BIO: James Williams, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER LII.

                            MONROE TOWNSHIP.

  JAMES WILLIAMS (born October 28, 1775) was the youngest son of John 
Williams, who immigrated to this country from England many years before 
the Revolutionary war. John Williams married Mary Wilson, and settled 
on the Yellow Breeches Creek, on the farm now owned by his grandson 
Abram.  He was one of the earliest settlers in the Cumberland Valley.  
He became a large land owner, and was one of the good men of his day.  
He had ten children.  At his death, part of his land became vested in 
his three sons:  Abraham, David and James.  His youngest son, James, 
succeeded him upon the old homestead.  He, like his father, was a 
farmer by occupation.  He was married August 25, 1808, to Elizabeth 
Myers, and had eight children:  David M., Mary, Catharine, John, 
Elizabeth, James, Abram and Henry H.  He was a man of strong 
convictions, dignified in appearance, and noted for his kindliness, 
honor and charity, and never had a law-suit.  He lived to be eighty-two 
years of age.  Some years before his death he divided a part of his 

516 	BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

real-estate between his four surviving sons.  Abram succeeded his 
father on the mansion-farm.  The Williams family have always settled 
their own business, and there has never been a public sale on the 
mansion farm.  In religion they have been Presbyterian, and liberal and 
earnest supporters of their church.  In politics they have been 
Democrats, but would never accept office.