Williams, Robert 1822 - 1860
Robert Williams is the oldest of the seven children of Brooks and Mary Ann
Williams. He was a teenager in 1836 during the Texas Revolution when his father
received orders from Gen. Sam Houston to assist settlers fleeing to safety in
Louisiana during the Runaway Scrape. Brooks arrived on the east bank of the
flooded Neches River with a some settlers. A group of young Cherokee braves,
stirred up by Mexican soldiers, were milling on the other side of the river.
Brooks was asked to go over and see if the settlers could cross in peace. When
Brooks crossed over the braves killed and scalped him.
1836 Certificate 724 - Heirs of Brooks Williams by Mary Jeffreys, petition Texas
Republic for the land grant received from Mexican government in May of 1835.
Witnesses: Robert Williams and James Bradshaw. Petition accepted and 1 labor and
1 league granted. (Robert's mother had married a Texas Ranger, Henry Jeffreys)
Robert joined the Texas Rangers to avenge his father's death. He served during
the period of the Republic of Texas and married Viannah H. Ashworth after Texas
became a State.They were enumerated in the first US census in Texas. A married
sister lived on each side of Robert and Viannah.
1850 TEXAS CENSUS, Cherokee County
> Black, Granderson, head, age 18, farmer, born AR; Nancy A., wife, age 16, keep
house, born TX. (Robert's youngest sibling, Nancy A. Williams Black)
> Williams, Robert, head, age 25, farmer, born TX; Vienna, wife, age 18, born
LA.
> Howeth, Suel, head, age 29, farmer, born TN; Elizabeth, wife, age 21, born TX;
Stephen William, son, age 6. (Robert's sister, Elizabeth Williams Howeth)
1860 TEXAS CENSUS, Cherokee County, Beat 10 - Williams, Robert, head, age 43,
farmer, born TX; Viney A., wife, age 27, born LA; Mary J., dau, age 10;
Caroline, dau, age 8; Brooks, son, age 6; James, son, age 4; Elizabeth, dau, age
2.
Robert Williams died in 1860 after the census was taken. he left a widow and
five young children. His widow, Viannah died two years later, in 1862.
Spouse:
Viannah H. Ashworth Williams
Children:
1. Mary J. Williams 1850-1851
2. Mary Caroline Williams Fenley 1851-1906
3. Brooks W. Williams 1852-1907
4. James Williams 1856-1857
5, James Buchanan Williams 1858-1933
6. Elizabeth Williams 1858-1859
7. Ella Williams 1858-
8. Ann Williams 1860-
- Blanche Keating Collie