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BIOGRAPHY
Died from Pneumonia.
James E. Williams was born circa 1817/1818 in Illinois, parents and siblings unknown at this time.
First documents located in TX on James is his Republic of TX land grant. Located in Fannin Co., he states in court when he proved the grant that he arrived in TX in December of 1840. The papers in this file are very confusing.
When he first applied in 1841, it was stated as a Class 3 headright with 320 acres, meaning he had arrived in TX prior to Jan. of 1840 and was a single man. Several times during the transition of the documents, they switch back and forth between Class 3 with 320 acres and a Class 4 with 640 acres. The 640 acres may be explained by James marrying Nancy (Hart) Chenoweth (circa 1842) but the Class 3 to Class 4 has me stumped. Why change the dates as such? I thought possibly he had made a mistake at first, but then they do keep switching back and forth. Then my friend up in Arkansas made a huge discovery for me. From an Arkansas history county book, she found a sketch on a "Thomas J. GARDNER", who also received a TX land grant.
His was proven in 1844, and a James Williams witnessed that Thomas Gardner had been in TX since Dec. of 1839. Voila! How could my James witness Thomas being in TX since 1839 if he wasn' t there himself? Now, this Thomas Gardner stays right near James throughout his stay in TX.. In 1850 they are both in the Milam/Williamson Co., Census. On a Bell Co., land document (see below) an Ellis Gardner witnessed for James. Ellis was Thomas Gardner's son. When James left TX, he sold some of his property to Thomas J. Gardner. I am now under the impression that my James arrived in TX PRIOR to Dec. of 1839. Which sheds a new light on the Class 3/Class 4 land grant of James. Why on earth would he scrib about his arrival dates in the Republic of TX? And how do I prove he was there previously? Tax records? There is a James Williams listed on an 1842 Lamar Co., tax roll, and Thomas Gardner was listed on an 1846 Lamar Co., tax roll. Perhaps they were in Lamar? Further research in this area is needed. And why the close ties between James and the Gardners?
Approximately 1846, James appears in the Milam County, Texas area. The Milam Courthouse burned to the ground in 1874, thereby destroying most documents available, although a few have been located as follows:
He first appears in Milam Co., TX, on the 'tax rolls' for 1846, listed as having no land property, one negro worth $515.00, 10 horses worth $400.00, 20 cattle worth $192.00, one wagon worth $200.00, total value $1,307.00. Taxed $1.00 and $3.42.
He also appears in Milam Co., TX, on record, on 23 Oct. 1847 purchasing 320 acres of land from a William Armstrong located in Milam County, for the price of $60.00. This land deed was witnessed by a John R. Beck.
The 1847 tax rolls for Milam County show James E. Williams, owning horses and cattle, one Negro, and paid $3.42 in taxes. This roll also lists Reuben Queen with 2 Negroes in Milam Co.
James next appears in Milam County, TX when he signed the petition to the governor of the State of TX, requesting a section of Milam Co., be turned into Williamson County. This petition was circulated and dated 2 February 1848. He resided in this area, along with his future father-in-law, Reuben Queen. James and Reubens' signatures are just a few apart on the petition. Other signatures on this petition were Elias Queen, Josiah Hart (James' wife Nancy's brother), Samuel Hart, Joseph Bishop, Evan Williams, G. T. Williams. (This George T. Williams stays right close to James throughout his stay in TX. In Bell Co., both James and George T. purchased land from Matilda F. Connell headright, living as neighbors while in Bell Co.)
James E. Williams was a Stock Raiser and a farmer while he lived inTexas. In 1848 he registered his cattle brand with the County of Williamson.
