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There are some comments about this photo of Hiram Williams here additions As previously stated. Hiram Williams was born August 8, 1842. He lived in Aiken County (vicinity of Wagener, South Carolina) until he enlisted in the Confederate Army in the War Between the States. His wife was Laura Stevenson who died when their only child. Braxton Bragg Williams, was just a few years old. Shortly after he entered the war, he was joined by his two brothers, James Rollin (Roland) and John W. Williams. The three brothers served in Company I of the Twentieth South Carolina Volunteer Regiment. Hiram was wounded in action and, undoubtedly, died of these wounds. An excerpt from an interview (News and Courier, Charleston. South Carolina). which C. B. Williams (See Section 11A) had with James Rollin (Roland) Williams, is of interest at this point: The battles that followed Cold Harbor were too numerous for him to name off-hand. The three brothers kept in the thick of things as they fought with the Kershaw Command. They were around Petersburg, engaged at Brown's Gap and Strasburg. The early fall found them in the Shenandoah Valley. On October 19. 1864, came the catastrophe at Cedar Creek. The Confederates surprised the federal encampment at daylight. The rout that followed is history. The Yankees retreated so fast that the Confederates themselves became disorganized in the pursuit and what in the morning had been a glorious Confederate success. by night was a Northern victory. The Yankee soldiers fleeing and offering little resistance after an initial stand, the hungry and ill-clothed Confederates fell upon th rich Union stores. They were thus occupied when General Sheridan, who had been absent in the morning, arrived to stop his retreating men, renew their courage and turn them again to the fight. The Confederates by now, it seems, were in complete disorder and in no condition to cope with the superior federal force. It fell to the Twentieth of South Carolina to try to cover the retreat and both colonel and major were captured in the attempt. ''We rallied to give our trains more time to get away.'' said Mr. Williams. ''and then fell back, faked another rally and were going to continue our retreat when Brother Hiram received a shot in the hip. There was no way of carrying him then. We had to move too fast, so l wouldn't leave him. When I saw a company of Northerners approach I ran up to an officer and told him that my brother had been shot and that l wanted to stay with him. He drew his sword and, had l not dodged, l believe the blow that he aimed at me would have cut my head off. He then ordered me taken to the rear and I was quickly surrounded by a squad to execute the order. I had walked a piece with them when I decided to turn around and wave at Brother Hiram. But the ground was hilly and l could no longer see where he lay. We never heard of him after that.'' In Stonewall Cemetery, Mt. Hebron Cemetery Complex, East end of Boscawen Street correction, Winchester, Virginia, just a few miles from the battle grounds of Cedar Creek where Hiram was wounded, is a grave with a marker bearing this inscription:
H. Williams This is, undoubtedly, his grave. If so, then he died the same day he was wounded, for according to the above interview, ''On October 19, 1864, came the catastrophe at Cedar Creek.'' Lelend provided an update on restoration of the headstone and a photo. addition
On April 11. 1880, Braxton married Catherine Annie Elizabeth Tyler. (See Part II, Section 6.) The wedding ceremony was performed by the Reverend Hiram L. Baggott. The issue of the Orangeburg Democrat for April 30, 1880, has this announcement:
Married For the first three years of their married life, Braxton and Annie lived in Aiken County, South Carolina, where their first child, Laura Belle, was born. In 1883, they moved to what was called the Reed Place, near Norway, South Carolina. (The Reed Place was roughly located about a mile north of the Edisto River and a mi1e west of the tracks of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.) They remained in the vicinity of Norway for the remainder of their lives. Braxton Williams began life as a day laborer, but by hard work and business ability, he became, at the heyday of his life, one of the largest landowners in Orangeburg County. In addition to his farming interests, he engaged in banking, the manufacture of fertilizer, and the mercantile business. He had little formal education; he probably never attended a graded school. But if this were a handicap to him, he apparently was able to overcome it.
movement to erect the present church building at Willow swamp and made substantial contributions to its cost. (see Part III.) One evidence of his leadership and respect in which he was held in the church, stands out in the writer's mind. When the Lord's supper was observed in the early days of the Church, only two goblets were used to serve the congregation with ''the cup,'' Two deacons (the entire board), each with one goblet would go through the congregation and let the members sip from these two goblets. At some point in time (perhaps, about 1910), it occurred to some of the church members that this was unsanitary. It was suggested that the two goblets be replaced with small individua1 cups in the observance of the Lord's Supper., But some members thought otherwise. They thought that there was something sacred and religious about everybody sipping from the same cups in this special service. As a result, a division developed in the church which threatened to mar its fellowship. The writer, then a little boy, can now visualize Braxton Williams, his father, standing before the congregation and explaining the proposed change. His views prevailed, the division in the membership was averted and the two goblets were replaced with the individual cups.
