Pvt. Stephen William Roberts

Grave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13753028/stephen-william-roberts

Buried in Swift Creek Cemetery, Lake Butler, Florida.

There is a Pvt. Stephen W. Roberts listed as a musician in Co. E., 9th Fla. Infantry. He mustered out on April 9, 1865 (end of war.) This is probably our ancestor, since other members of this company include Nathan, Reubin, and W. P. Roberts.

http://diglib.lib.fsu.edu/cgi-bin/ebind2html.pl/fs00000073?seq=349

http://www.psy.fsu.edu/~thompson/cw/9-fl-inf/9-fl-inf-e.html

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THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS, Thursday October 13, 1977 Page Two

from THE WAY IT WAS column, written by Gene Barber

The Will Of 'Tiger Bill' Roberts

Baker County has been the home of quite a few rough and tough characters, but few have earned the likes of the nickname worn by Stephen Roberts - 'Tiger Bill.' The tales about him are many and varied but all seem to agree on his ferocity. It was reported that he beat a man to death for no other reason than the man refused to speak to him respectfully.

Born in either Liberty or Mcintosh County, Georgia, to John and Phoebe Osteen Roberts, he came to the Baker County area (Olustee-Swift Creek) in 1839. His wife was Mary Ann Boyd, known far and wide for her beauty in spite of mothering several children.

It is said that Tiger Bill's deeds caught up with him one day in 1899 on the south shore of Ocean Pond. An unknown assailant allegedly dragged the aging pioneer from his buggy and shot him to death with a .38 pistol.

Partly for his genealogy-searching descendants and partly for this historical interest, his will from Columbia County is reproduced (much thanks to Mrs. Chris Parker of Maxville for contributing it to this column.)

Will Book "A", Page 213, Columbia County, Florida

In The name of God, Amen.

I, Stephen Roberts, of Baker County, Florida, being of sound mind and memory and having in my lifetime given to several of my children proper portions, I make this my Last Will and Testament, that justice be done each of my heirs, hereby revoking all other wills by me made.

1st: I appoint my son Daniel L. Roberts, my sole Executor, to carry into effect the provisions of this Will and I authorize him to sell at private sale all such lands and property as may be necessary to pay any just debts which may be owing by me at my death well as to affect the proper distribution of my property and to make deeds to such purchasers of my land, without the intervention of any Court & to set apart and deliver by deed to each heir and devisee, such portion of land and property as shall be due under the provisions of this Will after payment of the expenses of Administration.

2nd: I have already given and delivered to each of the following named children, such portions as I intended them to possess and direct that they do not take any further portion of my estate; vis: William P. Roberts, now deceased; Mary Thomas, wife of E.W. Thomas, Phoebe Cliftons Heirs; Susan Wilson, wife of Joseph Wilson; Benjamin S. Roberts; Stephen Milliard Roberts and John M. Roberts, and having thus provided for these children, my Will and wish is that they and their descendants have no further portion of my property, either real, personal or mixed.

3rd: Unto Martha Dyess, wife of George C. Dyess; Daniel L. Roberts, Eliza Henson, wife of R.J. Henson; Fannie Long, wife of N.B. Long; and R.B. Roberts, I give, devise and bequeath, share and share alike, all the property, real, personal & mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed and in case of the death of the Devisees or either or them, then his or her portion to his or her descendants.

This August 25th 1891

Stephen Roberts (Seal)

State of Florida

County of Columbia: The foregoing Will, written on two and a half pages was read to Stephen Roberts, the Testator, in our presence, and fully explained to him and he signed the same in our presence declaring it to be his true Last Will and Testament and we, at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, then and there signed hereunder as subscribing witnesses thereto; at Lake City, Fla., Aug. 25, 1891, the Will being first dated, signed and sealed.

A.J. Henry, Lake City, Fla.

W.A. Niblack, Lake City, Fla.

W.M. Ives, Lake.City, Fla.

Filed in Office, Jan. 13th, 1894

W.M. Ives, County Judge

Recorded Jan. 14, 1894

http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/usgenweb/fl/baker/newspapers/w...