William Williams (son of Robert Williams and Seabra)1271 was born 1780 in Massachusetts1272, and died January 28, 1834 in Crawford Co, Greenwood Twsp, PA1272. He married Sarah Seely on WFT Est. 1793-18221272.
Notes for William Williams: In a will registered on April 20, 1834, William Williams left livestock, six swarms of bees and other personal effects. There was also a saw mill mentioned in the will. He left real estate in Crawford Co., Greenwood Township, PA joining Johnathan Tayler and others and 100 acres joining widow Hearkins and others. There was also 25 acres in Fairfield Township. William also owned a saw mill at the time of his death.
A War of 1812 marker is on the grave in Williams Cemetary, Greenwood Twsp and a privately erected tombstone bears the title, "Captain".
"Captain Billy" has been the subject of many family legends which have been passed down through the generations. Most of these pertain to his War of 1812 adventures as a military captain and for which he was rewarded with land bordering on the "Great Geneva Swamp" in Greenwood Twsp.
Our Billy, however, did leave succeeding generations with many legends that, while standing the test of time, fly in the face of fact and reality. The legend: Captain Billy was a famous War of 1812 military officer who received a valuable land grant as a reward for meritorious service.
The VA and U. S. Military Archives tell a different story. the records note that Billy's enlistment period in the War of 1812 was January 1, 1814 to February, 11, 1814 (42 days) during which time he was a private in the 133 Reg. PA, Captain McDowell, commanding officer. He did receive a land grant, but so did everyone who served in the War of 1812. And his land grant was not dissimilar to the usual military land grant-it bordered on a swamp, the Great Geneva Swamp. --------
The early Williams families were not without misfortune. Infant mortality and disease took a toll on most families. Almost the entire family of Silas Williams, grandson of Billy, was wiped out by the 1913 diphtheria plague. (Many other Williams families were killed by the same disease at that time.)
The descendants of Robert and William have been very faithful to the area in which they were born. The Williams Cemetery is located on part of "Captain Billy's" land grant and is the final resting place for Billy and many of his descendants. It continues as an active cemetery and any descendants may be buried there. Many descendants continue to live on or near his "military grant" land. Perhaps the only change is that Eckard's U. S. Highway 19 and Interstate 75 have filled in some of the swamp.
More About William Williams: Burial: January 28, 1834, Williams Cemetery, Crawford Co, Greenwood Twsp, PA. Fact 1: Veteran's marker on grave.1272
More About William Williams and Sarah Seely: Marriage: WFT Est. 1793-18221272
William Williams (b. 1780, d. January 28, 1834)
Notes for William Williams: