Col. Joseph Williams, of Shallow Ford

• DAR Ancestor #: A126323

Joseph Williams, also known as "Duke of Surry" or "Joseph of Shallow Ford", b. 27 Mar 1748, Hanover Co., Va., d. 11 Aug 1827, Surry Co., NC. Joseph'is father Nathaniel insisted all his sons learn a trade to help in case of adversity. Joseph learned the carpenter trade. His father died when he was 15 years of age, so when he was 18 he left Hanover County, Virginia, and went to work for a cousin, Joseph Williams, in NC.

"Joseph Lanier Williams, the fourth and youngest son of Nathaniel Williams of Hanover Co., Virginia, came to NC at age 18. He settled in what became known as Shallow Ford, Surry County; he was employed to aid his cousin Joseph in mercantile pursuits. "

Married 16 Sept 1772, Oxford, Granville Co., NC to Rebecca/Rebekah Lanier, b. 27 Jan 1757 Granville Co., NC; d. 20 Mar 1823, Orange Co., NC. Buried at Panther Creek Cemetery, Surry Co., NC. To this union 13 children were born, including 8 sons and 2 daughters. Twelve of the 13 children were raised to adulthood.

The couple lived in a cabin on the banks of the Yadkin, called the "Sink House", a mile east of the current home site but moved because the spot was conducive to chills and fever. During the Revolution they built the mansion which proved to be a show place prior to its loss by fire in March, 1885. Colonel Joseph killed a panther on a nearby stream and so he called his estate "Panther Creek". The couple was known far and wide for their hospitality and gracious living. Colonel Joseph had twenty-one slaves which he named in his will and so much land that he did not know exactly how much because some of the land was involved in law suits. He was a church warden, a justice of the peace, a school committeeman, and clerk of court.

When the Revolutionary War began, he enlisted and attained the rank of major; was engaged in several severe skirmishes with the Tories, who were desperate and daring in this section, and to whom Major Williams was especially obnoxious. He made many narrow escapes. He raised ten children, eight sons and two daughters.

He was one of the delegates from Surrey to the Convention at Hillsboro in 1775, the other delegates being Robert Lanier, William Hall, Martin Armstrong, and Joseph Winston. Joseph was elected Clerk of the Court in Surry County, and continued in that position until his death in 1828." "Joseph Williams (1748-1827) was distinguished for his enterprise, activity and patriotism. In the warfare with the Tories he commanded the Whigs and gave valuable civil service. His uniform is in the possession of the Historical Society of Richmond." In 1776 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Surrey County Militia. Martin Armstrong was Colonel. Joseph Williams settled among the Tories of North Carolina, to whom he was especially obnoxious. His wife and babe were hid in the woods for three months by a faithful slave, while the Tories were in pursuit of her husband. He was colonel in Rutherford's Cherokee campaign, 1776; was at the head of three hundred patriots, who in 1780 at Shallow Ford defeated the Tory leader, Colonel Gideon."

Sources:

• Book: Reminiscences and Memoirs of North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians; Author: John H. Wheeler (John Hill), 1806-1882; Publication: Columbus Printing Works, Columbus, Ohio; Date: 1884. Page: Electronic edition: http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/wheeler/wheeler.html; Type: DAR/SAR Record
• National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. Lineage Books of the Charter Members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
• URL: [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1998 -.Title: Notable Southern Families, Volumes I-II; Publication: Richmond, VA; Date: 1918
• Title: North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741; Location: Online through paid subscription. Author: Dodd, Jordan and the North Carolina State Archives (Raleigh, NC); Publication: Ancestry.com.
• Will of Joseph Williams, 1812 (includes 1831 Will of Rebekah Williams).
• Col. Joseph Williams grave, Panther Creek Cemetery. Photo courtesy of direct descendant, Zebulon Vance Williams III
• http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/williams/josephwms181....
• Find A Grave Memorial # 79376074.

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brief biography

a Patriot in the American Revolution for the Province of North Carolina

notes

DAR Ancestor #A126323

links

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