Who is Hukey Williams?

Mention is made of a Hukey Williams who died in Brunswick Co., VA, in 1764. Who is he? In that time period, the name Hukey can be shown to be a nickname for Henry, though there remains the possibility that this is not necessarily so. There are several theories regarding the parentage of Hukey:

1. That he is the son of Roger and Ann Williams of North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., VA, as named in the Parish records. However, Roger's 1767 will still names Hukey.

2. That Roger and Ann actually had both Henry AND Hukey. However, both names never show up at the same time. Also, a contemporary(?) copy of the birth record has the name Henry added in different handwriting.

3. That Hukey is a nephew of Roger.

4. That Hukey is not related to Roger, but to his wife Ann. Ann was also a Williams, though not related to Roger by blood.

The remainder of this page is from Dr. Mel Meek.

First: I feel that Henry of Brunswick and Henry, who went to Georgia are two different people.

Second: I believe that my Hukey/Henry was the son of Roger and Ann (Williams) Williams.

Third: I think there is a great possibility that Hukey, of Brunswick Co. to Hancock Co., Ill was a son of John and Jane (Harris) Williams, of Richmond Co., VA and a BROTHER OF ANN WILLIAMS WHO MARRIED MY ROGER WILLIAMS.

The Hancock county records for Hukey contain several obvious errors. William Mann Morrison in his Williams Book carried this ??mistaken?? lineage forward also. I feel that too many publications state as "fact" records that should be expressed as "possibilities or opinion"

Shadrack Williams Married Elizabeth Walker
Son: Roger Williams 2. Ann Williams Dau of: John and Jane (Harris?) Williams

Will: 1767, Richmond Co, VA. This will names: "Son-Hukey Williams, one shilling cash"

I photocopied, at Warsaw Courthouse, Virginia, (1992) "Copy of North Farnham Parish Register, 1672-1800 Property of the Circuit Court of Richmond Co, VA to be kept on file in the Clerk's Office forever,
E. Carter Delano, Deputy Clerk
Warsaw, VA, May 2, 1927.

This contains an entry, page 103 - "Born: HUKEY son of Rodger and Ann Williams, Decemb 12th 1740 -- Williams. This name of "Hukey" is very clear and indisputable...there is no "HENRY" listed in this Register....Jim Johnson stated that a copy of the Register that he had seen elsewhere had HENRY , added in different handwriting. The handwriting in my copy for the entire register is the same.

Evidently, Henry/Hukey had already received his inheritance and this "one shilling:" was the usual legacy to prevent any contesting of the will. There were OTHER Henry Williams in the area at this time and I believe that the HUKEY was a "Nickname" utilized to clarify which Henry was considered. See: Hugh Williams, will of 1780, Brunswick where he indicates that his HENRY AND HUKEY are the same.

At this time, Richmond there were records indicating: Henry Williams, Senior and Junior and Henry Williams. However, I have not found the name: HUKEY in any place in the Richmond County record books of wills, deeds and other types of records.

Hukey Williams, of Hancock Co... reportedly and questionably died in 1764. HENRY/HUKEY Williams ( of Richmond co) married Ann Lightfoot. This Henry was born 12 Dec 1740 and died @1818, Warren Co, GA. Married, 1761, Richmond Co,. VA. He had left Richmond Co, Va before 1767, living in Goochland Co., VA by 1772, when his son, Lightfoot was born. Later in Georgia, a deed states that he had borrowed money in Goochland (this estaablishes a good "connectiion"). The name of SHADRACK is carried down for four generations, later in his lineage -- his Grandfather's name.

William Mann Morrison in his book and the Hancock Co, record state that this HUKEY Williams was born 12 Dec 1740, and was the Hukey, with wife Sarah Jones, of Brunwick Co, VA...and was the Hukey of the N. Farnham parish register..son of Roger/Ann Williams. No records of this Hukey after 1764/65....however, his wife: Sarah ?? remained in Brunswick until 1771.

I believe that this Hukey, with son John was Henry Williams (with son: John), a son of John and Jane (Harris) Williams of Richmond Co., VA. He was so named in his father's will. He had a brother: Hugh Williams and this Hugh Williams, in his will of 1780, Brunswick Co, VA named "JOHN SON HUKEY WILLIAMS" Neither Henry or Hukey and/or his son: John are named in Sarah Williams, mother, will of 1764, Brunswick Co., VA.

