DICEY SCALF
Daughter of
John Scalf, Sr. & Edeah Carlisle
Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Dicey Scalf, daughter of John Scalf, Sr. is believed to have been born about 1800 according to Elmer D. Scalf, author of Scalf Family History, page 36. We have been unable to find records to confirm exactly when Dicey was born.

Information concerning Dicey Scalf has been scarce and numerous efforts have been made to confirm her birth date as well as her marriage with few results. Several theories come to mind concerning who Dicey Scalf married. This chapter will deal with what has been determined concerning the family of Dicey Scalf Williams.

There is no doubt that John Scalf and Edeah (Edy) Carlisle Scalf had a daughter named Dicey and that she married a Williams. The existence of Dicey Scalf is not in question. The statements of Patsy Counts Scalf from the pension file of John Scalf, Sr, confirm the names of all the children of John and Edy Carlisle Scalf. (See page 3 of Patsy Counts Scalf statement in Hawkins County, 1845) (Page 3)

We are indebted to Patsy (sister-in-law) of Dicey Scalf Williams for most of the information we have acquired concerning these children. Studies of the available census records suggest significant doubt that Dicey was married to John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee as believed by prior researchers and listed in Chronicles of the Scalf Family by Henry P. Scalf, as well as Scalf Family History by Elmer D. Scalf.

The focus of this chapter is to present the evidence obtained in order to assist researchers in the research of Dicey Scalf Williams. The available records do not support the theory that Dicey Scalf Williams was married to John Williams of Hamilton, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Gwen McLaughlin, a descendent of John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee has in her possession a document that refutes John Williams as the husband of Dicey Scalf. John's son, Ira, made application to the Cherokee Nation in which he stated his mother's name.

In his application, Ira Williams stated that Mahala Stover (or Stoner) was his mother. Ira is listed on the 1850 census of Hamilton County, Tennessee at the age of 14 in the home of his father. His mother had died by this time. This is the same Ira Williams listed in the book, Scalf Family History, by Elmer Scalf and Chronicles of the Scalf Family by Henry P. Scalf.

Gwen McLaughlin faxed the application made by Ira William to the Cherokee Nation to me and a thorough study of the names in the application was made. Gwen and I both agree that the maiden name of Mahala, first wife of John Williams and mother of Ira Williams, was either Stover or Stoner and most likely Stover. It certainly does not appear to be Scalf or any variant spelling of the name.

We have no knowledge of how prior writers of the Scalf family determined that John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee was the husband of Dicey Scalf as no documentation was reported. Several theories come to mind that might have caused the earlier writers to think John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee was Dicey's husband. However, we will not attempt to guess at the thoughts of those who are no longer able to comment on this. Elsie Payne Archer, Henry P. Scalf, and Elmer D. Scalf are deceased.

We believe the pension file of John Scalf, Sr. is the key to possibly solving our dilemma concerning who the husband of Dicey Scalf might have been.

As mentioned above, documentation for the wife of John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee was presented by a descendent and in the opinion of this researcher, firmly discounts John Williams of Hamilton County as being the husband of Dicey Scalf. Not only was it mentioned in the application of Ira Williams to the Indian Nation but it was also stated in other family member applications. An email message from Gwen McLaughlin is provided here and to support these statements.

I found the supporting letter for my ancestor, Ira Williams. It was written by a Nancy Ann Mitchell:

I know him to be the son of John Williams who resided Near Chattanooga Tennessee. I know that his mother (next 3 words are scribbled out, then Williams with a line drawn through it, then it looks like M Stover or Stoner.
“Indian application for the collateral line that went through Ira Williams' sister is filled out by the grandson, and he plainly states that his grandmother was Mahala Stover/Stoner.
“John Williams, who is found in Hamilton Co. Tn. in 1850, was first married to Mahala Stoner/Stover. I am not sure as yet which it is, Stoner or Stover. I know this to be a fact from two Indian Applications from two different legs of his descendants. Both applications state this but it is hard to determine if it is an n or a v in the name. At first, I thought it was Stoner but there were some Stovers in Hamilton Co. So I am trying to figure this out.
“My Grandfather always told us that his father was Henry, who died when Grandpa was 5 and that his grandparents were Ira and Sarah Williams.
“I have census' showing Henry at home with his parents Ira and Sarah Williams. I have a census with Ira still at home with his father, John Williams, and some siblings in Hamilton Co. Tn.
“I also have a Civil War pension application filed by Ira's wife, Sarah. In it she states that she married Ira Williams in Chattanooga, Tn on 18 November 1855. In a supporting letter, Sarah's sister Millie (Perry) Watkins states that her sister, Sarah, married Ira Williams and that her mother moved onto the farm of John Williams, father of Ira. She states that was at Chattanooga, Tennessee. That is how Sarah met Ira.
“I have an Indian application where Ira was making application to the Cherokee nation. There are two witnesses that wrote supporting letters. One said about Ira, ‘I know him to be the son of John Williams of the old Nation, now Tennessee, and know that he resided near Chattanooga, Tennessee.’
The other witness said, ‘I know him to be the son of John Williams who resided near Chattanooga, Tennessee and know that his mother was M. Stoner or Stover. (I can't tell if it is an n or a v). John Williams (Hamilton Co Tn) had a daughter, Martha Jane who married John Fox. Their son, Jon Fox, made application to the Cherokee Nation and in his application he names the wife of John Williams as Mahala Stoner or Stover; I can't determine if am n or a v.
Mahala died before 1850 because she was not on the 1850 Hamilton Co. Census with her husband. John married two more times after that and then moved to Ga. where he died. I have a document of disposition where some of Johns children were disposing of his property when he died. (Email from Gwen McLaughlin) Wednesday, August 04, 2004 10:36 AM.

Later in the chapter, it is noted that Patsy Counts Scalf stated in her deposition in Hawkins County, Tennessee that Dicey Williams had 10 children by 1845.

Family of John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee from the 1850 census.

1850 Hamilton CO TN       8 November 1850              District 27

Gwen's email stated that John Williams married two times after his first marriage and that he died in Georgia. Neither of these wives could have been Dicey Scalf. Mahala Stover/Stoner was the first wife, and Sarah was the second wife of John Williams. We have no information on the third wife.

In view of this information, we turn to the pension file of John Scalf, Sr.

John Scalf, Sr. made application for his Revolutionary pension in Hawkins County, Tennessee in July of 1837. It was required that several folks make statements concerning John's character and whether they believed he was a Revolutionary Soldier. One of the folks mentioned in these papers was Squire Williams.

John had been admitted to the pension rolls by October of 1837 and was then dropped from the rolls by September of 1838.

John then appealed to Abraham McClellan for help in restoring his pension. Abraham McClellan, representative of the county of Sullivan (Blountville) Tennessee did inquire by letter to Mr. Edwards in Washington. Mr. McClellan then received a letter from Mr. Edwards concerning the pension. In his response, Mr. Edwards requested further information concerning John Scalf, Sr.

Mr. McClellan responded to Mr. Edwards with the following statement:

Mr. Scalf resides about 75 miles from me and I have not been able to learn much in relation to the facts which you wish to know.  I have seen since the reception of your letter, a gentleman by the name of Kildair who is a neighbor of Scalf, � he says that Thos. Pratt, the witness in the case is an old man whose word is intitled to some credit, but it is believed in the neighborhood that he is deceived about this man and that Scalf is not old enough to have been in the Revolution. The other witnesses are sons-in-law of Mr.Scalf. So says my informant. (McClellan to Edwards-Oct. 22,1838)

We believe the statement from Mr. Kildair (informant) to Mr. McClellan concerning the witnesses in the case of John Scalf, Sr. confirms that Squire Williams was a son-in-law of John Scalf, Sr. In her deposition Patsy Counts Scalf meticulously named each child of John and Edy Carlisle Scalf and she named Dicey as Dicey Williams. Patsy also stated the number of children of each married child by 1845. We do believe that the number 19 listed for Brittan's children was incorrect and most likely due to an unintentional stroke of the old quill pen by the clerk. However, the possibility that there were 19 children cannot be ruled out.

