Courtesy Harriet Fast Scott daughter of Frances Shacklette Fast 1999

LETTERS FROM COUSIN TONY WILLIAMS
March 29, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:-
Your letter of recent date received. I was glad to hear from you. I never get tired of talking about my ancestors. I am sorry I do not know more about them.
I was told by my father that our Williams' ancestors were from Wales. Three brothers James, John and Ezekiel Williams came over from Wales and settled in Culpeper Co Virginia. The date father did not know. Later he did not know some of the Williams removed to Hardin Co. Ky. My grandfather John Finley Williams moved from Hardin Co to Meade Co in 1835 and bought a farm of 300 acres where brother Tom now lives the same place where my father was born and lived all his life and where your Grand Father Samuel Williams grew up.
Your grandfather Samuel Williams was born in Hardin Co Ky Jan. 29, 1823. He died Oct 15, 1865. Your great grandfather John Finley Williams was born Aug 5 1797. He married Mary Vernon Feb 12, 1822. He died May 24 1848.
2
Your great grandmother Mary Vernon Williams was the daughter of Anthony Vernon. I don't know any dates in this family. This man's wife was Francis Quinn.
I do not know where the Vernons came from or of what nationality they were but I am surmising from an old letter I have that is dated Mar 15 1804 that the Vernons were from Madison Co Virginia.
Anthony and Francis Vernon had a family of 7 daughters and 2 sons.
2 daughters died about the time they were grown.
Lucinda married a Mr Kennedy. I saw Aunt Lucinda twice. She lived to be 100 yrs and 22 da old. She died in 1909.
And as I have mentioned Mary married your great grandfather John Finley Williams.
Sallie married Daniel Williams a brother of John who married Mary Vernon. I was up in La Rue Co last April I went to see an old lady by the name of Williams 90 years old.
Her husband Anthony Vernon Williams was a son of the above named Daniel Williams.
3
One of the Vernon girls I don't know her given name married a Mr Bledsoe.
Jane Vernon married Abraham Enlow.
It was this Abraham Enlow who was the boy who then 16 yrs old went for the Dr when Abraham Lincoln was born. My mother Catherine Kennedy was a descendant of Abe Enlow.
She and my father both descendants of the Vernons their father & mother being second cousins.
It is said that Abe Lincoln was named for the boy Abe Enlow.
Your great, great, grandfather was James Williams his wife was a Miss Milligan. I do not know the date of their births & deaths. Anthony Vernons 2 sons Richard and Simeon. Richard married and left descendants Simeon never married.
Grandmother May (Vernon) Williams lived with my father & mother she died Jan 28, 1881 I being 9 yrs old when she died. My mother let grandmother name me.
4
She named me for her father Anthony Vernon.
I have some interesting old letters and some bills of sale of slaves. And some confederate bills of money. So far as I can go back none of our ancestors were criminals or outlaws, but there is no telling what we might dig up if we could go farther back.
I get the dates I have given from the family Bible of grandfather Williams. Cousin Francis, come to see us next summer when you come to Ky and I will go some farther into details of our ancestors.
I am sending you a copy of a bill of sale of a slave.
With kindest regards to you all,
Anthony Vernon Williams

P.S. Please excuse writing with lead pencil as my fountain pen has about played out.
A true copy of a bill of sale of a negro slave.
Know all men by these presents that I this day sold to D.R. Van Meter my black boy Dick about 12 years of age for the sum of Eight hundred and Fifty dollars Seven hundred in hand paid and ballance securred by note. I also warrent and defend the said boy against the claims of my self and all others and a slave for life. This the 11th day of Jan 1860.
A.W. Haynes

April 19, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:- Your letter at hand I am sending you Family record of John Finley Williams. As there were several John Finley Williams, I am marking them I II III. You will find date of birth of Mary Vernon Williams which I omitted to give in my first letter. I am giving the cemetrys in which they were buried as there are many old cemetrys one on top of the range of Hill Grove Hills about 1 1/2 mi Northeast of the Meadeville graveyard. And the Williams graveyard on Dave Smith's farm also a small graveyard on the side of Hill Grove Hills on my farm known as the Payne graveyard. And so you are going to write a book I suppose the title of which will [be] so many generations (naming the number of generations) of Williamses and Allied Families. I am delighted that you are going to do this. It is something that I always wanted some one to do. I will aid you all I can. I think by going to La Re Co I can get the old family Bible of Anthony Vernon and get valuable informatio!
n.!
I think I can locate this old Bible.
I don't know much about the Vernon's but we will find out what we want to know.
Also by going to a man named Dan Williams in Hardin Co
2
we can find out more of James Williams the father of John Finley Williams. I have a list of children of James Williams & wife ______ Milligan but only dates of their births did I give you this?
When you come to see us we will go up to La Rue and Hardin and will go and look up data also look over the old cemetrys.
I have a book of Family History on my mother's side of the La Rues and Allies Families. The La Rues were distant relatives of my mother's. This is a book of 198 pages which sold in common binding for $3.00.
I have talked to the author of this book Judge Otis M. Mather he told me he had not got near out of the book yet what it cost him that was 5 years ago.
I would suggest you have pictures of the oldest homes now standing of the family. One of them would be the old Williams home now owned by my brother Thomas Williams. This house was built in 1837.
Also a picture of some of the old grave yards one near us where so many of our people are buried. This cemetry has been badly neglected but I will have it cleaned up by the time you come.
3
If you decide to have these pictures in the book of course you will bring your camera with you.
I visited cousin Amelia Williams Jenkins last Sunday evening to get dates of the family of her father & mother James and Amanda (Wiseheart) Williams but she could not give them complete as she did not have her father's family Bible. You want all generations, children, grandchildren, etc. Uncle James' children are scattered from Ky to Alaska but I will get it all if given time.
I am sending what you requested. some dates I do not have am keeping a carbon copy and will get the missing dates when I can.
Let me know about 2 weeks before you come in ad will have my work arranged so I can help you.
If you want to look up marriage records prior to 1792 you will have to go to Bardstown as Hardin Co was cut off from Nelson Co and established a county in 1792 but I suppose you know this. I am thinking the record of marriage, the marriage license you found at E-town that Sarah Williams who married Daniel Holeman May 22, 1799 was a daughter of James Williams my great grandfather.
4
As to the family record of Samuel & Rachel Williams I do not know. have not have an opportunity to find out.
I will do anything to assist you no matter how much searching it takes.
It would be interesting if you could go to the will book in Elizabethtown and get copies of wills of our ancestors the old wills are so different to what they are today. I have an interesting document where James Williams in 1826 hires a negro slave for a year. I will look it up and send you a copy of it some time.
I hope you will be successful in tracing back to John, James and Ezekiel Williams that might take back several generations. I believe there are about 3 generations for every 100 years.
Well I hope you can decipher my writing I think I have copyed dates as I found them I will fill out the blank dates when I can find them
Sincerely,
A.V. Williams

WILLIAMS 1
James, Ezekiel, John came from Wales settled in Culpeper County, Vir
Later moved to Hardin Co. Ky. John Finley Williams moved to Meade Co. in 1835 bought a farm of 396 acres from Thurman Tucker for which he paid Fifteen Hundred Dollars. He built a house on the land in 1837 which is still standing. His grandson Thomas Williams is owner of 160 acres of this land and lives in the same house which was built in 1837.
I James b_________ d_________ m Milligan b___________ d_________
seven children
1. Sarah Williams b May 7, 1779 d _______
m May 22, 1799 Daniel Holeman b ________ d________

2. Thomas Williams b Dec 1, 1784 d____________ m __________

3. Katharine Williams b May 7, 1787 d__________ m_____________

4. Daniel Williams b Aug 11, 1790 d _________ m Sept 7, 1813
Sarah Vernon b_______ d________ dau of Anthony and Francis Vernon
_____ children
1. Anthony Vernon Williams b_________ d___________ m________

5. Ann Williams b March 29, 1793 d_______ m_________

6. Samuel Williams b Nov 25, 1795 d_____________ m_________

7. John Finley Williams I b Aug 5, 1797 d May 24, 1848
md Feb 14, 1822 Mary Vernon b Dec 26, 1804 d Jan 28, 1881
dau of Anthony Vernon and Francis Quinn Vernon
11 children where data have been given

PAGE 1 WILLIAMS

John Finley Williams I b Aug 5, 1797 d May 24, 1848 m Feb 14 1822 Mary Vernon
b Dec 26, 1804 (Dau of Anthony & Francis Quinn Vernon) d Jan 28 1881
11 children
(1) Samuel b Jan 29, 1823 d Oct 15, 1865 m Mar 20, 1845 Rachel Taylor
b Jan 13, 1827 d Aug 29, 1895 (Dau of John N. Taylor and Hannah Shacklett)
Samuel buried in Williams' graveyard on J.D. Smith's farm.
His wife buried in Buck Grove Cemetry.

(2) Elizabeth b July 24, 1824 d Dec 11, 1893 m James Kendall b_____ d_____
both buried Williams graveyard.

(3) James b March 22, 1826 d Nov 5, 1905 m Oct 17, 1850 Amanda Wiseheart
b Jan 20, 1829 d May 2, 1911 both buried in Buck Grove Cemetry.

(4) Anthony V. b Feb 28, 1828 d Feb 21, 1858 never married.
buried in Williams graveyard.

(5) Fanny b Jan 28, 1830 d Aug 8, 1898 m David Van Meter
b Nov 7, 1813 d Apr 4, 1876 no children Both buried in Buck Grove cemetry.

(6) Nancy b Nov 29, 1831 d Nov 14, 1876 m Moses Crume b_________ d__________
After they married they moved to Cherokee Co Tex

(7) Thomas b Feb 1, 1834 d Jan 13 1863 never married
buried in Williams graveyard.

(8) Richard b Nov 28, 1836 d Nov 24 1837
buried in Payne graveyard on A.V. Williams farm

(9) Mary Jane b Dec 14, 1838 d Feb 11, 1899 m Nov 28 1867 Henry R. Smith
(son of David Smith & Susan Greer Smith) Both buried in Williams graveyard.

(10) John Finley II b May 10 1841 d March 15, 1925 m Oct 20 1870
Catherine Kennedy (dau of Daniel Kennedy & Mary Enlow Kennedy)
b July 18, 1850 d Apr 26, 1924 Both buried in Buck Grove cemetry
(a) Their children p. 3

PAGE 2 WILLIAMS

Children of John Finley Williams & Mary Vernon Williams (continued)

(11) Sarah b Jan 26 1845 d May 7 1892 buried in Harvey Co. Kansas
m Orla C. Stanfield b Feb 22, 1854 d Jan 10 1927
buried in Marion Co, Ky.

---------------
A few dates I do not get but will try to get them will get descendants of these 7 that left descendants. Their descendants live in many states but think I can get it all for you it will take some time. bring the data I give you back with you I have a copy and we will see if you have the dates correct of course any one is liable to make a mistake in copying.

PAGE 3 WILLIAMS

9 children of John Finley & Catharine Kennedy Williams

(1) Anthony Vernon b Aug 19, 1871 m Feb 8 1898 Carrie M. Allen
(dau of Samuel Allen & Catherine Smith Allen)
their children 8
(A) John Samuel b Dec 9, 1898 d May 20, 1927 never married
(B) Mabel C. b Nov 22, 1900 m Feb 21, 1926 Wilber Robinson b Feb 14, 1902
Live in Louisville, Ky.
(C) Adah Catherine b Aug 29, 1902
(D) Rosalie b Aug 5, 1904 (Teacher Benham, Ky.)
(E) Henry J. b July 5, 1907 d Oct 15, 1911
(F) Thelma F. b Aug 16, 1909 d Nov 15, 1910
(G) Anthony V. Jr. b Nov 12, 1911
(H) Richard H. b Nov 15, 1913 d June 21, 1914
These 4 deceased children are buried in Buck Grove Cemetry

(2) Mary J. b Aug 2, 1872 d Aug 30, 1873 buried Williams graveyard
(3) Ivy T. b May 17, 1874 d Aug 12 1875 " " "
(4) Francis E. b July 3, 1876 d July 29, 1877" " "
(5) Daniel B. b Nov 1, 1877 d July 18, 1919 m Oct 25, 1899 Daisy Cox
Two children
(A) Charles Finley b July 8, 1902
(B) Francis Daniel b Jan 19, 1907
(6) Sallie Catherine b June 15, 1880 m Feb 10, 1914 John R. Shumate
b________ (son of George Shumate & Jane Pool) one child
(A) Catherine Jane b Oct 4, 1916
(7) John Finley III b May 3, 1885 d Sept 12 1886 buried Williams graveyard
(8) Thomas Henry b May 3, 1885 m Apr 4, 1918 Maude Adkisson b_____
Two children
(A) Carroll H. b June 4, 1919
(B) James L. b Feb 28, 1922
(9) Malvina b Oct 10, 1886 d March 10, 1887 buried in Williams graveyard.

