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| Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia |
Thomas Williams was born about 1773 (census range actually give us between 1771-1775), in the vicinity of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Though his parents have yet to be identified, it is likely that Thomas is one of the Williams family who lived in Augusta County, Virginia from as early as the 1750s. There are three reasons for this conclusion.
The first reason is that the only possible progenitors in Bath County at the time that Thomas lived there have been eliminated as possible fathers (see notes). The second reason is that the people with whom Thomas Williams associates came to Bath County by way of Augusta County, Virginia. Yet a third reason is that Thomas’ children claim, in later census records, that their father was born in Virginia. If he had been part of the Elisha Williams family, he would have had to be born in Maryland, since they did not arrive in Virginia until 1792, some 19 years after Thomas’ birth.
Thomas moved to Bath County by the 29th day of November 1794, when a deed record shows that he purchased land on the Bullpasture River. Bath County formed in 1790. He shows up on the tax lists of Bath County VA from as early as 1795, about the same time that the Elisha Williams family arrives. Thomas would have been about 21 at the time that he purchased land. He would not have appeared in tax records before that.
He married Mary F. "Polly" Davis, probably around 1804. They had the following children:
1) Jacob Williams b. abt 1805 VA, d. 1848 Bath County VA
2) Margaret Williams b. abt 1807 VA, d. unknown, m. Thomas Pullen 2 Dec 1829
3) James Williams b. 1809 VA, d. 7 Feb 1881 Pawnee, Smith, Kansas, m. Sarah Rough 2 Aug 1832 Bath County VA
4) John Williams b. abt 1813 VA, d. unknown
5) Mary "Polly" Williams b. abt 1816 VA, d. unknown, m. George Rough 17 Sep 1835 Bath County VA
6) Peter B. Williams b. abt 1818 VA, d. unknown
7) Pascal Davis Williams b. Aug 1824 VA, d. after 1900 Highland County VA m. Elizabeth Redner
24 Dec 1845 Augusta County VA
8) Martha Jane Williams b. abt 1826 VA, d. after 1880 Preston, WV, m. William Rough 12 Jan 1842 Bath County VA
9) Sarah "Sally" Williams b. abt 1828 VA
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| Thomas Williams in the 1810 Census in Bath County, Virginia |
1810 Census Bath County VA:
Thomas Williams 2 m under 10 [James & Jacob), 1 m 26-44 (Thomas), 2 f under 10 (Margaret & Mary), 1 f 26-44 (Mary) (b. 1766-1784) (p. 14)
Thomas purchased land in Bath County VA in 1811:
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| Bullpasture River in Highland County, Virginia |
Thomas WILLIAMS – GRANT 63 p. 389 & 390 - 35 acres - Bath County: James Barbour Esq Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia To all To whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know Ye that by virtue of two Land Office Treasury Warrants to wit: 30 acres by No 4674 issued Nov 13 1810 and 5 acres by No 892 issued the 29th day of November 1794 there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Thomas Williams a certain tract or parcel of land containing thirty five acres by survey bearing date the 31st day of October 1811 situate in the County of Bath on the waters of Bull Pasture joining to the land of John & Edward Stuarts and bounded as followeth to wit: Beginning at a white oak and hickory north twenty five degrees west forty one poles to three black oak saplings to corner to Paschal Davis north sixty degrees east twenty eight poles to a dogwood and white oak south sixty degrees east one hundred and thirty two poles to a white oak corner to Stuarts south ten degrees west thirty poles to a white oak and pine and thence north seventy degrees west one hundred and twenty poles to the beginning with its appurtenances To have and To hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said Thomas Williams and his heirs forever. In Witness whereof the said James Barbour Esq Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen and of the Commonwealth the the thirty seventh ---
Jm Barbour -------- I Mervin Boyd Williams checked the record in Richmond, Virginia in June 1957 and found this unusual description of the Property: "Starting at a white oak on the side of a hill by an ash and a hickory sprouts to two chestnuts near a white oak". Later 131.60 acres was added to make it a 186.60 acre farm. It is located near cow pasture in Highland county, then Bath county Virginia. Near McDowell. it was deeded to Richard L Williams Richmond Virginia no relation November 1, 1963.
