Born: 1/15/1826 Nashville, TN Died: 1/12/1893 Luxora, AR Buried: Old Elmot Cemetery, Luxora, AR Married: 6 Apr 1847 Wilson County TN 1stt wife Mary Elizabeth Finley born: 15 Sep 1818 Lebanon, Wilson Co, TN died: abt 1857 Osceola, Mississippi Co, AR         Children:         William Finley Williams         Sarah "Sallie" Elizabeth Williams         Alice Martin Williams         Mary R. "Kate" Williams Married 30 May 1858 Henry Co, IL 2nd wife Juliette Marion (Nellie) Heath born: 18 Jan 1832 Gailesville, Washington Co, NY died: 22 Apr 1869 Osceola, Mississippi Co, AR         Children:         Edward Heath Williams         Henry Ewing Williams         Zerlena "Lena" Virginia Williams           Married 10 Oct 1871 Bates Co, MO 3rd wife Mary J. Dunkle born abt 1831 Metal, Franklin Co, PA died before 1880, Luxora, Mississippi Co, AR         Children:         Margaret "Maggie" Williams Married in 1882 4th wife Sarah "Sally" A. Dunavant nee Alexander born abt 1843 in TN died abt 1910 Luxora, Mississippi Co, AR

	Edward Heath Williams (My Grandfather) Born April 20, 1859 Osceola AR Died November 15, 1901 Jonesboro AR Married Maude Dunn who was born 11/2/1865 on 17 Mar 1885 in Pensacola, Escambia, FL Go to his page in the menu above to read more about him. Henry Ewing Williams Born November 29, 1860 Osceola AR Died 11 Feb 1936 in Birmingham AL (Vol. 9, Roll 3, Pg 4075 AL deaths 1908-1959) Henry went back to Nashville TN, where his father was born, and married Mattie Martin of neighboring Wilson County at age 29 in 1889.  He stayed in Nashville until sometime between 1915 and 1920 when he moved to Birmingham Alabama with his family of seven children, five boys and two girls when he was over fifty five years of age and worked for the Birmingham Rail and Locomotive Company into his seventies. Zerlena "Lena" Virginia Williams Born May 8, 1862 Osceola AR Died  Aug 18, 1941 Memphis, TN Married: John Bowen, Luxora AR, moved to Memphis, TN Lena married John A. Bowen who was from Blytheville AR on 26 Nov 1889.  They lived in Fletcher Township which included Luxora Arkansas until after 1910 when they moved to Memphis TN where they lived until they died.

This is a picture of my Great Great Grandmother.   Nellie Heath Williams is the name that appears on this photo along with "(Mrs. James H)" written below. There is no indication who the young girl is but I believe she is Lena. Mama Nelle's records she received November 15, 1921 from Howard F. Heath, 1545 East 61st St, Chicago indicate James was married on May 30, 1858 in Osceola, AR to Juliette Marian Heath who was born January 18, 1832 in Gailesville, Washington County, NY and died April 22, 1869 in Osceola, AR.  She is the daughter of Sidney Heath and Phebe Foster Heath.  However, Henry County Court Records, Film # 1435944 - 1435945 show J N Heath married James H. Williams 30 May 1858 in Henry County Illinois.

Margaret "Maggie" Williams Born 1874 in Luxora, AR Died 14 Nov, 1950 in Luxora, AR at the age of 76 Married  F. B. Hale  (Her obituary appears below)

Maggie was born about the time her mother Mary Dunkle died, possibly in childbirth.  All of the census records show her living with her sister Sallie and her family, the Cartwrights, until she married Franklin Bird Hale on 11 May 1917.  Franklin's first wife, Mary M. Wells had died 30 Sep 1915, leaving him with 6 children, the youngest 19 years of age. Franklin Bird Hale died 1 Jul 1526 at which time Maggie again moved back in with her sister Sallie. See Maggie's page above in the menu for more information.

