James Henderson WILLIAMS, born November 10, 1740, Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, died during the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, in Gaston County, North Carolina.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, was son of Daniel WILLIAMS, 1710-1759, and of his wife, Ursula HENDERSON, 1709-1765. He was orphaned in his youth, travelled from Virginia to North Carolina, moving into the home of his brother, [Colonel] John WILLIAMS, a lawyer, then living in Granville County, North Carolina. John ensured his brother, James, received a basic but good education before James set out on his own.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, married 1762, Granville County, North Carolina, Mary Clark WALLACE. Mary Clark WALLACE WILLIAMS CALDWELL, born 1743, died 1804. By 1773, they migrated from Granville County, North Carolina and pioneered along the Little River in the area known then as Ninety-six District, in South Carolina. He started a farm, built a mill and was a local merchant. He moved to a plantation called Mt. Pleasant, settling on the Edgefield District side of Mud Creek; today, this area in which he settled is known as Laurens County.
He was of the Presbyterian faith, and was an elder of Little River Presbyterian Church, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
James served as one of the representatives of South Carolina in the First Provincial Congress held in Charleston on January 11, 1775. He also represented in the Second Provincial Congress November 1, 1775, and March 26, 1776. He was appointed Justice of the Peace March 36, 1776 through April 11, 1776, and was a member of the local Council of Safety.
He served in the local militia, where in 1775, he became Captain. At the Siege of Ninety-Six, Capt. James H. WILLIAMS watched the loyalist forces surrender under a white flag. By 1776, as tensions grew in the back country of the colony, local militia units became increasingly divided between Loyalist and Patriot factions, Williams was named Lt. Colonel of a militia regiment. James was a patriot whereas many of his neighbors supported the Loyalist position. He identified, recruited and trained his men, successfully organizing a militia group. During the campaign against the pro-British Cherokees, his militia group was encircled and suffered deadly fire. His unit was then ordered to Florida to fight a Tory force there, suffering from heat, hunger, thirst and disease and had to turn back.
Lt. Colonel Williams led his body of men into action at The Battle of Stono Ferry, Briar Creek, and as far afield into expeditions against Savannah, Georgia.
On August 19, 1780, after the disaster of Camden, he led his detachment into the engagements of the Battle of Musgrove Mill where their success earned him a promotion to Colonel.
Williams led a 100 man detachment from his Little River Regiment to meet other militia detachments in pursuit of Cornwallis' western force, led by Major Patrick Ferguson. He joined other militia units at Cowpens on October 6, 1780. The next day he joined them in the major American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain where patriots overwhelmed an 1,110 man force, losing only twenty-eight killed. According to eyewitness accounts, Colonel James Henderson Williams was mortally wounded, October 7, 1780, after the enemy raised the white flag. Before he died, Williams was carried by horse 12 miles before dying in the arms of his son, Daniel WILLIAMS, on the banks of the Broad River near the mouth of Buffalo Creek.
Initially buried at this location, in 1910, his remains were transferred and re-interred to a vault at the Carnegie Library, also known as the Cherokee County Administration Building, on North Limestone Street, Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. A prestigious memorial marker with a bronze tablet was placed over the vault and surmounted by two small cannons procured by Senator Benjamin TILLMAN, in 1917. Today, there is a large monument erected for James Henderson Williams at King's Mountain National Battlefield.
Under the South Carolina Provincial Congress, Williams was to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General for his victory at Musgrove Mill, but he died from his battle wounds during the American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, before the commission could be delivered.
In November, 1781, "Bloody Bill CUNNINGHAM" took over his plantation house at Mount Pleasant, and moved James's widow, Mary, and her children to a barn behind the house to live in. He later hung and disembowled two of their children, sons, Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, and Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, along with about 14 other patriots in the Haye's Station Massacre on Edgehill Plantation, in Laurens County. A mass grave marks the site where these American patriots were hacked to death.
