Greetings,

My ancestor is Joshua Williams, son of Lewis Williams and Sophia Williams. Lewis and Sophia were in the 1850 Fayetteville, NC census with their children: James Williams, Joseph Williams, John Williams, George Williams, Joshua Williams, Caroline Williams, Anna Williams, Sarah Williams, and Henrietta Williams.

Years ago, the question was raised about how Langston Hughes and Charles Chesnutt were related and the consensus now is that it is through females named SAMPSON.

Very interesting that your other message states that William Sampson's middle name was "Waddell".

Based upon my great-grandmother's note that Andrew "Jack" Chesnutt was a cousin of Joshua Williams and James Williams (I'm assuming the two sons of Lewis and Sophia mentioned above), I have been trying to find proof that Sophia's maiden name was "Sampson".

Have come across several others named "Sophia Sampson" which lends some weight to this theory that a family name was being repeated.

Joshua Williams' daughter, Carrie Williams, married William Henry Clifford, Jr., my great-grandfather. She was born in Chillicothe, married in Columbus, lived in Cleveland, and finally settled in Washingon, DC.

Rosemary