James WILLIAMS, 96th District, SC

In my previous post, I mentioned that my ancestor, Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC had a brother, Colonel James Williams of the 96th District, SC who died in the Revolutionary War. I received the book I ordered “James Williams: An American Patriot in the Carolina Backcountry” by William Graves in the mail this week to confirm this relationship. Graves’ book gives an excellent account of the life of Colonel James Williams and includes familial activities and history based on primary sources of letters, wills, estate, and court records.

The author of this book confirms that my ancestor, Henry Williams, was in deed the brother of Colonel James Williams and says that Colonel James Williams transferred much of his assets, including his slaves, to his brother’s house for safe keeping from the Tories shortly before he died (p. 25-27).

Details of his whole estate were recorded in both Caswell Co., NC and in the 96th District, SC. This was a great find. As a side, my ancestor, Henry Williams, was also a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; Henry Williams’ great-grandson, Iverson Lea Brooks later became a General in the War between the States.

To Do:

1. Copy the Will of James Williams from the Caswell Co., NC Will folders at the State Archives [If not located, look for will recorded in Caswell Co Will Book A, p. 113, December Court 1780]
2. Copy the estate files of James Williams from the loose papers in the estate of James in Caswell Co., NC at the State Archives
3. Go through and index the Land Grants issued the Williams family in Granville Co., NC before 1800. – Updated: A summary of Land Grants was posted here.

James Williams of the 96th District, South Carolina, con’t