The 1850 federal census shows James as following:
1850, Milam County, Milam & Williamson District, TX fed. census,household #424
Williams, James E., age 32, born IL, farmer, 2 slaves
Williams, Nancy, age 45, born KY
Beck, Nancy A., age 2, born TX
In an index for original land purchases/patents, the following names have been located in Fannin Co. Dates of some of these documents are unknown at this time:
James E. Williams, #1169 & #1176
Eli Williams, # 1205 & #1206
Keelan Williams, # 1171 & 1172
Francis E. Williams, #1195 & 1196
Thomas Williams, #1201 & 1202
Hansford Williams, #1167 & 1168
James C. Williams, #1173 (he only was listed once). (son of ThomasWilliams)
E. L. Stickney #1013 (He was an attorney in Bell Co. when James E. Williams & John Beck were going at it in court!!)
John BECK, #73 & 84 (James' wife Nancy Hart's son in law)
MARTIN HART, #464 (Nancy Hart Williams' nephew)
John Hart, #474 & 529 (Nancy Hart's brother)
Josiah Hart #492 & 489 (Nancy Hart's brother)
Hardin Hart #463 (Nancy Hart's nephew)
Silas Hart #490 (Nancy Hart's brother)
Free L. Hart #516 & 1308 (Nancy Hart's nephew)
Merideth Hart #526 (*Nancy Hart's nephew)
A J Hart #507 (Nancy's nephew)
Nancy Chenowith/Chenoworth (head of household) (This is Nancy (Hart)Chenoweth Williams)
Through copies of my James Eden Williams' land grants and Nancy (Hart) Chenoweth Williams' land grants, we discovered that Nancy Hart married Hardin T. Chenoweth in KY. They had one daughter named Lavinia, who married John Beck. Nancy and Hardin divorced. Nancy and my James married between 1841-1843, no marriage entry located. Assume they were in Fannin/Hunt/Lamar area. 1843 found a power of atty signed by Nancy giving James her rights, located in Henderson Co., TX. Possibly on their way down to Milam at that time, they were already married. Nancy was 13 years older than James. John and Lavinia (Chenoweth) Beck had a daughter named Nancy Ann Beck in Oct. 1847, with Lavinia dying a few days later. For whatever reason, this baby Nancy ended up in my James Williams' household for the 1850 census. Baby Nancy Ann Beck was Nancy (Hart) Williams' granddaughter, and my James' step-granddaughter.
Then from Collin Co., TX, the following land docs have been located, no dates:
William B. Williams, Grafton Williams, Silvester Williams, James H. Williams, D. W. Williams, Martin Hart, Caleb Hart, Merideth Hart, John Hart, Manly Beck, Sanford Beck, Samuel Queen, Jeremiah Queen.
From Bell Co., TX the following land docs, no dates:
Henry Williams, Samuel M. Williams, William Williams, Joseph Williams, John B. Williams, Young Williams, Hezekiah Williams, Stephen Williams, Henry Stickney, Nancy Chance, Nancy Ferguson, and Nancy Sims.
Land documents located in Bell Co., TX:
#1: State of TX, County of Bell, James P. Warnick/Warnock selling land to a John Williams for $250, "land described as a Pattent #310, Vol. 9, issued by P. H. Bell (Governor) on the fifteenth day of Feb. to me as aportion of the headright to which I am Entitled by virtue of Citizenship...", Dated 26 day of Feb. 1837. Witnesses John Fulcher and E. Lawrence Stickney.
#2: Dated 19 day of November 1850 between the County Commissioners of Bell County, State of TX, of the one part and Archibald Mc ____, William Litchinal, and James E. Williams, Trustees in Trust for the uses and purposes herein after mentioned, all of the County of Bell, witneseth that the said County Commissioners of Bell County have given granted and confirmed and conveyed and by these presents doth give... unto them the said Trustees and their successors Trustees in part for the use and purposes herein after mentioned all the estate right, title, intent property claim and demand whatsoever either in Law or equity...a certain Lot or parcel of Land situated lying and being in the Town of Nolandsville in the County of Bell bounded as follows....that they shall erect and build thereon a house or place of Worship for the use of the Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South Providence. That if the said Trustees or either of them or their successors in office shall build a suitable house or place of Worship"
#3: State of TX, County of Bell: Joel D. Blair received $100 from James E. Williams of Bell Co., land in Bell Co., "being a portion of a survey of Land granted to said Matilda F. Connel l and bounded as follows...containing 20 acres of land. Dated 27 day of August, 1850. Witnesses were William Armstrong and E. Lawrence Stickney.