Another witness was Thomas Lockard, husband of Cecelia (Sela) Scalf Lockard, daughter of John Scalf, Sr. (See statement of Thomas Lockard) (Lockard, Dec. 1838)

Another witness who made a statement was Alexander Trent, husband of Mary Polly Scalf Trent, daughter of John Scalf, Sr. (See statement of Alexander Trent) (Trent-Dec. 1838)

Squire Williams stated that he had known John Scalf, Sr. for fifteen years. This would calculate to a date of 1823. (See statement of SquireWilliams) (Williams-Dec.1838)

The year 1823 also places John Scalf, Sr. in Russell County, Virginia. John Scalf, Sr. and Squire Williams were both found in Russell County, Virginia listed on the 1830 census. Squire Williams was likely in his father's home before 1830. This may have been in Russell County, Virginia or elsewhere. There is a possibility that Squire was part of the Russell County, Virginia Williams family; however, he could just as easily have been part of the Hawkins County, Tennessee Williams family.

The following census of 1830 shows the family of Squire Williams in 1830.

1830 Russell County, Virginia

Squire Williams

Note that the oldest children of Squire Williams were born 1820 � 1825. If Squire had known John Scalf, Sr. for around 15 years, Squire and Dicey could have married around 1823 with the first child being born 1824 � 1825. There were two females in 1830 with birth dates ranging from 1820 � 1825. One child could have been born 1823 and one in 1825 depending on the date of marriage for Dicey and Squire. Note that the wife here was born 1800 � 1810. Elmer Scalf lists a definite birth date of 1800 for Dicey. However, we do not know of any documentation for this.

By 1840, most of the married children of John Scalf, Sr. were living in Hawkins County, Tennessee. At least three of the sons of John Scalf, Sr. were living in Kentucky at this time. These were Peter, Jesse and Robert Scalf.

Living in Hawkins County, Tennessee were John and Edy Carlisle Scalf; Alexander and Mary Polly (Scalf) Trent; Thomas and Cecelia (Scalf) Lockard; John Jr. and Martha Patsy (Counts) Scalf and Ira and Rosanna Gibson Scalf.

We cannot say with complete certainty, but we believe that Betsy (Scalf) Collins and her sister, Nancy (Scalf) Collins were also living in Hawkins County, Tennessee at this time.

Peter Williams was born about 1833. Dicey may have died giving birth to Peter or shortly thereafter, because the following year Squire Williams and Elizabeth Howlet obtained a license on July 16, 1834 and were married on July 18, 1834 in Harrison County, Indiana. Hugh Cole performed the ceremony. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Trent and Charity Burton. When the 1830 and 1840 censuses are compared Dicey appears to be the wife of Squire Williams in the 1830 census; Elizabeth appears to be the wife of Squire in the 1840 census. The death certificate of James Madison Williams, the son of Squire and Elizabeth Williams, provides the name of Trent as his mother's maiden name.

There appears to be a connection in the southern section of Indiana for the Squire Williams family. Squire Williams and Elizabeth Trent were married in southern Indiana, and several children from their family settled in southern Indiana when they moved away from home.

Children of Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf:

1. John Williams - Born about 1829.
2. Peter Williams - Born about 1830.

Children of Squire Williams &Elizabeth Trent:

1. Eliza Williams - Twin and born about 1835.
2. Jane Williams - Twin and born about 1835.
3. Nancy Williams - Born about 1843.
4. James Williams - Born about 1844.
5. Squire Looney Williams - Born about 1845.
6. Alexander Williams - Born about 1847.
7. Perry Williams - born about 1851.

1840 Hawkins County, TN
Squire Williams

The 1840 census of Squire Williams shows two older males born 1825 � 1830. One of these males could have been John listed on the 1850 census as 21 years old and born in 1829. The other male was most likely married by 1850. John might have been disabled in some way or had simply not married at this time.

Peter was born 1833 according to the 1850 census. On the 1840 census there is one male aged 5 � 10 and born 1830 � 1835.