[Note that the neighbor Paschal Davis, who is named in this deed, was father-in-law to Thomas Williams.]
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| Thomas Williams in the 1820 Census in Bath County, Virginia |
1820 US Federal Census, Bath VA
Thomas Williams 2 m under 10 (John & Peter), 2 m 10-15 (James & Jacob), 1 m 45 and over (Thomas), 1 f under 10 (Unknown), 2 f 10-15 (Margaret & Mary), 2 f 16-25 (servants?), 1 f 26-44 (Mary), 2 Engaged in Agriculture
From Abstracts of the Wills and Inventories of Bath County, VA 1791-1842:
WB 2, p. 388 14 Sep 1821
Settlement of estate of William Morris, Robert Morris, executor. Submitted Sept. 14, 1821 by Charles L. Francisco, William McClintic, Ro Kincaid. Debits and credits: Doctor McDowell, Benjamin Thomson, James J. Mayers, William Keyser, John Conrod, John Trotter, Edwin B. Smith, Thomas Williams, John Morris, Benjamin Morris, John McDuff, William Elliot, Isabella Elliot, Alexander McClintic, Patrick Milhollen, William Milhossen, Ed Morris, estate of Richard Morris.
WB 3 p. 25 2 Apr 1822
Sale of estate of Robert Carlyle Sr., Apr. 2, 1822, Andrew Sitlington and Robert Carlyle, adm. Buyers: Robert Carlyle Jr., Edward Stewart Jr., William Stewart, Alexander and William Benson, Daniel Shobe(?), James Camp, Joseph Douglass, Martin Moyers, Adam and Peter Hull, Thomas Williams, Andrew and John Sitlington, John Cleek, John Devricks, John Devericks Jr., Betsy and George Carlyle, Peter Hanger Jr., Jotham Rice, Joseph Wallace, John Hicklin
[Note neighbors Stewarts, Hulls, Carlyles and Sitlingtons who also appear near him in census records.]
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| Thomas Williams 1830 Census in Bath County, Virginia |
1830 US Federal Census Thomas Williams, Bath VA
1 m 5-9 (Pascal), 1 m 10-14 (Peter), 1 m 15-19 (John), 2 m 20-29 (James & Jacob), 1 m 50-59 (Thomas), 1 f under 5 (Sally), 1 f 5-9 (Martha), 1 f 10-14 (Unknown), 1 f 40-49 (Mary)
[Margaret was married before this, in 1829.]
From Abstracts of the Wills and Inventories of Bath County, VA 1791-1842:
WB 4 p. 493 Delinquent tax list for 1838
Daniel Aimes, R. Saul and Polly Berry (adj. John Cleek and George Revercomb), Nehemiah Bush and William Green, Anthony Curtney, Joseph Coberly (adj. Thomas Williams and E. B. Williams), Richard Curry (adj. S. Ruckman), Philip Carbery (adj. Jones), James Curry Est. (adj. McGloughlin and Sproule), Lewis Eisinminger, Isaac Gregory (adj. Camp and Lightner), Richard Hill (adj. William Gatewood) William Harbert, Est., Ferdinand Fairfax, James A. Lewis, James May, Daniel McGloughlin Est. (adj. Thomas Campbell), James B. McAvoy, William Carpenter, John Pots, William Matheny, A. and James Matheny, Rober Mills (bought of C. Kirkpatrick), Samuel Neal (adj. A. Lightner), Allison Newton, James Price and Robert Scott (adj. Adam Dickinson), John R. Peters, Jacob Potts (adj. John and Samuel Corbitt), Robert Patton, John Phillips, Peter Quidnor, Nicholas Seybert, Stephen Stilwell, Edward Warren, Joshua Woods, William Westerfield, Benjamin Woods, Robert Young
[Robert Patton, also on this list, was a neighbor to the Williams family who were in Augusta in the 1750s.]