#4: State of TX, County of Bell, James E. Williams received $600 from John Dawson for 19 acres of land in Bell Co. "being a portion of a survey of Land granted to Matilda F. Connell and bounded as follows, beginning at a part on the west __ of the town tract from which a red oak bears.....". Dated 6th day of Sept. 1851, signed by James E. Williams, witnessed by Ellis M. G ardner and __ Supple. Applied for record on 31st of May 1852 and filed 4 Jun 1852 by E. La wrence Stickney, County Clerk of Bell Co.
#5: State of TX, County of Bell, James E. Williams of Bell Co. received $60 from T. H. Robert son of Bell Co., land in Bell Co. "and being a portion of a survey of Land granted to Matilda F. Connell and bounded as follows: Beginning 28 _ S. E. from the corner of said J. E. Williams survey from which a Red Oak bears...." one acre of land. Signed 22 Dayof May 1851. (Signatures & witnesses missing on this copy).
Probate Court Records located in Bell Co., TX for 1852 on Nancy Williams,James' wife from the above census. In October of 1850, Nancy produced her last will and testament, leaving her " loving husband" James E.Williams as administrator of her Estate for the love and care of her infant Granddaughter, Nancy Ann Beck, and Nancy's two slaves, Rhoda and her son David. Several pages of probate papers have been recieved, showing that John R. Beck contested the administration of this will, and begged the court to give him custody of the two slaves, never mentioning the little 2 year old girl Nancy. James was awarded custody of Nancy Ann Beck and the two slaves.
John Beck and wife Amanda also appear on the same 1850 census, just a few houses down from James. James has been located several times on tax rolls as being designated Trustee for Nancy A . Beck and her two slaves.
The Reuben Queen family is listed on the 1850 census as follows. Notice Huldah is listed with surname 'Davis'. Huldah was married to a Mr. Abram Davis while in AR with her family, circa 1843. She bore two daughters in AR, Mary who was born in 1844 and Laura who was born in 1846. Mr. Davis does not appear in TX, Huldah and two daughters are living with her parents. It is not known yet whom this Mr. Davis was, whether he died or they divorced back in AR.
1850 Williamson Co., Milam & Williamson District census, dwelling #100:
Reuben Queen, age 64, farmer, b. NC, has 2 slaves
Mary, wife, age 61, b. NC
Huldah Davis, daugh., age 23, b. Tn.
Mary J. Davis, age 6, born AR
Laura A. Davis, age 4, born AR
William Queen, age 57, Farmer, born NC
James is located on records in Bell County, TX during the years of 1850 & 1851.
Bell County was formed off of Milam County, just as Williamson County was, and borders to the north of these. The 1851 Tax Roll List for Bell County lists James with the following:
WILLIAMS, James E. : 20 acres @ $100. (Matilda F. Connel, Original Grantee) on Nolans, 1 poll. Total Value personal property $260.00.
WILLIAMS, James E.: Trustee of the Property of Nancy Ann BECK (Minor),no poll. Total value personal property $800.00 (note: this would have been the current value of Nancy's two slaves).
James also appears in a book entitled "History of Bell County" by Geo. W. Tyler (located in TX State Archives, Austin, TX, #976.4287, T971) as follows on pg. 128:
4. The Probate Court
Another function of the Chief Justice was to serve as judge of theProbate Court of the county. The first term of the Probate Court of Bell County was held on the fourth Monday in November (Nov. 25th), 1850. Tradition says that this also occurred in Judge Danley's blacksmith shop on the East Water Street in Nolanville. One can imagine that the Probate Docket lay spread out upon the anvil. The record is:
"Present-Hon. John Danley, Chief Justice; Jas. E. Williams, Deputy Sheriff; John C. Reid, Clerk. No business presenting itself, the Court adjourned."
