.Henry J. Williams (6).

Henry J. Williams is a son of Elisha Williams Jr and Mary "Polly" Philips

Henry J. WILLIAMS
Born 20 Jun 1825, died 18 Apr 1853 from TB
Estate administrater James Exum Sumner, Sr.
Buried: Old City Cemetery, Murfreesbory, TN

Married Susan E. Sumner 28 May 1851
Born 7 Jul 1828, died 23 Feb 1876 in Franklin County, TN from TB

Susan is a daughter of Exum Sumner and Temperance Drake. Exum's mother is Martha Philips who came to Nashville from the Tarboro NC area after her husband Joseph Sumner Jr died in 1793. Martha and Joseph had six children living at the time of Joseph's death, five sons and one daughter, all minors. Joseph was a from a wealthy family and himself wealthy. Martha inherited everything he had.

Martha moved with the children to the Nashville TN area and soon married Simon Williams who was born in 1747 in NC and died before Apr 1855, leaving his considerable land and personal property to Martha.

Martha lived a long life, living until 1855 when she died at 97 years of age. When she died, a very wealthy woman, she left everything she owned to her 7 living grandchildren, all children of her son Exum who lived in the Nashville area until he died in 1851, before his mother.

Exum's daughter Susan E. Sumner, as one of Martha's granddaughters, inherited seven slaves and one seventh of everything her grandmother Martha owned, with the provision that all the inheritance "shall be to their sole and separate use and free from the debts of their husband".

Susan's grandmother, Exum Sumner's mother, Martha Philips is a sister of Joseph Philips who came to Nashville in 1792 and settled on 1,000 acres on Dickerson Pike six miles north of Nashville.

Joseph Philips convinced his good friend Elisha Williams Sr to come to Nashville from Louisburg, Franklin County, NC in about 1804. Elisha was a wealthy farmer in Louisburg NC.

Elisha settled about four miles north of Nashville on Gallatin Pike on 640 acres. Elisha came with his three sons.

Elisha purchased a tract of land for one of his sons, Elisha Williams Jr, in Rutherford County and divided his land on Gallatin Pike between his other two sons, Josiah Frederick, who attended the University of North Carolina for two years, and William Williams, a graduate of Harvard Law School.

Elisha left a married daughter, Elizabeth "Betsy" Norfleet Hunter Williams with her husband Joseph John Williams Jr living near Warrington NC.

Susan E. Sumner marriage to Henry J. Williams

Susan E. Sumner married the youngest son of Elisha Williams Jr., Henry J. Williams, in Rutherford County on 28 May 1851, two years before her grandmother Martha Sumner died.

Click on the 1850 Slave Schedule for Henry J. Williams to the left to read the details of the schedule which lists 20 slaves.

Henry J. Williams' mother died at the age of 37 in 1828 when he was only 2 years of age.

Henry J. Williams' brother Elisha died 31 Oct 1848 at the age of 24 when he was only 23 years of age.

Henry J. Williams sister Sarah Josey Ray Williams died 14 Mar 1850 at the age of 34 when he was only 24 years of age.

Shortly after marrying Susan E. Sumner on 28 May 1851 Henry J. Williams' brother Joseph John P. Williams died on 31 May 1852 at the age of 34. Henry was only 26 years of age.

Henry J. Williams died on 18 April 1853 at the young age of 27 years of age.

It's possible that all of the above died of TB as Susan would later die of TB as would a number of her young children. The second wife of her second husband, Dr. J. J. Abernathy died of TB as well.

This family certainly had it's share of tragedy with so many family members living short lives.

Mary "Polly" Philips who is the mother of Henry J. Williams is the daughter of Philip Philips, the son of another Joseph Philips, a large land speculator living in Rutherford County TN. This Joseph Philips is not related to the Joseph Philips mentioned above who settled on Dickerson Pike 6 miles north of Nashville.

According to Gwen Boyd of Murfreesboro, Henry J. Williams died with a will dated 14 Oct 1852 and filed in May 1853. He left his share of farm equipment, horses, cattle, etc. to his brother Henry who then died in May of 1853.

It appears that Henry J. Williams did not feel that his widow Susan E. Sumner needed what he left his brother Henry due to the large inheritance she had received from her grandmother Martha Philips.

