TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CUTHBERT WILLIAMSON FAMILY UNION.

==========================================

TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE CUTHBERT WILLIAMSON FAMILY UNION.

---------------------------------------------------

About two years ago some of us commenced investigating the history of the Williamson family. At that time we knew but little as to the family, except that our great grandfather was named Cuthbert Williamson and lived and died in Charlotte County, Va., near Rough Creek.

While we have not found out all that we had hoped to, still we have been amply repaid for our trouble in what we have learned, and are, we think, on the road to certain additional facts of great interest.

Cuthbert Williamson was born near Richmond, Va., about 1740, and in 1765 purchased land in Charlotte County, at which time it is supposed he moved either to that County, or to Prince Edward. His first wife is thought to have been Miss Price. He had three children by his first marriage, John, Rebecca and Elizabeth. His second wife was a Miss White, and by this wife he had the following children:- Charles, Mary, Martha, Nancy, Samuel, Cuthbert, Susan, Kate Francis, William B., Daniel M., Matthew and Sallie; Kate died young, unmarried; Sallie died when a child.

As parties have been appointed to get up information as to each of the children of Cuthbert Williamson, I shall not take any one of his children, but will speak in a general way of what I have found out as to the early settlement of Williamsons in Virginia, and some of the peculiar traits and characteristics of the family. The family at an early date of this country was what might be termed a stony, rugged type of men, low in stature, square built, broad shoulders, black hair, heavy beard, short, thick hands and feet; gray or blue eyes, erect in carriage and long heads. They are self-reliant and unyielding in their opinions and convictions; careful not to give an insult or offense, but never disposed to submit to wrong or injustice, and ready to take their chances in the world.

Few of them have accumulated much property, but it is a rare thing to find one of them, who has not the comforts of life around him, and who does not enjoy extending hospitality to his friends and kin.

They are industrious and economical in their habits; great lovers of home and family, and by nature self-reliant. I have never found or heard of one of them being in the poor-house, or jail, except when put there by the Yankees; nor are there any millionaires in the family.

I have never seen or heard of a red-headed Williamson, and with the older generations, no good fiddlers or dancers; although some of them have made an effort at tripping the "Light Fantastic Toe."

The old Williamson type has been transmitted from generation to generation in the men with remarkableness, so much so, that a Williamson is easily distinguished in a crowd. They are a long-lived people, many of them reaching to over eighty years. But few, if any bald-headed ones, but the men’s hair turn gray early, as evidenced by that of the writer.

I suppose the duty devolves upon me to give an account of the work performed by the Union, since our last meeting, and what has been done by your Historian in getting correct information, as to the history of the Williamson family from the time of the first settlement of this country. In the outset I will say that I have been very greatly assisted by the untiring efforts of our President, Secretary and Executive Committee. I have never written a letter or made a request upon any one, who has not made a prompt and ready response. Their efforts and work have been intelligent, careful and painstaking. The reports from the parties to whom the work was assigned, of getting the names, addresses, etc. of the descendants of each of the children of Cuthbert Williamson, will show an immense ammount of information on this line, and while the work is not completed and much in the way of details, such as dates and addresses, are yet to be had, the future work on this line will be light; still much as yet has to be done in arranging this information and putting it in shape for future use.

When it is remembered that our Cuthbert Williamson had sixteen children, and it has been one hundred and thirty-two years since the first child was born, and fourteen of them were married, and they have very nearly all faithfully kept the Bible injunction to multiply and replenish the earth, a splendid example being set by their ancestor, you will see what a large crop has been raised. In nearly every State in the South and a few in the North, are the descendants of Cuthbert Williamson found, but Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama and Texas contain the great bulk of them.

But it is to our history prior to our Cuthbert that I desire to speak for a few minutes.

In the historical sketch prepared at our last meeting, much valuable information is given, and a splendid basis for future work is laid out, but much of that is indefinite and incomplete, and some of it is erroneous. I have gone over this sketch and corrected it as far as I could, from the information received and such additional facts, as I have been able to gather.

Our sketch of the Williamson family says that "John Williamson, a descendant of Sir Joseph Williamson, came to Virginia and settled opposite Jamestown. 1st. John Williamson, born 1687, married Rebecca Chamberlayne, was a vestry-man of Henrico Parish, and his supposed three sons were Thomas, John and Cuthbert."