May 3, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:- Your letter of Apr 24 received. I only have time to write on Sundays. But I am deeply interested in our work. I am sending you what I have and know of James Williams and his children. I get the dates of his children's births from an old Bible. I suppose it was John Finley Williams old bible, my grandfather.
I also have found an obituary of Simeon Vernon got this from an old scrap book. As to the Payne's graveyard. only Paynes and Richard Williams are buried there, a very small graveyard and only two tombstones.//A number of graves are not marked with stones of any kind.// As to the older Shackletts, I do not know much about them but I suspect if you would write Dr. Dan S. Roberts, West Point Ky he could give you the information you desire about the Shackletts.
Dr and I went to school at the same time to your father at Garrett, Ky.
He and I are good friends.
When you write him tell him who you are. He thought a lot of your father.
I do not know whether Hill Grove Church has any records of the Meadeville graveyard. But I understand that the church records run back to when that church was constituted in 1822. I do not know in whose hands the records are in but I can find out. Oh, yes, do you want me to send you a copy of Simeon Vernon's obituary. He died Dec 11, 1876 did not give date of his birth but said he was in his 53rd years of his age.
2
Many thanks for copies of letters also I will look over the records and see if the dates and names are correct and if any mistakes, will give them to you.
Father told me there were 3 distinct families of Williams in Hardin Co. who are not related. We of course will have to be careful about this.
You asked was Samuel Williams born in Ky. I do not know which Samuel you mean. I was just thinking that settlements was not made in what is now Hardin Co. or near Elizabethtown or which was sometimes called (Scrums?) Valley until about 1780. I don't remember the exact date but I am guessing that James Williams must have been born in Va, his oldest child was born in 1779. I know a man in Hardin Co, Dan Williams is a great grand son of James Williams. I think he can perhaps give us some information. I looked for him a year ago when up there but did not have time to find him. I know where he lives but do not know his address but we will look him up next summer. He is about 68 yrs old. I saw his old mother who is 90 yrs old but she was so feeble all I could get her to tell me was that James Williams' wife's maiden name was Milligan. This lady's husband was Anthony Vernon Williams, son of Daniel Williams.
I do not know which Vernon was Anthony's father. We will find out perhaps. I shall write John Enlow who is a descendant of Jane Vernon about the Vernons.
3
Upon looking in the old trunk of papers I came upon the old deed made by Thurman Tucker & wife to John F. Williams dated Jan 1, 1835 for 396 acres of land consideration was $1500. If I have time will send you a copy of other letters etc you wanted in this letter.
Oh yes, do you think it advisable to make honorable mention of some of the faithful slaves. I have a bill of Sale of a negro woman that grandfather John F. Williams bought in 1839.
My aunts and uncles spoke of this negro Caroline being a faithful slave and she was found dead kneeling at a chair must have died praying.
I have a picture of uncle George Williams sitting on the porch of his typical negro cabin. He was given by Anthony Vernon to Grandmother Mary Vernon Williams when he was 9 years old. This old negro died Mar 15 1910.
I have photographs of Daniel Williams & wife but they are much faded with age.
Perhaps the Samuel Williams you ask about is the son of James Williams. I don't know.
I am sorry that the old letter dated Mar 15 1804 is so worn with age that all of it can not be read a large hole has been worn in it I am sending you one from the same person Leroy & Sarah Canaday. You will observe that was before the day of postage stamps and envelops.
4
It is faded and sealed {Madison CH Va {Apr 30 is the postage mark also 25 denotes 25 cents the amount of postage paid. Ch after Madison stands for Court House father told me. It seems that the county seat of Madison Co Va was called Madison Court House.
It seems that Leroy Canaday is setting up some business of Anthony Vernon in Madison Co Va.
I am sending you the old letter you may copy this letter and return the old letter to me. Also a carbon copy of the letter and many thanks for your trouble.
I will send you a copy of the obituary of Simeon Vernon next time. It is rather long. I have brief obituaries of Mary Vernon Williams, Francis Van Meter Williams, Sallie Williams Stanfield and of my Father.
I shall in time get the descendants of James son of John Finley Williams, of Elizabeth Williams Kendall and of Sarah Williams Stanfield also the rest of the descendants of your grfather Samuel Williams.
I ran upon a clipping your mother wrote to the Meade Co Messenger in 1906 of course this has no connection with our work but thought you would like to see it.
I believe I have written all you requested.
Sincerely,
Anthony V. Williams

