The Williams Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

The name of Williams is very ancient and probably extends throughout the civilized world. Most of the original members of the family were doubtless of Welsh extraction. They form a large part of the principality of Wales in England, somewhat like the O’s in Ireland and the Mac’s in Scotland. “Burke’s Peerage” says of Sir Robert Williams, the ninth baronet of the house of Williams of Penrhyn, that “His family is lineally descended from Marchudel of Cynn, Lord of Abergelen in Denbighshire, of one of the fifteen tribes of North Wales, who lived in the time of Roderic Mawr (Roderic the Great) King of the Britons, about the year 849. From him was descended the royal house of Tudor. The lineage of Marchudel is traced from Brutus the first King of the Britons.”

The family is one of the most notable in New England, where over forty families of the name settled before 1700. The branch herein recorded springs from the Connecticut family located at Lebanon, who descend from Rev. Solomon Williams, D. D., of Lebanon, who was a half-brother of Elisha Williams, of Wethersfield, born in Hatfield, August 24, 1694, son of William Williams. The founder of the family in Pennsylvania is Shuabel Williams, who is the grandfather of George D. Williams, of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

(I) Shuabel Williams

Shuabel Williams was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, died in Ararat, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1867, after a residence in the latter town of fifty-five years. He was an old man at the time of his death, had been a pillar of the Methodist Episcopal church for over a half a century; cast his first presidential vote for Thomas Jefferson, and his last for Abraham Lincoln. He was a farmer by occupation, both in Connecticut and in Pennsylvania. He moved to Ararat, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming until his death. He settled in Ararat, in September, 1812, going there from Lebanon, Connecticut, with his wife and one child. He and his wife were of the number who first united to sustain the gospel there, and for over fifty years nearly every Sunday he could be found in his seat at church. He married —— ——, who died in Ararat, October 10, 1871. Children:

1. Samuel Williams, died in Binghamton, New York; married and had a family; his son,
   1. Wellington W. Williams, was station master in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, for twenty years, then was transferred to Binghamton.
2. Oliver Williams, died in the west; married.
3. Ralph Williams, of whom further.
4. Sherman Williams, died in Ararat, Pennsylvania; a farmer; married Miss West, of Susquehanna county; children:
   1. Emeret Williams, deceased
   2. Dwight Williams, deceased
   3. Judson Williams, lives in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
5. Jane Williams, died in Ararat; married Jones West, deceased, a farmer; children:
   1. Melissa West.
   2. Abbie West, resides on the old homestead
   3. Emerson West, lives in Scranton.
6. A daughter, died in Ararat; married David Avery, of Susquehanna county, a farmer; children:
   1. Eli Avery, died in Ararat
   2. Albert Avery, living in the west
   3. Olive Avery, married Peter Dunn, and lives in Ararat
   4. Susan Avery, married Clarence Mumford, and lives in Starrucca, Pennsylvania
   5. Ada Avery, deceased
   6. A daughter.

(II) Ralph Williams

Ralph, son of Shuabel Williams, was born in Ararat, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1822, died in the hospital at Suffolk, Virginia, February 1, 1863. He was educated in the public school and became a farmer of the town of Thompson, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. He was a Republican in politics, serving as constable and tax collector of the township. He was a soldier of the civil war, serving in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, and was confined in the hospital at Suffolk, Virginia, where he died of typhoid fever. He was an active official member of the Methodist Episcopal church, his wife also being a member. He married (first) in Lebanon, Connecticut, September 3, 1848, Abbie E. Davis, born there March 12, 1831, died in Thompson, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1860. She was the daughter of Daniel Davis, a farmer of Connecticut and New York. He died in the town of Napoli, Chautauqua county, New York, about 1865, aged sixty-nine years. His wife, Hannah Holland, born in Rhode Island, died in Napoli, in 1873, aged seventy-five years. Hannah Holland had three brothers:

1. Nicholas Holland, a farmer, died in Napoli; married Lydia Pierce and left a daughter.
2. Weager Holland, died in Rhode Island; a farmer; married a Miss Gardner; children:
   1. John Holland, living in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
   2. Lillian Holland, living in Randolph, New York.
   3. Abbie Holland, living in Wakefield.
3. Third brother. No record.

Ralph Williams married (second) September, 1860, Lydia E. Wright; no issue. Children of Ralph Williams and his first wife:

1. Chauncey Williams, born in Lebanon, Connecticut, December 29, 1849, died in Brooklyn, New York, March 9, 1907; a carpenter; married Mary Ann Gardner, born in Rhode Island; children:
   1. Fannie A. Williams, born October, 1876; a teacher in the Pennsylvania State Normal School at Clarion; unmarried.
   2. Rodney Ralph Williams, born 1881; a practicing physician of Binghamton, New York; unmarried.
2. George Davis Williams, of whom further.
3. Mary E. Williams, born in Lebanon, Connecticut, October 3, 1854, died in Napoli, New York, August 3, 1860.