JOHN WILLIAMS (Wife: Jane (Harris?)): Will proved: 1 Apr 1751, Richmond Co., VA Names son: "Henry and his son: John" Estate division: 27 Apr 1751, names "Henry" as an heir. Will of his wife: Jane Williams, dated 26 May 1764...names (among others): "John, son of John Williams, Deceased" (died 1 Feb 1762, Richmond Co., VA.) Her will does not mention her son: HENRY WILLIAMS, OR HER GRANDSON: JOHN SON OF HENRY. ( I think that this Henry/Hukey had already left Richmond area) Her will names: "son-in-law" ROGER WILLIAMS (1700/1767) (son of Shadrack/Elizabeth (Walker) Williams. this Roger married her daughter: Ann (b. before 1712, d. 3 Dec 1744, Richmond Co., VA)

This Roger left legacy "HUKEY WILLIAMS, one shilling Cash"

HUGH WILLIAMS (Brother of Henry Williams and both sons of John/Jane Williams) Will of 30 Oct 1780, St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick Co, VA names EIGHT nieces and nephews, equal legacy of 100 lbs, including: " JOHN SON HUKEY WILLIAMS" Seemingly, this would make "Hukey" a nickname for his brother: "Henry and his son: John" of his father's will of 1751.

JOHN WILLIAMS (Brother of Henry/Hukey and Hugh Williams, and son of John/ Jane Williams) Died: 1 Feb 1762, no will data. Wife: Elizabeth Everitt (1720/1783) Son: John, noted in grandmother's (Jane's) will of 1764. Grandmother, Jane, does not mention a grandson: HUKEY Williams in her will... therefore, "John son Hukey Williams" of Hugh's will must mean "John, son OF Hukey Williams??)

HUKEY WILLIAMS ????? Married SARAH JONES "Murdered before 1764" died after 1771, Illinois Dau of: LLLewellyn and Katherine (Wynne) Jones. About 1758, Hukey went to Brunswick Co, VA (reportedly where several uncles were living....married Sarah?? Sarah bought land as Sarah JONES, not Sarah WILLIAMS, but reared children with name of WILLIAMS. IF THIS HUKEY DIED IN 1764...COULD NOT BE NAMED IN FATHER'S Will of 1767.

Gregg: "History of Hancock Co, Illinois...." and Wm. Morrison book. "Hukey Williams, not long before the birth of his son: John Willilams, and in the year 1764, was strangely murdered and robbed by two desperate men......(men later caught and confessed the murder." Morrison: "...his uncles were living in Brunswick Co, VA, when he joined them....."

If this Hukey was son of Roger Williams, son of Shadrack Williams.... I have found only the following children for Shadrack" Roger ( with four wives) married Second: Ann Williams ??? Henry Williams, married Ann Forrest....remained in Richmond Co., VA Elizabeth Williams, d. 27 May 1735, North Farnham, Richmond Co., VA. I can find no other children who would be these "uncles".

I realize that all of the above does not prove that Roger and Ann (Williams) Williams had a son: Henry with nickname: Hukey, given in North Farnham Parish Register, Richmond Co., VA and born 12 Dec 1740. However, the "Preponderance of Evidence" approach seems to me to be adequate to assume this fact. I, personally, cannot reconcile the known facts to indicate that Hukey of Brunwick Co. VA was the Hukey, born 12 Dec 1740....but was, PROBABLY, the son of John and Jane (Harris) Williams, of old Rappahannock/Richmond Co, VA.

I will be glad to entertain any comments, corrections or criticisms of the above conclusion.

I feel that the Hancock county information article concerning Hukey/Sarah Jones materials does contain many errors (as most of you agree). I believe that William Mann Morrison utilized this material and compounded the errors therein and that several others have continued with this type of mistaken endeavor.

I believe that the Henry/Hukey Williams with wife: Sarah Jones was the son of John and Jane (Harris?) Williams and was not the son of Roger and Ann (Lightfoot) Williams. The date of 12 Dec 1740, in the NFarnham Parish Register was mistakenly attributed to Roger (with wife: Sarah Jones.

I have about 4/5 of my Roger Williams, of old Rappahannock Co., VA book compiled and awaiting re-check and editing. I still have to compile my descent information from his very near neighbor (or adjoining plantation) JOHN WILLIAMS/MARY (Billington?) Williams. See Williams Line Number 2.

Let me know what you think, please.
Mel