It would not be a bad statement to say that every county in the State had its family of Williams, at some stage of its history. This county had two families by that name, the older descendants of Lewis Williams of Surry Co Va, and another family represented by Tulle Williams, who came to Perq later, from Currituck Co N. C. The last is well written up in N. C. Historical, & Gen’ Reg, therefore we will treat only of the ones who have not had mention.
After much faithful perusal of a great deal of legal matter, some interesting data has been unearthed which throws light on the Williams family living in Perq at an early date.
- Roland Williams appears to be the earliest trans’ to Va, coming in “Jonathan” 1620, age 20 years. Rowland Williams was granted 70a of land, Oct 20 1704 “at a place called piney Swamp, Warwick Co Va. Rowland Williams was among the living, “Att Elizabeth Cittye” Feb 16, 1623, after the Indian massacre of Mar 22, 1622. From London to Va, in “Thomas, & John” June 16, 1635, Robert Williams, age 44. Roger Williams came in “Truelove” from London, June 10 1635, age 16 years. Thomas Williams arrived in “Transport” from Gravesend, July 4, 1635, age 18. Aboard “Abraham” of London Nov 20, 1635, William Williams, age 25. Thomas Williams was among the living at “West & Sherlew hundred” Feb 16, 1623 (Census). Also Henry, & Mrs. Williams—At James City, Hugh Williams is found among the living, and at “Elizabeth Cittye” William Williams, & Mrs. Williams. William Williams “of great Yarm,” age 40 emigrated to New Eng Apl 11, 1637, with wife Alles, & two children. Ann Williams was trans’ to Va by John Branch, Aug 27, 1640. John Williams of Isle of Wight Co, in his will, p said Co, Aug 9, 1692, gave his “dwelling plan’ to wife Anne for life,” and to son John his “Manor plan” names younger son Christopher, made bequest to “William, sone of William Williams, 200a in Newport parish;” To son Thomas land in Surry Co, “where my son John now liveth” son Richard 300a in same Co, “where son John liveth,” dau’s: Mary, Jane, gr-daus: Ann & Bridgett. (Records Isle of Wight.) Roger Williams & wife Mary deeded land in Surry Co, to Richard Blow, “purchased of Samuel Swann, on Pidgeon Swamp” Mar 1 1680. In another deed same Co, he calls himself “Cooper” & sold 200a to John Watkins, “Land purchased of Maj Samuel Swann, for 261 lbs of Tob, Jan 3, 1681. Christopher Lewis of Southwarke parish Surry Co, in his will, p Aug 20, 1673, gave to Roger Williams, & son Roger, cattle, and to the elder “my chest with all my cooper tools.”
- William Williams “Orphan of Lewis dec’d,” July 9, 1681. He was bound apprentice to William Newman, July 16, 1683, “until he arrive at age of 21 years” (Surry Co). John Whitley in his will, Isle of Wight Co, Feb 21, 1670, names his “son-in-law John Williams, & dau Ann.” Ann Whitley in her will, same Co, names sons: John, Thomas, & William Williams, gr-dau Elizabeth Williams (d of John) Feb 13, 1671. (She was probably wife of John Williams above, & m 2d Whitley.)
- George Williams will Isle of Wight, p Oct 9, 1672, made bequest that his three children, “William live with Mr. — Cobb, & George, & Elizabeth, with William Bressie, & Susanna his wife.” George (2) moved to Northampton Co N. C., and his descendants from there to S. C.
- Obed Williams was granted 440a in York Co Va, May 6, 1651, for trans’ among them Thomas Williams. Thomas Williams (s of Obediance) was granted 50a in said Co, May 6, 1654. John Williams planter— and Dorothy his wife sold 100a in Nansemond Co Va, “upon New Town Haven River” which was granted by Sir Wm Berkeley to Col Robert Pitt” of Isle of Wight Co, Aug 12, 1665. (Isle of Wight records.)