In 2005, the South Carolina General assembly confirmed the rank originally bestowed upon him some 225 years prior. In the same act, General James Williams was further honored by renaming the Little River Bridge, "James Williams Memorial Bridge" marking the northeast corner of his original plantation.
Children of this marriage include:
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Major Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgehill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54698849;
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgefill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54699679;
daughter, Mary WILLIAMS, 1769-1828, md. her first cousin, James Atwood I WILLIAMS, 1767-1816; to their marriage, eight (8) children are known;
daughter, Elizabeth WILLIAMS, -1807, died Musgrove Mills, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 28175606; md. John GRIFFIN; md. James TINSLEY;
son, John WILLIAMS, d. 1794; reputed (not verified) to have died of poisioning at the close of the American Revolutionary War while on business in Virginia;
daughter, Sarah WILLIAMS, md. James TINSLEY;
son, James II WILLIAMS, d. 1832;
son, James Washington WILLIAMS, 1777-1829, buried Williams-Nance Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 66502333; md. February 2, 1797, Sarah GRIFFIN, 1778-1849, buried Williams-nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 81900012, daughter of Richard I GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, and Nancy Ann 'Anna' Clarke, 1740-1794;
∼James Henderson Williams Sr was born 10 Nov 1740 in Granville North Carolina Colony. He married Mary Clark Wallace in 1762 in Granville North Carolina Colony. Mary was the daughter of William Wallace and Hannah Woods; she was born 1742 in Augusta Virginia Colony. James migrated with his family to the Ninety-Six District South Carolina Colony in 1770. James was a major figure in the Revolutionary War. James Williams had his plantation, Mount Pleasant, confiscated in early June of 1780 - apparently he foresaw this happening because he had already removed most of his slaves and personal belongings and took them to his brother, Henry's, home in Caswell County, NC. While there, he prepared his last will, naming his wife Mary and children, James, Daniel, John, Joseph, Mary, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and , Washington.
Colonel James Williams was the commanding officer of the South Carolina Militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. James was killed 07 Oct 1780 in the battle without knowing the battle is historically noted as the turning point in winning the war. He was unaware that "In late September or early October of 1780, Gov. John Rutledge commissioned Col. James Williams as a Brigadier General, thanks to his great service at the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18th, among other battles and skirmishes since then."
His last words to his sons James Jr, Daniel, John and Joseph who were with him in the battle were "for God's sakes boys do not give up the hill." The brothers concern was who was going to tell their mother.
He was buried on a hill near the intersection of Buffalo Creek and Broad River.
His death was unknown for several weeks and during that time the South Carolina Provincial Congress had promoted Col. James Williams to the rank of brigadier general; the commission could not be delivered.
In May of 1898 the remains of James Henderson Williams were found. They were exhumed and buried in the Berkley Park at Gaffney Cherokee County South Carolina. A monument was erected over his grave to honor his service.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, was son of Daniel WILLIAMS, 1710-1759, and of his wife, Ursula HENDERSON, 1709-1765. He was orphaned in his youth, travelled from Virginia to North Carolina, moving into the home of his brother, [Colonel] John WILLIAMS, a lawyer, then living in Granville County, North Carolina. John ensured his brother, James, received a basic but good education before James set out on his own.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, married 1762, Granville County, North Carolina, Mary Clark WALLACE. Mary Clark WALLACE WILLIAMS CALDWELL, born 1743, died 1804. By 1773, they migrated from Granville County, North Carolina and pioneered along the Little River in the area known then as Ninety-six District, in South Carolina. He started a farm, built a mill and was a local merchant. He moved to a plantation called Mt. Pleasant, settling on the Edgefield District side of Mud Creek; today, this area in which he settled is known as Laurens County.
He was of the Presbyterian faith, and was an elder of Little River Presbyterian Church, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
James served as one of the representatives of South Carolina in the First Provincial Congress held in Charleston on January 11, 1775. He also represented in the Second Provincial Congress November 1, 1775, and March 26, 1776. He was appointed Justice of the Peace March 36, 1776 through April 11, 1776, and was a member of the local Council of Safety.
