Person:James Williams (33)

Admitted free of the Merchant Taylors’ Company by servitude on 7 Apr 1587, when he would have been about 21. He lived in Cow Lane in St. Sepuchres parish. (Genealogical Research in England: Some notes upon the family of Roger Williams, by G. Andrews Moriarty, NEHGR 97:173 (Apr. 1943).)

Will

Will names wife Alice, son Sydrack, daughter Catharine, wife of Ralph Wightman, sons Roger and Robert. ” Brother in law Roger Pemberton, son in law Ralph Wightman. Dated 7 Sep 1620, proved 19 Nov 1621. Com. Court of London, Vol. 24, fol. 50 (printed in NEHGR 43: 291-92).

I will and my mind is that, my debts being paid and funeral expenses discharged, all the residue of my goods and chattels shall be divided into three equal parts; one third part whereof I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Alice for her part and portion therein, according to the custom of the city of Lond. And, for that my son Sydrack and my daughter Catharine, now the wife of Ralph Wightman, citizen and merchant taylor of London, have binn by me already preferred and each of them hath received a sufficient portion of my estate, therefore I will that neither of them shall claim or have any customary part or portion of that estate whereof I shall be possessed at the time of my decease.

And yet, nevertheless, my will and meaning is that my sons Roger and Robert Williams shall have but one moiety or half part of the third part of my estate equally between them to be divided, and the other moiety thereof to remain to such other child or children as I shall have living at the time of my decease.

The other part of my estate, which is in my power to dispose, I give and bequeath as followth, viz.. to my son Sydrack twenty and five pounds and to my said daughter Catherine Wightman twenty five pounds, to be paid to each of them severally within one year next after my decease, and to my said sons Robert and Roger Williams twenty and five pounds apiece, to be paid unto each of them severally at his age of four and twenty years. To my godson James Wightman, son of the beforenamed Katherine Wightman my daughter, five pounds in money, to be paid unto his father for the use of his said son. To Elizabeth Pemberton, Ellen Woolley and Elizabeth Bryan, my god daughters, to every of them twenty shillings apiece, to be paid to their several parents or governors etc. To Thomas Nicholson, citizen and currier of London, ten shillings, to Elizabeth Kinge, wife of Robert Kinge, clothworker, twenty shillings, and to my kinswoman Alice Harris, now dwelling with me, forty shillings. To Robert Parke my 'Jemmall' ring and to Edward Waterhouse my dagger, knife, chain and girdle.

To the poor of St. Sepulchres without Newgate, London, wherein I now dwell, ten pounds in money and bread to be distributed amongst them on the day of my funeral or the day after, as follows, viz. to the poor in Smithfield quarter thirty five shillings in money and thirty five shillings in bread, to the poor in Holborn Cross quarter twenty shillings in money and twenty shillings in bread, to the poor in Church quater fifteen shillings in money and fifteen shillings in bread, and to the poor in old bayley quarter thirty shillings in money adn thirty shillings in bread. The the poor of the said parish without Smithfield Bars twenty shillings in bread.

To Alice and Roger Bryan, children of Henry Bryan, coachmaker, ten shillings apiece. The residue to my wife Alice Williams whom I do make and appoint sole executrix of this my last will. And overseers thereof I do make and appoint my bother in law Roger Pemberton, may said son in law Ralph Wightman, my kinsman Thomas Morse and the said Robert Kinge, to who twenty shillings apiece.

Wills of James & Alice Williams

Originally of St. Albans, co. Hertfordshire, James Williams was a merchant tailor of London who resided in Cow Lane in the parish of St. Sepulcher's without Newgate in London. He was married to Alice Pemberton, daughter of Robert and Catherine (Stokes) Pemberton. They were the parents of Roger Williams (founder of Providence, Rhode Island) and three other children, Sidrach, Catherine and Robert.

divider

Abstract of the Will of James Williams, citizen and merchant tailor of London, 7 September 1620, proved 19 November 1621.

