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Contributor's Attic

Contributor's Attic



NANCY (WILLIAMS) HARPER


John M. Harper (1794-1839) was born in Christian Co Ky and Nancy (Williams) Harper (1790-1869) was born in Tn. 

 They were married in 1818 in TN (same time frame as Nancy sister Jane, in 1815) and came to Missouri in 1827 a few years after John and Jane "Jennie" (Williams) Tally.

 John & Nancy Harper were in Cooper County, Missouri two years before moving to Pike County, Missouri where they lived for five years before coming to Benton County, Missouri.  John was a blacksmith and farmer but died at age 45 years, leaving his widow Nancy with nine children.  A large inventory of blacksmith tools was listed in the settlement of his estate.  Nancy did not remarry.

 Children of John M. & Nancy (Williams) Harper were:

 1- Carrol, who is reported to have lived in Illinois; no record has been found in Missouri.

 2- Harvey Green Harper (1821-1887) who lived in St Clair County, Missouri.

3- Elijah Leman Harper (1823-1891),  buried at Iconium Cemetery in St. Clair County, Missouri.

4- Elizabeth Harper Wright (1826-1910) who  lived and died in Holt County, Missouri.
 ( Wrights were in the Bunch/Tally Families)

5- James M. Harper (1829-1875). He must have had a son James M. Harper who married a Lula in 1902.

6- Mary Jane (Harper) Murray Breashers (1831-1880) who was first married to Thomas Murray who disappeared in the CA Gold Fields, and later married Alex Breashers.

7- John Thompson Harper (1833-1896).

8- Jacob Talley Harper (1835-1892).
(John’s younger brother Jacob Talley is buried in Jackson County, Alabama)

9- George W. Harper (1839-1925).

More research is needed for possible family connections:
Wright, Thompson, Layman/Leman, Williams. 

Submitted by John Corbin
February 2009

 ELIJAH WILLIAMS, Sr.


Many of the Coves in Franklin County, Tennessee have the names of the early settlers, and WILLIAMS COVE is no exception. The fertile lands are found in these coves and in the valley of the Elk River and its tributaries.

According to Franklin County History and the family history of Sherrod Williams, of Franklin County, “Five WILLIAMS brothers came from Wales to Virginia. All served in the Revolutionary War.”

Possibly Elijah was one of these brothers, but lack proof. This IS probably true because of the similarity in family names, property in close proximity, marriages, etc.

The majority of this information on Elijah Williams, Sr. has been sent by Dr. John Copenhaver, (another descendent) who has diligently researched our ancestor.

ELIJAH WILLIAMS was born around 1760 in Pittsylvania, Virginia. His father may have been named "ELISHA". Two “Elishas” are listed in the 1790 Census for Virginia.

One researcher says Elisha Williams IS the father of Elijah Sr. and grandfather of our JANE (WILLIAMS) TALLY and has the line back to early 1600’s, but no documentation given for proof.

Elijah Williams is listed in a VA. Census Personal Property Taxes for 1787 List B, in Pittsylvania, VA. He is taxed for one animal.

ELIJAH married the 26th of June 1791 in Virginia in Frederick County, VA Elizabeth Hayes. (No documentation)

A Deed for ELIJAH, Sr. was found in the possession of Elijah Williams, Jr. (brother of JANE WILLIAMS who married JOHN TALLY)- dated, 6 November 1794, for 175 acres on Cascade Creek in Pittsylvania County, VA. This land was sold the 21 September1795, to Joseph G. Gilliam. The Deed was signed by Elijah and Elizabeth (her mark) and proved by witnesses.

CHILDREN (known) of Elijah & Elizabeth (Hayes?) Williams:

 1. JANE “Jennie” WILLIAMS—born ca 1792 in Georgia, (or maybe Alabama or Tennessee???)- married-- JOHN TALLY on 20 June 1815 in Tennessee (only Bible documentation and history books- probably Franklin County, but unknown). Died the 2nd of September 1861 in St. Clair County, MO. Buried in family plot west of old TALLY cabin in St. Clair County, MO.

