DESCENDANTS OF JEREMIAH AND MARY (GARST) WILLIAMS

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- David “Lonesome Dave” Williams, born about 1776 in Montgomery County,died September 18, 1860, at Cirtsville, Raleigh County. David married Elizabeth "Betsy"McGriff. See below.- Molly Williams, born about 1779 in Montgomery County, married John Riceon July 31, 1799, in Montgomery County.- John S. Williams, born about 1780 in Montgomery County, died 1850-1860, atHoges Chapel, Giles County. John married Mary "Polly" Griffith.- Alexander Williams, born about 1782 in Montgomery County, died January 1,1815, in Norfolk, Virginia. He married Eliza “Lisha”______ in 1802. She was bornabout 1780. See below.- Joseph Williams was born about 1784 in Montgomery County. He marriedMary Nichols.- Andrew Williams born about 1788, Montgomery County, Virginia; died inDecember 1828 in Giles County. He married Nancy Albert about 1804 probably inGiles County. She was born about 1787 and died after 1850, most likely in FayetteCounty, Virginia. See below.- James A. Williams, Sr., born about 1792 in Virginia; died before 1850. Hemarried Sarah "Sallie Piles.- Margaret Williams was born about 1794.- Rebecca Williams was born about 1796.David “Lonesome Dave” Williams, son of Jeremiah and MaryAs a young man, Dave was a hunter and a trapper. By the time he was 17 in 1793 and1794, he was serving as an ensign in the Second Battalion of Augusta County, Virginia.David served in the War of 1812, receiving many acres of land granted for his warservices.At least two accounts exist of how "Lonesome Dave" got his nickname. The first accountis from Lara M. Blake, a Fayette County historian and school teacher. According to thisaccount, "Lonesome Dave" got his nickname from the habit he had of continuouslywhistling some lonesome melody. He became so well know by this name that he used ithimself. "Lonesome Dave" even placed his money in the bank under that name.The second account of how the name "Lonesome" came about was Dave supposedlyobtained the name during the Revolutionary War. It is possible, if this event actuallyhappened, it was during the War of 1812. According to this account, he was a healthyyoung man full of spirit, song, and dry humor. Often when the soldiers would get "blue2
and low", Dave would boast in a loud voice, "I guess the folks back home are lonesomefor Dave". As a result, his companions called him "Lonesome Dave". This ismisleading since Dave was born about 1776, which was during the AmericanRevolutionary War period.Both accounts of how the nickname originated are interesting; however, we will probablynever know the true origin of his nickname.David married Elizabeth “Betsy” McGriff on November 16, 1801, in Knox County,Tennessee. Elizabeth was born bout 1781 at Sinking Creek in Montgomery County. Themarriage record lists her name as “Betsy.”"Dave" was one of the first settlers of Upper Paint Creek. He first settled on Maple Forkin Raleigh County about 1811, but moved to Dothan, near Mossy, in Fayette County. Itseems Dave and Elizabeth were living in Kanawha County when their last child was bornabout 1830. They had settled in Fayette County (now Raleigh County) by the time the1840 census was taken. I suspect Dave's son John settled in the area prior to his father'ssettling there.Elizabeth died in Raleigh County on October 4, 1858, at age 77, from dropsy. Elizabethwas the daughter of Thomas and Susan (Atkins) McGriff. Thomas McGriff was a son ofJohn McGriff.Dave died from dropsy on September 8, 1860, at the age of 84 in Raleigh County.David’s death record shows his age as 84; however, the 1860 census shows his age as 85.Alexander Williams, son of Jeremiah and MaryAlexander Williams died on January 1, 1815, in Norfolk, Virginia, while serving in theWar of 1812. His wife’s name was Lisha or Eliza.On July 30, 1816, Eliza Williams applied for a widow's pension. She certified that shehad married Alexander Williams 14 years earlier (which would have been in 1802), andthat they had six children, all under the age of 16. She names the children and gives theirages: (1) Polly Williams, 11 years old on January 29 last (born 1805); (2) JohnWilliams, nine years old on October 6 last (born 1806); (3) Jeremiah Williams, eightyears old on December 25 last (born 1807) (See below.); (4) Parker Williams, six yearsold on December 20 last (born 1809); (5) Jane Williams, three years old on October 18last (born 1812); and (6) Betsy Williams, one year old on March 23 last (born 1815).Upon payment of $25 bond, Eliza Williams was appointed administrator of the estate ofher deceased husband Alexander Williams. George Williams, M'Cager Bradley, andChristian Smith were appointed to appraise the estate. Results of the appraisal do notappear to have been recorded.Based on the above information, it would seem that Alexander and Eliza's youngestdaughter Betsy was born almost two months after Alexander's death in 1815.3
Page 4 and 5: Andrew Williams, son of Jeremiah an
Page 6 and 7: - Rosa Belle Williams, born July 18
Page 8 and 9: uried at the Clyburn (Cantley) Ceme
Page 10 and 11: - Macie Pearl Williams, was born on

DESCENDANTS OF JEREMIAH AND MARY (GARST) WILLIAMS

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