The Williford Family of Bertie, NC
Henry Brooks Williford was born in Bertie County, North Carolina to Richard Williford and Sarah Elizabeth Freeman. In 1845 he married Celia S. Tayloe. Between 1845 and 1847 they, along with Henry’s brothers (Solomon, Freeman and *Stephen) relocated to Shelby County, Tn. Henry’s mother, Sarah Elizabeth is presumed to have made the trip with them. They traveled 851 miles by ox cart.
It is documented in the 1850 Wherry Map that H.B.S. Williford was granted 200 acres of land sometime after 1830 in Shelby County. Here, Celia and Henry produced 9 children; *Anna M., Julia (1849),
Francis A. (1851), *Infant Daughter ,*Joseph L. *James A. , *Infant Son. *Sarah E.
Julia and Francis were the only children to survive to adulthood. Neither are listed on any Shelby County census after 1870, assumed to be due to marriage or relocation.
Henry and Celia were dedicated members to the Egypt Baptist Church. They traveled 14 miles round trip every Sunday by ox cart. Henry and his brothers were clerks at the church and eventually Henry became it’s pastor. He was a farmer and slave owner. There are records stating by 1860 he owned over 27 slaves and had 2 - 3 slave quarters on his land, more than any other slave owner in Shelby County at that time.
In 1868 Celia passed due to unknown causes at the age of 43. The same year Henry remarried to a native american, Susan Ann Adams ( July 27, 1827 - August 4, 1902). Her original maiden name unknown due to the fact that she had been married and widowed several times prior to their marriage. Together they had 2 sons.; Walter Williford (1870 - Unknown) and Oliver J. Williford (1874 - After 1900). Susan also had children from a previous marriage.
In 1870 Henrys estimated worth was $12,000 and Susan $ 6,000. He was the guardian for William and Marion Williams, who attended his church. After their parents had passed Henry paid off their family's debt.
On the night of October 4th during the 1870's, Henry and his family suffered a great loss when their home burned down. The cause of this fire is unknown.
In April of 1880, Henry passed due to stomach disease at the age of 62. According to one source Henry is buried with his first family in Arlington, Tn in an unmarked grave. Susan passed in 1902 from unknown causes at the age of 75. She is buried with her family in Elmwood Cemetery Memphis, Tn.
Henry and Susan’s youngest son together, Oliver eventually married and lived on the plantation for a few more years until he and his family moved out of state. They were the last Willifords to live on the 200 acre plantation.
*There is a Williford Street in Memphis located between Poplar and Sam Cooper Blvd named after Henry’s Nephew, Stephens son. He was a doctor in Shelby County and opened his own school of medicine.
Freeman Williford was killed during the Civil War by Union soldiers. He was shot in the back while riding into town for business matters.
Stephen Williford was also reported to have died on Henry's property due to illness.
Celia S. Williford (Tayloe)
March 9, 1825 - July 27, 1868
Cause of death: Unknown
H. B. Williford*
April 1818 - April 13, 1880
Cause of death: Stomach Disease
Sarah Elizabeth Freeman*
1780 - 1863
Anna M. Williford
October 1847 - Unknown 28,1855
Infant Son
January 2, 1853 - January 17, 1853
Infant Daughter
April 4, 1855 - April 15, 1855
Joseph L. Williford
August 2, 1859 - June 6, 1860
James A. Williford
September 16, 1864 - December 17, 1865
Sarah E. Williford
1846 - October 17, 1846
*) Documented burials on property, no grave markers
Reviews, get directions and information Williford Cemetery.