(III) George Davis Williams

George Davis, son of Ralph Williams and his first wife, Abbie E. Davis, was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, November 3, 1851. His parents moved to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, in 1856, settling in Thompson township, where he attended the public school. After the death of his mother in 1860 he went to relatives in Napoli, New York, where he completed his education in Chamberlain Institute. After leaving the institute he began work on a farm in Conewango, Cattaraugus county, continuing one year, and working the following two years in the creameries and cheese factories of Conewango. In 1874 he began working in the cheese factory at Elm Creek, Cattaraugus county, and in 1875 in association with his brother Chauncey, he purchased the plant. They continued together in successful business for two years, then George D. purchased Chauncey’s interest and alone conducted the cheese-making business until 1888. In the spring of that year he was sent to Kansas as superintendent of a creamery and cheese factory there. Six months later he sold his Elm Creek factory, and in the spring of 1890 returned to Cattaraugus county, working as clerk in the store of F. W. Adams, at East Randolph. In the autumn of 1890 he moved to Bradford, forming a partnership with Eugene J. Boyle, and until 1900 conducted a successful grocery business under the firm name of Boyle & Williams. Since 1900 the firm has been manufacturing table syrups and confectionery, and has won an assured position in the market. Mr. Williams is also vice-president and treasurer of the Eagle Oil Company. He is a Republican in politics, and while in New York was tax collector for the town of Conewango, and for two terms was assessor. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian. He is a member of the Heptasophs and Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Bradford, and the United Commercial Travelers’ Association of America. His club is the Merchants.

He married, February 19, 1876, Emir Belle Helmes, born in East Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York, March 21, 1853. She was educated in the public schools, finishing with a course at Chamberlain Institute. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Her father, Chauncey C. Helmes, was born near Rochester, New York, and was one of the pioneer merchants and farmers of his section of Monroe county. He died in East Randolph, January, 1859. He married (first) Sabina Jeffords, born near Rochester, New York, July 31, 1803, died in Randolph, January 4, 1848. Chauncey C. Helmes married (second) January, 1849, in East Randolph, Laura A. Hovey, born October 21, 1821, in Warsaw, New York, died in Bradford, December 17, 1905; two children. Children of Chauncey C. Helmes, all born in East Randolph; the last two by second marriage:

1. Saphrona Helmes, born February 16, 1825, died in Ohio; married Samuel Eggleston, in Randolph, New York, also deceased, a blacksmith; children, all living in Ohio:
   1. Mary Eggleston.
   2. Sharp Eggleston.
   3. Clyde Eggleston.
   4. Legrand Eggleston.
2. Cornelia Helmes, born February 10, 1827, died March 8, 1843, in Randolph; unmarried.
3. Mary Helmes, born February 3, 1830, died in Randolph, May 22, 1848; married Charles Hubbard, a blacksmith; no issue.
4. George W. Helmes, born January 29, 1832; enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment New York Infantry, and was one of the many “missing” when the roll was called after the battle of Chancellorsville; unmarried.
5. Delilah Helmes, born May 6, 1838; lives in East Randolph; unmarried.
6. Charles H. Helmes, born September 2, 1840; enlisted in Ninth Regiment New York Cavalry, serving three years; now living in East Randolph; a painter; child:
   1. Walter Helmes, born September 19, 1842.
7. Eliza Helmes, born September 19, 1842; married her cousin, Adelbert Helmes, deceased, a decorator, whom she survives, a resident of East Randolph; child,
   1. Claire Helmes, also living there.
8. James Helmes, born January 12, 1846; a veteran of the civil war, serving in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry; now living in East Randolph; he married (first) Susan Curtis, (second) the widow of Byron Helmes; no issue; children of first marriage:
   1. Nellie Helmes, living in Tionesta, Pennsylvania.
   2. Chauncey Helmes.
   3. Lee Helmes.
9. John C. Helmes, born January 4, 1848; married Luella Sloan, of Salamanca, New York, and resides in East Randolph, a blacksmith; children:
   1. Floyd Helmes, deceased.
   2. George Helmes, living at Frecks Mills, New York.
10. Mary Helmes, born July 20, 1850; educated at Chamberlain Institute, Randolph; now residing in Bradford; a member of the Presbyterian church; unmarried.
11. Emir Belle Helmes, of previous mention; wife of George Davis Williams.

Chauncey C. was a son of Robert Helmes, who died July 22, 1844, in East Randolph, a farmer. His wife Betsey died January 29, 1853, at a good old age.