He served in the local militia, where in 1775, he became Captain. At the Siege of Ninety-Six, Capt. James H. WILLIAMS watched the loyalist forces surrender under a white flag. By 1776, as tensions grew in the back country of the colony, local militia units became increasingly divided between Loyalist and Patriot factions, Williams was named Lt. Colonel of a militia regiment. James was a patriot whereas many of his neighbors supported the Loyalist position. He identified, recruited and trained his men, successfully organizing a militia group. During the campaign against the pro-British Cherokees, his militia group was encircled and suffered deadly fire. His unit was then ordered to Florida to fight a Tory force there, suffering from heat, hunger, thirst and disease and had to turn back.
Lt. Colonel Williams led his body of men into action at The Battle of Stono Ferry, Briar Creek, and as far afield into expeditions against Savannah, Georgia.
On August 19, 1780, after the disaster of Camden, he led his detachment into the engagements of the Battle of Musgrove Mill where their success earned him a promotion to Colonel.
Williams led a 100 man detachment from his Little River Regiment to meet other militia detachments in pursuit of Cornwallis' western force, led by Major Patrick Ferguson. He joined other militia units at Cowpens on October 6, 1780. The next day he joined them in the major American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain where patriots overwhelmed an 1,110 man force, losing only twenty-eight killed. According to eyewitness accounts, Colonel James Henderson Williams was mortally wounded, October 7, 1780, after the enemy raised the white flag. Before he died, Williams was carried by horse 12 miles before dying in the arms of his son, Daniel WILLIAMS, on the banks of the Broad River near the mouth of Buffalo Creek.
Initially buried at this location, in 1910, his remains were transferred and re-interred to a vault at the Carnegie Library, also known as the Cherokee County Administration Building, on North Limestone Street, Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. A prestigious memorial marker with a bronze tablet was placed over the vault and surmounted by two small cannons procured by Senator Benjamin TILLMAN, in 1917. Today, there is a large monument erected for James Henderson Williams at King's Mountain National Battlefield.
Under the South Carolina Provincial Congress, Williams was to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General for his victory at Musgrove Mill, but he died from his battle wounds during the American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, before the commission could be delivered.
In November, 1781, "Bloody Bill CUNNINGHAM" took over his plantation house at Mount Pleasant, and moved James's widow, Mary, and her children to a barn behind the house to live in. He later hung and disembowled two of their children, sons, Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, and Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, along with about 14 other patriots in the Haye's Station Massacre on Edgehill Plantation, in Laurens County. A mass grave marks the site where these American patriots were hacked to death.
In 2005, the South Carolina General assembly confirmed the rank originally bestowed upon him some 225 years prior. In the same act, General James Williams was further honored by renaming the Little River Bridge, "James Williams Memorial Bridge" marking the northeast corner of his original plantation.
Children of this marriage include:
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Major Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgehill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54698849;
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgefill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54699679;
daughter, Mary WILLIAMS, 1769-1828, md. her first cousin, James Atwood I WILLIAMS, 1767-1816; to their marriage, eight (8) children are known;
daughter, Elizabeth WILLIAMS, -1807, died Musgrove Mills, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 28175606; md. John GRIFFIN; md. James TINSLEY;
son, John WILLIAMS, d. 1794; reputed (not verified) to have died of poisioning at the close of the American Revolutionary War while on business in Virginia;
daughter, Sarah WILLIAMS, md. James TINSLEY;
son, James II WILLIAMS, d. 1832;
son, James Washington WILLIAMS, 1777-1829, buried Williams-Nance Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 66502333; md. February 2, 1797, Sarah GRIFFIN, 1778-1849, buried Williams-nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 81900012, daughter of Richard I GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, and Nancy Ann 'Anna' Clarke, 1740-1794;
∼James Henderson Williams Sr was born 10 Nov 1740 in Granville North Carolina Colony. He married Mary Clark Wallace in 1762 in Granville North Carolina Colony. Mary was the daughter of William Wallace and Hannah Woods; she was born 1742 in Augusta Virginia Colony. James migrated with his family to the Ninety-Six District South Carolina Colony in 1770. James was a major figure in the Revolutionary War. James Williams had his plantation, Mount Pleasant, confiscated in early June of 1780 - apparently he foresaw this happening because he had already removed most of his slaves and personal belongings and took them to his brother, Henry's, home in Caswell County, NC. While there, he prepared his last will, naming his wife Mary and children, James, Daniel, John, Joseph, Mary, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and , Washington.
