Williamson Family Research Notes

Research Compiled by John F. Duckworth

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Charles Williamson

Charles Williamson was born 1754 in Virginia and died 10 September 1849 in Pickens (now Oconee) Co. S.C. The name of his wife is unknown; according to family tradition they separated ca. 1830. Charles Williamson vs. Polly Williamson Petition of Divorce. 

It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the defendant, Polly Williamson, is not an inhabitant of this State, it was ordered that publication be made for 3 mos in the Rutherford Spectator and Raleigh Register, that said Polly Williamson appear at the next Superior Court of Law to be held for the County of Buncombe, at the courthouse in Asheville, on 3rd Monday after the fourth Monday in September next, then and there to plead, answer or demur to the said petition, or same will be taken pro confesso and set for hearing ex parte. Witness - Jos(hua) Roberts, clerk of said court... at Asheville, the 2nd Monday after the 4th Monday in March, 1831. J. Roberts, Clk. [Journal of the NC Genealogical Society, Aug. 1990: Pg. 163---State of NC Buncombe Co.-Superior Court of Law - April term 1831. 

About 1836 the former Mrs. Williamson moved with her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and David Duckworth, to Choestoe, Union County Georgia, where she died between 1840 and 1850.  

On 6 January 1834 Charles Williamson made a Declaration to the Buncombe County, N.C. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in open court, who being duly sworn, made the following declaration: 

That he first enlisted in Captain Caswell's Company commanded by Lt. Col Henderson on the 26 November 1776 in the County of Rowan, in the State of North Carolina where he then resided. That he marched to Jacksonboro on Edisto River in the State of South Carolina; from there to Charleston, remained there a length of time, and was then marched out through the country south of Charleston to Stono and was in that battle. The declarant was taken a prisoner at Stono June 1779 and remained a prisoner until his term of enlistment expired, or about that time an exchange of prisoners between Generals Lincoln and Prevost, in which this declarant was one. This declarant states that his time of enlistment being now expired, which was for three years, a private, he received a discharge signed by Col. Henderson, and returned home, and did no further service during the war.  

In the District of Pickens South Carolina June 1837 Charles Williamson Sr. appeared before Miles M. Norton, a Notary Public, and declared under oath that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Caswell in the Fifth Regiment commanded by Colonel Henderson in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of North Carolina from which he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State of South Carolina where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in the future. The following are his reasons for removing from N.C.: he is old and the winters are too cold in Buncombe County, N.C. for his comfort, the air is chilly in summer and very changeable; that his youngest son had moved to Pickens District, S.C.; that he was anxious to live with him as he had no family; that he hopes to be of assistance to his son and his son be a comfort to him; his removal was not intended to give trouble to the Department or any hidden motive.  

The N.C. Pensioner's Roll of 1835 shows: Charles Williamson, Private, $240.00, N.C. Militia, age 80, Buncombe County resident. From Roster of N.C. Revolutionary Soldiers, Pierce's Register, Charles Williamson #90510.  

Charles Williamson is not listed on 1790 Census Records and must have been living with some one else.  

He was ordered to sell a portion of his land in Iredell County NC. 22 May 1792 - ordered that the Sheriff sell as much of the N end of Charles Williamson's land as will satisfy a judgment obtained by Christ Thompson. Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Iredell County NC (1789 - 1800).  

Also, in Iredell County NC: NC #2198 to Richard Williams (son?) 50 sh. per 100 A - 350 A in Rowan Co. on Back Creek - adj. Wm. Bryson, John Millar, James Ker, Wm. Falls, Alex. Martin 17 Nov. 1794.  

Feb 1798 - Deeds Recorded - Richard Williamson to Wm. Conner 350 A 20 Aug 1792 - proved by Jas. Kerr.  

Charles and Richard Williamson were in Buncombe County, North Carolina by the time of the 1800 Census. The Land Records show both resided near the French Broad River in what later became Transylvania County, North Carolina. 

Charles and Mary Williamson were the parents of five children, two boys and three girls.  