Eliza and Jane from the 1850 census were twins and born about 1835. There were two older females in the home in 1840 born 1820 � 1825 and another one born 1830 � 1835. The two older females were likely married by 1850 and it is possible that the female born 1830 � 1835 was also married or may have died.

We cannot determine with certainty that Esquire Williams from the 1850 census of Hawkins County, Tennessee was the same person as Squire Williams from the 1830 and 1840 census. However, it is the opinion of this researcher that he was. This opinion is based on the similarities between the 1850 and 1860 census of Hawkins County, Tennessee.

Dicey is listed in Scalf Family History, page 36 with a birth date of 1800. We have no documentation concerning Dicey's date of birth and none is listed in either Henry or Elmer's books. Considering this, we assume Dicey's birth date to have been speculation and she may have been born either earlier or later than 1800.

1850 Hawkins Co. TN          16 November 1850                        District 8

On the 1850 census, the next child after Eliza and Jane was Nancy listed as 7 years old in 1850 and born 1843.

Going to the 1860 census, we find that Nancy's age was consistent from the 1850 census and a birth date of 1843 is again calculated. Note on the 1860 census that James born 1844 from the 1850 census is missing and there is now a James C. Williams age 5 months and born 1860. James from the 1850 census would have been 16 years old in 1860. We believe this James had died.

The next child born after James in 1850 was Looney, born 1845. Note that Looney is not listed in 1860 but Squire appears on the 1860 census with a birth date calculated at 1847. We believe Squire and Looney were the same person. Our reasoning for this is the fact that Alexander from the 1850 census had a birth date calculated at 1847. Alexander appears on the 1860 census as 11 years old with a birth date calculated at 1849. Alexander should have been 13 years old in 1860. Alexander was the last child born to Squire and Eliza by 1850 according to the 1850 census.

In 1860, Squire and Eliza have an additional four children.

Perry was the oldest child of the four additional children and was 9 years old with a calculated birth date of 1851, just one year after the census of 1850.

Andrew was 6 years old with a calculated birth date of 1854.

Juritta was 2 years old with a calculated birth date of 1858.

John, age 21 in 1850 and born 1829 is not listed on the 1860 census and may have married or died by 1860.

The enumerator was certainly having a difficult time with this census, as the children are all listed out of birth order and most likely their ages were off as well.

In the neighborhood of Squire Williams were two Collins families, Asa Collins and wife Betti and Alford Collins and wife Milly. Squire was family #664 and Asa was family #668 with Alford living next door to Asa. This may or may not be significant in determining these families.

1860 Hawkins Co. TN            9 July 1860                 Rogersville District

Jane and Eliza (twins) from the 1850 census are missing from the 1860 census and most likely married by 1860. Peter and John from the 1850 census are missing in 1860 as well. All of these children would have been old enough to marry by 1860 and may have married or possibly died.

We do believe this is the same Williams family as the one in 1850 and Squire in 1860 was Esquire in 1850.

Squire and Eliza Williams were not found after 1870. However, their son Alexander had married to Adelaide Sexton. They were most likely married in the year the census was enumerated. Alexander's brother Looney and his wife Sallie were also living in Hawkins County in the Lee Valley area. Alexander was living at Rogersville.

1870 Jefferson CO TN          30 June 1870                 Strawberry Plains

JOHN NEWTON WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf
John<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

John Newton Williams, the son of Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf, was born January 18, 1829 in Jefferson County, Tennessee and died March 16, 1896 in Hawkins County, Tennessee. John married Martha N. Phillips on April 6, 1847.

1870 Jefferson CO TN          4 August 1870                   District 11

1880 Hamblen CO TN          2 June 1880                    3rd District

PETER W. WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf
Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Peter Williams, son of Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf, was born about 1833 in Tennessee. Peter Married Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson. Later, Peter married Elizabeth J. Noble McCoy on April 27, 1884. Elizabeth's first husband was Harvey McCoy and they were married May 5, 1853.