Colonel James Williams was the commanding officer of the South Carolina Militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. James was killed 07 Oct 1780 in the battle without knowing the battle is historically noted as the turning point in winning the war. He was unaware that "In late September or early October of 1780, Gov. John Rutledge commissioned Col. James Williams as a Brigadier General, thanks to his great service at the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18th, among other battles and skirmishes since then."
His last words to his sons James Jr, Daniel, John and Joseph who were with him in the battle were "for God's sakes boys do not give up the hill." The brothers concern was who was going to tell their mother.
He was buried on a hill near the intersection of Buffalo Creek and Broad River.
His death was unknown for several weeks and during that time the South Carolina Provincial Congress had promoted Col. James Williams to the rank of brigadier general; the commission could not be delivered.
In May of 1898 the remains of James Henderson Williams were found. They were exhumed and buried in the Berkley Park at Gaffney Cherokee County South Carolina. A monument was erected over his grave to honor his service.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, born November 10, 1740, Old Fork Church, Hanover County, Virginia, died during the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, in Gaston County, North Carolina.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, was son of Daniel WILLIAMS, 1710-1759, and of his wife, Ursula HENDERSON, 1709-1765. He was orphaned in his youth, travelled from Virginia to North Carolina, moving into the home of his brother, [Colonel] John WILLIAMS, a lawyer, then living in Granville County, North Carolina. John ensured his brother, James, received a basic but good education before James set out on his own.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, married 1762, Granville County, North Carolina, Mary Clark WALLACE. Mary Clark WALLACE WILLIAMS CALDWELL, born 1743, died 1804. By 1773, they migrated from Granville County, North Carolina and pioneered along the Little River in the area known then as Ninety-six District, in South Carolina. He started a farm, built a mill and was a local merchant. He moved to a plantation called Mt. Pleasant, settling on the Edgefield District side of Mud Creek; today, this area in which he settled is known as Laurens County.
He was of the Presbyterian faith, and was an elder of Little River Presbyterian Church, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
James served as one of the representatives of South Carolina in the First Provincial Congress held in Charleston on January 11, 1775. He also represented in the Second Provincial Congress November 1, 1775, and March 26, 1776. He was appointed Justice of the Peace March 36, 1776 through April 11, 1776, and was a member of the local Council of Safety.
He served in the local militia, where in 1775, he became Captain. At the Siege of Ninety-Six, Capt. James H. WILLIAMS watched the loyalist forces surrender under a white flag. By 1776, as tensions grew in the back country of the colony, local militia units became increasingly divided between Loyalist and Patriot factions, Williams was named Lt. Colonel of a militia regiment. James was a patriot whereas many of his neighbors supported the Loyalist position. He identified, recruited and trained his men, successfully organizing a militia group. During the campaign against the pro-British Cherokees, his militia group was encircled and suffered deadly fire. His unit was then ordered to Florida to fight a Tory force there, suffering from heat, hunger, thirst and disease and had to turn back.
Lt. Colonel Williams led his body of men into action at The Battle of Stono Ferry, Briar Creek, and as far afield into expeditions against Savannah, Georgia.
On August 19, 1780, after the disaster of Camden, he led his detachment into the engagements of the Battle of Musgrove Mill where their success earned him a promotion to Colonel.
