Samuel David Williams

Samuel David Williams was born in Solitude, Brazoria Co., Republic of Texas, and March 17, 1843. The first 15 years were spent on a farm in Austin Co., TX, attending the best private schools of the time. At the age if 16 he entered the Bastrop Military Academy, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he joined Hoods Texas Brigade. 5TH Texas. Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company I - TEXAS AIDES. Company was organized at Independence, Washington County, Texas, and was mustered into the Confederate service "for the war," Sept. 7, 1861.

Private WILLIAMS, SAM D. - Assigned to duty as ambulance driver, Dec., 1862: Detailed as baggage guard, spring, 1863: Promoted, 2Cpl. June 23, 1863: Promoted, 4Sgt. Oct.31, 1864: Promoted, 3Sgt. winter, 1864-65: Paroled, Appomattox (Apr.12, 1865).

Engagements:

Eltham Landing, VA (May 7, 1862)

Seven Pines, VA (May 31-June 1, 1862)

Seven Days Battles, VA (June 25-July 1, 1862)

Gaines Mill, VA (June 27, 1862), 1862)

2nd Bull Run, VA (August 28-30, 1862

Malvern Hill, VA (July 1, 1862)

Freeman's Ford, VA (August 21)

South Mountain, MD (September 14, 1862)

Antietam, MD (September 17, 1862)

Fredericksburg, VA (December 13, 1862)

Washington Siege (March-April 1863)

Washington D.C. April 4, 1863)

Suffolk Campaign, VA (April 1863)

Gettysburg, PA (July 1-3, 1863)

Chickamauga, GA (September 19-20, 1863)

Chattanooga Siege, TN (September-November 1863)

Wauhatchie, TN (October 28-29, 1863)

Knoxville Siege, TN (November-December 1863)

The Wilderness, VA (May 5-6, 1864)

Spotslyvania Court House, VA (May 8-21, 1864)

North Anna, VA (May 23-26, 1864)

Cold Harbor, VA (June 1-3, 1864)

Petersburg Siege, VA (June 1864-April 1865)

New Market Heights, VA (September 29, 1865)

Chaffin's Farm, VA (September 29, 1865)

Fort Gilmer, VA (September 29-30, 1865)

Darbytown Road, VA (October 7, 1865)

Williamsburg Road, VA (October 27, 1865)

Appomattox Court House, VA (April 9, 1865)

During the dark days of reconstruction Mr. Williams lived on a farm in Waller Co., TX. In 1876 he moved to Lavaca Co., TX where he began his career as a teacher in the public schools. In 1879 he was married to Sarah Emma Hazelwood and was living in a boarding house owned by Blanche Austin at the time of the 1880 Federal Census. In July of that year his wife died in child birth. His son Samuel Hazelwood Williams was sent to be raised by his Grandparents. In 1881 he was married to Miss Kate Austin. To them were born three boys and one girl. In 1890 Mr. Williams moved, with his family, to Runnels Co., Texas, where he became editor of one the leading news papers that helped to put this country on the map. After serving as editor for three years, Mr. Williams, believing that there was a greater field for service in the public schools, again returned to the teaching profession. A Nov. 8, 1898 he was elected surveyor of the county, which position he held until Jan. 1905. While County Surveyor, he was involved in laying out the town of Miles, TX. In 1909 Mr. Williams ran a lumber yard in Hatchel, TX. During the last few years he was agent for the Texas and Pacific Railroad in Hatchel, Texas

Whenever Mr. Williams went during his varied career he was loved by everyone who came in touch with him, and especially by children. In fact, for the time he was in Hatchel he could be said to have been the Father of the Hatchel School. Whenever he stepped in the door of the school, he was greeted by a cheer from the children, and he was usually prevailed upon to tell some story from Uncle Remus or some other well-known author.

Most of his life having been spent in the school room, he was most interested in the progress and welfare of the school, and never tired of doing anything for the up building of the school, or for the help of the school children. At the time of his death, he was Member at Large on the County School Board.