John J. Williams was born in 1859 in the state of Georgia to Matthew Williams and Rosella Nunis Williams.

Reverend John J Williams:
Was born September of 1859 in Georgia, son of both Matthew and Rosella Williams.
John was married to Sarah Emeline Gaplin Galping/Gatlin on October 31, of 1880 in Richmond County, Georgia.
Sadly, John and his wife Sarah’s children never made it past childhood.
In the 1900 Census, it says that they had 4 children, none that were alive.
The 1900 Census Record indicated they were living on Battle Row in Augusta, Georgia and John worked for the Cotton Mill.
In the 1910 Census Record, he is still living on Battle Row and his occupation is listed as a Minister.
We also see the Augusta, GA City Directory of 1910 back this claim, as his occupation is listed as a Pastor.
In the 1920 Census Record, we see John and his wife Sarah have moved to Bamberg, South Carolina. His occupation is listed as a Farmer on his own account.
He moved back to Augusta, Georgia in 1923 living at the address 1355 Fenwick St. according to the City Directory, and he is listed as a Watchman.
In the 1930 Census Record, John is living on Talcot St. It lists the price of his rented home at 15.00
City Directory lists his home in 1937 with his wife Sarah at 944 Calhoun Augusta, GA.
His wife Sarah died on April 14, 1938 at 8:27 P.M at the age of 77 years old. She was ill from September 18, 1937. Causes of death being from General Arteriosclerosis, Hypertension, and Chronic Nephritis. She was buried in Westview Cemetery on April 16, 1938.
Between the time of his wife’s death and April 8th of 1940, we see John had moved back to Bamberg, South Carolina with a new wife: Laura Smith Williams (once married to Wade Hampton Steedly)
In the 1940 Census, John and Laura are living in Midway, Bamberg, SC with 3 of Laura’s children.
John’s occupation is a Farmer, his information states he completed 7th grade as his highest education, working on his own account, owns his home, value of home is 1000, he’s worked 54 weeks prior to the census, worked 52 weeks in 1939, and he has other sources of income.
On February 7, 1945, John passed away at the residence 539 Bohler Avenue in Augusta, GA after a 12-day illness.
His Obituary states he was a minister for over 50 years.
It also states the following:
“..Rev. Williams was a member of the Advent Christian Church and during his long tenure in the ministry served almost every church in the East Georgia-South Carolina Conference. He is survived by his wife Laura Steedly Williams; four stepsons Hayward Steedly of Charleston, SC.; Dan Steedly and Woodrow Steedly, of the U.S Marines; Broadus Steedly, USA, of Oklahoma General Hospital; four stepdaughters, Mrs. Reba Martin; Mrs. Marie Smith, Mrs. Nadine Parcell, all of Charleston; Mrs. Mabel Dukes of Branchville, SC; thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Fannie Fuschee Foshee of Augusta, and several nieces and nephews.
John was buried February 9, 1945, in Westview Cemetery in Augusta.

Matthew Williams was born on May 11, 1828, in Burke County, Georgia. He married Rosella Nunis, a descendant of one of the first Jewish families to arrive in the colony of Georgia from Portugal. She was formerly with Robert Stringer and had one son (Samuel) before she married Matthew. They were married May 16, 1858, in Augusta, Georgia.

Within Pre-Civil War Era and Post Civil War Era, they both had 6 children together ranging from birth years of the late 1850’s to the 1870’s.

• Rosella Nunis Williams 1837–1900 (Wife)
• Samuel Stringer 1852–1929 (Stepson)
• Augustas Williams Abt: 1859
• Rev. John J Williams 1859–1945
• Charles Williams Abt: 1863
• Sarah “Dinkie” Williams Abt: 1866
• Benjamin Franklin Williams 1868–1929
• Frances Williams 1872-1945

In the time frame of The Civil War, Matthew decided to join arms with the Confederates and enlisted in the 48th Regiment Company C – Georgia Light Guards Richmond County on February 8th, 1862.

–48th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Macon, Georgia, during the winter of 1861-1862. Its companies were recruited in the counties of Burke, Glascock, Warren, Richmond, Jefferson, Emanuel, and Harris. Ordered to Virginia, the 48th was brigaded under Generals Ripley, A.R. Wright, and Sorrel. It served on many battlefields of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days’ Battles to Cold Harbor, then was involved in the long Petersburg siege south of the James River and the Appomattox Campaign. This regiment reported 33 casualties at Mechanicsville, 44 at Malvern Hill, 61 at Second Manassas, and 72 at Chancellorsville. It lost more than fifty-five percent of the 395 at Gettysburg, and there were 32 disabled at Manassas Gap. On April 9, 1865, it surrendered 13 officers and 193 men. Colonels William Gibson and Matthew R. Hall, Lieutenant Colonel Reuben W. Carswell, and Major John R. Whitehead were in command.–

He was discharged after 9 months of enlistment. In December of 1962, he was taken to a hospital in Columbia, South Carolina due to having Typhoid Fever which left him in a condition unable to return.

After the war, Matthew and his family moved to Burke County, GA and his occupation at that time was a Farmer.

Sometime after June 23, 1870, Matthew had moved to Warren County, GA with his family. He would stay in the area until about 1897. A few sources claim Matthew’s occupation was a Farm Laborer & Peddler.

Pension records indicated that between the years of 1895-1898, Matthew had owned the property of a wagon, horse, and cow in which he sold to live off of. He moved back to Augusta, GA in 1898.

In 1900, Matthew is working as a Keeper for The Rollersville Cemetery. His wife Rosella passes away the same year.
Matthew died on April 4, 1907, living to the age of 78 years, and was buried in Rollersville Cemetery which is now abandoned in Augusta, Georgia.