Williams led a 100 man detachment from his Little River Regiment to meet other militia detachments in pursuit of Cornwallis' western force, led by Major Patrick Ferguson. He joined other militia units at Cowpens on October 6, 1780. The next day he joined them in the major American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain where patriots overwhelmed an 1,110 man force, losing only twenty-eight killed. According to eyewitness accounts, Colonel James Henderson Williams was mortally wounded, October 7, 1780, after the enemy raised the white flag. Before he died, Williams was carried by horse 12 miles before dying in the arms of his son, Daniel WILLIAMS, on the banks of the Broad River near the mouth of Buffalo Creek.
Initially buried at this location, in 1910, his remains were transferred and re-interred to a vault at the Carnegie Library, also known as the Cherokee County Administration Building, on North Limestone Street, Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. A prestigious memorial marker with a bronze tablet was placed over the vault and surmounted by two small cannons procured by Senator Benjamin TILLMAN, in 1917. Today, there is a large monument erected for James Henderson Williams at King's Mountain National Battlefield.
Under the South Carolina Provincial Congress, Williams was to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General for his victory at Musgrove Mill, but he died from his battle wounds during the American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, before the commission could be delivered.
In November, 1781, "Bloody Bill CUNNINGHAM" took over his plantation house at Mount Pleasant, and moved James's widow, Mary, and her children to a barn behind the house to live in. He later hung and disembowled two of their children, sons, Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, and Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, along with about 14 other patriots in the Haye's Station Massacre on Edgehill Plantation, in Laurens County. A mass grave marks the site where these American patriots were hacked to death.
In 2005, the South Carolina General assembly confirmed the rank originally bestowed upon him some 225 years prior. In the same act, General James Williams was further honored by renaming the Little River Bridge, "James Williams Memorial Bridge" marking the northeast corner of his original plantation.
Children of this marriage include:
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Major Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgehill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54698849;
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgefill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54699679;
daughter, Mary WILLIAMS, 1769-1828, md. her first cousin, James Atwood I WILLIAMS, 1767-1816; to their marriage, eight (8) children are known;
daughter, Elizabeth WILLIAMS, -1807, died Musgrove Mills, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 28175606; md. John GRIFFIN; md. James TINSLEY;
son, John WILLIAMS, d. 1794; reputed (not verified) to have died of poisioning at the close of the American Revolutionary War while on business in Virginia;
daughter, Sarah WILLIAMS, md. James TINSLEY;
son, James II WILLIAMS, d. 1832;
son, James Washington WILLIAMS, 1777-1829, buried Williams-Nance Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 66502333; md. February 2, 1797, Sarah GRIFFIN, 1778-1849, buried Williams-nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 81900012, daughter of Richard I GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, and Nancy Ann 'Anna' Clarke, 1740-1794;
∼James Henderson Williams Sr was born 10 Nov 1740 in Granville North Carolina Colony. He married Mary Clark Wallace in 1762 in Granville North Carolina Colony. Mary was the daughter of William Wallace and Hannah Woods; she was born 1742 in Augusta Virginia Colony. James migrated with his family to the Ninety-Six District South Carolina Colony in 1770. James was a major figure in the Revolutionary War. James Williams had his plantation, Mount Pleasant, confiscated in early June of 1780 - apparently he foresaw this happening because he had already removed most of his slaves and personal belongings and took them to his brother, Henry's, home in Caswell County, NC. While there, he prepared his last will, naming his wife Mary and children, James, Daniel, John, Joseph, Mary, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and , Washington.
Colonel James Williams was the commanding officer of the South Carolina Militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. James was killed 07 Oct 1780 in the battle without knowing the battle is historically noted as the turning point in winning the war. He was unaware that "In late September or early October of 1780, Gov. John Rutledge commissioned Col. James Williams as a Brigadier General, thanks to his great service at the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18th, among other battles and skirmishes since then."
