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David Williams
Born 1755? ?VA
Died after Apr 7, 1792, before May 1793 New Orleans or Natchez District

SPOUSE	CHILDREN
Mary "Maria" m. 1774? ?VA b. 1760? d. after Apr 1823	Daniel b. 1775? d.	Isaac b. after 1775 d.	David b. by 1779 ?NC d. after Jan 1818 ?Franklin Co. MS
	William b. by 1779 ?NC d. after May 4, 1816 ?Franklin Co. MS	John b. Sep 15, 1778 d. after May 4, 1816 ?Franklin Co. MS	Elections b. 1780? Washington Co. NC d. after May 4, 1816 ?Franklin Co. MS
	female b. before May 1782 d.	female b. before May 1782 d.	female b. before May 1782 d.
	Mary Gayoso b. 1787? Natchez Dist. d. May 19, 1847 Baltimore MD	Anna b. after May 1782 d.	James C. b. by 1793 Natchez Dist. d. ?Franklin Co. MS
While in the Carolinas, the Williams family was likely not sympathetic to the American Revolution and left as a result. The family moved to Washington Co. NC, then split with some members moving west and then down to the Natchez Territory (now Mississippi) and the rest remaining in what became Davidson CO. TN. During the American Revolution, Mississippi and Louisiana districts were havens for Loyalists.
North Carolina Counties at beginning of 1775 and at beginning of 1780 showing creation of Burke Co.
A John White signed, with an X, the 1777 petition of men living on the north Holston River complaining about the division of Fincastle Co. VA. They felt the county line was not equitable and the court house was too far away. Also signing were members of the Williams, Renfroe, Bledsoe, Drake, Mansker, Freeland, Terrell and Robertson families, as well as a "John Holladay" (page 1). These names all match those that eventually moved to the Cumberland settlement in 1780, where the families of this John White and John Holloway lived for almost 2 years [Tuller, pp. 1, 3].
A John White family was on a list of families recorded by Col. John Donelson as being with his flotilla expedition to the Cumberland Settlement in Washington Co. NC (now middle TN) which lasted several months into the spring of 1780 and endured a brutal winter, Indian attacks, hunger and smallpox. On Apr 12, the Whites were among at least 16 families, about 80 persons, to leave the expedition and settle 9 miles up from the Cumberland River along the Red River, settling at Fort Union, which became known as Renfroe's Station. The Donelson flotilla reached its final destination (Nashborough) 12 days later.
Photo of a Map showing the Route of the Donelson Expedition on display at the Tennessee State Museum. John and James White and their families likely joined the Flotilla after it passed Knoxville, and left it at the Red River near Clarksville.
By May 1780, David was with his family in the new Cumberland Settlement in Washington Co. in western NC territory (now TN). David and a Samson Williams, along with about 250 other men over the age of 16, signed the Cumberland Compact created May 1, 1780. It was finalized on May 13 and established a provisional government for the isolated area; provided for the election of twelve representatives from the eight stations or forts; provided for a Sheriff, a Clerk, a Militia that required service by all men over age 16, and for the adjudication of causes, the administration of estates, and the awarding of executions. See Image of page 3 of the original Compact. The signature of "D'd Williams" is first in the middle column, two above that of Samson Williams .
A David Williams claimed 640 acres of land, for service in the Continental Army, in the Cumberland Settlement on the Big Harpeth River (now in Davidson Co. TN). His heirs were granted the land in 1796 after his death. Also claiming land on that river were John White, David Smith, and a possible brother of Richard Goodwin. Those three families all came to Natchez with David's family in 1782 [NC Land Grants File # 2401, 179, 2110, 1596].
Map of the Cumberland Settlement between 1780 and 1784. The Williams Station was located west of Mill Creek south of its mouth at the Cumberland River. See Topolographical Map showing Williams Station at bottom inside the land claim of Daniel Williams [Drake, p. 24 and map E8].
