We have reason to believe that Benjamin Williams, who wrote a will that
was proved on 23 Dec 1784 in Greensville Co, VA is a brother or close
relative of a number of the members of our group. We are a fairly large
and serious group of Williams descendants working together, based on DNA
as well as paper documentation. Various members are specifically
related to three different brothers believed to be the sons of Charles
Williams who died in 1752 in Otterdam Swamp, Brunswick Co, VA.
We have documentary proof for a fair amount of our beliefs as well as
matching DNA testing. There is documentary proof that Benjamin was a
son of Charles -- Charles calls him "my son" in the 17 Aug 1749 deed
giving him 100 acres on Otterdam Swamp in Brunswick Co., noting that he
lives on the other half of the land. (Benjamin sells the land in 1750,
stating he received it from his father in 1749, and there are numerous
later dates that mention this fact.)
Many documents tie Benjamin to ancestors claimed by some of those in the
group -- we are Williams Group 8 from Family Tree DNA (FTDNA). Those
ancestors -- children of Charles and therefore brothers of Benjamin --
are, specifically, Thomas, Jones, and William Williams. Here are some
of the links.
a. Thomas Williams was an appraiser in 1750 for the estate of Richard
Ledbetter Jr., a near neighbor in Brunswick Co, VA. Richard Ledbetter
was the father-in-law of Jones Williams.
b. Thomas Williams named Jones his "brother" in his 1752 will giving
Jones and Thomas's son Thomas Jr. some Brunswick Co land.
c. Thomas Williams Jr. was later one of the sellers of the 1752 land
(above) to his uncle, Benjamin Williams, in 1769; the land is mentioned
in Benjamin's will.)
d. Jones Williams was a witness for one of Benjamin's deeds in 1750.
e. William Williams's father-in-law Thomas Lawrence was a testator of
Benjamin's will.
There are many other connections.
We would like to find others who have done DNA testing and have paper
trails that lead them to Benjamin Williams d 1784 (or any of the other
brothers or descendants, for that matter).
Benjamin's children, per his will, were: Tabitha, who married a
Wiggins; William; Susanna; Charles, Benjamin Jr.; Ann; Thomas; and
Jones, whose estate probate disbursements completed in 1791 mention
Jones's coffin.
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