1. Unknown girl married A.E. Sitton who signed the Estate Papers in 1850.  He was Allison or Anderson Sitton. Nothing further is known.

2. John Williamson who married Sarah Curtis had the following children:  

1. Leander Williamson born 1820. Married Sarah Carpenter. Resided and died in Macon County, North Carolina

2. Nancy Elvira Williamson born 1821 died 1892. Married Humprey Garland. Resided and died in Macon County, North Carolina

3. James W. Williamson born 1825 died 1909. Married Elizabeth Ledford. Resided in Hanging Dog community, Cherokee County, North Carolina

4. Mary M. Williamson born 1828 died 1909. Married George Ledford. Resided and died in Macon County, North Carolina

5. John W. Williamson born 1833. Married Evelyn Paine. He was a Methodist Minister and resided and died in Dayton, Rhea County, Tennessee

6. Robert J. Williamson born 1834. Married Piety Anthony, his cousin. Divorced Piety and last seen in Tennessee. He was a carpenter. 

7. Sara Ann Williamson born 1842 died 1927. Married Archibald Carr Nix. Resided and died Choestoe, Union County, Georgia. Sarah A.E Curtis Williamson was living in Choestoe District of Union County, Georgia in 1860 with children Robert and Sarah Ann.

John Williamson married (2) Elizabeth Lee and were the parents of: Caroline, Elizabeth, Harrison, and Alfred. John W. Williamson died in Lumkin County, Georgia.

3. Mary Williamson was born 1805 and died 1885 in Union County, GA. She married David Duckworth and their children were: 

1. John Williamson Duckworth  born 1821 died 5 July 1913, a Confederate Soldier.  Married Susanah Jackson 

2. Nancy Duckworth  born 1826 married William Bryant. Their children were: David, Louise, Mary, Louisa E., and Susan J. 

3. Mary Elizabeth Duckworth  was born 1827 and married James Nix. 

4. Rebecca Evaline Duckworth  was born 14 May 1828 and married James Nix. 

5. Jonathan Marion Duckworth , a Confederate Soldier, was born 9 May 1831 and died 15 July 1908 in Rye, Colorado. Married Mary Ellen Hunter. 

6. Mary Ann Duckworth  was born 1835. Married James N. Collins.  

7. Charlotte Duckworth  was born 1837. Married James Andrew Hunter. 

8. Louisa Matilday Duckworth  was born 1839. Married James Andrew Hunter. 

9. Washington Duckworth  was born 1841. Married Louise Curtis.  

10. Harritte Caroline Duckworth  was born 28 December 1842 and died 27 April 1911 in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Married Jasper Nix. 

11. Sophronia Jane Duckworth  was born 1845. Married John Pruitt Collins. 

12. William G. Duckworth  born 1849. Married Celia Nix.

For more information about David Duckworth and his family see Duckworth Family

4. Charles Williamson was born 1805, married Nancy and their children were: Rebecca, Seaborn, Elizabeth, Thompson, and Charles (twins). He and family removed from Pickens County, South Carolina to Polk County, Tennessee.  He sold the Pitts Mill property in Pickens County, South Carolina 13 December 1850 to Ephram Cobb. He was in Polk County, Tennessee in 1860 and Coffee County, Tennessee 1870. Nancy was living with her daughter, John and Elizabeth Gragg, in Giles County, Tennessee in 1880. Their children were: 

1. Samuel Seaborn Williamson born 1843 died 1919 in Coffee County, Tennessee. Married Emaline A. Horton.

2. Thompson Williamson born 1843 in South Carolina. Died in the Civil War near Mt. Eagle, Manchester, Tennessee.

3. Charles Williamson born 1843, twin to Samuel.

5. Nancy Williamson, the youngest child, was born in 1808, married after 1820 to William Anthony and their children were: 

1. John L. Anthony married (a) Sarah Standridge, (b) Mary Ann Franklin, (c) Annie Shrilly.

2. Caroline Anthony married Elisha Townsend.

3. Jasper Anthony married unknown.

4. Piety Anthony married Robert L. Williamson 

5. Charles Wm. Anthony married (a) Mary N. S. Bryant, (b) Candas H.Williams. 

6. Martha Anthony married (1) James S. Thomas and (b) Thomas Paige Graham. 

7. Catherine Anthony married Aaron Self. There is some question about Catherine being a child. 

William and Nancy Anthony were living in Macon County, N.C. near David Duckworth and Charles Williamson Jr. at time of 1830 Census. They later moved to Choestoe, Union County, Georgia where she was a member of The Baptist Church of Christ at Choestoe from 1855 until she withdrew her membership by letter in 1859. They lived in Lumpkin County a short time also. William and Nancy died in Blount County, TN after 1870.  

On 30 December 1836, Joseph Grisham sold Charles Williamson Sr., late of Buncombe County, N.C. but now a resident of Pickens District, S.C., for $125.00 1,000 acres of land, more or less - the plantation he now lives on - including the mill known as Pitt Mill - originally granted to William Henson. Proved 28 June 1837 and recorded 118 July 1837. Pickens District Deed Book C-l page 408.  

Charles Williamson died on this land (now Oconee County, South Carolina). A Revolutionary War Memorial was erected in his honor at Holly Springs Baptist Church, Oconee County, South Carolina, June 1999.  

Richard Williamson

The January 1796 Term of Buncombe County Court appointed Richard Williamson one of the commissioners to lay off plans for the public buildings, and by January 1082 Term he was a member of the Court.  

Richard Williamson was issued N.C., Grant #39, 7 January 1794, 50 acres on both sides of a small creek of French Broad River, Henry's and Davidson's line. Buncombe County Deed Book 1-2 page 44. Richard Williamson et al to Joseph Henry - Sheriff Sale -Morgan District Court, Morganton, 18 August 1798- 250 acres on the French Broad River (note: no record of Richard having been granted this land). Judgment against Richard Williamson by William Davidson and Joseph Henry. Buncombe County Deed Book 4, page 439. Richard Williamson to Robert Williamson 50 acres on the east side of French Broad River, Town Fork Creek, (Williamson Creek now) near Davidson's and Henry's line. This was a sheriff's sale, judgment against Richard Williamson, 406 shillings, ordered by Superior Court at Morganton, First Monday in March, 1803. Buncombe County Deed Book 11 page 329. (Note: These forced land sales may have been a part of the matters responsible for "the Walton War.")  

Richard Williamson was active in "the Walton War - Walton County Affair". In a letter dated 25 September 1980 from Martin Reidinger, 233 B. Jackson Circle, Chapel Hill, N.C. to John F. Duckworth, Rt. 3, Greeneville, Tennessee., the following extracts are taken: "Richard Williamson was an original commissioner in the act to form Walton County in 1803. In the Georgia memorial to Congress in 1806 a deposition by Williamson stated that he had come to the headwaters of the French Broad River in 1793-94 from South Carolina. He was arrested in December 1804 by North Carolina Officials for refusing to pay taxes and inciting an insurrection against the government of North Carolina. He was a member of the Georgia Legislature in 1807. Richard claimed that he had to live in exile of his home in the county of Walton after the incident of 1804 and led a small group that had gone with him into this exile into South Carolina." 

From "The Settlement at the Head of the French Broad River or The Bizarre Story of the First Walton County Georgia" by Robert Scott Davis, Jr. NCGSJ May 1981- The first Census (1804) of the new county shows James Williamson with two whites in the western district commanded by Capt. Fane; Richard Williamson with five whites and Charles Williamson with four whites in the eastern division commanded by Capt. Clayton. The State Militia were called out and the following Williamsons were among the prisoners taken to Morganton: Richard, George, and Samuel Williamson. Apparently, Charles Williamson was passively involved and took little action in the controversy.       

What the relation was between Charles and Richard Williamson is unknown but probably brothers.

- John F. Duckworth , December 28, 2002

363 Delozier Lane, Rockwood, Tennessee 37854, twhorse2@bellsouth.net

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Copyright 2002 - 2004 by John F. Duckworth, all rights reserved.