at this church in 1801 by the Regular and Separate Baptist Churches. Daniel was baptized and worshiped as a young man at this church.

1784 June 15 Clark County Court House, Winchester, KY Deed Book 1 Pages 271-273
(see also Williams to Williams 1794 Aug 25) This deed in 1794 states the land being sold is from the 400 acre preemption granted to Edward Williams via deed on 15 June 1784

1786 Oct 2 Clark County, KY Deed Book 1, p.264. 1794 Oct 2
This deed in 1794 states the land being sold by Edward and Jemimah Williams is from a 287 acre tract granted to Williams on Oct 2, 1786.

1787 Sep 8 Providence Baptist Church records.
Church receives Nicholas Anderson, Edward Williams and Jemimah Williams into membership by experience. A month later they receive Daniel Williams by experience. A month later they receive Winifred "Winnie" Williams by experience. The group believes that Winifred who married (1) John Hearn and (2) Joshua Bartlett was probably a daughter of Edward and Jemimah even though she was not listed in the Pioneer Families of Missouri book. Daniel later named one of his daughters Winifred "Winnie" Wiliams.

1787 Fayette County, VA (now KY) Tax List
has Edward Williams, Nicholas Anderson, Ambrose Coffee

1788 Fayette County, VA (now KY) Tax List
has Edward Williams, Nicholas Anderson

1792 Clark County, KY Tax List
has Edward Williams, Daniel Williams, Nicholas Anderson, John Harper and Dudley Curl(e) husband of Edward's daughter Penelope

1793 Lulbegrud Church
organized with Daniel as a preacher.

1794 March, the 3rd Saturday, Providence Church records.
Brother Edward Williams and others chosen as Deacons.

1794 May, the 3rd Saturday, Providence Church records.
Brother Daniel Williams chosen to act as Elder in the Church.

1794 Aug 25 Clark County Court House, Winchester, KY Deed Book 1 Pages 271-273, Williams to Williams
Edward Williams and Jemimah Williams, his wife, sell 100 acres to Daniel Williams from their 400 acre preemption granted to Edward Williams via deed dated 15 June 1784 for 30 pounds. Jemimah was examined separately from her husband according to law to make sure she understood she was giving up her Dower right to the 100 acres.

1794 Oct 2 Clark County, KY Deed Book 1, p.264.
John Summers, Sr. purchased 50 acres on Lulbegrud from Edward and Jemimah Williams, part of a 287 acre tract granted Williams on October 2, 1786.

1794 December, the 3rd Saturday, Providence Church records.
Agreed to give Brother Daniel William a letter of dismission.

?? April, 4th Saturday, Providence Church
Brother Daniel Wiliams received by letter.

1795 Clark County, KY Tax List
list Edward Williams, Daniel Williams and Nicholas Anderson

1795 Sep 21 Clark County Court House, Winchester, Ky Deed Book 1 Page 484, Williams to Benjamin Talbert
Daniel, his wife Violet Williams and Edward Williams sell 100 acres on the waters of Bresh Creek to Benjamin Talbert, this parcel being part of a 200 acre survey made in the name of Edward Williams and lying next to Edward Williams' 400 acre preemption in Clark County.

1795 Sep 16 Clark County Court House, Winchester, Ky Deed Book 1 Pages 485-486 Williams to Ambrose Coffee
Daniel Williams and wife Violet sell to Ambrose Coffee about 20 acres lying on Spencer's Creek being part of Edward Williams' 400 acre preemption.

1796 April Lulbegrud Baptist Church records.
Daniel Williams was received by letter. Edward and Daniel are mentioned in various church records over the years (Brother Daniel Williams sometimes as moderator) and Edward is mentioned as late as 16 Jun 1804 when he was "tenderly admonished and restored to his former standing."

1798 Nov 17 Lulbegrud Baptist Church records.
Brother Daniel Williams moderator.

1799
About this date Daniel Williams started Sycamore Separate Baptist Church in present Jeffersonville in Montgomery County.

1803 Feb 10 Montgomery County, KY Deed Book 2 Pages 400-401 Williams to Caleb Williams
Edward Williams and wife Jemimah give 112 acres, "being the land and plantation whereon the said Edward Williams now lives", to Caleb Williams for love and affection of a father to his son and six shillings. Within the body of the document in the survey of the Williams homeplace and mentioned as adjoinging neighbors are Nicholas Anderson, John Harper, George Johnson and Dudley Curl, husband of Penelope Williams, daughter of Edward and Jemimah. Daniel Williams is witness and this also identifies Edward and Jemimah as parents of Caleb. Edward and Jemimah move in and live with Daniel about this time. See deed listed below.