I will and my mind is that, my debts being paid and funeral expenses discharged, all the residue of my goods and chattels shall be divided into three equal parts; one third part whereof I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Alice for her part and portion therein, according to the custom of the city of London. And, for that my son Sydrack and my daughter Catherine, now the wife of Ralph Wightman, citizen and merchant taylor of London, have "binn" by me already preferred and each of them hath received a sufficient portion of my estate, therefore I will that neither of them shall claim or have any customary part or portion of that estate whereof I shall be possessed at the time of my decease. And yet, nevertheless, my will and meaning is that my sons Roger and Robert Williams shall have but one moiety or half part of the other third part of my estate equally between them to be divided, and the other moiety thereof to remain to such other child or children as I shall have living at the time of my decease. The other third part of my estate, which is in my power to dispose, I give and bequeath as followeth, vizt. to my son Sydrack twenty and five pounds and to my said daughter Catherine Wightman twenty five pounds, to be paid to each of them severally within one year next after my decease, and to my said sons Robert and Roger Williams twenty and five pounds apiece, to be paid unto each of them severally at his age of four and twenty years. To my godson James Wightman, son of the beforenamed Katherine Wightman my daughter, five pounds in money, to be paid unto his father for the use of his said son. To Eliabeth Pemberton, Ellen Woolley and Elizabeth Bryan, my god daughters, to every of them twenty shillings apiece, to be paid to their several parents or governors, &c. To Thomas Nicholson, citizen and currier of London, ten shillings, to Elizabeth Kinge, wife of Robert Kinge, clothworker, twenty shillings and to my kinswoman Alice Harris, now dwelling with me, forty shillings. To Robert Parke, my "Jemmall" ring and to Edward Waterhouse my dagger, knife, chain and girdle. To the poor of St. Sepulchres without Newgate, London, wherein I now dwell, ten pounds in money and bread to be distributed amongst them on the day of my funeral or the day after, as follows, vizt. to the poor in Smithfield quarter thirty five shillings in money and thirty five shillings in bread, to the poor in Holborn Cross quarter twenty shillings in money and fifteen shillings in bread, and to the poor in old bayley quarter thirty shillings in money and thirty shillings in bread. To the poor of the said parish without Smithfield Bars twenty shillings in bread. To Alice and Roger Bryan, children of Henry Bryan, coachmaker, ten shillings apiece. The residue to my wife Alice Williams whom I do make and appoint sole executrix of this my last will. And overseers thereof I do make and appoint my brother in law Roger Pemberton, my said son in law Ralph Wightman, my kinsman, Thomas Morse and the said Robert Kinge, to whom twenty shillings apiece. (Com. Court of London, Vol. 24, fol. 50.)

divider

Abstract of the Will of Alice Williams of St. Sepulchres without Newgate, London, widow, 1 August, 1634, proved 26 January, 1634.

My body to be buried in the parish church of St. Sepulchres. To my son Sidrach Williams one hundred pounds to be paid within ten years after my decease (i.e., ten pounds yearly). If he shall not live to receive the whole one hundred pounds what remaineth unpaid at his decease shall be paid to such children as he shall leave behind him.

Item, I give to my son Roger Willias now beyond the seas ten pounds yearly to be paid unto him by my executor for and during the term and space of twenty years next after my decease. And if he the said Roger shall not live to receive the same himself fully in such manner as aforesaid then I will what remaineth thereof unpaid at his decease shall be paid to his wife and to his daughter, if they survive, or to such of them as shll survive. And it is my will that my executor shall give security to the overseers of this my will for the due payment of both the said legacies, as well to my eldest son Sidracke Williams as to my son Roger Williams, in such manner and form as aforesaid by assignment of the lease or leases (of my dwelling house and other tenements standing and being on that side of the way wherein my dwelling house is situated) unto the overseers of this my will, or to such other persons as they shall think fit and indifferent to be trusted, by such sufficient assurance and conveyance thereof as my said overseers shall think fit and convenient.