May 17, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:-
I am mailing you the other old letter. Also as it seems a bond signed by gr grandfather James Williams you may take these 2 old letters, the deed to the man who buys old papers and documents. Let me know what he would pay for them but I value them very highly. Tell this man I also have 3 bills of sales for slaves. Ask him could he handle them.
I am also sending you the obituary of Simeon Vernon. I wonder how old Francis Quinn Vernon lived to be the obituary stated she was still living that was in 1876. She had then been married 80 years.
As to the marriage of James Williams it is possible the old lady could have been mistaken. If I could have seen her son he could have given it correct. We will look them up when you come to Ky. I do not know this son (Dan Williams) address or I would write him but I know where they live. About half way between E-town and Hodgensville.
2
Many thanks for sending me a typewritten copy of the old letter.
I do not know any thing of this Leroy Canaday. He writes as if he was not on the level.
Certainly you can keep the letter that your mother wrote the Messenger.
Your mother taught as it was sometimes called then, a subscription school in a log school house I think but am not so sure of the date in the spring of 1883. I was just a barefooted boy. she boarded at our home.
This school house was near where Kirby Smith lives now. {I think I can locate where the house stood.
Yes all of your father's pupils thought a great deal of him. I went to school to him in the long ago 1886 to 1889 at Garrett and at Hardinsburg in the spring of 1891.
You might get some information concerning the Shackletts from Rev. D. F. Shacklett. I don't know his address also from Rev Philip Jenkins.
We attended the centennial anniversary of Brandenburg Baptist Church in June 1929 these two men had much to say about the Shackletts of old. Ben Jenkins lives in Louisville I will try and get his address and send it to you.

3
I am working on the family & descendants of Henry Smith & his wife Mary Jane Williams. will send them when I get them complete.
Also you will note I have many blank dates of others but will send them when I obtain them.
Oh: yes when you read the bond I am sending this time of James Williams it is too bad he had to make his mark but I suppose illiteracy was very common then.
I may have some other old papers in the old leather trunk I will go through it and see.
These obituaries I am sending you. You need not consider Mrs Enlow. She was a relative of Mother's perhaps distantly related to Williams as father and mother were second cousins.
As to the murderer of Simeon Vernon he was supposed to have been set on fire by a man named Metcalf. Vernon was a retired farmed, he and his sister living in Elizabethtown. Metcalf a tenant on his farm. Vernon & his sister had rooms reserved in his farm house they would go to the farm occasionally and stay a while. Vernon and his tenant had a falling out it was said. This was related to me by my father. Metcalf obtained a change of Venue when the trial was called at E-town he was tryed at Shepperdsville Bullit Co and acquitted.
4
I am delighted to devote what time I can to assist you in this work.
I have not [got] the children of Anthony Vernon straightened out yet. I said he had 7 daughters and 2 sons but now I think he had 9 daughters and 2 sons.
I will investigate and try and find out the number of children.
Anthony Vernon is said to have been very industrious, very honest in his dealings and very plain spoken.
There was so much that I failed to ask the old folks.
With kindest regards to you and all your family.
Sincerely,
Anthony V. Williams
P.S. In next letter I will be able to give you names and dates of Mary Jane Williams Smith's descendants complete.
Will also tell you something of the life of Francis Quinn Vernon.
I am valuing these old papers so much I may register this letter.