Children of Robert Helmes, all born in East Randolph, New York:

1. Albert Helmes, died in East Randolph; a farmer and general merchant; married (first) a Miss Jeffords, (second) a Miss Harding, (third) a Miss Longstreet; children:
   1. Mortimer Helmes, child of first wife.
   2. Emily Helmes, child of first wife.
   3. Rumina Helmes, child of first wife.
   4. Eunice Helmes, child of second wife.
   5. Accna Helmes, child of second wife.
   6. Mary Ann Helmes, child of second wife.
   7. Adelbert Helmes, child of third wife.
   8. Gaylord Helmes, child of third wife.
   9. Cordelia Helmes, child of third wife.
2. Robert Helmes, died in Madison, Wisconsin; a farmer; married Jane Benson; children:
   1. Robert Helmes.
   2. Lyman Helmes.
   3. Abraham Helmes.
   4. Others.
3. Homer Helmes, died in Madison, Wisconsin; a farmer; married Melinda Hovey; children:
   1. Frank Helmes.
   2. Virgil Helmes.
   3. Laura Helmes.
   4. Mary Helmes.
   5. Helen Helmes.
   6. Robert Helmes.
4. Chauncey C. Helmes, of previous mention; father of Mrs. George Davis Williams.
5. Millie Helmes, died at East Randolph; married John Benson, a farmer; children:
   1. Marcus Benson.
   2. Van Benson.
   3. Matilda Benson.
   4. Sophrona Benson.
   5. Maria Benson.
6. Sarah Helmes, died in East Randolph; married Daniel Dixon; children:
   1. Charles Dixon.
   2. Daniel Dixon.
   3. Henry Dixon.
   4. Homer Dixon.
   5. Eliza Dixon.
   6. Andrew Dixon.
7. Aurelia Helmes, died in East Randolph; married William Foy; no issue.
8. Henry Helmes, died in Wisconsin; a farmer; married Caroline Kingsley, and left issue.
9. Salina Helmes, died in East Randolph; married William Calhoun, a railroad employee; children:
   1. Agnes Calhoun.
   2. Marian Calhoun.
   3. John Calhoun.
   4. Thaddeus Calhoun.
   5. William Calhoun.
   6. Eliza Calhoun.
   7. Others.

Laura A. Hovey (second wife of Chauncey C., and mother of Mrs. George Davis Williams) was a daughter of Ziba Hovey, whose father was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, in 1747. He moved to Warsaw, New York, in 1804, died April 24, 1820, leaving issue:

1. Orra Hovey.
2. Simeon Hovey.
3. Gordon Hovey.
4. John Hovey.
5. Luel Hovey.
6. Theodora Hovey.
7. Ziba Hovey (see forward).
8. Eliphalet Hovey.
9. Alvin Hovey.
10. Lura Hovey.
11. Tina Hovey.

Ziba Hovey was born in Connecticut, lived in Warsaw, New York, and spent his latter years in East Randolph on his farm, where he died a very old man. He married Sophia Metcalf, born in New Hampshire, died in Randolph, very old. Children, all born in Warsaw, New York:

1. Jackson Hovey, died in Iowa; a farmer; married and left issue.
2. Ziba (2) Hovey, died in East Randolph; a carpenter; married Charlotte North, of Cattaraugus county; children:
   1. Horace Hovey.
   2. Laura Hovey.
   3. Richard Hovey.
3. Franklin Hovey, died in East Randolph; a lumberman; married Harriet Hall; children:
   1. Delia Hovey.
   2. Nelly Hovey.
   3. Kitty Hovey.
4. Lafayette Hovey, now living at Cold Spring, New York; a carpenter and farmer; married Lovisa Case, deceased; children:
   1. Carrie Hovey.
   2. Ferdinand Hovey.
   3. Nettie Hovey.
5. Emily Hovey, now living near East Randolph; married Daniel Spalding, a farmer, deceased; children:
   1. Betsey Spalding.
   2. Sarah Spalding.
   3. Emma Spalding.
   4. Keziah Spalding.
   5. Sophia Spalding.
6. Melinda Hovey, died in Madison, Wisconsin; married Homer Helmes; no issue.
7. Laura A. Hovey, of previous mention.
8. Clarissa Hovey, died at Cold Spring, New York; married (first) John Helmes; married (second) a Mr. Town; children:
   1. Orphelia Helmes, child by first marriage.
   2. Diette Town, child by second marriage.
9. Amelia Hovey, died in Nashua, Iowa; married Erastus Rathbone, born in Canada, a cooper; children:
   1. Frank Rathbone.
   2. Belle Rathbone.
   3. Grace Rathbone.
   4. Charles Rathbone.
   5. Dolly Rathbone.

Children of George Davis Williams:

1. Marguerite Louise Williams, born in East Randolph, New York, November 18, 1890, died in Bradford, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1893.
2. Lawrence George Williams, born in Bradford, October 31, 1895; now a student in high school.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.