To my daughter Katherine the now wife of John Davies, clerk, twenty pounds yearly for and during the like term and space of twenty years next after my decease. In case of her death what remains upaid &c. shall be paid as follows, the one half to the children she had by her former husband Ralph Wightman deceased, or to the survivor of them, and the other half to the said John Davies, if he shall survive, or to his children by my said daughter, or to the survivor of them. Security to be given for such payment out of the lease of the messuage or tenement called the Harrow in Cow Lane, over against my dwelling house on the other side of the way, and of three several tenements backside next adjoining.

To my grand child James Williams, son of the said Sidrack Williams, five pounds within four years after my decease. To my grand child Anne Williams my chain of gold, two of my gilt spoons and one of my gilt cups. To my grand child James Wightman two of my siliver beakers one wine bowl and two silver spoons. To Dorcas Wightman, his sister, one braod silver bowl and one other silver bowl; and to her sister Rebecca Wightman one other silver bowl and one other broad bowl of silver. To my grand child Elizabeth Davyes one wilver salt and two gilt spoons, and to my grand child Hester Davies one beaker, one pot tipt with silver and two spoons. I will and bequeath that my chest of linen, that is to say, the wainscot chest now standing at my bed's feet in my lodging chamber under the window, to be equally divided between my said daughter's five children beforenamed &c. To my god daughter Alice Ballard my best gown and kirtle, my scarlet petticoat, best petticoat, two best smocks, two best coyfes and forty shillings in money, and to her daughter ten shillings. To her brother Roger Bryan forty shillings. To Alice, the wife of Robert Barthorpp, the ten pounds which her husband oweth me and ten pounds more and my bible and my tawney rug. More to the said Robert Barthorpp and his wife five pounds to buy them blacks for mourning and twenty shillings apiece to their three children. To my said son Sidracke Williams for blacks for his mourning three pounds and to my said son John Davies for blacks for himself his wife and children ten pounds. To my maid servant now dwelling with me my gown and kirtle with the embroidered lace and ten shillings. To my godson Robert Wolly twenty shillings, and to my other two god sons Tobyas Harvest and John Walker ten shillings apiece. To the poor of St. Sepulchres seven pounds, in bread or otherwise, about the time of my funeral, and forty shillings to be at that time bestowed upon a supper for my tenants at the house over the way called the Harrow. To my said son John Davies, my loving friend and neighbor John May, scrivener, my good friend Robert Klinge, clothworker, and to the aforesaid Robert Barthropp for their pains to be taken for me in assisting my executor as overseers of this my will twenty shillings apiece.

All the rest and residue of my goods &c. &c. to my son Robert Williams, he paying my debts and legacies and performing my funeral and I make, constitute and ordain the said Robert Williams my full and sole executor.

Wit: Henry Walker, John Collys (his mark), John Thomas, John Hubbard, John May scr. (Com. Court of London, Vol. 27, fol. 12).

Williams Family Outline - Line 1

Updated December 14, 1999 Extracted from a series of email by Dr. Melton Meek, MD

I am writing this in an attempt to get us all on the "same track" and to try to eradicate any areas of disagreement. I find that some of the published Williams materials are in error. I will welcome any comments/disagreements/data or sources concerning this.

Most of this comes from my publication: "Pemberton And Williams Families, England, Rhode Island and Virginia", published in 1992. I sent a copy of this to the Roger Williams Family Association, Rhode Island and they consider it to be the most inclusive publication that they have.

Williams Line Number 1 1st Generation JAMES WILLIAMS, MARRIED ALICE PEMERTON, daughter of Robert and Katherine (Stokes) Pemberton. Alice was baptized 18 Feb 1564/5, St. Albans Abbey, Hertsfordshire Co, Eng and died 1 Aug (or May?) 1634/5, London; buried St. Sepulchre church. Will: 1 Aug 1634 -26 Jan 1634/5, P.C.C. Vol. 27, page 12 James Williams, was born @@1562/66, probably at St. Albans, lived at CowLane,St. Sepul- chres-Without-Newgate parish, London and died @@1621, London. His will: 7 Sep 1620 -19 Nov 1621, P.C.C. Vol. 24, page 50.