From these three, the history, as we have it prepared of each, is tolerably full, especially that of Thomas, which has been kindly corrected and enlarged by Lt. Sidney B. Williamson of Florence, Ala., one of his descendants.

By correspondence with several parties, we have been enabled to fill up many blank dates and names, so that we can see more clearly the links we have to connect, to show more clearly who was the father of our Cuthbert. From the investigation made by Mr. Leach of Richmond, who was employed by cousin, J.P. Williamson of Petersburg, Va., we find that in 1751, in enrico Parish, the estate of one Cuthbert Williamson was divided by Phillip Maye and William Lewis, between his widow, Elizabeth Allen, and three minor children, Susanna, Mary Price and Cuthbert Williamson. This estate consisted of negroes, stock and money, no land mentioned. Now, if this Cuthbert, whose estate was divided in 1751, was a brother of Thomas and John, and the son of the John Williamson, who married Rebecca Chamberlayne, he could not have been more than forty years of age at the time of his death, as Thomas the oldest of the three, as we have them, was not born until 1708, and John about 1710 and Cuthbert about 1712. Still I think that this Cuthbert was the father of our Cuthbert, and I might say I do not think the proof near so strong upon any other theory.

The history of Thomas Williamson’s family is the most complete of either of the three, and there is no place where I can see that our Cuthbert comes into the branch. Nor do I think it probable that he was the son of John, for we have no account of this John having a son named Cuthbert, for Mrs. Amanda Stewart of Brook Hill, Va. has an old family Bible in which are the names of the John Williamson family, and Cuthbert is not mentioned, but one Robert is mentioned as a son of John; this Robert was born in 1735, and this Robert was the great grandfather of Mrs. Stewart, and she is still living.

In our historical sketch the Cuthbert, brother of Susanna, is put down as being the father of one Dabney; now, how it was worked out that Dabney’s father was this Cuthbert, I do not know; for this Dabney would have been sixty years younger than his father, which is not at all probable. This Dabney kept tavern at Richmond in 1812, and also had a son, W. H. Williamson, owner of Tree Hill Race Course, born about 1800. I think Dabney’s father was a different person, and born at a much later date. Now, if this view is not correct, I think our Cuthbert was a son of John Williamson of Surrey. Mr. Leach in his search finds, that John Williamson of Surrey, will dated Jan. 30th, 1731, and probated in 1732, names his son Cuthbert, his brother Cuthbert and also several daughters. Cuthbert, the son of John of Surrey, would be too old for our Cuthbert, but his might have been the father of our Cuthbert. Mr. Leach in his search finds that there was a Cuthbert Williamson living in Charles City, Co., as early as May 28th, 1666, and that a Cuthbert Williamson patented lands in Chas. City Co., June 16th, 1675 and in Prince George Co., in 1721 and 1728. Now, I think this Cuthbert was probably the father or grandfather of John Williamson, who was born in 1687. I hope we may yet unravel this tangled skein.

John Williamson of Surrey and John Williamson of Henrico were not the same person, as one died in 1731 and the other in 1757, but from the names of Cuthbert and John in each family, it is evident that they were kin. Another point, I think, is in favor of the idea, that our Cuthbert’s father was the Cuthbert, brother of Thomas and John, is that his wife was named Elizabeth Allen, now grandfather had a daughter named Elizabeth and another Allen.

Sir Joseph Williamson, Knight, son of an English clergyman, was born in 1630 and married Catherine O’Brien Stewart, purchased the large estate in Kent of the Duke of Richmond, with the magnificent seat of Cobham, and a settlement of the Williamsons opposite Jamestown, Va. Was called Cobham.

The following Williamson emigrants came over to America;

Virginia was dived into Counties in 1634 as follows:- James City, Henrico, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Worwick River and Isle of Wight, and a few years afterwards, Surrey, Lancaster and Middlesex were formed, from these Counties; all of them lying on tide water and the Atlantic and adjacent to each other. Mrs. Amanda Stewart of Brook Hill says that her father Robert Carter Williamson told her that quite a Colony of Williamsons settled in Henrico Co., Va., when they first came over from England, and that they settled at the "Brook" now called "Brook Hill." She says that her father, grandfather and great grandfather were all born at the "Brook," which takes it back to at least 1735.

