Madness Monday Part 2 - Continuing the Hunt for GGrandmother Martha through General Williams

My goal is to find solid evidence, beyond my grandparents' marriage certificate, of my great grandmother, Martha Jones. Part 2 of this week's Madness Monday looks at General Williams who, along with Mary Elizabeth Williams, reared my grandfather, Harry Claudius Jones.

1900 Federal Census - General "WILLIAMS," Head, living in Hamilton township, Martin County, NC. Black, Male, born Jan 1868, age 32, married 9 years, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother Born in NC. Wife, Mary E "WILLIAMS," Black, Female, born Jan. 1872, age 28, married 9 years, born in North Carolina, Father born in North Carolina, Mother born in North Carolina.

Other members of household are as follows:

Je* "WILLIAMS," Head, Black, Female, born Mar 1829, age 70, widowed, 17 children born, 10 living. Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

Joseph "WILLIAMS," son of Je* "WILLIAMS," Black, Male, born Sep 1883, age 16, Single, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

Clansly "JONES," Boarder of Je* "WILLIAMS," Black, Male, born Jul 1892, age 7, Single, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (I'm sure that this is my grandfather)

Leter "JONES," Boarder of Je* "WILLIAMS," Black, Male, born Aug 1892, age 7, Single, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC

Martha "JONES," Head, Head, Black, Female, born Aug 1877, age 22, Single, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC (I've always assumed that this is great grandmother Martha)

1910 Federal Census - JL "WILLIAMS," living in Hamilton Township, Martin County, NC. Head, Male, Black, age 42, M2, married 19 years. See previous post for the remainder of the 1910 listing.

1920 Federal Census - General "WILLIAMS," living in Cross Roads Township, Martin County, NC, Head, Male, Black, age 53, married, born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC. . See previous post for the remainder of the 1920 listing.

Death Certificate - shows that General Williams died on July 25, 1923. He died in Robersonville, Martin, NC. Wife: Mary E. Williams; Father: General Williams; Mother: Jane Williams; Birth Place: Bertie County, NC. Interment at Hamilton Cemetery in Martin County, NC.

Based on the Death Certificate, the 1870 and 1880 censuses for Bertie County were reviewed and the following listings were noted.

1880 Federal Census - General "WILLIAMS," living in Woodville Township, Bertie County, NC, Head, Black, Male, Age 55, Farming, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC.

Jane "WILLIAMS," wife, Black, Female, Age 50, Farm Laborer, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in NC.

The following children are listed:

Sarah, daughter, Age 16, born in NC
Hester, granddaughter, Age 1, born in NC
Harry, son, Age 15, born in NC
Genl, son, Age 13, born in NC
Mary, daughter, Age 12, born in NC
Lazarous, son, Age 10, born in NC
Alviny, daughter, Age 9, born in NC
Rosilla, daughter, Age 7, born in NC
Frank, Something other than direct relationship, Age 3, Born in NC

1870 Federal Census - General "WILLIAMS," living in Woodville Township, Bertie County, NC, Age 47, Male, Black, Born in NC

Jane "WILLIAMS," Age 39, Female, Black, Born in NC
Alice "WILLIAMS," Age 18, Female, Black, Born in NC
Della "WILLIAMS," Age 14, Female, Black, Born in NC
Hannah "WILLIAMS," Age 11, Female, Black, Born in NC
Eliza "WILLIAMS," Age 10, Female, Black, Born in NC
Henry "WILLIAMS," Age 8, Male, Black, Born in NC
General "WILLIAMS," Age 4, Male, Black, Born in NC
Mary "WILLIAMS," Age 1/12, Female, Black, Born in NC

So, I've been able to find / establish my General Williams, who along with Ms. Mary, reared my grandfather.

I've still not been able to find Ms. Mary or great-grandmother Martha, prior to 1900. I plan to do more "walking" through the neighborhoods to make sure that I did't overlook her / them. It's possible that Ms. Mary's Jones surname could have come from her first marriage and could explain why I've not been able to find her.

In finding the additional census listings, I've noticed that never once is my grandfather given a blood relationship to Ms. Mary / General Williams. I'm use to seeing nephews and nieces indicated on the censuses, also. Therefore, this leads me to wonder if the blood relationship that the family had always assumed existed between granddad and Ms. Mary just isn't there. Now I suppose since all realtionships are in relation to the head of the household that it's still possible he could be related to Ms. Mary but since he wouldn't be to General Williams, the relationships to Mary wouldn't be indicated via census records. Just something else to ponder.

Until Next Time!