I could find no record of any children from the marriage of Henry J. Williams and Susan E. Sumner, which lasted about two years. This probably added to Henry J. Williams not feeling the need to leave anything for his widow.

Henry J. Williams is buried with his parents and siblings in the Old City Cemetery in the heart of Murfreesboro TN. His tombstone is shown in the photo at the top right of this page.

Dr. Jesse Jones Abernathy's first wife, Mary Moore Murfree

Two years after Henry J. Williams died, his widow Susan E. Sumner married Dr. Jesse Jones Abernathy, a physician born in Virginia. Susan's brother James worked for Dr. Abernathy as a foreman on his farm, according to Sumner family history.

The first child of Susan and Dr. Abernathy was named Henry Jones Abernathy, presumably in remembrance of Susan's first husband by using the name "Henry" and after Dr. Abernathy by using his middle name "Jones".

Dr. Abernathy had first married Mary Moore Murfree on 11 Oct 1843 in Rutherford County TN and the union produced three sons and one daughter by 10 April 1854 when Mary died and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro TN.

Mary is the daughter of Matthias Brickell Murfree and Mary Ann Roberts of Murfreesboro TN and the granddaughter of Lietenant Colonel Hardy Murfree, the namesake of Murfreesboro TN, and his wife Sally Brickell.

Colonel Hardy Murfree (1752-1809) was a lieutenant colonel from North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War and led several successful attacks against the British. In 1780, he married Sally Brickell and one of their sons is Matthias Brickell Murfree who was born 1788 in Hertford NC and died 15 Sep 1853 in Murfreesboro TN. Matthias and his wife Mary Ann Roberts were the parents of Mary Moore Murfree.

Matthias Brickell Murfree (Portrait to the left) was born at Melrose, the Murfree family home, Murfreesboro, North Carolina in 1788, son of Col. Hardy Murfree and Sally Brickell Murfree. He married Mary Ann Roberts in the early 1800s and migrated to Tennessee to farm large tracts of land which belonged to his father, some of which he inherited in 1809 when his father died.

He built several large houses on his property on the south side of East Main Street. The first of these is supposed to be the first house built on East Main Street.

He died in Murfreesboro, TN in 1853.

J. J. Abernathy, MD

Mary Moore Murfree

Mary Moore Murfree Tombstone

Susan E. Sumner marriage to Jesse Jones Abernathy, MD

Susan and Dr. Abernathy were married on 16 Jan 1855 in Rutherford County TN a year after Mary Moore Murfree died .

From the 1860 US Census on the right we can see that Dr. Abernathy and Susan had added to their family with a new son and were still living in Murfreesboro. However, between 1860 and 1870 apparently their house burned down and they left Murfreesboro for Franklin County TN.

Susan E. Sumner had nine children by J. J. Abernathy. She died on 23 Feb 1876 at age 47 from TB and her will was probated 9 Mar 1876 in Franklin County TN. She left everything to her husband J. J. Abernathy and her children. After his death, his part was to be equally divided between her children Henry J., Susan E., S. Sumner, Mary, and Ida. The will was witnessed by Sherrod Williams and David L. Gipson.

Click here to view a copy of the original hand written will.

State of Tennessee

Franklin County

I Susan E. Abernathy of the State and County of aforesaid being of sound and disposing mind hereby ordain the following as my last will and testament. /Signature/

I give to my husband J J Abernathy and to my children Henry J, Susan E, S Sumner, Mary and Ida all the land I possess to be divided as nearly as feasible equally between them.

To my husband I give that portion of my land on which my family now reside at the death of my said husband and I will that his portion of the land be divided equally among my children named above. But during his life I will that he managed control all the land and personal property for the benefit of himself and my children named above as family /

But as the children come of age and marry I will that if they desire their portion of land be acceded to them for their separate use. I will that apportion of the lands amongst my children named above begin at the time the first one comes of age or marries and the apportionment be made by three disinterested neighbors to be selected by my said husband if he be thus living and of competent mind and those now-designated neighbors shall with the assistance of a survey or measure divide and apportion the land amongst the children, but with the exception of that portion which is for the child married or of age all is to remain

In conclusion I reserve the privilege of dividing my silverware Brass Tableware Beds and Beading and other household goods amongst my family as I may see appropriate during my lifetime.

I will that my said husband J J Abernathy as the guardian of our children have full and free control of all the other personal property and real estate I die possessed of any Bonds or security as guardian or executor.

Witness my hand and seal date above Notarie Susan E. Abernathy (seal)

Sherrod Williams

David L. Gipson

Then the last will and testament of Susan E. Abernathy was inserted in open court for probate in the common form whereupon came David L Gipson one of the subscribing witnesses to said will who being duly sworn deposed and said that he was personally acquainted with the testator in his life knows that she signed and acknowledged said will in his presence to be her last will and testament and on the day is this date that she was of sound mind and disposing memory at the time she signed the same and he signed his name thereto as a witness in her presents (sic) made at the request of the testator// Thereupon it was ordered by the court that said will be recorded as the law directs// Given said in my hand at office this March 9,1876

Clem Arledge Clk

CAPTAIN CLEM. ARLEDGE, clerk and master of the Franklin County TN chancery court, was born June 1, 1826, being one of nine children, the fruits of the union of Clem. Arledge, Sr., and Martha Ginn, natives of South Carolina, from whence they came to Franklin County, Tenn., in 1818. The father was a farmer; he departed this life in 1851, and the mother followed him in the year 1857. Clem. Arledge was reared on a farm. At the age of twenty-six he married, and settled to farming. In 1856 he removed to Texas, and in two years returned to his native county. He was in the Confederate service as captain of Company F, Turney’s First Tennessee, from 1861 to 1862—one year—when he resigned on account of temporary loss of sight in both eyes, and perpetual blindness in one eye. In 1871 Capt. Arledge was elected clerk of the county court of Franklin County, efficiently holding that office for twelve years, until 1882. In January, 1883, he was appointed to the office of which he is now the incumbent. He was married, in 1853, to Eliza Roseborough, a native of Franklin County. She has borne ten children to this union, one of whom is dead—viz.: Josiah J., James C., John, Jesse B. (deceased), Robert L., Samuel L., Thomas M., Mattie S., Dora and Willie. Mrs. Arledge is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Capt. Arledge is a firm Democrat in politics, and is an enterprising and respected citizen of the county.

Susan E. Sumner tombstone in the Abernathy/Gipson Cemetery in Franklin County TN. Inscription says: Susan E. wife of J.J. Abernathy, July 7, 1828, Feb 23, 1876.

Gipson family graves in foreground

View from the end of Charlie, Joseph & Ellen Abernathy's markers

7 Feb 2016 photo of the wall around the Abernathy/Gipson Cemetery.

Henry Jones Abernathy, MD, the oldest son of Susan E. Sumner and J. J. Abernathy MD

John Calhoun Bell, husband of Susan, the oldest daughter of Susan E. Sumner and J. J. Abernathy MD

Descendants of Susan E Sumner

SUSAN E. SUMNER was born on 07 Jul 1828 in Davidson, Davidson, Tennessee. She died on 23 Feb 1876 in Franklin County, Tennessee. She married (1) HENRY J. WILLIAMS, son of Elisha Williams Jr and Mary "Polly" PHILIPS, on 28 May 1851 in Rutherford, Tennessee. He was born on 20 Jun 1825 in Tennessee. He died on 18 Apr 1853 in Murfreesboro, TN. She married (2) JESSE JONES ABERNATHY, son of Jesse Abernathy and Rebecca Abernathy, on 16 Jan 1855 in Rutherford, Tennesse. He was born on 29 Aug 1815 in Sussex, Virginia. He died on 30 Jan 1896 in Pulaski, Giles, Tennessee.

Notes for Henry J. WILLIAMS: Estate administrator James Exum Sumner, Sr. Buried: Old City Cemetery, Murfreesboro, TN

Jesse Jones Abernathy and Susan E Sumner had the following children:

HENRY JONES ABERNATHY was born on 13 Nov 1855 in Tennessee, United States. He died on 08 Dec 1923 in Hot Springs, San Miguel, New Mexico.
SUSAN ELIZABETH ABERNATHY was born in 1858 in Tennessee. She married John Calhoun Bell on 1 Sep 1881 in Grundy County TN. He served as a U.S. Representative from Colorado from 11 Dec 1851 to 12 Aug 1933. He also served as a U. S. Court of Appeals Judge in the 7th Judicial District. He was born 11 Dec 1851 in Sewanee TN. He died 12 Aug 1933 in Montrose CO at 8 years of age. She died on 08 Mar 1948 in Devine, Medina, Texas.
SAMUEL SUMNER ABERNATHY was born in Mar 1859 in Rutherford, Tennessee. He died about 1935 • Broadwater County, Montana
MARY ABERNATHY was born on 15 Dec 1863 in Alto, Franklin, Tennessee, United States. She died on 29 Aug 1883 in Alto, Franklin, Tennessee. Cause of death - TB.
MARTHA "MILLY" PHILIPS ABERNATHY was born on 07 May 1866 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 20 Aug 1874 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She likely died of TB.
JOSEPH E. ABERNATHY was born on 05 Nov 1868 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. He died on 12 Feb 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. He likely died of TB.
IDA N ABERNATHY was born on 26Jan 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 22 Mar 1945 in Otero, Colorado. Ellen is her twin.
ELLEN ABERNATHY was born on 26 Jan 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 14 Apr 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. Ida is her twin. She likely died of TB.
CHARLES ABERNATHY was born about 1873 in Alto, Franklin County Tennessee. He died about 1875 and before his mother in February 1876 as he was not named in her will. He likely died of TB.

Ida N. Abernathy, a daugher of Susan E. Sumner and J. J. Abernathy MD

Abernathy's marriage to Sarah "Sallie" Ellen Howard

Two years later Dr. J. J. Abernathy again married, this time to Sarah "Sallie" Ellen Howard on 6 Aug 1878 in Franklin TN.

Dr. J. J. Abernathy filed his will in Franklin County TN on 4 April 1892.

Dr. J. J. Abernathy died on 30 Jan 1896 and his will was probated on 11 Jun 1896 in Franklin County TN. His wife was appointed Executor and filed the below Executors Bond.

Sarah Ellen Abernathy died in Monteagle TN on 2 Jun 1918 and a Dr. Abernathy was the "informant" on her death certificate. Her stepson John Jones Abernathy MD was living in NM at the time and her husband was dead as were his two cousins who were MDs. Her son Alford Henry Abernathy is a Druggist who was married in Grundy County TN in 1919 where Monteagle is located. He probably was the one who filled out the death certificate. Druggist often used the title "Dr." in the South.

Descendants of Jesse Jones Abernathy

GENERATION 1

JESSE JONES ABERNATHY was born on 29 Aug 1815 in Sussex, Virginia. He died on 30 Jan 1896 in Pulaski, Giles, Tennessee.

He married (1) MARY MOORE MURFREE on 11 Oct 1843 in Rutherford, Tennessee. She was born on 28 Jan 1819. She died on 10 Apr 1854.

He married (2) SUSAN E SUMNER, daughter of Exum Philips Sumner and Temperance "Tempy" Drake, on 16 Jan 1855 in Rutherford, Tennessee. She was born on 07 Jul 1828 in Davidson, Davidson, Tennessee. She died on 23 Feb 1876 in Franklin County, Tennessee.

He married (3) SARAH ELLEN HOWARD on 06 Aug 1878 in Franklin, Tennessee, She was born in 18 Jul 1845 in Tennessee. She died on 2 Jun 1918 in Monteagle, Marion, Tennessee.

Jesse Jones Abernathy and Mary Moore Murfree had the following children:

MARY ALICE ABERNATHY was born in 1844.
JESSE MATHIAS ABERNATHY was born in 1846 in Rutherford Co TN.
BENJAMIN ROBERTS ABERNETHY was born on 17 Aug 1848 in Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Benjamin Roberts died on 25 Dec 1905 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
WILLIAM MURFREE ABERNATHY was born in 1851 in Rutherford Co TN. He died on 30 Jun 1931 in Pleasanton, Atascosa, Texas, USA. He married (1) ELIZA GERTRUDE BUNDICK in 1883. She was born on 29 Jul 1851 in Louisiana. She died on 30 Nov 1924 in Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas. He married (2) LUCINDA JANE "CINDY" SHIPLEY on Aug. 18th, 1872 in Franklin Co, Tenn.. She was born on 03 Oct 1836 in Floyd County, Georgia. She died on 24 Jun 1928 in Grady County, Oklahoma, USA.

Jesse Jones Abernathy and Susan E Sumner had the following children:

HENRY JONES2 ABERNATHY was born on 13 Nov 1855 in Rutherford County,Tennessee. He died on 08 Dec 1923 in Hot Springs, San Miguel, New Mexico.
SUSAN ELIZABETH ABERNATHY was born in 1858 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. She died on 08 Mar 1948 in Devine, Medina, Texas.
SAMUEL SUMNER ABERNATHY was born in Mar 1859 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He died about 1935 • Broadwater County, Montana
MARY ABERNATHY was born on 15 Dec 1863 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 29 Aug 1883 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee.
MARTHA "MILLY" PHILIPS ABERNATHY was born on 07 May 1866 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 20 Aug 1874 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee.
JOSEPH E. ABERNATHY was born on 05 Nov 1868 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. He died on 12 Feb 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee.
IDA N ABERNATHY was born in Jan 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee. She died on 22 Mar 1945 in Otero, Colorado.
ELLEN ABERNATHY was born on 26 Jan 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee, She died on 14 Apr 1871 in Alto, Franklin County, Tennessee.
CHARLES ABERNATHY was born in 1874 in County. He died about 1875 and before his mother in February 1876 as he was not named in her will.

Jesse Jones Abernathy and Sarah Ellen Howard had the following children:

ALFORD HENRY ABERNATHY was born in Jul 1879 in Lincoln County, Tennessee, USA. He died on 17 Sep 1953 in Erin, Houston, Tennessee. He married (1) MATTIE CLAIBORNE HOOBERRY. She was born on 11 Sep 1884 in Davidson, Tennessee. She died on 12 Sep 1972 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee. He married (2) FRANCIS A DICKSON on 21 Jun 1919 in Grundy, Tennessee. She was born on 11 Jul 1883 in Cleburne, Johnson, Texas, United States. She died in 1923. He married (3) MABLE C ABERNETHY. She was born about 1890 in Canada.
ANESTA ABERNATHY was born on 01 Dec 1880 in Tennessee. She died on 17 Sep 1975 in Southern Pines, Moore, North Carolina.
ELLENA ABERNATHY was born in Feb 1882 in Tennessee.

Generation 2

WILLIAM ABERNATHY (Jesse Jones') was born in 1851 in Rutherford Co TN. He died on 30 Jun 1931 in Pleasanton, Atascosa, Texas. He married (1) ELIZA GERTRUDE BUNDICK in 1883. She was born on 29 Jul 1851 in Louisiana, USA. She died on 30 Nov 1924 in Pleasanton, Atascosa County, Texas, USA. He married (2) LUCINDA JANE "CINDY" SHIPLEY on Aug. 18th, 1872 in Franklin Co., Tenn.. She was born on 03 Oct 1836 in Floyd County, Georgia, USA. She died on 24 Jun 1928 in Grady County, Oklahoma.

William Abernathy and Eliza Gertrude Bundick had the following child:

ZELLA3 ABERNATHY was born on 11 Sep 1883 in Gonzales County, Texas. Zella died on 28 Jun 1971 in Kingsville, Kleberg County, Texas.

William Abernathy and Lucinda Jane "Cindy" Shipley had the following children:
MARY ALICE ABERNATHY was born on 03 Apr 1873 in Franklin Co., Tenn.. She died on 15 Jan 1919 in Beaver Co., Ok..
ROBERT CALDWELL ABERNATHY was born on 18 Feb 1875 in Franklin Co., Tenn.. He died on 20 Jan 1968 in Purcell, OK.
ALFORD2 ABERNATHY (Jesse Jones') was born in Jul 1879 in Lincoln County, Tennessee, USA. He died on 17 Sep 1953 in Erin, Houston, Tennessee, USA. He married (1) MATTIE CLAIBORNE HOOBERRY. She was born on 11 Sep 1884 in Davidson, Tennessee. She died on 12 Sep 1972 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee.

He married (2) FRANCIS A DICKSON on 21 Jun 1919 in Grundy, Tennessee. She was born on 11 Jul 1883 in Cleburne, Johnson, Texas. She died in 1923.

He married (3) MABLE C ABERNETHY. She was born about 1890 in Canada.

Alford Abernathy and Mattie Claiborne Hooberry had the following children:

ALFRED E3 ABERNATHY was born on 03 Apr 1903 in Tennessee. He died in Jan 1982 in Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Virginia.
WALTER CHARLES ABERNATHY was born on 26 Jan 1904 in Davidson, Tennessee.
ROBERT LEO ABERNATHY was born in 1909 in Tennessee.