Thomas and Jesse Williams
of
Falls Twp, Muskingum County, Ohio

    Thomas and Jesse arrived in this area around 1798, according to Goodspeed's account of Falls Twp. Both were young men at the time, and may have traveled alone. Parents and/or other relations are not known at this time.

    Thomas b: 1789 in Virginia, was about 19 years old. On 3 December 1801 Thomas purchased 500 acres in Ohio, Washington County, North West Military Territory, from Sylvanius Lawrence of Morris County, New Jersey, for the sum of $666.66 and 2/3 cents. The parcel of land is located in the 3rd quarter, of the first township, in the eighth range of the United States Military lands. Northwest of the river Ohio. When county lines were redrawn and Townships were established, the area became Muskingum County, Falls Township. The land is actually bounded in the south by Springfield Twp. line, east by White's Road, north by a line drawn east to west north of Williams cemetery, to Kimes Road, then south to the Springfield Twp. line, then east to the beginning.

    The National Road cuts through the property. Early court house records and maps show his home was located on the National Road, at the south east corner of Kime's Road. Thomas married Nancy Ann Regan (b: 30 Jan 1783 in Virginia) in Muskingum County, March 17, 1805. Early census shows many children living in the home, however only the following have been identified. Jesse, Elizabeth, Harrison, Nelson, Alvah, and John R.

    Thomas was a farmer by trade, and also served as a Captain in the War of 1812. He trained his troops in the area and was referred to as Captain Tommy. Thomas died at age 61, April 11, 1840 and is buried in the "Williams" cemetery on Jersey Ridge Road.

    On May 30, 1840 an auction was conducted by Henry Kelly to liquidate the personal property of Thomas Williams. The sale was attended by a host of buyers, and becomes a list of his neighbors in Falls Township at that time. Buyers were: Usual Headley, J. Sweeney, A. Dillon, Charles Search, Charles Chappelear, Wm. Handley, John Porter, A. Pough, G.B. Gardner, James Everett, Joseph Rodman, M. Sims, John McElvay, John J. Moller, Noah Williams, George Morgan, Bradberry Morgan, John Townsend, Lewis Gray, James Mitchell, James Lasure, Samuel Porter, A. Ensminger, Patrick Rodgers, Robert Woodsides, Charles Sullivan, Pollard Hartgrove, James Williams, Jackson Watson, Philip Sidle, Wm Kersey, John George, Samuel Tanner, Rueben Wilkinson and John Ewing.

    The land was later sold off and became known as the Williams sub-division.

    After the death of Thomas, Nancy married Levi Starkey on 24 Oct 1841. Nancy died on 1 Dec 1851, and she also is buried in "Williams" cemetery. Thomas and Nancy's children:

Jesse married Bellona Smith, April 3, 1831
Elizabeth married Bradberry Morgan, June 7, 1829
Harrison married Mary Arbis, Feb. 11, 1851
Nelson married Malissa Ann Erwine, May 4, 1848
Alvah did not marry
John R. married Mary Ann Fogle, Sept 15, 1853

    Jesse b: 1783 in Virginia, was about 15 years old when he arrived in this area with his brother Thomas. Jesse married Sarah Cullins on 20 Feb 1805. Sarah b: 1784 in Virginia and was the daughter of John and Rebecca (Beatty) Cullins. On 15 August 1807 he purchased from his brother Thomas, 100 acres from the original 500 acres that Thomas purchased in 1801, for the sum of $150.00. (Deed recorded on 20 June 1810 in Zanesville, Ohio) This parcel of land is located in the southeast corner of the original plot of land.

    Jesse and Sarah raised 8 children, (5 sons and 3 daughters). They remained in that home until the children were raised, then sold this property on Nov 1st, 1834 to Thomas Potter. Jesse and Sarah moved to Hopewell Twp and lived there until late 1850's. They moved back towards Zanesville, in Springfield Twp to spend their last days. Jesse died Oct 1862, and he and Sarah are buried in "Williams" cemetery. The actual grave locations are unknown, but their son Noah in his will bequeathed funds to provide a monument for their memory. Sadly, for unknown reasons this never happened.

James Finley b: 1805 m: Sarah Meek
Elijah b: 1807 m: Phoebe Ann Martin
Rebecca b: 1808 m: David Handley
Ann b: 1809 m: James Barber
Isaac b: 1810 m: Mary Ann Holeton
Thomas b: 1813 m: Abigail Everett m: Mary (Unknown)
Noah b: 1817 m: Susannah L Calhoun
Lucinda b: 1823 m: Daniel U. Norman

    Many descendants of Jesse and Sarah Williams still live in Muskingum County, Ohio.

submitted by Harold D. Williams