Williams, soldier and early East Texas settler
By KATIE WALDROP Staff Writer

Stephen Williams was born May 9, 1760 in Granville County (which later became Bertie County), NC. He was the son of Richard, a blacksmith, and Ann Williams.

Williams was a fifth generation American, his greatgrandfather arrived in Virginia from England on June 10, 1635 at 16 on the ship 'Truelove.'

In 1778 Williams enlisted in Captain Allen's Company, General John Ashe's Army and participated in the Battle of Briar Creek, GA, at 18 years old.

When his enlistment was up he went home and married Delilah Stallings in 1779. That same year he reenlisted in Captain Alford's Company of General Horatio Gates' Army and on Aug. 16 1780, participated in the Battle of Camden, SC.

He reenlisted again in 1781 as First Sergeant in Captain Edward Scarborough's Company, General Nathaniel Greene's Army. On Sept. 7 1781 he participated in the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

After, Williams and his family began moving west. By 1806 they ended up in St. Helena Parish, LA. By the War of 1812 Williams was 52 and still volunteering for service, but he was only being accepted by sentry duty at munitions warehouse facilities at Lake Pontchartrain.

After the death of his wife, Williams moved with his children and grandchildren to Bevil's Settlement in Newton and Jasper County in 1830.

After swearing allegiance to the Mexican government, Williams was given land in Newton and Jasper counties.

By Nov. 1835, at age 75, Williams took his rifle and one of his grandsons, they went to Bexar and joined a militia company.

When he arrived, Williams realized that his son-in-law and three other grandsons were already there, enlisted in Captain Cheshire's Company. When Williams and his grandson enlisted in the same company as the rest of their family, Williams became First Sergeant.

Shortly after the battle that Williams fought in with Ben Milam he was discharged and returned home to prepare for Spring planting.

A bounty land grant was given to him for his service in the Texas Revolution. The grant states that it was given for his service at Bexar for "entering the town."

Williams died in April of 1839. He was buried in the Williams Cemetery on his property about seven miles southeast of Jasper. When the state of Texas removed the body to the state cemetery in Austin as part of the Texas Centennial Celebration, a granite marker was placed at the Williams Cemetery gravesite.

Williams is the only known individual to serve in a recognized militia unit in both the American Revolution and the Texas Revolution. Sources of Historical Society.