1803 Apr 26 Montgomery Deed Book 3, Pages 51-52 Williams to Williams
This reads more like a Will instead of a deed but it is in the Deed Book.

Know all men by these presents that I, Edward Williams, of Montgomery County, and State of Kentucky. being Old and Infirm and unable to undergo the necessary cares to provide for and support a Stock and being desirous to lessen my fatigue and Labour, do by virtue of these presents give unto and deliver up unto my Son Daniel Williams, all my Stock of Horses, Cattle, and Sheep and Hogs, and all my farming and Manufacturing Utensils, all my household table and kitchen furniture with an exception of one feather bed and furniture and one Cow & Calf to my Daughter Susannah Williams, and one bed and furniture and one heifer yearling to my granddaughter, Nancy Williams, which Property I Warrant and defend against all claims, rights or titles or demands whatsoever and in the name and behalf of all above mentioned. I have delivered unto Daniel Williams aforesaid one feather bed and furniture included as writings, my hand and Seal, Edward Williams, this 26th day of April, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Three.

Edward Williams (Seal)

M, Harrison

In the performance of which the said Daniel Williams doth bind himself to take the aforesaid Edward Williams on his premises, see to him and help and assist him In such things as shall procure for and maintain the aforesaid Edward Williams without injuring or damaging the aforesaid Daniel Williams or his Family as witness my hand and Seal this 26th day of April in the year of our Lord, One Thousand (eight hundred) & Three

Daniel Williams (Seal)

Test: M Harrison

The land suit depositions in the Fayette County court records have been abstracted in "Fayette County Records, Vol I" Michael Cook, CG and Bettie A. Cummings, CG. The following are quoted from this book

1804 May 9 p.808
Deposition of Edwin (Edward) Williams (taken at his home on his land in Montgomery County) stated the he, John Harper and Nicholas Anderson on 6 June 1779 came from Boonesborough to this land and they helped him to build a cabin.

1804 May 9 p.809
Deposition of Nicholas Anderson (taken at Edward Williams home) stated that he, John Harper and Edwin (Edward) Williams came to this place in June 1779, he thinks on the 6th of June.

1804 May 9 p.810
eposition of Daniel Williams (taken at Edward Williams home) claims Edward Williams as his father, who deeded 100 acres of this land to him years ago. By this time Daniel had sold the 100 acres.

1804 Jun 8 p.803
Deposition of Nicholas Anderson states that himself, John Harper, Edwin (Edward) Williams and others, he thinks in the month of June 1779, were making improvements on land and mentions Edwin (Edward) William's place. These two men are always with our Edward.

1804 Jun 8 p.804
Deposition of John Harper states Edward Williams was not in KY before 1779, that he lived about 1 1/2 miles below Boonesborough for about two years before moving to his land preemption on the Lulbegrud.

1805 Jan 29 p.805
Deposition of John Pleankenstalver stated he heard in the year 1779 that Edwin (Edward) Williams, Nichola Anderson and John Harper say they had made improvements on land for each of them on a dividing ridge near the headwaters of Hingston (sic) on Little Mountain Creek. He also stated that Edward had build a cabin at Boonesborough for him and his family.

1805 Jan 29 p.806
Deposition of Ambrose Coffee stated he was acquainted with Edwin (Edward) Williams, John Harper and Nicholas Anderson in 1779, that Edward built a cabin on his preemption as required to claim title to the land and mentions Daniel Williams as being the son of Edward.

1808 Nov-Dec
South Fork Church (which was first known as "Poplar Meetinghouse" and was on the South Fork of the Licking River in present day Malone, Morgan County, Ky) was organized by Daniel Williams.