The antecedant background for JAMES WILLIAMS is still very vague and unproven. Some researchers maintain that this line, originally, came from Wales and not from the Hertsfordshire area of England. My primary data is obtained from the records of G. Andrews Moriarty..a famous genealogist in England, published in the "New England Historical and Genealogical REGISTER, Vol. 47 and from Henry Fitgerald Waters; "Genealogical Gleanings in England" published in the REGISTER, Vol. 43 etc... Waters was a very famous genealogical researcher and was a Williams Descendant, also.

Moriarty: "It will thus be seen that a good deal is known about the maternal ancestry of Roger Williams (of RhodeIsland--brother of our Shadrack Williams). But, up to date, nothing has been learned concerning the parentage of his father: JAMES WILLIAMS (I). The latter, (James) was admitted free of the Merchant Taylor's Company, by servitude on 7 Apr 1587, a date when he must have been about 21 years of age. (MPM: ages accepted by the Guild of Merchant Taylors was 7-21 years) He lived in Cow Lane within the parish of St. Sepulchres Without Newgate in London. It is reasonable to SUPPOSE, however, that he had a connection with St.Albans, where he had found his wife.

Moriarty: James Williams MAY have come from the west in Gloucestshire, near the Welsh border. (MPM: The St. Albans Pemberton families SUPPOSEDLY came from Cheshire area, England.)

Moriarty: "the following items, taken from the Hertsfordshire records, were printed in the "Herts. Genealogist and Antiquary". They seem suggestive, although they do not prove anything regarding the parentage of James Williams. They are, however, useful as a basis for furthur re- search in the paternal ancestry of Roger Williams, of Rhode Island (MPM: also for Shadrach/Sidrach Williams). "Subsidy for Herts. 37 Henry VIII (1545) TRING MAGNA, JAMES WILLIAMS, GENT......taxed 4s.... (Herts. Gen. and Ant., Vol. II, p. 27) (MPM: Tring was small town few miles NorthWest of St. Albans, Hertsfordshire, England)

Will of JOAN AUDLEY, of Hitchin, co. Herts, widow, dated 14 Mar 1580 & proved on 6 Feb 1583/4. To be buried in Hitchin. To daughter: Joan Audley. To sons: William and John Audley. To daughter: AGNES WILOIAMS AND TO HER CHILDREN, JAMES AND JOAN. To daughter: Agnes Coop and her children. To son: Robert Papwort and his children and his son: Williams. This will mentions WILLIAM AUDLEY, my last husband. James Tyde, of Dunstable, executor; son: William Audley. Overseers: Son- Robert Papworth and friend Mr. Thomas Parrys. (Herts, Gen. and Ant. Vol. II, p. 229)

"Subsidy for Herts, 37 Jenry VIII (1545) Hitchin, viii." WILLIAM AUDLEY, taxed 40s (ibid, Vol. I, p. 329) Herts-Feet of Fines: Hilary Term 25 Elizabeth (1582/3) John Bowyer, Esq. querant and WILLIAM AUDLEY AND MARK WILLIAMS AND AGNES, HIS WIFE, deforciants. A messuage in Hitchen alias Hutchyn. (ibid. Vol. II, p. 307)

From Moriarty: "It may be SUGGESTED that JAMES WILLIAMS, of Tryng Magna in 1545, was the father of MARK WILLIAMS, who married AGNES AUDLEY, dau. of William and Joan Audley of Hitchin and had issue JAMES and Joan Williams, who were evidently young in 1581. This James Williams may be identical with James Williams, who was admitted to the Merchant Taylor Company in 1587 and is the known father of the founder of Providence, R.I"

Another interesting will, of MARGERY PATE, dated 22 Sep 1617 of St. Pulkers (St. Sepulchers Parish, London) confirms the children of James and Alice (Pemberton) Williams. I have been unable to find any definite connection of the Williams Family to the other indiv- iduals named in her will with the exception fo the LIDE (prounounced LLOYD) family members. The widow of Roger Williams, son of Shadrack and grandson of James/Alice Williams, late intermarried with a Lloyd family in Virginia. Since Margery ( ) Quille/Pate leaves legacies to James and Aliace Williams and to three of their children (she does not mention Sidrach/Shadrack), I would assume a close relation- ship and perhaps even a sister (???) of James Williams.

