John Pugh Williams (abt. 1766 - 1833)

Husband of Judith King — married 15 Mar 1786 in Bertie, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

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Biography

DAR Ancestor # A126235

He was an officer in the American Revolution from Bertie County, North Carolina; he enlisted in the Rev. War from Hertford Co., NC on 22 Feb 1777.^[1] He represented Bertie County in the North Carolina House of Commons in 1779 and New Hanover County in 1785, 1786, 1788, and 1789.^[2][3]

His service:^[4]

• Captain in the Edenton District Minutemen (1775-1776). On 9/9/1775, John Pugh Williams was commissioned as a Captain under Col. Edward Vail, Sr.^[5] in the newly-created Edenton District Minutemen. All Minutemen regiments were disbanded on 4/10/1776.
• Captain in the 5th North Carolina Regiment (1776-1778). On 4/16/1776, John Pugh Williams was commissioned as a Captain under Col. Edward Buncombe in the newly-created 5th NC Regiment on the Continental Line. He led his company at the battles of Brandywine Creek, PA (9/11/1777) and Germantown, PA (10/4/1777). His name was dropped from all official rolls in January of 1778, but it is not currently known when he resigned his commission.
• Colonel in the Bertie County Regiment of the North Carolina militia - 1778-1779. Sometime in late 1778, John Pugh Williams was commissioned as a full Colonel, alongside Col. Thomas Pugh, in the Bertie County Regiment of Militia. There are hints that he might have only been a Lt. Colonel.
• Brigadier General (Pro Tempore) over the Edenton District Brigade of the North Carolina militia (May 1779). On 5/12/1779, John Pugh Williams was commissioned as a Brigadier General over the Edenton District Brigade of Militia, but he resigned three days later.
• Colonel on Staff to Maj. Gen. Richard Caswell (1780). In July of 1780, Col. John Pugh Williams was assigned to the Staff of Maj. Gen. Richard Caswell, and both were at the battles of Little Lynches Creek, SC (8/11/1780) and Camden, SC (8/16/1780). It is assumed that Col. John Pugh Williams retired upon his return home from this battle.

He was discharged at Charleston, SC. In March of 1786, he married Judith King (1766-), the daughter of Charles King and Judith Wimberly.

It is reported that John Pugh (pronounced and sometimes spelled Pue) Williams was a brother of Benjamin Williams, the Governor of North Carolina, and that he was recommended to Thomas Jefferson for a political appointment in 1801.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.geni.com/people/Col-John-Williams/5583641664270072292
2. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "John Pugh Williams". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 13, 2019
3. ↑ Fisher, R.H. (1929). "Biographical Sketches of Wilmington Citizens"
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pugh_Williams#cite_note-Lewis-1
5. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Vail
6. ↑ "To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Bloodworth, 30 June 1801, From Timothy Bloodworth". 1801. Retrieved April 13, 2019.

• 1790 U.S. Census; State: NC; County: New Hanover; Roll: M637_7; Page: 193; Image: 0375; Shows John Pugh Willams, esq. 1 male, 4 females, 39 slaves

• 1800 U.S. Census; John P. Williams; State: NC; County: New Hanover, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 33; FHL microfilm 337,909

• https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_john_pugh_williams.html