Between 1840-50: 1S39. A1626. Protest against petition asking for removal of county seat from Warm Springs and alleging that public buildings are dilapidated. This is untrue; jail and courthouse are both in excellent condition. Nothing can be gained by removal. William Stewart, Harvey Hicklin, James Davis, Alexander Reed, Thomas Williams, James Williams and 67 others
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| Thomas Williams in the 1840 Census in Bath County, Virginia |
1840 US Federal Census in Bath County VA:
Tho Williams 1 m under 10 (Pascal), 1 m 15-19 (Peter), 1 m 20-29 (John), 1 m 60-69 (Thomas), 1 f 10-14 (Sally), 1 f 15-19 (Martha), 1 f 50-59 (Mary)
[Margaret and Polly had married, James and Jacob were enumerated separately.]
Thomas Williams wrote his will in 1840:
The Will of Thomas Williams:
I Thomas Williams of the County of Bath and state of Virginia being weak of body, but sound of mind and memory, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs, do now make my last will and testament in the following manner, to wit-
In the first place I wish to commit my soul to God, the the [sic] author and giver of the same.
2ly- I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Polly Williams one third of the plantation in which I now reside together with the following property (vis) One Cow, first choice, all the sheep which I have now in my possession, all the Hogs which I now have in my name, together with the house hold and kitchen furniture, this property to be at her disposal.
3rdly- I give and bequeath unto my son James Williams all the land I have in possession or claim to being on the west side of still new ridge, beginning on James Davises line & running with the top of said ridge, a strait line, to the corner of a field now on the possession of my son Jacob Williams, and with that fince down the ridge to the meadow, leaving Jacob Williams what is called the lick spring, thence running a north west course, with the fence of a small field now in the possession of Jacob Williams, which is growing in Rye, thence with the foot of the old meadow, a strait line crossing the bottom to the main road, leading down the river. Thence running with the fence as it now stands, as far as it runs, and in the same direction along the top of the Bank to the division line, between my self & Charles Stuart, this land I will and bequeath unto James Williams his heirs & assigns forever.
4thly- I will and bequeath unto my son Jacob Williams all the residence of the Home plantation, in the south west side of the division line above described, to him and his heirs forever.
5thy- I request my two sons James & Jacob Williams to sell all the property I have not otherwise disposed for the purpose of a living a fund for the payment of my just debts and of any balance should remain to be equally divided between them – and if this sum should not be sufficient to defray my debts, I bind them equally for the payment of the residue of the same.
6thy. I leave and bequeath unto my daughter Martha a two year old Heifer, and the first calf of the said Heifer, if any, to my daughter Sally Williams, and their support on the plantation during the time the [they] remain single.
7thy- I bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Pullen one dollar.
8thy- I bequeath unto my son John Williams one dollar.
9thy- I leave and bequeath unto my son Peter B. Williams fifteen dollars and bind my two sons, James & Jacob Williams to pay him the same –
10thy- I leave and bequeath unto my son Paschal D. Williams a two year old a filly-(a bay)
11thy- I leave and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Rough Two Dollars, this to be paid by Paschal D. Williams.
12thy- I constitute my son James Williams & Joseph Layne my executors to this my last will & testament – Given under my hand & seal this 6th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty.
Thomas (his X mark) Williams
Signed and sealed in the presence of
Chs. Stewart
John P. Beath
Highland County Court March Trm 1849
The last will & Testament of Thomas Williams deceased, was proved by the oaths of Charles Stuart and John P. Beath witnesses thereunto, and is ordered to be recorded. And on this motion of James Williams one of the executors therein named who made oath thereto, and together with Joseph Layne his security, entered into and acknowledged this Bond in the penalty of $180.00 conditioned as the Law requires- certificate is granted to him for obtaining a probate of the same will in due form.