Will: Weldon 100 (P.C.C. = Perogative court) MARGERY PATE "Margery Pate, of the parish of St. Pulkers, London, widow, 22 September 1617, and proved 2 Oct 1617. My body to be buried within the church of St. Pulckers, near unto my former husband Richard Quille. To my godson: John Miller, to Hudson Miller, to Anne Miller wife of Thomas Miller, to my cousin Thomas Miller and to his daughter... to Judith Claxton and to her daughter Ann Nicholes...to Elsieh Pynnocke and to ROBERT LIDE... To JAMES WILLIAMS, twenty shillings to ALICE WILLIAMS, WIFE UNTO JAMES WILLIAMS, twenty shillings. To Alice Quille (Certain household goods and wearing apparel) To Elizabeth Albrocke...to ELIZABETH LIDE WIFE UNTO HENRY LIDE and to Herny, James, Maurice and Cassandra Lide, children unto Henry Lide....to ROGER WILLIAMS, SON OF THE SAID JAMES WILLIAM, twenty shillings to ROBERT WILLIAMS, SON OF THE SAID JAMES WILLIAMS, twenty shillings and to KATH- ERINE WILLIAMS, DAUGHTER OF THE SAID JAMES WILLIAMS, twenty shillings. To Elizabeth and Sarah Webster, daughters of John Webster and John Webster, his son and the rest of Webster's children...to Edward Gooddcoole, Richard Bradley, Elizabeth Younge, widow and Michael Bolton. HENRY LIDE, of Westminster, Esq, to be sole executor and JAMES WILLIAMS OF ST. PULKERS, MERCHANT TAYLOR, OVERSEER."

James Williams was called by titles of Citizen, Merchant Taylor and Turkey Merchant in various documents. The following information is pertinent to this discussion. Henry F. Waters --"Genealogical Gleanings....p. 427, dated 1889... "On the above named pages, the Rev. Roger Williams (of St .Albans).... George Fxo dig'd out of his Burrowes" (Published Nar. Club, vo. v, p. 146) is quoted to show that Roger Williams had a brother, who was a Turkey Merchant... On page 299, Henry F. Waters furnished reasons for thinking that this Turkey Merchant may have been Sidrack, son of James Williams of London....... The editor of the "Register" sent a copy of the July number containing this matter to the clerk of the Merchant Taylor[s Company, of London, asking for entries in the Company's books about Sidrack Williams and his father: James Williams, both Freeman of that Company and asking also if there was any evidence on the books that Sidrack Williams was a Turkey Merchant" He receive the following reply:...... "Merchant Taylor's Hall, London, E.C. 31 Aug 1889 (MPM: I visited this Hall in London a few years ago...still an active Guild...I was not able to obtain any records there since they were getting ready for a banquet that night and I was very short of time.)

Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst. I have much pleasure in forwarding to you the enclosed particulars from our Records regarding Sydrack Williams and his father. J.W. Dean, Esq. I am, dear Sir...Yours truly....F.G. Faithfull. 1620 Feby 20. Sydrack Williams, the son of James Williams, is admittee into ye Freedom of this Company by Patrimony. Witness he is his Sonne Thomas Morse, Innholder and Edw Webster, Merchant Taylor (MPM: see Margary Pate will for Webster)(Ordinary court book, 1619-1630, fol. 118)""

(Note: James Williams was admitted to the Freedom of the Comany by Servitude to Nicholas Tresswell, on 7 April 1587. (Alphabetical List of Freemen, 1530-1648) AND James Williams, lists "my kinsman-Thomas Morse, in his will of 7 Sep 1620, London. I have not been able to trace this Thomas Morse kinship.)

James Williams/Alice Pemberton

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Will, filed with Com. Court of London, Vol. 24, fol. 50.