History: Columbia County. Ebenezer Williams Reminisces of Dr. H. R. Casey ======================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Stephanie Harrison info@conquestmusic.com ======================================================================= Articles written for the Columbia Sentinel in 1883. Permission granted by the Columbia County News and transcribed by Stephanie Harrison. The articles were written in 1883 by Dr H. R. Casey for the Columbia Sentinel. He writes about many of the early pioneers of Columbia County who arrived in Georgia in the late 1700's and early 1800's." January 31, 1883 Ebenezer Williams was the son of Joseph Williams. He was born in 1794 in Williamsburg, Mass. At the age of 17, he left the paternal roof and sought the warmer climate of Virginia. Ebenezer settled at Major Mayo's or near there. "He was living there at the time Gen Winfield Scott was married to Miss Mayo. Miss Mayo was an heiress and a lovely character. On the morning after the marriage, the General's turnout, which was a coach of four, was drawn up at the gate. General Scott said to Mr Mayo, "What do you suppose sir, I gave for that turnout?" "Well, General," said Mr Mayo, I would rather not say." "But I insist upon hearing from you." Well, said Mayo, "If you must have my opinion, I think you gave your note for them" Ebenezer taught school in Virginia for several years. However the climate was still too harsh for him. About 1818, Mr Williams migrated to Columbia County where he obtained board at Mr Heggie's near the rock and opened up a school. In 1820 he married Susan W. Jones. The couple moved near Appling and he opened a school. Williams then built the place owned by Hon. J.P. Williams in the 1890's. Rev. Juriah, Tom Hamilton, Dr. Nathan Crawford and Ed Browdrie trustees of the Columbia County Academy at Appling elected Ebenezer Williams Rector. Ebenezer and Susan had three children- two sons and a daughter. The daughter married A. M. (Cuff) Crawford. J.P., the elder son, became one of Columbia County's best citizens. He had a large and successful farm (the homeplace), was very intelligent and popular. J.P. Williams was elected to the Legislature of 1876, the Convention of 1877, and without opposition to the next meeting of the House of Representatives of Georgia. J.P. Williams married Mrs Gibson. They had two children- a son, Ebenezer, who was educated at Oxford, and Miss Susie, a charming and interesting lady, well educated and indoctrinated in the great Truths of the Christian Religion. Ebenezer's youngest son was William, usually called "Toby". He was graduated at Yale College with great distinction. As a mark of his high attainments, he was elected to deliver the address before the Alumni of the College. Health prevented his acceptance. He died at age 24. About 1823, Ebenezer Williams, having lost his first wife some years before married Mary C. Martin. Their only child was Mary Frances. Mr Williams was Rector of the Appling Academy for 12 or 15 years. In politics, he was a Clarkist, then a Democrat of the strictest sect. Ebenezer Williams died in 1860 at the age of 66. Mary Frances Williams married S. C. Lamkin. Their only child Mary, married George Lee Reville.