Mary (Polly) Stevenson, the grandmother of Braxton Williams, was born May 17, 1813, and died September 27, 1885. she is buried in the cemetery of Old Bethcar Baptist Church, near Wagener, South Carolina. It is believed that Braxton's mother, Laura Stevenson Williams, is also buried there. The church building was destroyed by fire about eighty years ago and was rebuilt (the present Bethcar Baptist Church) at a new location several miles from where the old church stood. The place pointed out by old residents of the community as the location of the original cemetery is completely overgrown with brush and trees. No monuments could be found. several small depressions in the ground can be seen which are, perhaps, sunken graves. 9. The Children of Braxton and Annie Williams. To this union were born nine children as follows: Laura Belle, Charles Hiram Oscar Tyler, Shelley Sylveston, Braxton Bragg, Jr., Annie Lou, Aubrey Grady, Ollie Mae, and Wyman Loren.
On October 26, 1904, Laura Belle married Frederick Fersner Bell of Orangeburg, South Carolina. She and her husband farmed near Orangeburg until 1911 when they moved to a new location between Norway and Springfield, South Carolina. After leaving the farm, they lived in the town of Norway for a few years and then moved to Columbia, Sourh Carolina, in 1924 where they remained for the remainder of their lives. Laura Belle died March 23, 1955. Her husband, Frederick Fersner Bell, who was born August 26, 1873, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, died August 16, 1948. Both are buried in the cemetery of Willow Swamp Baptist Church. near Norway, South Carolina. Six children were born to them as follows: Annie Lucile, Gladys Mae, Frederick Fersner, Jr., James Lanier, Heyward Williams and Braxton Bragg. 10A. Annie Lucile Bell. Annie Lucile Bell was born November 4, 1905, near Orangeburg, South Carolina. She attended a private school, the public schools of Norway, South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina where she majored in art. She presently resides in Barnwell, South Carolina, with her sister, Gladys Mae Bronson. 10B. Gladys Mae Bell. Gladys Mae Bell was born near Orangeburg, South Carolina, November 4, 1907. She graduated from Norway High School, Norway, South Carolina, in 1924 and from the University of South Carolina (A.B. degree) in 1928. She taught school for thirtycorrection years. Her latest teaching was with the Barnwell, South Carolina, public schools from which she retired in 1973. She presently lives in Barnwell. Gladys married Robert Lawrence Bronson of Barnwell, South Carolina, December 12, 1935. Two children were born to them, Belva Lucile and Harrie Frederick. Robert was born September 30, 1892, and died August 30, 1953. He is buried in the cemetery of the first Baptist Church of Barnwell. 10BA. Belva Lucile Bronson. Belva Lucile Bronson was born July 30. 1939, in Barnwell. South Carolina. She graduated from Barnwell High School in l957 and from Limestone College, Gaffney. South Carolina, in 1961. She taught school for some years at Clemson, South Carolina, and at Orangeburg, South Carolina. She is presently a part-time mathematics instructor at Midlands Technical College in Columbia, South Carolina. Belva married Robert Logan Bailey July 29, 1961. Robert was born December 17, 1937, in Montgomery, Alabama. They have two adopted children, Barbra Laurene and Robert Logan (Bobby), Jr. Barbra was born May 25, 1969, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Bobby, November 29, 1973, in Columbia, South Carolina. Both are presently attending the public schools of Columbia. Robert Logan Bailey passed away Friday, October 27, 2017. addition 10BB. Harrie Frederick Bronson. Harrie Frederick Bronson was born May 5, 1944, in Barnwell, South Carolina. He graduated from Barnwell High School in 1963 and from Richland Technical Educational Center, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1967. He also graduated from the University of Nebraska (B.S. in Business Administration) in 1978. Harrie served in the United States Air force from 1967 to 1971. After leaving the Air Force, he served three years as Branch Manager of the First West Roads Bank in Omaha, Nebraska. He is currently connected with the Omaha Printing Company, Omaha, Nebraska, in its accounting department. He married Mary Kathleen Gatzemeyer August 28, 1971. Mary was born April 7, 1946, in West Point, Nebraska. Harrie and Mary Bronson have an adopted daughter, Melissa Mae Bronson, who was born July 12, 1981 in Omaha, Nebraska.correction Mary Bronson died December 24, 2010.correction 10C. Frederick Fersner Bell, Jr. Frederick Fersner Bell, Jr. was born June 5, 1909, near Orangeburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Columbia High School, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1927, and from the University of South Carolina in 1930 with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy. He engaged in the profession indicated by this degree for his entire life. His last business location was Ninety-Six, South Carolina. Fred's first wife was Audrey Elizabeth Anderson. She was born February 5, 1911, in Cassatt, South Carolina. They were married April 21, 1935. Three children were born to them: Freddie Ann, Charles Alton and Audrey Anderson. Fred's second wife was Mary Lander who was born August 22, 1915, in Williamston, South Carolina. They were married December 25, 1961. Fred died October 9, 1968, and is buried in Greenwood Memorial Gardens, near Greenwood, South Carolina. 