His last words to his sons James Jr, Daniel, John and Joseph who were with him in the battle were "for God's sakes boys do not give up the hill." The brothers concern was who was going to tell their mother.
He was buried on a hill near the intersection of Buffalo Creek and Broad River.
His death was unknown for several weeks and during that time the South Carolina Provincial Congress had promoted Col. James Williams to the rank of brigadier general; the commission could not be delivered.
In May of 1898 the remains of James Henderson Williams were found. They were exhumed and buried in the Berkley Park at Gaffney Cherokee County South Carolina. A monument was erected over his grave to honor his service.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, was son of Daniel WILLIAMS, 1710-1759, and of his wife, Ursula HENDERSON, 1709-1765. He was orphaned in his youth, travelled from Virginia to North Carolina, moving into the home of his brother, [Colonel] John WILLIAMS, a lawyer, then living in Granville County, North Carolina. John ensured his brother, James, received a basic but good education before James set out on his own.
James Henderson WILLIAMS, 1740-1780, married 1762, Granville County, North Carolina, Mary Clark WALLACE. Mary Clark WALLACE WILLIAMS CALDWELL, born 1743, died 1804. By 1773, they migrated from Granville County, North Carolina and pioneered along the Little River in the area known then as Ninety-six District, in South Carolina. He started a farm, built a mill and was a local merchant. He moved to a plantation called Mt. Pleasant, settling on the Edgefield District side of Mud Creek; today, this area in which he settled is known as Laurens County.
He was of the Presbyterian faith, and was an elder of Little River Presbyterian Church, in Laurens County, South Carolina.
James served as one of the representatives of South Carolina in the First Provincial Congress held in Charleston on January 11, 1775. He also represented in the Second Provincial Congress November 1, 1775, and March 26, 1776. He was appointed Justice of the Peace March 36, 1776 through April 11, 1776, and was a member of the local Council of Safety.
He served in the local militia, where in 1775, he became Captain. At the Siege of Ninety-Six, Capt. James H. WILLIAMS watched the loyalist forces surrender under a white flag. By 1776, as tensions grew in the back country of the colony, local militia units became increasingly divided between Loyalist and Patriot factions, Williams was named Lt. Colonel of a militia regiment. James was a patriot whereas many of his neighbors supported the Loyalist position. He identified, recruited and trained his men, successfully organizing a militia group. During the campaign against the pro-British Cherokees, his militia group was encircled and suffered deadly fire. His unit was then ordered to Florida to fight a Tory force there, suffering from heat, hunger, thirst and disease and had to turn back.
Lt. Colonel Williams led his body of men into action at The Battle of Stono Ferry, Briar Creek, and as far afield into expeditions against Savannah, Georgia.
On August 19, 1780, after the disaster of Camden, he led his detachment into the engagements of the Battle of Musgrove Mill where their success earned him a promotion to Colonel.
Williams led a 100 man detachment from his Little River Regiment to meet other militia detachments in pursuit of Cornwallis' western force, led by Major Patrick Ferguson. He joined other militia units at Cowpens on October 6, 1780. The next day he joined them in the major American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain where patriots overwhelmed an 1,110 man force, losing only twenty-eight killed. According to eyewitness accounts, Colonel James Henderson Williams was mortally wounded, October 7, 1780, after the enemy raised the white flag. Before he died, Williams was carried by horse 12 miles before dying in the arms of his son, Daniel WILLIAMS, on the banks of the Broad River near the mouth of Buffalo Creek.
Initially buried at this location, in 1910, his remains were transferred and re-interred to a vault at the Carnegie Library, also known as the Cherokee County Administration Building, on North Limestone Street, Gaffney, Cherokee County, South Carolina. A prestigious memorial marker with a bronze tablet was placed over the vault and surmounted by two small cannons procured by Senator Benjamin TILLMAN, in 1917. Today, there is a large monument erected for James Henderson Williams at King's Mountain National Battlefield.