Miss Jennie Williamson of Wilson County, Tenn. says that her family went from Pennsylvania to Virginia early in 1700 and found a large settlement of Williamsons near Richmond. In my researches I find that Williamsons in Virginia at a very early date.

James Williamson was a Justice of Peace in Lancaster Co., in 1745, and he had land patented to him in 1750; he died in 1756. His wife was Ann Upton, daughter of Capt. John Upton of the Isle of Wight. Wm. Underwood was administrator in behalf of the orphans, who was an uncle to them on their mother’s wide. He left only daughters (See Haydens Gen.). At this tine, Lancaster embraced all the territory on both sides of the Rappahanock River.

Jan. 30th, 1688, Abraham Weeks deeded land to Henry Williamson and his wife Catherine, daughter of said Weeks; said Deed recorded in Middlesex; said Henry Williamson was this Weeks Extr. in 1691. It seems that Henry had been married before to a daughter to Richard Lees of Lancaster, as said Lees in his will, 1675, gives to his son-in-law, Henry Williamson all his lands in Rappahanock Co.

Richard Williamson lived in Middlesex Co., in 1697. Andrew died in that County in 1682, and will proven, having sons, Augustine and Andrew.

Thos. Williamson and his wife Mary, late Mary Dudley, a widow, lived in Middlesex in 1695. The North and South Carolina Williamsons came from this set of Williamsons.

In the report of the Commissioners of Virginia and N. Carolina to settle the Eastern boundary line between those two States, made in 1710, mention is made of a Thomas Williamson, living at the sand banks, just beside the sea-side. In the same report in 1712, Dave Williamson is mentioned as having sold a negro, Henry, for roguery. One Cuthbert Williamson lived in Chas. City Co., in 1666, and patented lands in that co. in 1675, and in Prince George County, in 1721 and 1728. John Williamson of Surrey made will Jan. 30th, 1731, and will probated May 17th, 1732, naming his brother Cuthbert and son Cuthbert and several daughters. We will state in this connection that Cobham opposite Jamestown, where the Williamsons settled, was seventy-five or one hundred miles Southeast of Brook Hill on the James River.

In the will of John Holt of Surrey, dated Sept., 21st, 1759, and proven in 1764, John Randolf Williamson is mentioned as his son-in-law. Geo. Williamson is mentioned as vestry-man in Southern Parish, Cumberland Co., between 1745 and 1791.

Baptisms in the Church of the French refugees of Mannikintown, Va. are recorded as follows;

July 28th, 1732, Sabary Williamson, daughter of Jean and Sara Williamson. July 15th, 1734, Mathew Williamson. Sept. 20th, 1738, John, son of Jean and Sara Williamson. 1761, Charles Williamson, married Elizabeth Walk in Prince Ann Co., and in the same County, July 1st, 1754, one ______ Harper married Prudence Williamson.

In 1778 and 1779 Archibald Williamson was a member of Williamsburg Convention. During the Revolution, one John Williamson was a pilot in the navy. Williamson Williamson was a member of Company No. 2 Col. Wm. Heath’s 3rd Regiment, 1777 and 1778.

In 1786 we find an Act of the General Assembly to compel the trustees under the will of John Williamson of Hanover to report.

In the proceedings of Hanover Presbytery, mention is made of William Williamson as a Presbyterian preacher.

With the exception of Wm. Cuthbert in 1810 in Prince Ann Co., I find no one by that name in Va., although Cuthbert is often found as a given name. The Cuthberts were quite numerous and prominent in Ga. at an early date, and some, quite prominent leaders in the Revolution.

I have made it a rule to write to every Williamson I could hear of, and they have been very ready to respond.

I desire to express my appreciation of the kindness and assistance given me in this work by Mrs. Amanda Stewart of Brook Hill, a descendant of Williamson; Lt. Sidney B. Williamson of Florence, Ala., and a descendant of Thomas Williamson, Col. W.H. Williamson of Mobile, Ala. and others.

Now, my dear cousins, you have my work before you. The results have not been all that I wished, still I have done the best I could, and it has been a labor of love with me, and has given me a great deal of pleasure. I have read and re-read and searched every book I could find that would throw light on the early settlements of Virginia, and know of but two other books that can give us any future information, they are Col. Williamson’s history of the family and Hayden’s Genealogy. I have the promise of these books. Lt. Sidney Williamson has sent me a splendid chart of the Thos. Williamson family, and has also loaned me some valuable copies of the Va. Historical Society Majorim.