June 29, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin:- At last I am replying to your letter of June 2. I did not write the first Sunday after getting the letter as you said you would be away. And every Sunday since we have either visited or had company.
Carrie and Vernon have just gotten back from a visit to Oklahoma. They visited Carrie's sister Mrs. Bunger. They had a delightful trip. This was a big trip for them as they had never been that far away from home. It suited fine for them to make the trip at that time as Rosalie the youngest daughter is spending her vacation at home.
I have been very busy with wheat harvest, plowing corn and working out tobacco and we are building a tobacco barn. Have had a delightful season except it has been dry for about 3 weeks but had a rain last Tuesday and it is raining this evening. Rec'd all papers and deed. Also a snapshot of your family. You have a fine looking family.
I am glad you got a copy of James Williams' will. No I don't know that Ann married a Parks. I am just wondering why he left Sarah who married Daniel Holeman out of his will. I know she left descendants. I heard father and mother often speak of Cousin Harrison Holeman but I never met him.
I have forgotten to tell you that James Williams married the second time. He married a Mrs. Farleigh I think she lived in Brandenburg but they did not live long together and parted so father told me.
Yes I think that must be the right James Williams as the names check all except Sarah and perhaps he just willed her out. No I don't know anything of the slaves Ben spoke of in his will.
2
I was just wondering the other day. You know no one ever wrote a book or done anything worth while but they were criticised. I think you are doing the right thing in sticking close to records.
I asked Bro Ridnur what about Judge Otis Mather's book on the history of the La Rue family. I said what criticism's have you to offer on his book. He said Judge Mather did not stick close enough to records.
I am sending you the date of Mary Jane Williams Smith. I have some missing dates that I have some of them but will give them next time also I will look over the work and see if you have dates and names correct. I do not write very plain no way.
Rosalie is rounding me up because I do not write with ink. She offered me her fountain pen but it seems like I can write better with a pencil. I know it does not show very good taste.
Many thanks for all the type written copies you have sent me.
Sincerely, A.V. Williams
3
John Finley Williams and Mary Vernon [additions]
(9) Mary Jane b Dec 14, 1838 d Feb 11, 1899 m Nov 28 1867 Henry R. SMITH
b Apr 3, 1834 d July 6, 1914 (Son of David & Susan Greer Smith) 6 children
(1) Francis Van Meter Smith b Oct 2, 1868 d Sept 13, 1900 m Oct 23, 1889
Gus D. BRUNER b Mar 28 1867, d Mar 24, 1919 2 children
(a) Mary Elizabeth b Sept 7, 1890 d Mar 14, 1831 m Edgar I. HUNT
Oct 17, 1913
(i) Francis Elizabeth Hunt b Mar 6, 1916
(ii) Edgar I. Hunt Jr B Aug 23, 1917
(b) Henry Davis Bruner b Jan 15 1894 d May 24, 1895
(2) John David SMITH b Mar 30, 1870 md Hettie Brown b Feb 19 1875
(dau of Robert and Kate Brown) 3 children
(a) Robert Henry b Dec 14, 1899 m June 27 1921 Eula Shelton
(dau John and Francis Shelton) 1 child
(i) Martha Jean b Mar 24, 1929
(b) Thomas Brooks b Dec 5, 1905 m Mar 18 1931 Rosa Florence Downs
(dau of Samuel O. and Mary Allen Downs)
(c) Francis Lucile b Mar 22, 1909 m Nov 8, 1926 William David Simmons
(son of Walter and Annie Bewley Simmons) 1 child
(i) William David b Oct 22, 1927
(3) James Kirby SMITH b Jan 3 1872 m Nov 1 1900 Minnie R. Ritchie
(dau of Frank and Elizabeth Burch Ritchie) 5 children
(a) Mary Elizabeth b Nov 10, 1901 m______ Robert Dooley
(son of Simeon and _______ Dooley) 4 children
(i) James Lansford
(ii) Virginia Anetta
(iii) Roy Norman
(iv) Jerry Wayne
(b) Lena Irene b Sept 10, 1903 m_____________ Hewit Foushee
(son of Joseph and Lena Tompson Foushee)
(c) Thelma Lorene b Aug 17, 1905
(d) Henry Crestin b Mar 25, 1907
(e) James Kirby b Feb 10, 1916
(4) Thomas Warfield SMITH b Mar 2, 1877 d Feb 7, 1893
(5) Henry Richard SMITH b Dec 27, 1877 d Dec 8, 1920 m Dec 28, 1904
Lucy Coleman (dau of William and Henrietta Haynes Coleman) 8 children
(a) Mable Francis b Nov 4, 1905
(b) Lillian Rose b Dec 22, 1906
(c) Lucile b Sept 30, 1908
(d) Anita b July 17, 1910
(e) Dorthy Luise b Mar 5, 1914
(f) Harry Richard b Sept 19, 1916
(g) Marietta b Sept 9, 1918
(h) Robert Hauss b Mar 6, 1921
(6) Joseph Samuel SMITH b Mar 18, 1880 m Dec 21, 1904 Nellie Carrico
(dau of Benedict Joseph and Mary Ann Kendall Carrico) 3 children
(a) Joseph Gladney b Aug 30, 1906 m Dec 1, 1929 Retha L. Miller
(dau Emmett and Florence Bratcher Miller) 1 child
(i) Jack Miller b June 26, 1931
(b) Mary Mildred b Oct 26, 1909
(c) Margaret Henry b Mar 22, 1912