Transcribed marriage document:

Name: Peter Williams
Gender: Male.
Age: 54.
Birth Date: 1830.
Marriage Date: 27 Apr 1884.
Marriage Place: Posey, Indiana.
Father: Squire Williams.
Mother: Dicy Scolf.
Spouse: Elizabeth J. Noble Mccoy
Waite (mother of bride, maiden name?)
Elijah Noble (father of bride)
Elizabeth J. Noble Mccoy (bride)
Peter Williams (groom)
Squire Williams (father of groom)
Dicy Scolf (mother of groom)

1850 Hawkins Co. TN          16 November 1850                      District 8

1860 Martin CO IN        29 Aug 1860                      Lost River

1870 Orange CO IN         15 June 1870                      French Lick

In 1880, Polly Williams is listed as married but Peter's location is unknown.

1880 Orange CO IN         4 June 1880                    Jackson

W. PERRY G. WILLIAMS
Son of
Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson
Perry<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Perry G. Williams, the son of Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson, was born about 1853 and died June 16, 1923.

1900 Madison MO         18 June 1900                  St. Michael

1910 Madison CO MO             23 April 1910                      St. Michael

1920 Madison CO MO          30 January 1920                 St. Michael

ADA EDITH WILLIAMS
Daughter of
Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson
Ada<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Ada Edith Williams, the daughter of Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson, was born December 25, 1855 in Martin County, Indiana and died August 14, 1926 in Sebastian County, Arkansas. Edith was married three times. 1st to James W. Bunch, 2nd to Thomas G. Fisher and 3rd was James M. London.

1880 Orange CO IN            June 9, 1880                Jackson

1900 Indian Territory Cherokee Nation           13 July 1900                Flint

1910 Sebastian CO AR         22 April 1910                   Fort Smith - Upper Township

1920 Sebastian CO AR          January 1920                       Fort Smith - Upper Township

CHARLES WESLEY WILLIAMS
Son of
Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson
Charles<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Charles Wesley Williams, the son of Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson, was born March 18, 1858 and died January 30, 1932 in Savah, Posey County, Indiana.

(Link to Charles Wesley Williams death certificate)

1880 Orange CO IN           4 June 1880                       Jackson

1900 Posey CO IN            12 June 1900                     Lynn

1910 Posey CO IN           3 May 1910                         Lynn

1920 Posey CO IN           19 January 1920                       Lynn

1930 Posey CO IN          17 April 1930                           Lynn

SQUIRE WILLIAMS
Son of
Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson
Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Squire Williams, the son of Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson, was born August 1, 1860 and died August 31, 1928 in Posey County, Indiana. Squire married Sarah A. Spaulding on July 27, 1879.

(Link to Squire Williams' death certificate)

1880 Orange CO IN          22 June 1880                       Jackson

When the 1900 census was taken Squire Williams was working on a farm as a laborer.

1900 Posey CO IN          June 4, 1900                     New Harmony

1920 Posey CO IN           19 January 1920                       Lynn

RACHEL WILLIAMS
Daughter of
Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson

Rachel Williams, the daughter of Peter Williams & Mary (Polly) Ada Anderson, was born about 1863.

1880 Orange CO IN          4 June 1880                     Jackson

ELIZABETH (ELIZA) WILLIAMS
Daughter of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
Elizabeth<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Elizabeth Williams, the daughter of Squire Williams & Elizabeth Howlet Trent, was born about 1835 in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Elizabeth married Orville Coldwell in 1859 but a short time later, Orville Coldwell died. A son, James Monroe Williams (was Coldwell), was born January 30, 1860. Elizabeth died February 8, 1860 and the death was probably the result of the birth of James Monroe Coldwell one week earlier. So, by the time little James Coldwell was a few days old, both his parents were dead. Ten years later, James is living in the home of his grandparents and is listed as James M. Trent. We don't know why he was using Trent as his last name.

1870 Jefferson CO TN          30 June 1870                 Strawberry Plains

NANCY A. WILLIAMS
Daughter of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
Nancy<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Nancy A. Williams, the daughter of Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent, was born 1843 in Tennessee. Nancy married James Deadrick Webb in Hawkins County, Tennessee on December 24, 1866. Nancy died January 13, 1927.