10CA. Freddie Ann Bell. Freddie Ann Bell was born October 12, 1937, in Ninety-Six, South Carolina. She graduated from Ninety-Six High School in 1955 and from the University of Georgia in 1959. She also received the degree, Master of Arts, from Columbia University in 1964. Freddie Ann has been an art teacher from the beginning of her professional life to the present time. She has taught art in schools located in Atlanta, Georgia, Germany, France and Stanford, Connecticut. She is presently an art teacher in Greenwich High School, Greenwhich, Connecticut. Freddie passed away 12/16/2008 in Wilton, CT.additions 10CB. Charles Alton Bell. Charles Alton Bell (Bub) was born July 16, 1939, in Ninety-Six, South Carolina. He graduated from Ninety-Six High School and from the University of South Carolina in 1963 with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering. He served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1966. After his military service, he became connected with Davis and Floyd Engineers, Inc., of Greenwood, South Carolina. In 1974, he was made Vice-President of Gilliland-Bell Associates, Inc. , a firm located in Greenwood, South Carolina. He continues to hold this position at the present time. Bub married Linda Marie Timmerman of Greenwood, South Carolina, February 19, 1961. Linda was born May 7, 1939, in Greenwood. They have three children. Deborah Elaine (Debbie) was born November 9,correction 1963, Laura Hall, April 13, 1969, and Charles Altoncorrection (Chuck), Jr., September 5, 1965.correction Debbie and Laura were born in Greenwood. Chuck was born in El Paso, Texas. All three are currently attending the public schools of Greenwood. Bub's second marriage was to Sherry Lynne Hedrick on August 16, 1980. Sherry was born August 20, 1946 in Darlington, South Carolina correction 10CC. Audrey Anderson Bell. Audrey Anderson Bell (Anda) was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina, October 16, 1944. She graduated from Ninety-Six High School and from Columbia College (B.A. Degree), Columbia, South Carolina. From 1966 to 1976, she held postions with Pratt Institute as a College Library Searcher, with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an Assistant Account Coordinator, and with the South Carolina Department of Social Services as a Child Care Coordinator. She is currently a service supervisor with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Anda married Robert Stanley Woodward July 30, 1966. Robert was born February 13, 1942, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. 10D. James Lanier Bell. James Lanier BelI was born June 3, 1912, near Norway, South Carolina. He graduated from Columbia High School, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1934. From 1948 to the time of his death, he was associated with Edisto Dairies (later, Coburg Dairies) of Columbia, South Carolina, where he made his home. Lanier married Sallie Smith September 15, 1940. Sallie was born October 7, 1913, in Wagener, South Carolina. Two children were born to them, Lana Kaye and Brenda Faye. Lanier died March 17, 1977, and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina. 10DA. Lana Kaye Bell. Lana Kaye BeIl was born February 7, 1942, in Columbia, South Carolina. She graduated from Dreher High School, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1959 and from the University of South Carolina (A.B. degree in Education) in l962. In 1978, she received a degree in nursing from Clemson University. Lana Kaye married Dr. Edward C. Mattison June 16, 1962. Dr. Mattison was born September 5, 1937, in Anderson, South Carolina. They have two children, Edward Craig and Brian Lanier. Edward Craig was born September 15, 1966, in China Lake, California. Brian Lanier was born March 5, 1970 in Atlanta, Georgia. 10DB. Brenda Faye Bell. Brenda Faye Bell was born May 23, 1945, in Columbia, South Carolina. She graduated in 1962 from Dreher High School, Columbia, South Carolina and from the University of South Carolina (A.B. degree in Education) in 1966. She taught school a short time and is presently working in an ophthalmologist's office in Woodbridge, Virginia, where she and her family live. Brenda married Albert D. Jillson III July 30, 1966. Albert was born September 22, 1944, in Jacksonville, Florida. They have two children, David Gregory and Matthew James. David Gregory was born September 20, 1968, in Vaccaville, California, and Matthew James January 4, 1973, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both are now attending the public schools of Woodbridge, Virginia. 10E. Heyward Williams Bell. Heyward Williams Bell was born June 13, 1917, near Norway, South Carolina. He died a few months later, but there is some confusion about the date of his death. A family Bible gives the date of death as October 17, 1917, but the monument to his grave gives the date of death as October 26, 1917. A third date of death, October 16, 1917, is recorded in the Bureau of Vital Statistics for the State of South Carolina. Heyward is buried in the cemetery of Willow Swamp Baptist Church, near Norway, South Carolina. 10F. Braxton Bragg Bell. Braxton Bragg Bell was born January 3, 1919, near Norway, South Carolina, and died June 9, 1919. He is buried in the cemetery of Willow Swamp Baptist Church, near Norway, South Carolina. |
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