June 1, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:- Your letter and the old letter dated 1916 received.
No I do not know anyone in Bardstown that belongs to any of the connections. I only know one person living in that town and that is Hon Ben Johnson an ex-representative in Congress. He is a very busy man. He was one of the highway commissioners. Yes $30.00 is entirely too much for the work you want done in Bardstown.
Three weeks ago I wrote to a relative John Enlow in Hodgensville asking him many questions about the Vernons but have no answer yet.
His sister Mrs. Coy whom I met 7 years ago knew much about the Vernons but she is dead now.
Aunt Francis Van Meter who made her home with father and mother in the last 6 years of her life told me the following about her grandmother Francis Quinn
Vernon. As I have before mentioned she had two daughters who died about the time they were grown. Their deaths being only a short time apast.
This affliction was so great on the mother she became insane.
They had no asylums for the insane in those days in Ky. So a slave [had] taken care of her. She would become violent at times when they had to chain her to a bed post.
2
This slave would awake her every morning and she would eat breakfast with her family.
But one morning the slave failed to awake her and when she got up and found out that they did not awake her to eat with the family as they always [had] done she wept violently and it is said after this spell of weeping her mind came back to her and she was sane the rest of her life.
She was crazy for 30 years. As to how old she was when she became deranged I do not know. Carrie begged me not to tell you this but I said I was. I am not keeping anything back I know of our ancestors. No doubt but what there was a disappointment to Mother Vernon, her husband and her children but such happens in the best of families.
This was the only insanity I know of in the family.
I attended a funeral of Mr. Henry Adkisson today at Buck Grove.
Bro Ridneur told me that Loudon Co, Va. was formed from Culpeper Co. So we may both be right. I don't know the date that Loudon Co was formed. I have the descendants of Mary Jane Williams Smith nearly ready. I have to get a few more dates.
I have been told by some one that some of the Quinn ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War.
Sincerely,
A.V. Williams

Aug. 24, 1931 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
1
Dear Cousin Francis:- I was so disappointed that you and your family did not get to see us.
Part of the time you were in Kentucky I was out on a vacation.
I tryed to get those who went on our trip to go before we did but it did not suit the other parties and we stayed some longer than we intended and I was sick a few days after we got back.
I remembered too that you said you would be in Ky about Aug 10 but you left before expected. I was at the Baptist Association at Ekron last Wednesday and I spoke to Cousin Knot Ferd (?) I said I suppose Francis and her family are here she said no they left yesterday.
Please do not think hard of me. If I had known you were going to leave so soon I would have called you up and insisted on you and your folks coming out to our home.
I had a fine trip in company with Dr. Dan Roberts, his wife and Andrew Carrico. We visited the old battlefield of Shilo in S.W. Tenn also Chattanooga and was on Lookout Mountain also the battlefield of Chickamauga in the northern part of Ga.
I have taken very few vacations and am always worn out when I get back home.
In looking over my old papers I find that I have several bills of Confederate money. I am sending you one which you may keep.
Sincerely,
A.V. Williams

Dec. 27, 1939 R.F.D.1, Ekron, Ky. to Staten Island N.Y.
From Anthony Williams to Frances Shacklett Fast
Dear Cousin Francis:-
Your Christmas card and letter at hand. I am sorry you had not heard of Carrie's death. We [had] done everything humanly possible for her recovery.
Many have been my afflictions
But the good Lord knows best.
I humbly submit to his will.
I suppose you know or may be I told you last summer Mabel's husband died
May 20.
She sold her restaurant in Louisville and she and Adah are living with me. Mabel is well satisfied to live with me. She and her husband had run a restaurant for 13 years and she is glad to get back to the country.
Yes they sure do take good care of me.
They are planning these winter days of raising turkeys and chickens this year. Adah raised 96 turkeys this year.
I am in reasonably good health but don't work much.
I have 2 men hired to do the work on the farm.
Write to me occasionally.
Be sure to write me when you move and give me your new address.
I am sending you Carrie's obituary.
Also an historical sketch of Buck Grove Church.
Adah is planning to visit Rosalie soon she lives in the extreme south eastern part of Ky.
Mabel and I plan to visit her later.
She has a sweet baby one year old named Rosemary.
With love and best wishes to all,
A.V. Williams