So it appears that James E. Williams was serving in the capacity of a Deputy Sheriff in November of 1850 in the Nolanville, Bell County area. Continuing research in this area is being conducted.
On the 22nd of December, 1851, James sold his 320 acres (located originally in Milam County, which changed to Williamsom County, to a Thomas J. Gardner. This land deed was witnessed by Reuben Queen, Huldah's father. It is assumed that Huldah and James had been married just previous to this date. On the same day, 22nd of December, 1851, Reuben Queen sold 300 acres of his land in Williamson County to James S. Bourland. Possibly at this time James and Huldah lived on Reuben's property for their remaining stay in Texas. Reuben sold the remaining parcel of property that he owned on 7th October, 1853. It is assumed that Reuben, James, Huldah and baby Milam left Williamson County area at this time, headed west.
Reuben is located in Lampasas County, TX in the 1860 census, living near several of his children. Possibly James and Huldah settled with Reuben there before continuing on to CA in January of 1854.
(Note: The above paragraph needs to be reworded somewhat, due to new discoveries. Huldah and James married circa March of 1852. After James sold his land in Williamson Co., he still owned land in Bell Co., on which they could live.)
Milam Williams was James and Huldah's first born child, born on 12 Dec.1852. Due to his name, it has been assumed that he was born in Milam County, although land documents show that James and Huldah were actually living in Bell Co., at the time of Milam's birth. James did have close ties with Milam County, which still may be why his son was named Milam.
James, Huldah, and Huldah's two daughters (Mary and Laura) and son Milam left Texas circa January of 1854 and headed for CA. Milam was 13 months old at this time, Mary was 10 yrs. old, and Laura was 8. They travelled by wagon train through what is called the "Southern Emigrant Route". This trail originated in central Texas, travelled through El Paso, TX, through New Mexico Territory (Arizona was not a state yet), through Tucson, Ft. Yuma, into California near San Diego, then north culminating in El Monte.This trail, from central TX to El Monte, took about 8 months to travel by wagon. Normally several wagons would travel together. It is known that John R. Beck, wife Amanda and step-daughter Nancy were among the travellers, along with Isaac W. Williams, wife Mary, and their two sons. Isaac died in CA a couple of months before the 1860 census was taken, so just Mary and her two sons are listed. Relationship to Isaac Williams is still ongoing at this time, possibly a cousin to James. Other families that travelled with this train were William Davis (who was most likely a younger brother to Huldah's first husband Abram Davis), John Dunlap, Thomas Mahuron, William Walker, John C. Reid, Alexander Gleen, Moses and the Josiah Hart clan, and James R. Richards. All of these families were together in 1850 in Milam Co., TX, and together again in Tulare Co., CA in 1860.
END OF TEXAS INFO. THE REST IS AFTER THEY ARRIVE IN CALIFORNIA.********
James and Huldah Williams first settled in Tulare County, CA, circa 1857. (Still searching for records to fill in between Sep. 1854 and 1857, possibly in San Joaquin area). They lived in or very near the town of Visalia. In 1860, Laura Davis (James step-daughter) was married to Ezekial Ewing Calhoun at the age of 15. The family appears on the 1860 federal census, as follows:
-Tulare County, CA, pg. #2, dwelling #18, family #18, Township #2, PostOffice of Visalia
(enumerated in July of 1860)
James Williams, age 42, male, farmer, born in Illinois.
Hulda Williams, age 34, female, housekeeper, born in Tennessee.
Laura Williams, age 14, female, born in Arkansas (interesting she islisted here as a Williams , on marriage license as a Davis) attendingschool.
