Thomas Williams

     Thomas was born on Wednesday, 16 February 1814 in Stark County, Ohio. He was the son of John Fredrick Williams. He was a shoemaker. By doing jobs of repairing for themselves and others, he soon acquired a knowledge of the business that enabled him to do any kind of work, doing a great portion of all that the early settlers of their vicinity required. not because he ever expected to make a lifetime business of it, but more for the accommodation of their own family and neighbors. In 1833, he married Sarah Shaffstall. She was born in Dauphin Co., Penn. Jan. 25, 1816, and came here with her father's (Solomon Shaffstall) family in 1832. Mr. Williams had got 80 acres of his father, which was all in wood. He set about improving it, but his health failed him the first year, which interfered seriously with further progress on his farm. The following year he regained his health and worked for his brother in the summer, at the building of a mill in Holmes Township, at $10 per month. At this time they lived near the millsite, and boarded the hands employed at its construction. In 1832, he had the logs cut and hewed to build a house, doing all the work himself. After the completion of his work on the mill, he returned to his farm, five acres of which he had succeeded in clearing. He then set about making general improvements on his place, working hard both early and late The old log building which he first erected stands on the premises to this date. The nails which he put on the roof with, cost him 10 cents per pound, which he paid for with maple sugar made by himself and his wife: that was their residence from 1832 until 1860. In 1868, Mr. Williams worked some time at the construction of the Erie & Wabash Canal, near Defiance and lost no opportunity in those early days to do whatever kind of work presented itself whether considered hard or light, and all with the intent of securing an independent home which now he so fully enjoys. Besides giving his children a good start. He owns 160 acres of good land. Thomas & Sarah had children: , Almira[10/03/1835-3/11/1895[m. 12/22/1853 George Seits], Henry [12/24/1836-9/21/1921][m. 3/19/1859 Elsie Cobb], William [1840-<1850], Grace Elizabeth [2/06/1842-5/09/1879][m. 10/20/1864 Edwin Ferrell], Catharine [8/16/1844-12/14/1922][m. 2/01/1866 Isaac Dial], Joshua [1847-2/15/1872]. Laura Jane [10/10/1849][m. 3/31/1871 John Davidson], Harrison [8/03/1851-6/19/1933][m. 2/13/1873 Mary Frances Slocum], Mary [1854][m. 9/06/1871 Joseph Hill], Amelia [1857][m.5/19/1880 Jacob Payne] &
Emma Louise [3/01/1859-6/27/1944][m. 9/10/1879 Lawrence Sponseller]. Thomas married Sally Shaffstall, daughter of Solomon IM Shaffstall and Catharina Haag, on 6 April 1834 in Ohio.² The 1840 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio, the family of Thomas Williams [20001:01001].³ 7 September 1850, Thomas and his wife, Salome, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Williams [36 Ohio], his wife: Sally [34 Pennsylvania], children: Almira [16 Ohio], Henry [12 Ohio], Elizabeth [8 Ohio], Catherine [6 Ohio], Joshua [3 Ohio], & & Laura Jane [2 Ohio].⁴ 9 July 1860, Thomas listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Williams [48 Ohio], Sarah [45 Pennsylvania], Catherine [16 Ohio], Joshua [14 Ohio], Laura [12 Ohio], Morrison [9 Ohio], Mary [6 Ohio], Amelia [4 Ohio] & Emma [1 Ohio]. Thomas is a farmer, his farm is valued at $6400 with personal property of $700.⁵ 23 June 1870, Thomas listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township, Crawford County, Ohio. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Williams [55 Ohio], his wife: Sarah [54 Pennsylvania], children: Joshua [23 Ohio], Laura [20 Ohio], Harrison [18 Ohio], Mary [16 Ohio], Amelia [13 Ohio] & Emma [11 Ohio].⁶ 9 June 1880, Thomas and his wife, Salome, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Liberty Township. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Williams [66 Ohio] & his wife: Sarah [64 Pennsylvania]. He is a farmer.⁷ Thomas departed this life on Saturday, 13 May 1893 in Liberty Township at age 79 years, 2 months and 27 days. He was buried at Chatfield Township, Crawford County, Ohio, in Moffett Cemetery.⁸