1811 Sep 1 Montgomery County, Ky Deed Book 5 Pages 486-488 Williams to Tredway
Edward's sons are selling his land and they are listed as Daniel Williams of Floyd, Joshua Williams of Floyd and Caleb Williams of Montgomery County. Our Daniel Williams was the only Daniel Williams in Floyd County in 1811, Caleb Williams is named so we know that he was Elder Daniel Williams' brother, which tells us we have the Edward Williams, who was married to Jemimah, as his father. The said Caleb, Daniel and Joshua Williams for consideration of nineteen pounds current money sold unto John Tredway a certain tract or parcel of land (48 acres) lying and being in the County of Montgomery on the waters of the Crooked Ash Fork of the North Fork of Lulbegrud and being a part of Edward Williams' tract of two hundred and one acres patented in the year seventeen hundred and eighty six. In this 1811 document the survey names John Summers' line, Peter DeWitt's line, and James Anderson's line. NOTE: In 1794 John Summers, Sr. purchased 50 acres on Lulbegrud from Edward and Jemimah Williams which was part of a 287 acre tract granted to Edward Williams on October 2, 1786 (Clark Deed Book # 1, page 264).

1812 South Fork Church records, late 1811 or early 1812.
Jemimah Williams and Joshua Williams join by letter.

1876 "A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri"
William S. Bryan and Robert Rose (1876) ISBN: 0-8063-0753-6 contains narrative sketches and anecdotes devoted to the settlement of Missouri and more than 800 family histories. The entire reference to our Caleb, son of Edward is as follows:

"WILLIAMS, Edward Williams, of N.C., went to KY with DANIEL BOONE, and lived for some time at Boonesborough, where he married JEMIMA ANDERSON, daughter of MAJOR JACK ANDERSON. Their children were Daniel, Joshua, Pernell, Casper, Susan and Caleb. The latter married ELIZABETH WOODLAND, of KY., and settled in Warren Co. in 1818. They had 9 children: William, Dulcina, Laurel, Abihue, Heath, Jane, Zuima, Elizabeth and Caleb C. Dulcina married EVERETT CREECH, who settled in Warren Co. in 1832. Caleb Williams was Justice of the peace in Warren Co. for many years."

This paragraph is the only proof of their children listed together and it is not known if the list is accurate or complete. This is also where her maiden name of Anderson comes from. Major Jack Anderson has been proven to NOT be the father of our Jemimah. Her parents are unknown as are Edward's.

Still Some Dispute

Daniel William's headstone states he "emigrated to Ky May 1775." Based on the dates on his stone, he would have been 12 years old in 1775. We know his father did not come to Boonesborough until 1779. It seems doubtful that a 12 year old boy would be in the wilderness without his father. The people who came with Daniel Boone to build Fort Boonesborough in 1775 are all documented and Daniel is not among them. It the headstone wrong? I know when my father was born but not what he was doing at age 12 or 16. I'm sure Daniel, his father Edward and the family came to Boonesborough by May 1779 in time to plant a corn crop by the first of June 1779. Maybe Daniel's children, having heard stories about how their father and Grandpaw Edward came to the wilderness with Daniel Boone and grew their first crop of corn, were confused about the dates after Daniel's death, and said May 1775 instead May 1779. It was probably well known that Daniel Boone first came to build Fort Boonesborough in 1775.

But, we don't really know for sure, so everyone will have to come to their own conclusion. However, this disputed date like the claim of being in the Battle of Blue Licks does not change in any way the other facts we know about Edward Williams and Daniel Williams.

Proven Children of Edward and Jemimah Williams

  1. Penelope Williams married Dudley Curle according to Bourbon County records on 23 May 1792
  2. Daniel Williams proven by deeds and land suit
  3. Joshua Williams proven by deed
  4. Susannah Williams proven by deed and will
  5. Casper Williams listed only in the Pioneer Families of Missouri book and there is no other record of him/her
  6. Caleb C. Williams proven by deed and a family bible which says he was born 10 Dec 1782 of Edward and Jemima Williams
  7. Winifred "Winnie" Williams circumstantial evidence but no direct proof. Could she have been the Casper listed in the History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri book? Pernell as listed in that book is thought to be Penelope.