1870 Hawkins CO TN          28 June 1870                       District 11

1880 Hawkins CO TN          7 June 1880                       District 10

JAMES MADISON MATTHEW WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
James<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

James Madison Williams, the son of Squire Williams & Elizabeth Howlet Trent, was born March 1844 and died August 13, 1907. James married Texana Mayo on January 3, 1866 in Hawkins County Tennessee. Texana was born April 1846 in Hawkins County, Tennessee and died June 23, 1907 in Knox County, Tennessee. Texana Mayo was the daughter of Richard P. and Elizabeth Mauk Mayo.

Link to James M. Williams' death Certificate

This death certificate is critical in that it provides the maiden name of James Madison Williams' mother. Link to James William & Texana Mayo marriage documentation

Obituary: KNOXVILLE - James Matthew Williams passed away Tuesday (13 AUG 1907) at the residence of his son, Mr. John Williams, in Lonsdale at 11:35 p.m. after an illness of two days with pneumonia fever. He was a well known citizen of Lincoln Park. The deceased was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, in 1843 and leaves nine children to mourn his loss, his wife having preceded him to the grave some seven weeks ago. The children are: Mrs. Paralee Long, Messrs. John, Tom, Bob and Ham, Mrs. Ramsey, Misses Ella and Mollie Williams, all of this city; and Mr. Charlie Williams of White Pine, Tennessee. Mr. Williams was a well known and highly-respected citizen, having come to Knoxville eighteen years ago.
Funeral services will be held at the Lincoln Park home of his son at two o'clock Thursday (15 AUG 1907). Rev. Knight of Brookwalter and Rev. Crow of Oakwood will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood cemetery. SOURCE: KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL - 15 AUG 1907

Obituary: KNOXVILLE - Mrs. Texana Williams, wife of Matthew Williams, died Sunday (June 23, 1907) about five o'clock at the home of the family on Cherokee Avenue. Lincoln Park. The deceased was 62 years of age. The funeral will occur at 2 PM Monday afternoon. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. SOURCE: KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL - 24 JUN 1907

Children of James M. Williams & Texana Mayo:

1. Paralee Williams
2. John Morgan Williams
3. Wiley Thomas Williams
4. Robert H. Williams
5. Charles Wells Williams
6. William Ham Williams
7. Neppie Luanne Williams
8. Martha Ellen Williams
Alice Mollie Williams

1870 Hawkins CO TN          29 July 1870                          District 8

1880 Hawkins CO TN          1 June 1880                           District 7

1900 Knox CO TN           13 June 1900                           District 2

SQUIRE LOONEY (LUNA) WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
Squire<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Squire Looney Luna Williams, the son of Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent, was born about 1856. Squire married Sally Wise in Hawkins County, Tennessee on December 7, 1867.

Link to Squire Looney (Luna) Williams death certificate

1870 Hawkins Co. TN          12 July 1870                   Lee Valley District 2

Interestingly, the Williams history states that Sherrod Williams married Mary Polly Looney, daughter of Michael Looney in Hawkins County, Tennessee around 1814. We suspect this might be a Sherrod Williams that was a son of one of the early Williams family of either Russell County, Virginia or Hawkins County, Tennessee. The older Sherrod Williams was born 1750 � 1760 and would have been 54 � 64 years old in 1814 if the marriage date is correct. Mary Polly Looney might have been a second marriage, however.

We find it interesting that Squire Williams named a son Looney coupled with the fact that a Dorotha SHERROD was living in Looney's home in 1870. One might suspect that she was the mother of Sallie (wife of Looney); however, a Sarah Williams was found on the 1880 census with a child named Looney. This may or may not be Looney's wife from the 1870 census. The name Sherrod and Looney suggest a relationship to Mary Polly Looney and Sherrod Williams but this could also be coincidental.

Sallie was a nickname for Sarah we believe this could be the wife of Looney from the 1870 census. Looney was not in the home but Sarah was listed as married, not widowed or divorced. Looney and his brother Perry were living with his mother on the 1880 census.

This Sarah Williams was living with Dolly or Sally Wise, age 78, a widow, who is listed as Sarah's mother.