Meilim Williams, age 7, male, born in Texas, attending school.
James Williams, age 1, male, born in California.
Same census, different page #:
Beck, John, age 34, rancherro, born in Indiana.
Beck, Amanda, age 27, housekeeper, born AR.
Beck, Nancy, age 13, born TX (same girl as 1850 in James' household).
Beck, John, age 9, born TX.
Beck, Thomas, age 27, farmer, born Indiana.
Same census, pg. #22, #186/169:
Mary Williams, age 49, b. Tenn.
John W., age 24, teamster, b. AR.
William, age 15, laborer, b. AR.
Toucha, age 15, Male Indian, b. CA.
Cheneletch, age 16, male Indian, b. CA.
(Note: This family, with the addition of husband Isaac, is living near James in TX, so evidently they also travelled to CA with their party).
Page #33, #288/266:
William G. Rensell, age 35, millwright, b. Tenn.
Ezekial E. Calhoun, age 34, Lawyer, $700,$500, b. KY.
(This is just previous to his marriage to Laura Davis).
Notice the 6 year span between Milam and next born child, James. It is not known why this is, possibly some children died due to an epidemic? There are still three children missing in these files, evidently that had died. One possible child is a Henry Williams, listed on the CA 1860 Mortality Schedule right next to Isaac W. Williams' death. Isaac and wife were in their 50's, so I am assuming this Henry was James and Huldah's son. Listed as follows:
1860 Tulare Co Mortality Census
Williams, Henry 8/12 M, born in CA, died in March, Twp 1.
Williams, Isaac 54 M, born in Tn., died in March, occupation Teamster, Twp 1.
Then in approximately 1865, this Williams family settled in the Kern River Valley. In 1868 they moved up into the Tehachapi Mountains. James established a town there, called Williamsburg. Today this area of Tehachapi is called "Old Town".
Sketch from book "Tehachapi: The Formative Years" By Judy Barras, pg.28:
"HE CALLED IT WILLIAMSBURG"
"There they were. Living on scattered and isolated homesites from one end of the Tehachapi Valley to the other, the pioneer families settled down to farm, raise some cattle, and enjoy the life of the western frontier, as the area most certainly was in the 1860's. A few families found, explored and claimed land in Brite Valley, Cummings Valley, Bear Valley. There weren' t many, but those who came planned to stay.
There was no center of population, no attempt at community living, other than the schooling provided on an irregular basis at the little log schoolhouse in Brite Valley. Or the distribution of mail when someone occasionally traveled to Los Angeles or El Monte and brought it back with them. Or the constant demand for supplies which was met when John Brite and his friends made that long hourney to the southland.
It was inevitable. An enterprising individual had to enter the scene, see the potential commericial enterprise waiting to be tapped, and begin a town.
That man was James E. Williams.
Mr. Williams came to the Tehachapi Valley in 1867. By 1869 he had built a house on a large parcel of land to which he laid claim. It was surrounded by low-lying hills; higher mountains framed a backdrop. Black oaks dotted the terrain, just waiting to shade and comfort other frame houses and act as climbing trees and forts for children. Water was abundant. Brite Creek flowed swiftly over the land; springs found their way out of the mountainside; a lake was nearby.
It was in 1869 that James Williams built the first commercial establishment in the Tehachapi Valley. At first it was known as the Williams Hotel, but in later years was called The Mountain House. The town he envisioned, he called Williamsburg. Williams wasted no time; he surveyed a town site. He certainly looked to future growth. The names of three streets are known. The main street on which his hotel was located was Bullion Street. A street cornering it was Tehachipa Street. And at the other end of the block the corner was Main Street.
During the first years of Williams' grand dream a marked increase in population took place. An interest in Kern County government was early and active. Politics, always fair game for men,................The blacksmith shop and wagon shop were owned by Mr. Williams. And by this time Brite's schoolhous was no more. A new building was erected on the outskirts of the town, and was a public and tax supported county institution after the incorporation of Kern County in 1866 .
