Early Co. GA Bio of Judge Thomas Williams Submitted by jim willoughby ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** * The Early County News June 14, 1900 THE OLD WHITE PILLARED COURT HOUSE Unlike the present imposing brick Court House, which sits in the center of the Public Square, the Old White Pillared Court House, built by Judge Thomas Williams in 1857-58 with the Old Confederate Flag Pole planted in front of it, was situated on the East Central side of the Public Square facing West, with North and South Main Streets extending across its front through the center of the Square. Judge Thomas Williams not only built the Old White Pillared Court House, he also helped cut and fashion the Old Confederate Flag Pole and it is also believed he was Master of Ceremonies on the day the pole was erected, May 16, 1861, as that day was a memorable occasion in Blakely. Now, who was Judge Thomas Williams? * The Early County News February 16, 1905 JUDGE THOMAS WILLIAMS Blakely's Oldest Citizen Died Sunday Afternoon Judge Thomas Williams, who was Blakely's o l d e s t citizen, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Geo, E. Chips tead last Sunday afternoon in the 76th year of his age. Mr. Williams was born on the 10th of April 1815, in Chester, England. He came to the Provinces of North America (New Brunswick, Canada) when quite a boy, April 26, 1831; lived in the Province about nine years and in the meantime married Margaret Ann Barr of Ireland. ln July 1840 he left there for Georgia, and on the third day of October reached Fort Gaines, which was then a part of Early County, with his wife and one Child, who is now the wife of James Butler. Others of his children, born since he came to Early County; are Mrs. J. J. Jones, Mrs. Geo. E. Chipstead and Mr. John T.Williams, of Blakely and Mrs. Robert Davis, of Columbus. Judge Williams has resided in Early County since 1840, with exception of four years that he spent in the Confederate Army, proving a gallant and faithful soldier. He was at one time the mail bearer for General Gordon and remembered this fact with much pleasure. He built the present courthouse in the 50's, which is a monument to his careful and painstaking work. Probably one of the proudest memories of the old gentleman was the fact he constructed the Old Confederate flagpole that stands in front of the courthouse. After the war he went into the watch repairing and cleaning business, following this occupation up to a few months ago, when the infirmities and sickness combined to prevent his active employment. He has been bedridden off and on for the past year, his last attack carrying him off last Sunday afternoon as above stated. Up to a few years since Mr. Williams was prominently identified with the public affairs of Early County, and though not a lawyer, he was a number of times honored with the Judgeship of the County Court of Early County. His funeral took place Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock, being conducted by the Masonic Lodge of Blakely, of which order he was a long-time member. His wife preceded him to the grave some years ago. He leaves a large posterity who has the sympathy of our people in their great bereavement. For almost fifty years the Old flagpole and the Old White Pillared Court House had been close buddies, standing side by side, what effected one, also effected the other. History records during that time both had played a prominent part in the affairs of Blakely and Early County, and now, the Old Flag Pole was going to lose his beloved buddy, to be supplanted by a handsome and commodious new Court House. A history of the Old courthouse, built by Judge Thomas Williams in 1857-58, would make interesting reading. Blakely was then but a struggling little village and the building was a handsome one in those days. But the hand of time had laid its touch upon the old structure and the thriving city that has grown up around it and in keeping with the growth and wealth of Early County demands that a newer and more commodious structure shall take its place. Many of the distinguished Judges who presided within its walls and able lawyers who pleaded at its bar have passed to their reward and a newer generation have grown up to take their place. The last court has been held in the old structure and in another twelve months a handsome brick and stone building will take its place. Thomas and Margaret Williams and their descendants. First Generation -------------------------------------------------- He married Margaret BARR, 8 May 1837 in England. Margaret was born in 1818 in Fungiven Ireland. Both she and Thomas are buried in the City Cemetery, Blakley, and Ga. They had the following children: i. Mary WILLIAMS ii. Elizabeth WILLIAMS iii. Jane WILLIAMS iv. Ruhannah Amanda (Wanda) WILLIAMS v. John WILLIAMS vi. Margaret Ann WILLIAMS vii. John Thomas WILLIAMS Second Generation 1. Mary WILLIAMS. Born in New Brunswick, Canada. 2. Elizabeth WILLIAMS. Born 1839 in New Brunswick, Canada. She married James BUTLER, 6 Sep 1855. 3. JANE (Janie) W WILLIAMS. Born 1842 in Early Co Ga. She married Robert William DAVIS, 8 Feb 1866 in Early Co. GA. Born 1825 in GA. They had the following children: 9 i. Margaret DAVIS 10 ii. Ruhannah (Rue) DAVIS 11 iii. Robert DAVIS 12 iv. Ellen H DAVIS 13 v. Almelia (Allie) DAVIS 14 vi. Emma Lenora DAVIS 15 vii. Georgia DAVIS 16 viii. Gertrude DAVIS 4. Ruhannah Amanda (Wanda) WILLIAMS. Born 3 Jul 1844. Died 1 Jun 1913. She married George E. CHIPSTEAD, son of Henri CHIPSTEAD & Elizabeth CHIPSTEAD, 23 Jan 1871. Born 22 Aug 1846. Died 30 Dec 1901. They had the following children: 17 i. Henri CHIPSTEAD 18 ii. Marcine Thomas CHIPSTEAD 19 iii. Georgia CHIPSTEAD 20 IV. Grace CHIPSTEAD 5. John WILLIAMS. Born 1846. He married Sallie FREEMAN, 27 Apr 1869. They had the following children: 21 i. F. L. WILLIAMS 22 ii. John H. WILLIAMS 6. Margaret Ann WILLIAMS. Born 1849. She married Joe JONES, 25 Dec 1867. They had the following children: 23 i. W.G. JONES 7. John Thomas WILLIAMS. Born 23 Jun 1847 in Early Co, Blakley, Ga. Died 19 Mar 1912 in City Cemetery, Blakley, Ga. He married Sarah R WILLIAMS. Born 15 Jul 1849 in Early Co, Blakley, Ga. Died 10 May 1931 in City Cemetery, Blakley, Ga. They had the following children: 24 i. Elizabeth WILLIAMS 25 ii. Frank L WILLIAMS 26 iii. Hester Anne WILLIAMS 27 IV. John H Sr. WILLIAMS 28 v. Nellie WILLIAMS