Under the South Carolina Provincial Congress, Williams was to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General for his victory at Musgrove Mill, but he died from his battle wounds during the American victory at the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, before the commission could be delivered.
In November, 1781, "Bloody Bill CUNNINGHAM" took over his plantation house at Mount Pleasant, and moved James's widow, Mary, and her children to a barn behind the house to live in. He later hung and disembowled two of their children, sons, Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, and Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, along with about 14 other patriots in the Haye's Station Massacre on Edgehill Plantation, in Laurens County. A mass grave marks the site where these American patriots were hacked to death.
In 2005, the South Carolina General assembly confirmed the rank originally bestowed upon him some 225 years prior. In the same act, General James Williams was further honored by renaming the Little River Bridge, "James Williams Memorial Bridge" marking the northeast corner of his original plantation.
Children of this marriage include:
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Major Daniel WILLIAMS, 1763-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgehill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54698849;
son, American Revolutionary War Veteran Joseph WILLIAMS, 1767-1781, buried mass grave, Haye's Station, Edgefill Plantation, (today) Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 54699679;
daughter, Mary WILLIAMS, 1769-1828, md. her first cousin, James Atwood I WILLIAMS, 1767-1816; to their marriage, eight (8) children are known;
daughter, Elizabeth WILLIAMS, -1807, died Musgrove Mills, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 28175606; md. John GRIFFIN; md. James TINSLEY;
son, John WILLIAMS, d. 1794; reputed (not verified) to have died of poisioning at the close of the American Revolutionary War while on business in Virginia;
daughter, Sarah WILLIAMS, md. James TINSLEY;
son, James II WILLIAMS, d. 1832;
son, James Washington WILLIAMS, 1777-1829, buried Williams-Nance Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 66502333; md. February 2, 1797, Sarah GRIFFIN, 1778-1849, buried Williams-nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens District, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 81900012, daughter of Richard I GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, and Nancy Ann 'Anna' Clarke, 1740-1794;
∼James Henderson Williams Sr was born 10 Nov 1740 in Granville North Carolina Colony. He married Mary Clark Wallace in 1762 in Granville North Carolina Colony. Mary was the daughter of William Wallace and Hannah Woods; she was born 1742 in Augusta Virginia Colony. James migrated with his family to the Ninety-Six District South Carolina Colony in 1770. James was a major figure in the Revolutionary War. James Williams had his plantation, Mount Pleasant, confiscated in early June of 1780 - apparently he foresaw this happening because he had already removed most of his slaves and personal belongings and took them to his brother, Henry's, home in Caswell County, NC. While there, he prepared his last will, naming his wife Mary and children, James, Daniel, John, Joseph, Mary, William, Sarah, Elizabeth and , Washington.
Colonel James Williams was the commanding officer of the South Carolina Militia at the Battle of Kings Mountain in North Carolina. James was killed 07 Oct 1780 in the battle without knowing the battle is historically noted as the turning point in winning the war. He was unaware that "In late September or early October of 1780, Gov. John Rutledge commissioned Col. James Williams as a Brigadier General, thanks to his great service at the battle of Musgrove's Mill on August 18th, among other battles and skirmishes since then."
His last words to his sons James Jr, Daniel, John and Joseph who were with him in the battle were "for God's sakes boys do not give up the hill." The brothers concern was who was going to tell their mother.
He was buried on a hill near the intersection of Buffalo Creek and Broad River.
His death was unknown for several weeks and during that time the South Carolina Provincial Congress had promoted Col. James Williams to the rank of brigadier general; the commission could not be delivered.
In May of 1898 the remains of James Henderson Williams were found. They were exhumed and buried in the Berkley Park at Gaffney Cherokee County South Carolina. A monument was erected over his grave to honor his service.
Inscription
"Col. James Williams / Hero of the Battle of
Kings Mountain / 1780 / Erected by
Daniel Morgan Chapter D.A.R. / 1917"
Family Members
Siblings