Nelle Heath married James Williams on 30 May 1858 in Henry County IL at a time when Nelle was living with her father, Sidney Heath, and his second wife Ann.  His first wife had died in NY.  On 19 Oct 1859 Nelle's father died in the village of Woodhill, Henry County, IL. Woodhull was a village within the township of Clover.  Oxford was the township that Mary Dunkle and family lived in the 1860 census.  It bordered west of Clover.  Nelle and Mary both lived in Henry County near each other, so may have been friends. The 1860 census has George 55, Margaret 57 and Mary 29, William Dunkle 17, living in Oxford, Henry, Illinois.  George was a farmer. The 1870 census has George 64, Margret 67, Mary 39, Nelson Dunkle 26 living in post office Butler in Charlotte, Bates, Missouri.  George was a farmer, Mary is shown as being born in Penn as was the whole family. Charlotte, Bates County, MO is where James H. Williams married Mary Dunkle on 10 Oct 1871 after Nelle Heath died.   Mary’s mother’s name was Margaret so Mary's daughter Margaret Williams was probably named after her grandmother, Margaret Dunkle.

The obituary at the left appears to have been published in the Osceola, AR times. Luxora, where James lived, is about five miles north of Osceola up the Mississippi river. It answers the qustions of who his wives were, but not who his children were. Here's what we learned from this document: He was born near Nashville, TN in 1826. He was the seventh of a large family of children born to Josiah F. and Margaret (Philips) Williams. In 1849 he came to Arkansas and built the home in which he had since lived and died. It was located near Ellmot Landing. In 1847 he married his first wife, Mary E. Finley. He married his second wife, Nelle Heath, in 1858. He married his third wife, Mary Dunkle, in 1874 according to his obituary, but actually married Mary Dunkle in Bates County MO on 10 Oct 1871 according to the marriage license. In 1882 he married his last wife, Sahah A. Dunavant. He was elected in 1816 to represent Mississippi County in the State Legislature. Later he held the positions of School Director and Justice of the Peace for his Township. He died at his home on January 12, 1893 at 67 years of age.

	Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Chicago, Nashville, and St Louis The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1889 page 565 James H. Williams. The entire life of Mr. Williams has been one unmarked by any unusual occurrence outside of the chosen channels to which he has so diligently and attentively given his time and attention.   A native of the State of Tennessee (born near Nashville in 1826), he has given his attention to tilling the soil, and the manner in which he has acquired his present estate denotes him to [p.566] be an energetic, successful agriculturist.   His early scholastic advantages were received in his native State, and, after attending the common schools, he entered a college in that State, which he attended until twenty years of age, after which he engaged in the lumber business in the city of Nashville.   His wife was formerly Miss Mary E. Finley, of Lebanon, Tenn., whom he married in 1847, she being a sister of Jesse J. Finley, a United States senator from Florida. (My note:  She is also the sister of Sarah Finley who married James brother, Elisha Williams)   After making several annual trips to Mississippi County, Ark., he settled here in 1849, and on the first of January of the following year he took possession of a fine tract of land, comprising 480 acres, situated about four and a half miles north of Osceola. It was at that time covered by a dense canebrake, with the exception of twenty acres which were cleared, and here Mr. Williams entered actively upon his work, and his career since that time has been marked by industry and strict attention to his calling. He has 160 acres under cultivation, and in addition to this property has 160 acres of cleared land on Big Lake. In 1880 he erected a fine residence on his estate, which is now one of the pleasantest homes in this section of the country; and everything about his home indicates the enterprise and thrift which have ever characterized his efforts.   He has always taken an active interest in the development and improvement of Mississippi County, and has also been quite an active politician. In 1856 he was chosen justice of his township, and in 1876 was elected to represent his county in the State legislature, having filled, since completing his term of service, the offices of school director and justice of the peace.   Mr. Williams' wife departed this life in 1858, leaving a family of four children:                -William F., married to Miss Kizer;                 -Sallie, wife of N. G. Cartwright, of Osceola;               -Alice, wife of F. M. Moseley, of Blythesville, and               -Katie, wife of Ben. H. Bacebus, a druggist of Osceola.   In 1861 (My note:  My grandmother's records indicate James Williams married Miss Heath 30 May1958 as indicated below beside her picture.  Their first child was born 20 April 1859, making 1858 likely the correct marriage date.)  Mr. Williams married his second wife, Miss Nellie Heath, of Illinois, who died in 1872, leaving four children:               -Edward H., who is married to a Miss Dunn, of Florida, and is a                 merchant of Elmot;              -Henry E., who is superintendent of Goodrich Iron Works,                belonging to James C. Warner;  (My note:  He is the husband of                James' sister in TN)               -Zerlena W. and               -Maggie (My note: Maggie is actually the daughter of Mary Dunkle)   Miss Mary Dunkle, of Missouri, became Mr. Williams' third wife, but died the third year of her marriage.   He wedded his present wife in 1882, she being a Mrs. Sarah A. Dunnavant, nee Alexander, of Crockett County, Tenn., widow of Leonard Dunnavant. Mrs. Williams was the mother of three children by her first marriage, who are as follows: Robert, a pilot on the Mississippi River; Reid and Lillie, all of whom make their home with Mr. Williams. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he to the Presbyterian.   He is also a member of Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M., of Osceola.   He was the seventh of a family of children born to Josiah F. and Margaret (Phillips) (my note:  should be spelled with one "L") Williams, the former a planter of Tennessee, who purchased, in 1837, a large tract of land in the southern part of Mississippi County, Ark., which he conducted for about eight years, then selling out to Mr. Lanier in 1843.   Mr. and Mrs. Josiah F. Williams were very fortunate in the growing-up of their children, twelve of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. The three eldest daughters married Ewings (three brothers), prominent men. The fourth daughter married Dr. Henry Whitaker; the fifth married Mr. I. C. Warner, the great Iron King of the South; the sixth married Mr. John A. Dunkin, a wholesale merchant, of Nashville, Tenn,; the seventh married Dr. Kennedy, of Chattanooga. One granddaughter married Mr. Henry Watterson, editor of the Courier-Journal, of Louisville. The sons were all good men, and married well.   Mrs. Williams died near Nashville, in the year 1845.   Mr. J. F. Williams died at the same place, in the year 1852, having been a great sufferer for five years with cancer in his eye. He left a noble record for his family.

	Children by Mary E. Finley:     William Finley Williams Born 19 Feb 1848 in Nashville TN Married Christina Keiser in 1865   I was informed on 15 Dec 2007 by Brianna MacDonald that  William and Christina had several children, one who was her great grandfather Fred Williams.  Fred married Louise Stout in Helena AR and they had four children, Mary Louise, Lewis, James, and Christine.  Her grandmother was Mary Louise.  The only surviving child of that couple is her Great Aunt Chris who lives in Tullahoma TN near her daughter Alice.  Lewis was the only son to have had sons.  He moved to San Diego CA and the Williams line continues there.  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas page 568 William F. Williams is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of Mississippi County, Ark., and is a man whose life has been an active one, and not without the substantial rewards of success.   His grandfather, Josiah Williams, was a resident of Nashville, and a man of enterprise and discretion.   He became an extensive landholder in Mississippi County, purchasing his property at what was then known as Social Bend, about the year 1835, which property was managed by his sons, James H. and his brothers, who were then young men, the place being well stocked with slaves.   About 1850, James H. Williams purchased a farm near Elmot, above Osceola, and with the help of his slaves, he opened up about 200 acres, and on this farm he is still residing.   William F. Williams was the eldest of eight children born to his parents, and received some educational advantages in the schools of Osceola.   After reaching manhood, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Christina Kieser, a daughter of F. W., and granddaughter of John Kieser, who came from Germany to the United States in 1831, bringing with him his wife and two children, F. W. Kieser being the only one of the latter that is living.   The grandfather is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and divides his time about equally between Kentucky and Osceola, Ark.   F. W. Kieser is also living, in Kentucky.   William F. Williams, after his marriage, which occurred in 1875, moved onto his father-in-law's place, which adjoins Osceola, and is now managing 600 acres of land. He pays an annual rental of $3,000 for his land, and his principal crops are cotton and corn, the yield of the former being about three-quarters to one bale, or forty bushels of corn, to the acre.   There is nothing that he has ever tried to make grow on his land that has not thrived, whether grain or fruit. He is also engaged in stock dealing, and thinks the farmers of this region have thoroughly awakened to the fact that it pays to raise a good grade of stock.   The mules of Mississippi County are becoming especially noted; Mr. Williams has also some Holstein cattle, which he considers a better breed for this region than any other. He has a fine male animal, which was imported from Holland, and although but two years old, weighs 1,218 pounds. His hogs are of the Berkshire breed, brought from Kentucky, and are very fine. He keeps a few sheep, which he finds fairly profitable, but thinks the country here too level for them to thrive well.   Mr. Williams has acted as school director for a number of years, and from his own observations has seen a decided improvement in the standard of schools since the year 1870, and consequently a decided improvement in the people of this section.   The education of his three children, May, Fred [p.568] and James, is being attended to by their mother, who is a lady of culture and refinement, and was educated at Cape Girardeau. Mo., and Memphis, Tenn.   Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, at Osceola; Mr. Williams has passed the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the A. F. & A. M., of Osceola, and is a charter member of Apollo Commandery at Forest City, ARK.  He is also a member of the K. of H. Sarah "Sallie" Williams Born 17 Sep 1849 in Nashville TN Died 12 Jan, 1936 Osceola AR Married Noah Grandy Cartwright 11 Mar 1869 Born 30 Apr 1840 Elizabeth City NC Died 20 Sep 1910 Osceola AR Married N. G. Cartwright, a confederate soldier from Elizabeth City, NC in 1869. Click here to read his biography on the Sallie Williams Cartwright page. Lived in Luxora AR until 1880 and then moved to Osceola AR. They had two daughters and eight sons. She came to Arkansas with her Father and Mother in 1849 as a small child. At the time of her death in 1933 or 1934, her obituary says she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. F. B. Hale of Osceola AR and Mrs. Lena Bowen of Memphis TN and a brother, Henry Williams of Birmingham AL.  Alice Martin (Ann?) Williams Born 12 Mar 1851 Monroe, Mississippi County, AR   Married F. M. Mosley in 1872 Born abt 1832 Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas page 539 F. M. Mosley. It was in 1849 that Mr. Mosley first became a resident of Arkansas, having come from his native State of Tennessee, where he was born in 1832, with his parents, of whom he was the fourth of their nine children.   Harrison Mosley and Mary Davis Evans, the parents, both Virginians, were married in their native State, and soon after moved to Tennessee, where the father followed the life of a farmer until his death, in 1849.   In the fall of that year the remainder of the family came to St. Francis County, Ark., where F. M. Mosley resided until 1859, when he came to Mississippi County, where he farmed on rented land until the close of the war; then, in partnership with H. T. Blythe, purchased a tract of land in Chickasawba Township, on which they erected a horse cotton-gin.   A few years later they put in steam machinery, but in 1873, Mr. Mosley sold his interest in the gin, as well as his farm of 160 acres, and purchased his present property, one mile west of Blythesville, which comprises a tract of eighty acres, of which fifty are under cultivation.   He took possession of this place in 1879, all of which was covered with woods at that time, and since then he has cleared fifty acres and built an excellent dwelling house; he also has a fine collection of fruit trees.   It is one of the most pleasant places in all the neighborhood, and is the result of thrift and energy, which are among the leading characteristics of Mr. Mosley. His land is exceptionally productive, and readily yields a bale of cotton to the acre.   He has been married twice, first in 1854, to Mary Thompson, of Arkansas, who died in 1872, leaving one child, Tabitha Ellen, the wife of Dr. Jones, [p.539]   His second union took place in the fall of 1872, and was with Miss Alice Williams, a daughter of James H. Williams, whose sketch appears in this work. They have three children:   Francis M., who died in infancy in 1875 James H. Willie Bacchus   He is a patron of education, is a practical and successful farmer, and by reading and observation has become well posted in business affairs. Mary Kate Williams Born 12 Mar 1853 Monroe, Mississippi County, AR   Married Benjamin H. Baccus Born 15 Oct 1848  Below is a copy of the will of William Bacchus, father of Benjamin H. Bacchus. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas page 465 Benjamin H. Bacchus, a prominent druggist and farmer of Osceola, Ark., is a native of Kent County, Md., born at Chestertown on October 15, 1848, and of the six children born to his parents, William and Harriet (Greenwood) Bacchus, Benjamin H. was the fifth in order of birth.   The parents were natives of Maryland, and the father for a long time was a miller and farmer of that place. The mother died in 1856, and in 1859 the father married Miss Susan Arthur. He died in 1872, having during the latter years of his life lived in retirement.   Benjamin H. Bacchus passed his youth in Chestertown, and received an exceptionally good education in public and private schools, supplementing the same by a two years' attendance at the college at Chestertown.   He then took a course of instruction at Bryant, Stratton & Sadler's [p.465] Business College, at Baltimore, and left that institution fully equipped to enter upon any pursuit.   He followed the teacher's profession for one term, and in 1867 went to Memphis, where he engaged in the cotton and oil business. At the end of one and one-half years he came to Mississippi County, Ark., and commenced farming at Elmot, where he continued until 1880.   In 1878 Mr. Bacchus was elected county surveyor, and in 1880 he was elected clerk of the supreme court, ex-officio clerk of the county and probate courts, and recorder. So well did he fill this position that he was re-elected in 1882.   In 1887 he was elected mayor of the city of Osceola. At this time the city was heavily in debt, and its warrants were worthless; but at the expiration of Mr. Bacchus' term of office the debt of the city was wiped out, and the warrants were worth their face value.   In July, 1885, Mr. Bacchus engaged in the drug business in Osceola, and in 1888 he erected a fine store-house, into which he moved in February, 1889. The new quarters are neat, tasty and ornamental, and contain a complete line of fresh drugs.   Mr. Bacchus selected Miss Katie M. Williams as his companion in life, and was wedded to her in 1871. She was born in Mississippi County, and is the daughter of James H. Williams, who was formerly from Tennessee, and one of the old settlers of Mississippi County.   To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bacchus were born seven children:   Alice W Lallie C Lena S Benjamin H., Jr J. Greenwood Minnie Avery Mary Kate.   Mr. Bacchus is a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Bacchus of the Methodist Episcopal. Mr. Bacchus is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 27, Osceola, occupying an official position.   He was school commissioner of the county from 1872 to 1880, and takes a decided interest in all school matters.

	Following are the census records and marriage dates that establish the identies and birth dates of the children of James H. Williams.  It should be noted that "Monroe Township" where these census records were taken is located in the present town of Luxora, AR just north of Osceola, AR. Click here to view a copy of the marriage record of James and Mary Finley. James H. Williams and Mary E. Finley married in 1847 in TN   February 1850 U.S. Census, Monroe Township, Missippi County, AR   James Williams, Male, age 25, occupation Farmer Mary F. Williams, Female, age 23, wife William Williams, Male, age 2 (James and Mary Finley child #2) Sally Williams, Female, age 1 (James and Mary Finley child #1)   James H. Williams and Nelle Heath married in 1858 in AR.   August 1860 U.S. Census, Monroe Township, Mississippi County, AR   J. H. Williams, Male, age 35, occupation Farmer J. N. Williams, Female, age 26, wife, Housework W.F. Williams, Male, age 12 (James and Mary Finley child #1) Ann Williams, Female, age 8 (James and Mary Finley child #3) M.K. Williams, Female, age 7 (James and Mary Finley child #4) E.H. Williams, Male, age 1  (James and Nelle Heath child #1) Thomas Warren, Male, age 28, occupation School Teacher   The 1860 Census shows the following next door to J. H. Williams .  He was the son of James H. Williams' brother William Wiliams.  For some reason, at the time of this census Sally, oldest child of James Williams, was living with his nephew's family.   John W. Williams, Male, age 38, occupation Farmer Hannah Williams, Female, age 26, wife, Housework W. F. Williams, Male, age 5 S. E. Williams, Female, age 10 (James and Mary Finley child #2) Francis Williams, Male, age 1   June 1870 U.S. Census, Monroe Township, Mississippi County, AR   J. H. Williams, Male, age 44, occupation Farmer Alice Williams, Female, age 19,  Keeping House (James and Mary Finley child #3) Kate Williams, Female, age 16 (James and Mary Finley child #4) Williams Williams, Male, age 22, occupation Farmer (James and Mary Finley child #1) Edward, Male, age 10  (James and Nelle Heath child #1) Henry, Male, age 8  (James and Nelle Heath child #2) Virginia, age 6  (James and Nelle Heath child #3)   1870 Census shows the following next door to J. H. Williams.  He married James H. Williams oldest daughter.   N. G. Cartwright, Male, age 27, occupation Farmer Sallie Cartwright, Female, age 21, wife, Keeping House (James and Mary Finley child #2)   James H. Williams and Mary Duncle married in 1874 in AR   June 1880 U.S. Census, Monroe Township, Mississippi County, AR   James Williams, Male, age 34, occupation Farmer Henry E. Williams, Male, age 19, Son  (James and Nelle Heath child #2) Lena Williiams, Female, age 18, Daughter  (James and Nelle Heath child #3) Hezekiah Richie, Male, age 36, Border Samuel P. Cloye, Male, age 20, Border   Maggie Williams (James and Mary Duncle child #1) was born in 1874 and would have been 6 years old at the time of the 1880 census.  James wife Mary Duncle may have died in her childbirth or shortly thereafter as James married her in 1871 and Mary Duncle doesn't show up in the 1880 census, she apparently was dead by the 1880 census and Maggie was likely being taken care of by James Williams oldest daughter Sallie nearby.  Maggie is listed in the N. G. and Sallie Cartright home in the 1880 census and again in the 1900 census after James H. Williams died. The 1880 Census shows 41 year old A. Goodrich, Retail Dealer in Dry Goods and Grocer, living with his wife and family along with the following border.   Edward Williams, Male, age 21, occupation Store Clerk  (James and Nelle Heath child #1)   The 1880 Census shows James H. Williams' daughter's family.   N. G. Cartwright, Male, age 37 Sallie Cartwright, Female, age 30, Wife Katie Cartwright, Female, age 2, Daughter James W. Cartwright, Male, age ?, Son Maggie Williams, Female, age 5, Niece   The 1880 Census also shows James H. Williams' nephew's family.   John W. Williams, Male, age 58, occupation Farmer Anna F. Williams, Female, age 45, Wife, Housework Susan F. Williams, Female, age 19, Daughter Elliot H. Williams, Male, age 16, Son Sallie C. Williams, Female, age 14, Daughter Thomas Glasgow, Male, age 24, Border, Farmer   James H. Williams and Sarah A. Dunavant married in 1882 in AR   James H. Williams dies in 1893   June 1900 U.S. Census, Monroe Township, Mississippi County, AR   Noel G. Cartwright, age 59, Sarah E. Cartwright, age 51, wife James W. Cartwright, age 20, son Harry V. Cartwright, age 17, son Leland Cartwright, age 13, son Finley Cartwright, age 11, son Raymond Cartwright, age 6, son Maggie D. Willliams, age 25, sister-in-law Bennie Bacchus, age 8, niece Mary Bacchus, age 12, niece Click to see census data   1850 James Wms Census   1860 James Wms Census   1870 James Wms Census   1870 Keiser Census   1880 Cartwright Census   1880 Ed Wms Census   1880 James Wms Census   1880 John Wms Census   1900 Cartwright Census