In December of 1872 another man traveled through the Tehachapi Valley. His impression was prophetic of, as well as more sympathetic toward the community as a whole. His letter to the Havilah Miner printed on the 28th said:
"...several other business establishments are in contemplation. This place occupies a commanding position, not ony to the Owens River road, but to what will eventually be the greatest grain growing portion of the county. The people of this part of the county are very hopeful and appear to be alive to the prosperous future that connot possibly escape them."
The future was there. James Williams' great dream for Williamsburg was about to come true.
On 28 May 1869, James and Huldah had a son named Andrew. Andrew drowned at age 1 yr, 1 mo, 3 days on 28 May 1870. His obituary appears in the newspaper "Kern Co. Weekly Courier" on June 14, 1870 as follows:
DIED. Drowned on the 28th of May, 1870, at 2 o'clock PM, ANDREW, infant son of James E. and Huldah Williams of Tehachepi, aged 1 year, 1 month and 3 days.
1870, Kern County, Tehachepi, page #52 CA fed. census, lists:
(Note: Surname/First name switched on this family)
JAMES, William, age 53, male, white, born Illinois, $1,500.00 personalproperty listed.
James, Hilda, age 44, female, white, born Tennessee.
James, Milliam, age 17, male, white, born Texas.
James, James, age 10, male, white, born CA.
James, Jefferson D., age 8, male, white, born CA.
James, Sierra Nevada, age 6, female, white, born CA.
James, George, age 4, male, white, born CA.
Several land documents from the Kern Co. courthouse have been located as follows. Still searching for documents of how James and Hulda originally acquired this land that these documents show they are selling.
This first document is worded rather strangely: "Known all men by these present that I, James E. Williams of Williamsburg, Kern County, State of CA, for and consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me this day in hand paid, hereby agree and bind myself, my heirs to execute and deliver to Richard A. Rison, his hiers or assignors a good and sufficient deed to lots #two and #three, in Block #11, in the town of Williamsburg, Kern Co., State of CA, within a reasonable time after I may receive a title to the ground on which said town is located, either from the S.R.R. or from the Government of the United States. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 18th day of Aug. AD 1873". Signed James E. Williams.
A document dated 22 Nov 1874 between James E. Williams of the town ofWilliamsburg of first part, and E. Green of same place second part, sum of One Dollar, lot of ground lying in the town of Williamsburg commencing at a point on Bullion St. 50 feet from the N.E. corner of Block #14,thence along the said street westerly 50 feet, thence at right angle south westerly 100 feet, thence at right angle easterly 50 feet, thencein a direct line 100 feet to the place of beginning, being the lot on which the Dry Goods Store of Green & Hinslefelt (?) now stands. Witnessed by E. E. Calhoun, Deputy County Clerk.
Two documents both dated 27 July 1876, between James E. Williams of the first part and Elizabeth A. Butts of the second part. (Elizabeth was mother of James Alexander Butts, who two years later on 16 Dec 1874 married a sister of Mary Jane Wilson that married Milam Williams; Elizabeth was wife of A H. Butts). Both deeds were transacted for One Dollar only, and each contained certain lots of land, one of them "Lots Number One and Two of Block number 13 in the Town of Williamsburg or Tehachipa, a part of Section 13 in Twp. 32, south of Range 32 East. Said Lot #1 fronts 50 feet on Bullion St. and runs back 100 feet along Tehahipa St. to Lot #2 which runs back from said lot #1 along said Tehachipa Street a distance of 100 feet to the corner of the block and is also 50 feet in width." The second was "Lots #1, 4, 5, and 8 of block #12 in t he Town of Williamsburg or Tehachipa, each of said Lots being 100 feet in depth and fronting a distance of 60 feet on Bullion St. in said Town. Being a part of Section 13 of Twp. 32, South Range 32 East".