The work of our worthy and efficient President speaks for itself, and deserves the highest commendation.

Miss Florence Williamson has prepared a beautiful family tree, which she will present to you. She deserves the highest commendation for her efficiency as Secretary and her interest in the work.

Now, my dear cousins summing up the whole field, I think our ancestors came to America from England about 1635, or 1640, and settled about Jamestown on the James and Rappahanock Rivers; those from Jamestown going up the River about 1680 to Henrico Co., near what is now Richmond, those from the Rappahanock to North and South Carolina.

Our Cuthbert was first to go West from Henrico and settled in Charlotte Country on Rough Creek. I think he married in Henrico before going to Charlotte, and that his father was named Cuthbert, whose wife was Elizabeth Allen. I have had the records of Prince Edward searched and can find no evidence that our Cuthbert ever lived in that County, nor that he ever married there.

Respectfully submitted,

(signed) J. T. Williamson,

Historian.

WILLIAMSON FAMILY

Sir . Joseph Williamson, Knight, was the son of an English Clergyman. He was born in 1630. He purchased the large estate of the Duke of Richmond, in Kent, England, with the magnificent Seat of Cobham Hall. He married Catherine O’Brien Stewart.

Sir Joseph was put in the Tower by the British Parliament for introducing Catholics into England while he was Secretary of State. His descendant John came to Virginia, settled opposite Jamestown and called it Cobham, and that part of the River now Hampton River, they called Cobham Bay. The river was called Powhattan.

Their issue:

Issue of: 1st Thomas and Judith Fleming

Issue of John Williamson married

Issue of Cuthbert Williamson, married Elizabeth

Issue of John Williamson and Sarah Price:

Issue of Cuthbert Williamson

Issue of Thomas Williamson

Issue of Thomas Williamson; married Annie M. Walke.

Issue of Dabney Williamson who married Mary Burton:

Issue of Mary Amanda Williamson who Married John Stewart of Brookhill:

Issue of Charlotte Williamson and John B. Purcell:

July 20th, 1898.

At the reunion held by the descendants of Cuthbert Williamson at Monteagle, Tenn., July 20th, 1898, there were present:

Geo. C. Williamson age 83, Culleoka, Tenn., son of Sam’l and grandson of Cuthbert Williamson.

Dr. W.E. Harroway, Florence, Ala., son of Nancy Williamson Harroway and grandson of Cuthbert Williamson

J.P. Williamson Petersburg, Va., and E.H. Williamson, Danville, Va., sons of Wm. B. Williamson and grandsons of Cuthbert Williamson.

Annie Williamson Seabury, daughter of Thomas Dabney Williamson grand-daughter of John Williamson, and Great-grand-daughter of Cuthbert Williamson.

Samuel N. Williamson, Lynchburg, Va., and Wm. C. Williamson, Amherst Ch. Va., sons of Daniel M. Williamson and Grandsons of Cuthbert Williamson.

Mrs. Mary A. Jeffries, Grays Summit, Mo., daughter of Cuthbert Williamson Jr. and grand-daughter of Cuthbert Williamson.

Chas. S. Williamson, Culleoka, Tenn., Maj. John T. Williamson and Dr. James G. Williamson, Columbia, Tenn., sons of Geo. G. Williamson, grandsons of Sam’l Williamson and great-grandsons of Cuthbert Williamson.

John R. Williamson, Louisville, Ky., Henry C. Williamson, Memphis, Miss Nora Williamson, Memphis, children of Wm. H. Williamson, grand children of John Williamson and great-grand children of Cuthbert W.

Mrs. J.B.Newby, St. Louis, daughter of Nancy Williamson North, grand-daughter of Chas. Williamson and Great-grand-daughter of Cuthbert W.

Miss Florence Newby, St. Louis, daughter of Mrs. J.B. Newby.

Henry Cuthbert Williamson Jr. son of H.C. Williamson, Memphis.

Miss Florence Williamson, Culleoka, daughter of Chas. Williamson.

Miss Lottie G. Williamson, daughter of Maj. John T. Williamson.

The following named persons were appointed to obtain information relative to their respective families and immediate ancestors:

Permanent Organization:

H.C. Williamson, President and Treasurer,
Florence Williamson, Secretary,
Major John T. Williamson, Statistician.

Executive Committee: