John Williams (abt. 1750 - abt. 1807)

Born about 1750 in Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Sylvia (Brown) McDaniel — married 1774 in Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died about Jul 1807 at about age 57 in Warren, Kentucky, United States

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Biography

It is unknown when or where John Williams was born, however, his wife, Sylvia Brown, lived through the 1850 census which indicated that she was born in 1752 in Virginia, so it is possible that John was also born in Virginia and was a few years older than Sylvia.

The earliest record we have found for John Williams is his land grant in Warren County, Kentucky on 19 Dec 1796 -- two military warrants No. 3101 and 4344. "Virginia and Old Kentucky Patent Series," Kentucky Secretary of State website (https://web.sos.ky.gov/land/)

19 Dec 1796 -- By virtue and in consideration of two Military Warrants No. 3101 & 4344 there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto JOHN WILLIAMS asignee of Burwell Jackson a certain tract or parcel of land containing three hundred acres by survey bearing the date the sixth day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one lying and being in the District set apart for the officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line on BIG BARREN RIVER and bounded as followeth to wit, Beginning at a sassafrass and two black gums at the lower end of the first Grove below McFADDENS FORD running up the river with its meanders . . . . Signed by John Williams and William Cook. In addition, the bill of sale by Burwell Jackson to John Williams was witnessed by a JOHN COMBS.

Per the Kentucky SOS Gazetteer: BIG BARREN RIVER, located in WARREN and BARREN COUNTIES, Kentucky.

John Williams and "Silvey, his wife" sold the above property in Warren County, Kentucky on 11 Nov 1797 to John Curd. (source: Warren County, Kentucky Deed Records at FamilySearch.org -- Vol. 102 1797-1804 Image 14 of 431)

In June of 1804 John Curd was involved in a lawsuit in which he was defending his purchase of the said property from John Williams in 1797 -- in this court case, John Curd stated "Your orator is possessed of a tract of land containing 300 acres or thereabouts lying in the County of Warren upon the waters of Big Barren River and that he has also the legal title thereto derived by indenture of bargain and sale bearing date 11th November 1797 duly proven and recorded from a certain John Williams . . . the aforesaid tract of land was in due form granted to the said John Williams by patent under the hand of the governor and seal of the Commonweath of Kentucky bearing date the 19th December 1796 . . . . (source: FamilySearch.org -- Warren County Court - Common Law Suits, No. 257-571, 1801-1805, Image 671 of 1183)

John Williams' Last Will and Testament was written on 26 Feb 1807 in BRECKINRIDGE COUNTY, Kentucky. Witnesses were Matthew Caldwell, Thomas Blunk, and John Litherland. His will was exhibited in Warren County Court on 6 July 1807 and "partially proven by the Oath of Matthew Caldwell." The other two witnesses, Thomas Blunk and John Litherland were tracked down "at the dwelling house of Ephraim Reed" in KNOX COUNTY, INDIANA and their oaths were taken by Justice of the Peace, George Tobin, who later became one of the first settlers of Perry County, Indiana. John Williams' will was subsequently "fully proven" in Warren County, Kentucky probate court in the August Term of 1807.

Sources

• Kentucky, U.S. Wills and Probate Records 1774-1989
• 1800 Warren County, Kentucky, Tax List
• Warren County, KY Deed Records at FamilySearch -- Vols 1-2 1797-1804, Image 14 of 431
• Virginia and Old Kentucky Patent Series, Kentucky Secretary of State Website