At the very bottom of each of these documents is written: "A full and correct copy of the original recorded at request of E. E. Calhoun Dec. 19th AD 1876", which was 4 days after James had died.
Another document is Deed #4036 from the SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY to Huldah. Land described as follows: The south west quarter of section #13 in Twp 32 south of Range 32 east Mount Diablo base and meridian containing 160 acres according to the United States Surveyors, together with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto appertaining and belonging: Excepting and reserving all liablility on the part of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for taxes thereon since Oct. 22,1884, the said purchaser having heretofore agreed with said Co. to pay the same and also reserving all claim of the U.S. to said tract as mineral land. The document basically reads:
"The So. Pac. RR Co....land which remained unsold on the first day ofApril 1875......the said RR Co. contracted to sell the lands hereinafter described to Mrs. Huldah Williams for the sum of $640, which has been fully paid........ therefore in consideration of the premises and the said sum of $640, the said So. Pac. RR Co. do grant bargain, sell and convey to Mrs. Huldah Snell, formerly Mrs. Huldah Williams and to her heirs and assigns, the following described tract of land.......Tohave and to hold the aforesaid premises to the said Mrs. Huldah Snell, formerly Mrs. Huldah Williams....forever. In testimony whereof, the said So. Pac, RR Co. has caused these presents to be signed by its Vice President and Secretary this 27th day of Feb 1892.
State of CA, City and Co. of San Francisco: On this 27 day of Feb in the year 1892.......
Recording requested by W. H. Inapp on March 7 1892.
NOTE: THIS IS THE SAME LAND DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDS THAT JAMES E. WILLIAMS WAS SELLING PREVIOUS TO HIS DEATH. James must have acquired the land from the RR, but not received the deed previous to his death, Huldah receiving it after his death.
James E. Williams died unexpectedly on 15 December, 1876 in Tehachapi from pneumonia. His grave has not been found.
Received letter from Judy Barras Lee, author of the books "The Long Road to Tehachapi", and "Tehachapi: The Formative Years". She states: "I'm quoting now from the Southern Californian, a newspaper of the period which is on microfilm in the main library at Bakersfield:
December 21, 1876: "The death of J. E. Williams at Tehachapi on Friday last was very sudden and unexpected. Mr. Williams settled in the Kern River Valley in 1865, and soon after moved to Tehachapi. He was well known and highly respected. The town of Williamsburg was founded by him and every interest of that growing section owes something to his spirit and enterprise. He leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss."
The January 6, 1877 issue of the Kern County Weekly Gazette has a description of Williams' death, but I did not make notes of it. If you contact the main branch of the Kern County Library, Historical Section, you might find someone there to help.
1880 federal census shows the following:
Kern County, Township of Tehachapi, dwelling #135, family #135:
Huldah Williams, white, female, age 53, occupation Midwife, born in Tenn.
Jeff Williams, white, male, age 18, occupation mail carrier, born in Ca.
Major Williams, white, male, age 14, born in CA, attending school.
Notice that the Major Williams on 1880 census and George Williams on 1870 census appear to be the same child.
A land deed with a Major L. Williams (residing in El Dorado Co., CA) selling land located in Kern County to Huldah Williams in 1883 shows that Huldah married her Mr. Snell sometime after that date. In 1883, child George/Major would only have been 17 years old. It is speculated that the Major L. Williams up in El Dorado County may have been a brother to James E. Williams, rather than his son. 17 years old is a bit young to be living in a seperate county than your mother, with land in your name to sell.
Marriage Certificate located on Huldah Williams and Ansel Snell in KernCo. courthouse, dated 25 July 1885. Milam Sr. had his son, Milam Ansel, on 14 Jul 1886, almost one full year later. Milam Sr. must have greatly respected the man his mother remarried and gave his namesake Ansel's name as a middle name.
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