This family history will attempt to piece together several generations of the Williams family traced back to its earliest point in Cumberland County, Virginia in the pre-Revolutionary War years. As early as the 1760’s, marriages were occurring in counties surrounding Cumberland between Williams men and their brides. However, the greatest migration took place in the years just after the close of the American Revolution, when families headed westward to Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and points beyond.

It is possible to identify the nucleus of the western settlers by examining Cumberland County land deeds, probate, census and court records. There were three men born in the 1720’s who lived in Cumberland County. Roger Williams was the first. Little is known of this man, except that he gave a tract of land to Roger Jr. in 1783, stating "me hereunto moving." The relationship of the other two, Thomas and Matthias Williams, is certain because of a land transaction from Thomas to his brother, Matthias, in 1763.

There are many families who have a folklore-type of tradition of three brothers coming to America. That same story has also been handed down among the Williamses. However, in this case, there are pieces of information that indicate that these three men might have been part of a family of a Roger Williams, b. in the late 1600's. First, Harriet Williams Pryor was the subject of a biographical sketch in the late 1800's in one of Goodspeed's books. Her sketch said she was descended from Roger Williams, although it identified Roger as Roger Williams of Rhode Island. While there is no indication that she fit into any New England group, she may, indeed, have been descended from a Roger Williams.

Virginia land grant records show a Roger Williams receiving 200 ac. of land on Chickahominy Swamp as early as 1719. By Sept 1723, a John Johnson received 250 ac. on Chickahominy Swamp on the lines of John Hogg and Roger Williams. In Aug 1731, Michael Holland received 6,350 ac. in Hanover Co. The land was adjacent to many men, including Roger Williams and Thomas Lacy Jr. The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish in Hanover Co. mentions in 1730 that the tithes of Capt. Thomas Anderson assist Roger Williams in clearing the road whereof he is surveyor. Anderson and Williams are very common names, but one Thomas Anderson was the father of Susannah who m. Thomas Williams.

On 6 Nov 1734, one Thomas Williams was a witness noted in the Hanover Co. court minutes. Samuel's father, Thomas, was b. 1712 according to the Bible record. If the same man, Thomas would have been 22 and of legal age in 1734.

There is a land deed of Feb 1728/8 with Booth Napier of Goochland selling land to Phillip Webber of King William Co. The land is part of Thomas Mims' patent on Tuckahoe Creek. This sale was witnessed by Elizabeth Napier and William and Mary Williams. A William Williams d. intestate in Cumberland Co. in 1761. It is not known whether this is the same man. However, later Williamses owned land on Tuckahoe Creek.

In the lifetimes of Roger, Thomas and Matthias listed below, there are several records which indicate a relationship among the three. Thomas and Matthias were brothers per a Cumberland Co. land deed.

The will of Thomas Anderson was written 25 Oct 1757 and rec 9 Mar 1758 in Albemarle Co. He named dau Susannah Williams among others, with witnesses shown to be John Gannaway Jr., John Gannaway Sr. and Roger Williams (Sr.).

At one time, Roger Williams and Thomas Williams both owned land that was adjacent to Richard Randolph's.

Halifax/Pittsylvania court records show that Thomas Williams, son of Roger, entered land in Pittsylvania Co. in 1751. Court pleas note in 1754 that Thomas Williams was the executor of Roger Williams, dec'd.

In Cumberland Co. court in 1763, Thomas Williams was sued for debt. His bondsmen were John Gannaway and Charles Williams (probably the Charles who lived in Halifax Co., later Pittsylvania Co). Later, in Jan 1788, Thomas Williams sold land to Archibald Wright. The 200 ac. were part of a tract conveyed to Samuel Williams, bound by lands of said Samuel, Alexander Trent and Seymore Scott. Thomas noted the sale took place because of the 5 shillings received by Thomas, plus the 200 lbs. current money paid in hand to Roger Williams. Witnesses were John Lee, Saymer Scott and Creed Taylor.

Several petitions that were generated and signed in Cumberland County survive, giving further evidence as to the time period that the Williams family lived there. On 10 May 1777, one petition was begun urging that Cumberland County be divided in two. Roger Sr., Thomas, Samuel and Roger Williams Jr. all signed. On 10 Nov 1780, a petition was ciruclated regarding rights of clergy who do not sign allegiance to the state. Samuel, Roger Jr. and Matthias Williams' signatures are found. This Matthias must be the Revolutionary War pensioner because his father's will was probated about the same time. A similar petition with the same date showed Thomas and Roger Williams Sr.'s signatures. On 14 May 1784, rights of pecuniary legatees and residual legatees were questioned. John, Roger, Samuel and Nathaniel Williams signed. Lastly, opposition to the act incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church on 9 Nov 1786 inlcuded Thomas, Samuel, Nathaniel, Roger and Matthias Williams.