Sketch of a Pioneer Family of Puritan Origin

Michigan has greatly changed from the unbroken wilderness that it was when the writer saw it in June 1837. Then only three families lived in the town of Chester, Eaton Co. Still greater changes have taken place in the county since the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock and brought two brothers of Wales nativity to the new found land of the west. The name of Williams has lived in this country ever since. One of these brothers a few years later located in Conn. From there one Abijah Williams went to Rutland Co. Vermont. He served in the war of the Revolution. A son of his named Albermarle studied medicine and became a doctor in 1806. Jan. 4 he married Ruth Goodrich. To them was born a seventh son June 21st 1828 in East Dorset Vermont. They named him Plyn. Dr. A. Williams was found dead in his buggy Oct 9, 1830. IN May 1837 my mother and family left Vermont. Coming on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, then to Toledo at the time when cars going to Adrian were drawn by horses. Then via Jackson, Marshall, Bellevue to our home in the woods at Chester, Eaton Co. The writer some years later lived in Battle Creek about 5 years where he learned the boot and shoe-making and married Jane Mayo Nov 22, 1853. From there came to Ionia in Sept 1854. Served in the Civil War nearly one year and is now an active member of the GAR. United with the Baptist Church 33 years I will be 60 years old 21st of present month. Have lived in Michigan 51 years to-day.

Plyn Williams

Ionia, June 12, 1888

copied by Anna L. (Bigelow) Allen his granddaughter June 2, 1982

 

		Pamela Klein [email protected]