Although we are not in the Williams direct line, I have been sudying this Williams family for years in the hope of finding clues about the origin of our Philip Pitman. In doing so, I have uncovered more about this Williams family than I have my own. I have not seen most of this information anywhere else. I am posting it for the people who may come looking for it at a later time.
As stated on the Philip Pitman family page there is a will of Philip Pitman of Kershaw District, South Carolina. It is dated June 19, 1821 and probated August 12, 1822. It is from Will Book 1 pg 23 in Montgomery County, Alabama. There is a note that it is also recorded in Will Book 2 page 9. The will mentions : Wife Pherebe; son Burrel Pitman; son James Pitman; daughter Elizabeth Williams; son DRW Pitman; granddaughter Margaret Williams; grandson Philip Pitman Williams. Witnesses: Jesse S Nettles, John Williams, Thomas P Evans. I do not have a copy of the will but it is in the Alabama Archives.
Pheraba Pittman's will later turns up in Mobile County, Alabama. It lists Pheraba Pittman of Green County, Mississippi; Margaret Williams, a granddaughter; Benjamin Williams, a grandson. Also it lists Burwell Pittman, James Pittman, Eliza Williams, and David R W Pittman as children. The will was written June 21, 1823. I don't know when it was probated.
Since Elizabeth had 2 children by 1821, I suppose she must have been born around 1775-1805. Some assume the John Williams mentioned in the will to be Elizabeth's husband but her husband was Joseph Williams. Joseph had a brother named John. Proof that Joseph was Elizabeth's husband can be found in the Kershaw County Deeds book G page 113. Here Philip and Pheraba of Darlington District are holding slaves in trust with James Williams, assumed father of Joseph Williams, for Eliza Pitman. The slaves were said to be given as a gift to Eliza and Joseph on their wedding day. The deed was dated 1814.
James Williams, father of Elizabeth, is still alive in 1822 as I have a copy of a deed in Kershaw County Deed, Book K page 47 where James is deeding to son Benjamin for love and affection, 676 acres of land. This land was described as being part of grants orginally granted to Samuel Tyning, John Bitten and Samuel Littlejohn. Allan McCaskill resurveyed this land on April 13th 1822 and the survey is attached to the deed with a picture. This survey is often referred to in later deeds. The land is described as bounded south by Hollis Hortons land, west by Hollis Horton, east and northeast by land belonging to the estate if Kinchen Exum, (he is a son-in-law as we will see later),and General Thomas Sumpter and is situated and lying on both sides of Little Lynches Creek. This deed was written on April 16th 1822 and recorded on June 14, 1822. James Williams signs the deed himself.