Claimed Children of Daniel and Violet Williams

  1. Frances (Frankey) Williams b. 1787 married Peter Day. Her first name may have been Sarah.
  2. John T. Williams b. 1790 married Phoeba Ferguson and Susannah Cogswell Day (widow of Jacob Day). He is often referred to as Squire John T. Williams to identify him separately from his son, John T. Williams.
  3. Thornton Williams b. 1792 married Virginia "Jenny" Jones in 1812
  4. Nancy Williams b. 1794 married David Lykins in 1809
  5. Elizabeth Williams b. 1796 married John Ferguson in 1813
  6. Daniel Williams no other info
  7. Isaac L. Williams b. c1798 married Elizabeth Lykins in 1820
  8. Wiley C. Williams b. 1802 ???
  9. Edith "Edy" Williams b. c1803 married Richard Allen in 1819
  10. Winifred "Winnie" Williams b. 1805 married Peter Lykins
  11. Mary "Polly" Williams b. c1807 married Joseph Davis
  12. Caleb Williams b. 12 Sep 1809 married Malinda/Belinda Davis in 1826
  13. James Jeremiah Vardeman Williams b. 1808 married Jane Davis in 1829
  14. William Williams b. 1812. Some researchers list him, some don't, no proof.
  15. David Williams Some researchers list him, some don't, no proof

Children of Squire John T. Williams and Phoebe Ferguson

Taken directly from msg 2109 of the East Kentucky Williams group

... went over every marriage record to see if I had the actual marriage date or the bond date. If it is the bond date I put "(bond date)" after the date. The birth dates are from the Day-Williams Bible. Most of my Hill, Williams, and Ferguson information came from Mr. Jimmy Hamilton of Keaton, Kentucky who worked on the family for years figuring out who went where and he did this by interviewing people and by records of all sorts. I added the marriage records mostly from the Morgan County marriage records. I checked all the dates against the marriage record, for a few I had the actual marriage day, but most are the bond date.

Squire John Williams was born November 7, 1789.
Phoebe Ferguson was born February 12, 1791 and she was the daughter of William Ferguson and wife Catherine LeMaster. They were married in Floyd County, Kentucky on September 21, 1809.

Squire John Williams married a second time to Susanna Cogswell Day (a widow of Jacob Day), born February 16, 1799 and they married on January 4, 1853. They had no children together.

Squire John Williams died March 10, 1869.
Phoebe Ferguson Williams his first wife died September 23, 1852.

  1. Daniel Webster Williams b. June 17, 1810 married Rebecca Day (d/o Peter Day and Sarah Francis Williams Day) on May 1, 1828 (bond date).
  2. William Ferguson Williams b. March 24, 1812 married Celia Hill (d/o Edward Hill and Sarah Hamilton Hill) on April 15, 1833. (bond date)
  3. Nancy Jane Williams b. January 12, 1814 married William Ferguson (s/o Richard Ferguson and Nancy Jones Ferguson) on March 2, 1829 (bond date)
  4. Mary Phoebe "Polly" Williams b. March 19, 1815 married Ambrose Ferguson (s/o Richard Ferguson and Nancy Jones Ferguson) on April 19, 1832.
  5. Richard Ferguson Williams b. February 3, 1817 married Rebecca Adams on February 8, 1846 (bond date)
  6. Thornton Williams b. August 25, 1818 married Sytha Hill (d/o Edward Hill and Sarah Hamilton Hill) on February 25, 1842 (bond date).
  7. Cynthia Ann Williams b. August 26, 1820 married Spencer Hill (s/o Edward Hill and Sarah Hamilton Hill) on October 16, 1838.
  8. John T. Williams b. October 24, 1822 who married Rebecca Henry (d/o John Henry and Rebecca Howerton Henry) on February 10, 1847 (bond date).
  9. Martha Williams b. August 17, 1824 who married William Hill (s/o Edward Hill and Sarah Hamilton Hill) on February 28, 1846 (bond date).
  10. Ambrose Jones Williams b. December 6, 1826 who married Anne Hill (d/o Edward Hill and Sarah Hamilton Hill) on March 25, 1847 (bond date).
  11. Frankey Jean Williams b. November 8, 1828 married Benjamin Hamilton (s/o John Hamilton and Mary May Hamilton)on February 11. 1847 (bond date).
  12. James Harve Williams b. October 20, 1830 married Cordelia Howerton (d/o John Howerton and Barbara Jones, Barbara was the d/o Ambrose Jones and Martha Craig) on December 5, 1850 (bond date).
  13. Margaret Williams b. November 15, 1832 married William Brown on December 25, 1850 (bond date) and second Solomon Blevins on June 15, 1855 (bond date).
  14. Alvin M. Williams (marriage record gives A.W. Williams) b. March 23, 1839 married Caty Litteral on March 23, 1857 (bond date).

Keywords: Elder Daniel Williams, Mary Emory, Mary Lydia Emory, Thomas Williams, Jefferson Davis, Squire John Williams