I briefly mentioned Ann Williams in a previous blog about my second great grandmother, Mary Williams who married Thomas Morris, son of John Jacky Morris. Mary is the daughter of Joseph Williams of Moore County, North Carolina. My own DNA (along with some very convincing circumstantial paper trails) overwhelmingly confirms this connection with hundreds of DNA matches to the Williams family of Moore County, North Carolina. I believe Ann most likely the daughter of Joseph Williams and sister to my second great grandmother, Mary Williams Morris.
In 1872, William Morris, son of John Jacky Morris, my third great grandfather (and brother of Thomas Morris) divorced his wife, Margaret Ann Lewis. Two witnesses were summoned, William Dennis and William Sheffield, to testify on behalf of William Morris, who was the plaintiff in the court action.
Two years prior to this action, in 1870, William J. Sheffield lived next door in dwelling 21 to William and Margaret (Lewis) Morris who lived in dwelling 22 in Uwharrie Township, Montgomery County, North Carolina. Living with William J. Sheffield was his wife, Anny R., and daughter, Louisa, who was aged 5.
I found it curious and quite coincidental that a Sheffield would be summoned to testify for a Morris because Sheffield is a Moore County name and William Morris's brothers, Thomas Morris and Berry Morris married Mary Williams and Sarah Williams, respectively, from Moore County.
There must be some connection here, right?
A quick search of marriage records in Moore County uncovered the 1865 marriage of William J. Sheffield and Ann Ritter Williams.
Mary Williams (married Thomas Morris) and Sarah Williams (married Berry Morris) are daughters of Joseph Williams from Moore County. Joseph Williams is the grandson of George Williams who died in Moore County in 1797.
The 1850 Census for Moore County shows living in the household of Joseph Williams, Ann Williams, his daughter, aged 12.
Between the 1850 and 1860 Census years, Joseph Williams moved his family from Moore County to Montgomery County and can be found in Beans District, Montgomery County on the 1860 Census. Living in his household is daughter Ann R. Williams, aged 18. Living next door are his daughter, Sarah Williams, and her husband, Berry Morris.
While there is no definitive paper trail between Ann Ritter Williams Sheffield and Joseph Williams, Sarah Williams Morris and Mary Williams Morris, the circumstantial evidence seems to point to a connection between them.
William J. and Ann Sheffield's daughter, Louisa Sheffield married Augustus Russell. They had children Della Russell Luther, William Clingman Russell, Sarah Russell, and Craig Marion Russell, a daughter who married Willis Ural Morris, son of John Coon Morris and Flora Dennis and my great uncle and brother of my grandfather.
William J. Sheffield wrote his will on 29 May 1900, and the will was probated 4 Mar 1901. His wife, Ann, was still living at that time as William left to wife Ann all his property both real and personal as long as she lives and remains single and at her death to his daughter S. L. (Sarah Louisa) Russell all household and kitchen furniture and real estate, all of it unto W. C. Cranford to provide for Ann Sheffield during her life.
Witness to the will were W.G. Davis and T.B. Coggin. B.A. Davis executor.
On 12 Feb 1901, a summons went to Gusty Russell and his wife S.L. (Sarah Louisa) to appear at the courthouse in Troy to show cause, if any, why the last will and testament of William J Sheffield shall not be duly admitted.
Wife, Ann, is not mentioned in the estate file and I can only assume that she died between 29 May 1900 when William wrote his will and 12 Feb 1901 when daughter Sarah Russell was summoned.
In 1900, Sarah Sheffield Russel and her husband, Augustus Uriah Russell, were living in Ophir Township, Montgomery County, North Carolina with children Della (b. 1886), Clingman (b. 1888), Sarah (b. 1892), and Lenorah Russel (b. 1831), mother of Augustus Uriah Russell.
1910 finds Augustus and Sarah Russel still living in Ophir. Children shown in the home are Della, Clingman, Sarah, and Marion C. who is noted as a male but should be listed as female.
Augustus Russell died 25 Jul 1918. His death certificate shows mother’s maiden name as Norah Hamilton. He was buried in Ophir, but I am not able to find his grave.
1930 shows Sarah as a widow living in Ophir with her two daughters, Sarah Bulah and M(arion) Craig. I am not able to find the family on the 1920 Census.
Sarah Sheffield Russell died 16 Jul 1938 according to her death certificate. Her mother’s maiden name listed as Annie Williams and her father’s surname incorrectly listed as William Sheppard, it should be Sheffield.
Children of Augustus Russell and Sarah Sheffield
Della May Russell b. 1886 d. 1940 m. David Luther
William Clingman Russell b. 1889 d. 1958 m. Mary Luther
Sarah Beulah Russell b. 1892 d. 1967
Marion Craig Russell b. 1908 d. 1946 m. Willis Morris