Teste
A Copy Teste A. Stephenson jr Clk
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In 1847, he was still alive, and prepared the following mortgage, in which he sold the land that had originally been intended for James and Jacob Williams to Pascall D. Williams. Pascall had already compensated his brothers for their portion of the land, and was now paying his parents for it.
Highland County Va
September the 7th 1847
Knew all men by these presents that I Thomas Williams & Mary his wife are held & firmly bound unto Paschal D. Williams in the sum of seven hundred dollars to which payments will truly to be made we hereby bind ourselves jointly our executors and family by these presents. In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our hands and affixed our seals this the 7th day of September 1847
Thomas (his X mark) Williams
Mary (her X mark) Williams
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the said Thomas William [sic], & Mary his wife do on or before the first day of September next ensuing the date hereof make, enter, acknowledge or cause to be done, all and every such act or acts, deed or deeds, conveyance or conveyances as shall be needful, or necessary for conveying assuring & confirming unto the said Paschal D. Williams his heirs and assigns a good firm absolute and indefensible estate of inheritance in fee simple clear of all encumbrances with special warranty deed to a certain parcel of land lying & being in the county of Highland & joining the lands of James Davis & Charles Stuart being the said land on which the said Thomas Williams & Mary his wife now reside & including the dwelling of James Williams & Paschal D. Williams containing one hundred & seven acres more or less with its appurtenances and if in the meantime the said Thomas Williams and Mary his wife their heirs or assigns shall permit and suffer the said Paschal D. Williams his heirs & assigns peacefully & quietly to have hold and enjoy the said messuage or tract of land with its appurtenances, then the above obligation to be void also to remain in full force & virtue
Thomas (his X mark) Williams
Mary (her X mark) Williams
Attest
James Rowe
William Rowe
George Rowe Sr.
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Thomas Williams' Will was probated in March of 1849. The Chancery Court records show that he had passed away in 1848. The three witnesses to the above deed were sons-in-law to Thomas Williams. All were sons of Peter Rough-Rowe, and had married Williams sisters.
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| Inventory of Thomas Williams estate taken 1849. |
It is not known where Thomas Williams is buried, though he may have been buried in the Paschal Davis cemetery, where his wife was buried.
NOTES:
Thomas Not Part of Elisha Williams Family
All other individuals with the surname of Williams in Bath County, Virginia at the time that Thomas Williams lived there are descended from one individual. The progenitor Elisha Williams came to Bath County with his family about 1794 from Maryland. He brought with him a large family, including several adult sons. One of these sons was named Thomas S. Williams.
This Thomas S. Williams can be found living next door to his father Elisha Williams (b. 1728) in the 1810 Census. Probate records in Bath County VA show that Thomas S. Williams died in 1814 leaving a widow named Ann, who is believed to be Ann (Beckwith) Williams. It is known that Elisha Williams (b. 1728) had a son named Thomas Swearingen Williams in MD who was born about 1764. This son Thomas married Ann Beckwith, a first cousin. The marriage is confirmed by Ann's mother's will, which names Ann Beckwith's spouse as Thomas Swearingen Williams. This evidence suggests that the Thomas who died in Bath County in 1814 was the son of Elisha Williams (b. 1728).
Census records make it clear that there are two separate Thomas Williams living in Bath County. Yet, since Elisha Williams had a known son named Thomas, it is highly unlikely that he would have a second son named Thomas. This eliminates him as a potential father. Elisha has a couple of sons who were also old enough to have fathered Thomas, yet they too have been eliminated as possibilities through probate records.
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There is a marriage record for a Thomas Williams in Augusta County VA early on:
28 Jan 1794 Thomas Williams to Betsey Robertson by Rev. Wm. Wilson, but it may not be him.
Don't confuse Thomas Williams of Bath County VA who married Mary F. Davis from Pendleton County VA, with the one who lived in Amelia County VA and married Mary Baldwin as other researchers have done. They are not the same man. These men can be found in census records from 1810-1840 in their own respective counties.