In May 1782, David and his wife arrived at Natchez in a party of 11 individuals under the entry "Guillaume David, wife and children". They also brought two slaves, a male, aged about 12 born in Africa, and a female, aged about 17, born in Carolina. They were among 13 families recorded by Spanish authorities on Jul 6, as arriving in Natchez.
On Feb 11, 1785 John White sold 200 arpents (about 160 acres) on the "east side of St. Catherine's Creek" in the Natchez District, and had moved his family to Louisiana by Jun 2 when a court record involving the sale mentioned "the said John White has absconded" [McBee, Natchez Court Records, p. 164].
On Jul 24, 1788 David was among the executors appointed of the will of Richard Carpenter, merchant of Natchez, when he was one of the signers of the court order securing the property of the deceased whose will was dated Jul 14. David also signed the order for guardianship of minor children on Jul 28 [McBee, Book B page 124, p. 54].
On Aug 19, 1788, David sold two negroes, one of whom he had bought from the public sale of William Dewitt a 35 year old male named "Coffee" and the other he had brought down from the Cumberland Settlement in 1782, "Chance" who was now 18 years old [McBee, p. 57].
In a letter dated Mar 2, 1790, from Carlos de Grand-Pré, Natchez to Governor Don Estavan Miro, it was reported that David Williams produced 50,000 pounds of tobacco in 1790, more than any other single plantation [MDAH, rootsweb].
On Mar 12, 1790 the Spanish Govt. reported that ?brother "Williams, Juan, owner with 25 Negroes, to settle" arrived in Natchez on a flatboat from South Carolina [MDAH, rootsweb].
On Mar 3, 1791, as one of the executors of the estate of Richard Carpenter, David received a negro man "Nace" and a negro woman "Aimy" "for use of children of deceased, named James and Mary Carpenter" [McBee, Book B page 493, p. 82].
David was described as a friend of Benjamin Monsanto and also one of the executors in Monsanto's will dated Jan 25, 1792. [McBee, Book C, p. 116].
On Apr 16, 1792, David sold a slave named "August" to Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, the Governor of the Natchez District [McBee, Book C, p. 91].
On Jun 17, 1792, Benjamin Monsanto "of New Orleans" received $1000 in silver "without interest or premium" from "David Williams, of same [N.O.]" and the copy of the original obligation sumitted Jul 22, 1795 [McBee, p. 124].
In David's will, dated Apr 7, 1792, while "in perfect health, he ordered one-third of his estate to his wife Mary and upon her death to be divided equally amongst his children still living. Also, "my mulatto boy, Bob, his freedom at age of 21" [McBee, p. 108]. The will was witnessed by William McIntosh, Benjamin Monsanto, and three others. When Gayoso heard of his death, he went to the Williams Plantation and the will was read before Joseph Vidal, Banjamin Monsanto (neighbor on S. Catherine's Creek), sons William and John Williams, and James McIntosh. By May 6, 1793, this James McIntosh married the widow Mary Williams.
According to the 1792 Spanish Census for the Natchez District, several Williams families are listed, including Michael "Miguel" William in Second and Sandy Creek, "Juan" in Villa Gayoso, David in Santa Catalina (St. Catherine's Creek area 7 miles from the Fort of Natchez]. That plantation of David Williams was 5,000 acres making him one of the wealthiest men in the country at the time. A mansion called Bellevue was built for him there. His widow Mary inherited it and after her third marriage about 1795, it was expanded to 9,000 square feet, over three stories, by her husband, who was Winthrop Sargent (1755-1820), the first Governor of the Mississippi Territory from 1798 to 1802. He had come to Natchez from Gloucester MA, hence the Plantation's name. Mary Williams McIntosh was his second wife.
The Williams Plantation and its mansion Bellevue became known as Gloucester, now a 9,000 square foot residence along Woodville Road in Natchez, the oldest mansion in Natchez. Photo of Entrance, Architect's Drawing, and Recent photo of Mansion.
