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Note: The following is A letter written by Clarence Ordell Williams to Victor Eugene Williams:
My grandfather, Franklin Williams, moved his family to Missouri from Green Co., Kentucky in 1857 & spent the winter in a log cabin belonging to Jason Crail near the New Boston Christian Church. Jason had returned to Kentucky for a time & told my grandfather to move into his cabin if it was unoccupied. My grandfather lived southwest of New Boston, Linn Co., MO in 1858. In 1859 he moved to Drake Township in Macon County. Near the Helton cemetery in 1860 he bought a tract of land, north line of section 16, White Township. In February 1864 he bought 120 acres, south line of section 16 for $1.25 per acre, & gave a note bearing 10% interest. He was killed in 1864 during the Civil War. My father, William Ambrose Williams (21 years), was the oldest child (there were 9 children). He paid interest in 1866 & Governor Thomas C. Fletcher issued the deed. My father married in 1870 and moved on the home place & lived there until his death in 1921. I now own this land, only home I ever had. I have the 1st,2nd, & 3rd interest receipts, also some of the tax receipts & the old deed. 1869 tax $5.88, 1877 tax $8.82, & 1879 tax $9.32.
The story of Franklin Williams death in August, 1864, during the war, as related by Sarah Alice (Williams) Whisenand to her daughter, Coatney.
Franklin was burning a "brick hill" (probably meant a kiln) on his homestead in White Township, Macon Co., MO, when he was taken captive. He was forced to walk from there to Tullvania (about 5 or 6 miles) while all the others rode horses. They were trying to force some information from him & would partially hang him & would then release him for a while, but he did not reveal whatever they desired. It seemed to be regarding membership in some lodge organization. While they were conferring among themselves about what to do with him, he stood leaning against a building & whittled on its side. Finally, they took him out, shot him, & rode off. This took place on the John Lile farm, northwest of Tullvania.
This same group came by Jordan Ratliff's homestead, located about 1 mile east & south of the Williams' homestead. Jordan hid in a cornfield & escaped, but his oldest son, Thomas B. Ratliff, was taken captive & led to a creek. The members of the group lined up & ordered Thomas to run down the line while the members were to fire at him. If he got to the far end of the line, without being hit, he was to go free. Instead of running, he walked down the line & called each member by name as he passed. None of them fired & he was set free. Thomas married 1st Willie Elizabeth Williams. After her death he married her sister, Mary Alice Williams. His sister, Louisa Ratliff, married his wives' brother, William Ambrose Williams.
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