1880 Hawkins Co. TN        8th & 9th day of June 1880                 District 2

1880 Wilson CO TN          7 June 1880                       District 19

1920 Sumner CO TN          10 February 1920                      District 15

ALEXANDER WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
Alexander<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Alexander Williams, the son of Squire Williams & Dicey Scalf, was born about 1848.

1870 Hawkins Co. TN          14 June 1870                      Rogersville District 10

1880 Hawkins Co. TN          2 & 3 June 1880                  District 10

J. PERRY WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
J. Perry<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

1880 Wilson CO TN          7 June 1880                       District 19

1900 Claiborne CO TN          13 June 1900                            District 5

1910 Hancock CO TN          23 April 1910                          District 12

ANDREW WILLIAMS
Son of
Squire Williams & Elizabeth Trent
Andrew<Squire<Peter<Dicey<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Andrew Williams, the son of Squire Williams & Elizabeth Howlet Trent, was born about 1854 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

Considering the documentation provided by Gwen McLaughlin along with the pension file of John Scalf, Sr., we believe that John Williams of Hamilton County, Tennessee was not the husband of Dicey Scalf Williams.

However, we will present here information that has been gathered concerning the census records of Brannam/Branham Williams who is listed in prior writings of the Scalf family as a son of Dicey Scalf.

Information from Collins researchers state that Brannam/Branham Williams was a grandson of Vardy (Vardiman) Collins and Margaret Peggy Gibson Collins. It is stated also that Brannam/Branham was the son of Timothy Williams and Lucretia Collins. Lucretia was the daughter of Vardy and Margaret.

The 1850 census of Hawkins County, Tennessee shows Branum Williams living in the home of Vardy Collins.

BRANHAM WILLIAMS
Son of
Timothy Williams and Lucretia Collins

1850 Hawkins CO TN          3 December 1850                       Subdivision 33

By 1860, Branham/Brannum Williams had married and had one child whom he named Timothy.

1860 Hancock CO TN          12 July 1860                         Panten Creek District

By 1870, Branham/Brannum Williams now has a wife named Eliza [NOTE: from the death certificate of son, Shelby (see his entry below), we learn that Eliza's maiden name was Collins] and is living in Hancock County. We believe that Eliza and Louisia were the same person. Brannum/Branham had five children in 1870.

1870 Hancock CO TN          8 August 1870                      District 11

By 1880, Branham/Brannum is listed as B. H. Williams and still living in Hancock County in district 11. He has seven children at this time. It should also be noted that he named a son Shelby Jones Williams suggesting a possible Jones family connection.

1880 Hancock CO TN          17 & 18 June 1880                  District 11

Brannum is still living in Hancock County in 1900. His wife states she has ten children with six living. Four of these children were in the home. Two were probably married at this time. Timothy is still living with his parents. In the home are two boarders, Thomas Moore and John Collins. John is 12 years old and is likely a grandson of Brannum.

1900 Hancock CO TN          20 June 1900                 District 11

>By 1910 Eliza had died and Brannum now has a son-in-law, Dalton Collins living in the home. Dalton appears to be the husband of Vestie/Vistie Williams. Edward was the grandson of Brannum but does not appear to be the son of Dalton and Vestie because Vestie states she had one child born with none living.

1910 Hancock CO TN          15 April 1910                     District 11

JAMES WILLIAMS
Son of
Branham Williams & Eliza ____

1900 Hancock CO TN          20 June 1900                      District 11

1910 Hancock CO TN          15 April 1910                        District 11

SHELBY JONES WILLIAMS
Son of
Branham Williams & Eliza Collins

1900 Hancock CO TN          20 June 1900                          District 11

1910 Hancock CO TN          15 April 1910                     District 11

In conclusion, we believe the pension file of John Scalf, Sr. and census records of Russell County, Virginia and Hawkins County, Tennessee support the opinion that Dicey Scalf married Squire Williams and that Squire Williams of Russell County, Virginia and Hawkins County, Tennessee was most likely the same person. Further research into this line of the family might produce more confirming evidence. Research is ongoing on this line.

Compiled by Margaret (Scalf) Fleenor 2005

Census records provided by Virgil Scalf 2005

Copyright (C) 2005 - 2017 by Margaret Fleenor, All Rights Reserved.