- John Williams of Albemarle N. C. “sold unto Ralph Vickers of Newport parish, Co Isle of Wight” 200a in North end of Surry Co, near a plan’ where Wm Williams formerly lived,” half of a Pattent to George Pierce, from Sir Henry Cichley, Kt Dept Gov of Vir,” April 3, 1681, & by him sold to John & Thomas Williams, Oct 10, 1681. John & Stephen Williams of Albemarle, province of N. C. sold 170a to Richard Williams of Isle of Wight, “on South side of ye main Blackwater,” part of a grant, 600a unto William Williams, Oct 28, 1702. Seal Aug 22, 1705.
- Arthur Williams of Chowan, made a deed of gift to “loving brother John, 300a where he now liveth, in Lower pish Isle of Wight Co” which was granted John Williams dec’d. Sept 26, 1719.
- Thomas Williams (s of Obediance) was granted land in York Co Va, 1663. He had a grant for land in Nansemond Co, Oct 17, 1648, “an Island, called Island Creek.” He m Susanna Davis (widow of John) and had sons: Edward, & John.
- The Williams family in Perq was first represented by Richard Williams, who m Margary — and had issue: Jane, b July 6, 1681—Ruth, b Jan 22, 1686/7. James Penney of Isle of Wight Co, gave to dau Margaret Williams, 500 lbs of Tob, and names gr-son John Williams, wife Lucy (no date).
- Jenkens Williams (no parents) m Johanna Barrow, Aug 3, 1690, issue: John, b Oct 12, 1691.
- William Williams of Albemarle, will p April 15, 1712. Wife Mary. Sons: Samuel, John (to whom he left “land on Black Water called Littel Town”) son Steven. He probably lived in Chowan Co, and his descendants drifted over into Perq. John Williams will Albemarle, Jan 29, 1727/8, names dau Mary, brother Nathaniel (to whom he left a plan’) wife Sarah. This will was certainly made in Perq, as Charles Denman, Clerk of Perq, probated said will.
- William Williams above (is thought to be) from all the evidence produced, was the son of Lewis Williams of Surry Co, who was apprenticed to Wm Newman.
- Nathaniel (brother of John) m Elizabeth Underwood (d of Thomas) (or Bridger), who is named in the will of said Thomas of Isle of Wight Co, & also in the will of Elizabeth Bridger of same Co, Apl 5, 1717.
- Nathaniel, & wife Elizabeth, issue: 1 Timothy, b Dec 2, 1726—2 Sarah, & Ann (twins) b Feb 12, 1727/8—3 John, b Apl 17, 1729—4 James, b May 7, 1732.
- Of Timothy we have no knowledge. John Williams (s of Nathaniel) m 1st —, m 2d Rachel Wilson (widow of Wm Townsend, who had for 1st husband Timothy Winslow) by whom he had no issue apparently. His will, p in Perq April 1774, names sons James & John, dau Mary Wilson (step-dau, d of Timothy Winslow) & Anne Donaldson, wife Rachel. Her will same Co, p July 1777, also names dau Mary Wilson. This will is a very interesting document, in that it throws so much light on past history, which would otherwise be baffling to an enormous degree. (See Wilson.)
- James Williams will Perq, p Jan 1777. Children: Miriam, John, Sarah, Thomas, & Mary, wife Mary, & Issachar Branch Exrs. One of the witnesses to this will; Anne Donaldson. (For other Williams Wills, see N. C. Hist’ & Gen Reg, Vol 3-2—3-3.)
- Thomas Williams living in Perq, m before July 1755, Elizabeth Pratt, widow of Jeremiah, and became guardian of Rose, Isaac, Jobe, & Joseph Mathias, orphans of John Dec’d. They jointly petitioned the Court, to sell perishable Estate of said John, & to have possession of it, “out of the hands of Jacob Caruthers.” In the division of the Estate of Robert Roe Sr, July 17, 1763, Elizabeth Williams appears as an heir.