This is the James H. Williams home that still sits alongside County Road 570. called Levee Road, one mile outside of Luxora AR in 2009.  According to his obituary he built this house about 1849 and lived in it till he died on 12 Jan 1893.  The maps below show the location of the home.  The GPS location is 35.763669, -89.909505 .

James Horn Williams House (Howard-Williams House), c.1849 2908 East CR 570, Luxora, Mississippi County During the early 1840s Tennessean James Horn Williams visited today’s Mississippi County, scouting properties on behalf of his planter father. What he saw apparently pleased him; in 1849 he purchased 480 acres, on which he built a residence. Williams became one of the leaders of the area; he served in both the state House and Senate, was a justice of the peace and was very active in local school, church and Masonic activities. The property was sold to W.C. and Ruth Howard in the 1920’s, and family farmed the surrounding acreage until recently. There is much Howard history available also through letters and photos; the last inhabitant, Carolyn Howard Hudson, passed away in 2014, and the house is, for the first time in over 100 years, vacant. The present house, located just east of present day Luxora, is believed to incorporate Williams’s original modest plantation house, much enlarged and modified and described in 1880 as “a fine residence.” It is currently unoccupied, thus vulnerable to wildlife, the elements, vandals and scavengers. Already, the wrought iron porch supports have disappeared; the nominator, a descendant of the original occupants, predicts that the house will either be demolished by vandalism or salvaged by its owners, who cannot support the financial burden of rehabilitating it or maintaining it as a vacant property. At this stage, more is known of the house’s original occupants than of the structure itself. The Williams-Howard House awaits detailed architectural inspection and evaluation, but the possibilities of what may be found behind the vintage wood siding are enormous and exciting. A vintage plantation house facing the Mississippi across the levee road, the Williams-Howard House has a long, almost unbroken chain of occupation and ownership and is a preservation prospect ripe for the picking.

During the early 1840s Tennessean James Horn Williams visited today’s Mississippi County, scouting properties on behalf of his planter father. What he saw apparently pleased him; in 1849 he purchased 480 acres, on which he built a residence. Williams became one of the leaders of the area; he served in both the state House and Senate, was a justice of the peace and was very active in local school, church and Masonic activities. The present house is believed to incorporate Williams’s original modest plantation house, much enlarged and modified and described in 1880 as “a fine residence.” The house remained in Williams family hands until 1923, when it was sold to the Howards, another local family. They continuously occupied the home until 2014. It is currently unoccupied, thus vulnerable to wildlife, the elements, vandals and scavengers.

Monroe Township Census Area