Veteran Bio

Mr. Williams’ is listed on page 43 of the army rolls in the General Land Office as Hezh. Williams, a member of Captain William H. Logan’s company and following his name is the notation: “Detailed to guard upper camp”. This meant that he was among those detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836. Comptroller’s Military Service Record No. 988 signed May 11, 1836, at Headquarters by Frank Hardin, First Lieutenant in command and countersigned by Thos. J. Rusk, Brigadier General, commanding, reads: “This certifies that Hezekiah Williams mustered at head quarters in Capt. Logans Company on the 14th of April last and on account of his ill health is this day honorably discharged from the service of his country.”

Mr. Williams was the father of Hezekiah R. Williams who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He came to Texas in 1833. (See Headright Certificate No. 120 for one labor of land issued to him in 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners for Jefferson county). On December 24, 1834 he had received title to a league of land in Zavala’s Colony situated on Taylor’s Bayou adjoining the land of Charles Williams in what is now Jefferson county. Charles Williams also received title to his land December 24, 1834.

Following is a copy of the Certificate of Character issued to him October 10, 1834 by John Bevil:

Dept. of Nacogdoches )

)

District of Bevil ) Oct. 10, 1834

I certify that Hezakiah Williams is a Native of the State of Louisiana in the U. S. of the North hath a family consisting of Nine Persons is of good Moral habits and friendly to the Laws and Religion of the Country. Given at the request of the Party interested Wife & 7 children, 2 slaves”

(signed) John Bevil,

Alcalde.”

The following was copied from H. P. N. Gammel’s Laws of Texas, Vol. IV, p. 808:

An act for the releif of Mary Williams, widow of Hezekiah Williams, widow of Hezekiah Williams.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That there be and is hereby donated to the widow of Hezekiah Williams, a certificate for six hundred and forty acres of land, and that the Commissioner os the General Land Office is hereby required to issue a certificate for the same which may be located and patented as headright certificates.

Sec. 2. That this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

Passed, September l, 1856 (Gammel’s Laws of Texas, Vol. 4, p. 808)

Mrs Frederick Schenkenberg, a great granddaughter of Hezekiah Williams, was residing at 3609 Lexington Street, Dallas in March, 1941.

WILLIAMS, HEZEKIAH - “An act for the relief of Mary Williams, widow of Hezekiah Williams.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That there be and is hereby donated to the widow of Hezekiah Williams, a certificate for six hundred and forty acres of land, and that the Commissioner of the General Land Office is hereby required to issue a certificate for the same which may be located and patented as headright certificates.

Sec. 2 That this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

Passed, September 1, 1856.

(Gammel’s Laws of Texas, Vol . 4, p. 808)

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