2.Nancy Rebecca Williams-born- 10 February 1798 in TN. Died 30 March 1869 Hickory County, MO. Buried in Harper Cemetery, Hickory County, MO. Nancy married John Moore HARPER (born  28 February 1794 Near Hopkinsville, Kentucky Logan/Christian County, KY) in 1818.

Children of Nancy Rebecca WILLIAMS & John Moore HARPER:

Betsey HARPER
William Carroll HARPER (born 1819/1820 TN; died in IL)
Harvey Greene HARPER (born 28 January 1822  East TN; died 1887 MO)
Elijah Leamon HARPER (born 1827/1828 TN)
John Thompson HARPER (born 1833 MO; died 1896 MO)
Jacob Talley HARPER (born 28 Feb 1835 St. Clair County, MO; died 4 September 1892)
George Westerfield HARPER (born 1839 St. Clair /Benton Co., MO)
Mary Jane HARPER (born MO; died 1880)
 James HARPER (born about 1829; died between 1870/1880)

Per "History of St. Clair County, page 1044:
The Bethel Baptist Church of Polk Township is the oldest church reorganization in the county and was for years the only church for many miles around. It was first organized on April 29, 1837 by Rev. Elijah Williams (brother of Nancy Williams Harper) and Rev. Hiram Savage.
It is located in the northern part of the township and had an old log cabin as its first place of worship, outside of the cabins of the members. The original members of this church were: William OWSLEY, (brother of Robert Owsley - father of Emmanuel - per Dee K. Owsley),  Enoch Cyrus, Rebecca Cyrus, Harvey Harper, Francis OWSLEY, Abraham C. Nowell, JOHN M. HARPER, NANCY HARPER, Mary Carr, Sarah Perkins, Bird Estes, Mary Estes, Elizabeth Commons, Joseph Harrison, Prenilla Harrison, Sarah Powell, Benjamin Barnett, Sarah Harris, Hannah Barnett, Hannah Roberts, Elizabeth Reeves, Eliza Donaught, Samuel Bishop.
Its first pastor was the Rev. Littleton Lunsforn, in 1837, and he was followed by Rev. William OWSLEY (brother of Robert Owsley), & Rev. James Richardson, H.P. Parker, M. Monroe and John Hatfield.
Their first church was built of logs, by a portion of the members, in 1845. The second church, of the same material, was erected in 1850. and the last, also erected of hewn logs, was put up in 1870 at a cost of $200. subscription raised by the members of the church.
Mr. Harvey Greene Harper has been most of the time officiating as the church clerk at their meetings. The church has a regular pastor and holds its covenant meetings on the fourth Saturday and Sunday following. Its present membership is eighteen and its congregation large.
The schools of Polk Township, number 4 and each have a good house. The attendance is fully up to the average, being about seventy percent of those of school age.

3.Elijah Williams, Jr. born –22 February 1798??? in Georgia. Married Matilda Cook.

4.Elizabeth Williams –born ca 1805 in KY.

5.Thomas Williams

6.John Williams

7.unknown

Elijah is on the Winchester Home Guard List of 1812 (all over 45) for Franklin County, TN.

His name is on the Tax List of 1812, with others carrying the Williams name. JOHN TALLY and his brothers are also included in this list.

1820 Federal Census Index:

Williams, Elijah--- TN----Franklin County, TN. Federal Census:

4 in family---00010-01101--- one engaged in agriculture.
1 Male—in 16-26 age group- (Elijah, Jr.??)
1 Male-- 45 or older: Elijah, Sr.? (he would be ca 55 years of age)
1 Female—10-16---Elizabeth Jane??
1 Female—16 –26 age group--???

Jane and Nancy were married, Elizabeth wife & mother, was probably deceased.

Unknown when Elijah died, or where he is buried.

Submitted by John Corbin
July 2008