A Map of Natchez Plantations drawn by city surveyor Charles W. Babbit in 1891, shows the location of Bellevue just south of the town [usgwarchives, MS Digital Map Library, website].
On Dec 19, 1792 "Major" John Williams [brother?] was living on 380 arpents on St. Catherine's Creek owned by Joseph Calvit, son of Mary Calvit Higdon. Joseph had a $400 mortgage on the property that was depreciating greatly, put it for sale at public auction, and on Feb 6, 1793 was highest bidder at $300 [McBee, Book E, p. 186].
1895 Map of Natchez from the Ancestral Trackers website, shows the likely routes of the Second and Sandy Creeks in 1792.
On May 21, 1794, David's widow Mary Williams tranfered power of attorney to a David Ross [McBee, p. 103].
On Oct 10, 1794, Benjamin Monsanto died in New Orleans, and his "property placed in care and charge of Mr. James McIntosh, until some person properly authorized shall appear to whom same may be delivered". This included a property bordered by "David Williams, decd.", on Catherine's Creek 3 miles from the Fort, "Mrs. Maria Williams was there; said she had been left in charge of the plantation, etc., by Monsanto and his wife when they went to New Orleans" [McBee, Book C, p. 116].
At the public sale to satisfy the creditors of the late Banjamin Monsanto, Mary Williams was the highest bidder for negros at $450 [McBee, p. 227].
Daughter Mary Gayoso Williams married David Urquhart (1778-1843) of New Orleans on Nov 17, 1803. His mother was from the Monsanto family. They had many children. One born in 1822, which they named James McIntosh Urquhart.
Photo of Grave Marker of Mary Gayoso William Urquhart who is buried in Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore MD below her husband Headstone of her husband that reads "DAVID URQUHART OF NEW ORLEANS DIED JUNE 11, 1843 AGED 65 YEARS" [find-a-grave website].
Besides Mary, three other children of David Williams were referred to as Winthrop Sargent's stepchildren in Sargent family letters. They were Anna, David, and James C. Williams. When Winthrop Sargent died Jun 3, 1820 the Williams stepchildren also shared in the Louisiana portion of his estate, by a ruling of that state's Supreme Court in 1848.
Gov. Winthrop Sargent and the Mississippi Territory were commemorated in 1948 with a United States 3 cent Postage Stamp.
In 1799, son John Williams sold a negro woman, "Sukey" aged 16, to son David, both being at least 21 years old, but their mother had to annul a mortgage still on the slave [McBee, p. 86].
Son John Williams may have been married to Priscilla Guice (1781-1833), eldest daughter of Anna Stump [McBee, p. 86].
On Mar 30 1798 son John Williams claimed a lot in Natchez in the Miss. Territory. Lot No. 4, Square No. 26 in the town of Natchez was originally granted by occupancy on Mar 30, 1798. The next lot was originally granted to to Louisa Higdon, and deeded to John Stump, the uncle of the possible wife of John Williams. John Williams and John Stump both claimed their lots on the same day in 1798. John Williams recorded the deed (Vol. 4, Page 312) on Jun 9, 1807 "without the payment of any purchase money" [American State Papers, vol. 1, register B, p. 896].
Son William Williams was listed in the 1805 MS Territorial Census for Wilkinson Co. as head of household of 5 members: 2 males aged 21 and up (William born before 1785), 1 male under age 21, 2 females, and no slaves.
Wilkinson County MS was formed in 1802 from a part of Adams Co. south of the town of Natchez (see present day map.
Franklin Co. MS was formed on Dec 21, 1809 from the eastern part of Jefferson Co. and parts of Amite, Wilkinson and Adams Counties (see present day map for location).
In 1810, there were only two Williams households in the Franklin Co. MS 1810 Census: William Williams (page 1): 4 males over 21, 3 males under 21, 1 female over 21, no females under 21, no free Negroes, and no Slaves David Williams (page 3): 1 male over 21, 1 female over 21, 3 females under 21, and one slave. Sons William and David would have been born by 1779.
