Person:Roger Williams (3)

"Williams family traced back to earliest point in Cumberland Co. Virginia in the pre-Revolutionary War years. As early as 1760's, marriages were occurring in counties surrounding Cumberland between Williams men and their brides. The greatest migration took place after Revolutionary War. Families headed westward to Missouri, Tennessee,Kentucky, and points beyond. There were 3 men born before the 1720's. Roger Williams is the first. Little is known of this man other than he gave a tract of land to Roger Jr. in 1783,stating "me hereunto moving". The relationship of the other two, Thomas and Matthias Williams is certain because of a land transaction from Thomas to his brother Matthias in 1763. Many families have a folklore of their families coming to America. A same story has been handed down by the Williamses. There are indications that the three brothers may have been part of a family of a Roger Williams born in the late 1600's. First Harriet Williams Pryor was the subject of a biological sketch in the late 1800's in one of the Goodspeed books. Her sketch said she was descended from Roger Williams, although it identified Roger as Roger Williams of Rhode Island. While there is no indication that she fit into any New England group, she may, indeed, have been a descendent from a Roger Williams. Virginia land grants records show a Roger Williams receiving a 200 ac. of land in Chickahoming Swamp as early as 1719. By Sept. 1723, a John Johnson received 250 ac. on Chickahoming Swamp on the lines of John Hagg and Roger Williams. In August 1731, Michael Holland received 6,350 ac. in Hanover Co. The land was adjacent to many men including Roger Williams and Thomas Lacey Jr. The Vestry Book of St. Pauls Parish in Hanover Co. mentions in 1730 that the tithes of Capt. Thomas Anderson assist Roger Williams in clearing the road whereof he is surveyor. Anderson and Williams are very common names but one Thomas Anderson was the father of Susannah who married Thomas Williams. On November 6, 1734, one Thomas was Williams was a witness noted in the Hanover Co. minutes. Samuel's father Thomas was born in 1712 according to the bible record. Thomas would have been 22 and of legal age in 1734. There is a land deed of 1728/9 with Booth Napier of Goochland selling land to Phillip Webber of King Williams Co. The land is part of Thomas Mim's patent on Tuckahoe Creek. This sale was witnessed by Elizabeth Napier and William and Mary Williams. A William Williams died intestate in Cumberland Co. in 1761. It is not known whether this is the same man. however, later Williames owned the land on Tuckahoe Creek. In the lifetimes of Roger,Thomas and Matthias listed below, there are several records which indicate a relationship between the three. Thomas and Matthias were brothers per a Cumberland Co. land deal. The will of Thomas Anderson was written Oct. 25, 1757 and recorded Mar. 9, 1758 in Albermarle. Co. he named daughter Susannah Williams among others , with witness shown to be John Gannaway Jr., John Gannaway Sr. ,and Roger Williams Sr. At one time Roger Williams and Thomas Williams both owned land that was adjacent to Richard Randolphs. Halifax, Pittsylvania court records show that Thomas Williams, son of Roger, entered land in Pittsylvania Co. in 1751. Court pleas note in 1754 that Thomas Williams was the executor of Roger Williams Estate. Several petitions that were generated and signed in Cumberland Co. survived, giving further evidence as to the time period that the Williams family lived there. On May 10, 1777 one petition was begun urging that Cumberland Co. be divided in two. Roger Sr., Thomas, Samuel and Roger Williams Jr. all signed . One November 10, 1780, a petition was circulated regarding rights of clergy who did not sign allegiance to the state. Samuel, Roger Jr. and Matthias Williams signatures are found. This Matthias must be the Revolutionary War pensioner because his father's will was probated about the same time. A similar petition with the same date showed Thomas and Roger Williams Sr. signature. On May 14,1784, rights of pecuniary legates and residual legates were questioned. John, Roger,Samuel and Nathaniel Williams signed. Lastly, opposition to the act incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church on Nov. 19,1786 included Thomas, Samuel, Nathaniel, Roger and Matthias Williams. The above details are included in this article so that perhaps someone in the future may use this information to find proof positive of parentage for Roger, Thomas and Matthias Williams. If Thomas was indeed born in 1712, in Wales, and the eldest Roger is proven to be his father, then Roger would be the immigrant progebator of this line of Williamses. Roger Sr. wife is unknown and it unknown if he had other children. [McDaniel-Patton.GED. New Kings and Rome.FTW]"