Sons William, a John (grandson?), Elections, David and Edward headed households in the 1816 Franklin Co. MS Census. On page 12 (line 17), there is a household headed by "William Williams" with a male and female (his wife) over age 21 with one male child and no slaves. On lines 15 and 16 of the same page are single male (over 21) households of Elections and John (no slaves). and no slaves. Next to the three Williams households, on line 14, there is a household headed by "George Halloway" with a male and female over age 21 with no children and no slaves. This may be the George Holloway, son of William Holloway.
Son David headed a household in the 1816 Franklin Co. MS Census. On page 10 (line 15), there is a household headed by with David over 21, a son under 21 and a female over 21, and 4 females under 21, and 4 slaves. On line 11 of the same page, there is a household headed by son "John Williams" with John over 21, a son under 21 and a female over 21, and 7 females under 21, and no slaves.
In Jan 1818, a Receipt for the transfer of twenty-five enslaved persons from the estate of James McIntosh to his stepson "D. Williams", son of David Williams, was recorded in Adams Co. Chancery Court [Historic Natchez Foundation, Lantern Project, website].
Sons Daniel and Issac headed households in the 1820 Wilkinson Co. MS Census. On line 22 of Page 383 Daniel, over 45 years old, had: 1 male aged 10-16, 1 male aged 26-45 (a brother? b. 1776-1795), 1 female aged 10 and under 16, 3 females aged 16-26 (daughters?), and 31 slaves (8 female and 23 male). On line 13 of Page 382 Issac, aged 26-45 years old (born after 1775), had: 1 male aged 10-16, 1 female aged under 10, 1 female aged 16-26 (wife?), and 22 slaves (6 female and 16 male).
SOURCES: Adams Co. Mississippi Genealogy & History Network, "1792 Census for Natchez District (under Spanish Government control)", 2009, 1792 Census. American State Papers, Documents, ... of the Congress of the Unitied States, ... 1789-1809, vol. 1, Gales and Seaton, Washington DC, 1832, register A, p. 868, register B, p. 896. Cumberland Compact, original document signed May 13, 1780, Washington County NC, website. Drake, Doug, Jack Masters and Bill Puryear, Founding of the Cumberland Settlements, The First Atlas, 1779-1804, Warioto Press, 2009, p. 24, map E8. "Franklin County, MS 1810 Census", abstract from Gillis book, rootsweb website. McBee, Mary Wilson, Natchez Court Records 1767-1805, Abstract of Early Records, Greenwood MS, 1953, pp. 45, 57, 89, 91, 107-8, 151, 162-164, Book B, pp. 54, 82, Book C, p. 116. MSGHN, 1805 Territorial Census for Wilkinson County, Mississippi, website. MS Dept. of Archives & History (MDAH), Jackson MS, rootsweb, Americans Arriving in Spanish-Held Natchez 1780-1790; and "Early Mississippians in Spanish Natchez". North Carolina Land Grants, TN Davidson Co. File #2401, website. Rowland, Dunbar, "1816 Census for Franklin Co. Miss.", taken from The Official and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi, Centennial Edition, 1917, rootsweb website. Tuller, Roberta, "1777 Petition of Holston Men", in An American Family History, website, Amazon Services, 2020. USGENWEB, U. S. Census, Wilkinson Co. MS, 1820 p. 374. Virginia Land Patents, Book 8, p. 16. Wells, Carol, Natchez Postscripts 1781-1798, Heritage Books, Bowie MD, 1992, pp. 52. White, Gifford, "James White and John White", Wm Wiseman & the Davenports, Pioneers Of Old Burke County, North Carolina, v.2, by M.L.Vineyard & E.M.Wiseman, Franklin NC, 1997, pp. 86-96, 107-112. White, Gifford, James Taylor White of Virginia and some of his descendants into Texas, Austin, TX, April 1982. Whitley, Edythe Rucker, comp., Pioneers of Davidson Co., Tennessee, Clearfield Publ., 2009, p. 5.