52 Ancestors: The Remarkable Life of Henry King Williamson (1866-1931)
Oh my goodness, I've been so wrapped up in writing my novel about Richard Woolsey, another restless soul, that I almost forgot to share the fascinating story of Henry King Williamson with you! This Kentucky-born wanderer lived through one of the most transformative periods in American history, and his tale is just too good not to tell.
I spent hours piecing together census records, vital records, and newspaper clippings to reconstruct his journey, and let me tell you, it's been quite the adventure! Stay tuned because this story has everything—love, loss, westward migration, and a man who adapted to America's changing landscape through it all.
Our story begins on April 10, 1866, in Kentucky, where young Henry drew his first breath just after the Civil War had torn the nation apart. Kentucky, with its divided loyalties, was just beginning to heal when Henry entered the world. I can only imagine the stories his parents must have told him about those tumultuous times!
By 1870, the census takers found our four-year-old Henry in Davis County, Missouri—already on the move! What brought the family to Missouri remains a mystery to me, but I think his father, Ira H. Williamson, was probably seeking better opportunities in the post-war economy. Don't we all know how that goes?
The family pendulum swung back to Kentucky by 1880, where we discover 15-year-old Henry—listed simply as "H" in the census—working as a mail carrier in Clay, Logan County. Can you picture young Henry on horseback, delivering letters across the Kentucky countryside? He was basically the 19th-century version of email! I keep imagining him daydreaming of adventures beyond those rolling Kentucky hills as he made his deliveries.
Love came calling for Henry in 1886, when at the age of 20, he married Helen Fannie Burnett in Sumner, Tennessee. Interestingly, some records refer to him as "King" Williamson—perhaps a nickname that reflected his confident demeanor? I’d like to think so!
The 1890s brought Henry and Helen several children: Brawner Lee in 1888 (don't you just love that name?), Mary Joann in 1890, and twin daughters Lottie and Lillie in 1895. By 1900, they had settled in Central City, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where 34-year-old Henry worked as a day laborer. That same year, another son, Homer Burnett, joined the growing Williamson clan.
Now, here’s where things turn tragic. Henry and Helen welcomed another son, Roy, in 1903, but tragedy struck in 1909 when Helen died in Oklahoma. Yes, by 1909, Henry had pulled up stakes and moved his family to Bradley, Grady County, Oklahoma—a newly established state that was just three years old at the time.
Can you imagine? A 44-year-old widower with six children, farming the Oklahoma soil and trying to build a new life. Oklahoma was booming with possibilities—oil discoveries, agricultural opportunities, and the promise of a fresh start for those willing to work hard. I truly admire his courage.
But wait! Love found Henry again, or at least we can imagine it was love; though in those days, it could have been a practical marriage. At age 46, he married Bertha Whitton on August 17, 1912, in McClain County, Oklahoma. The local newspaper, The Blanchard Record, even documented this marriage. I'm telling you, small-town papers have always loved a good romance story!
Henry and Bertha welcomed daughter Tessie Clara in 1913, but fate had more challenges in store—Bertha passed away in 1916, leaving Henry widowed once more. My heart just breaks thinking about it.
The family scattered somewhat during this period. Records show that in 1917-1918, Henry was living in Big Horn County, Montana, while his son Homer registered for the draft during World War I. Like many American families, the Williamsons were touched by the Great War, even if they didn’t serve directly on European battlefields.
More heartbreak followed when Henry’s son, Homer, now a miner, died of heart failure in 1930 in Casper, Wyoming, at just 30 years old! By then, Henry was in his sixties, having witnessed America transform from post-Civil War reconstruction through industrialization, World War I, and into the early days of the Great Depression.
Henry King Williamson would return to Oklahoma, where his journey ended on February 4, 1931, in Bradley, Oklahoma, where he was laid to rest. He was 64 years old.
Just think about all he witnessed in his lifetime! Born just after the Civil War, he lived through the Industrial Revolution, the Progressive Era, World War I, Prohibition, and the beginning of the Great Depression. He saw transportation evolve from horse-and-buggy to automobiles and airplanes. From delivering mail on horseback to seeing the first radios—what a transformation!
Henry's personal journey—from Kentucky to Missouri, back to Kentucky, then to Oklahoma and briefly Montana—truly mirrors the restless American spirit of his era. He endured personal tragedies that would have broken many of us, losing two wives and at least one child before his own passing. Yet through it all, he persevered.
Sources
-
"1870 United States Federal Census." Year: 1870; Census Place: Davis, Lafayette, Missouri; Roll: M593_786; Page: 180A. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355429 - Henry K Williamson (4) in Davis, Lafayette, Missouri. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"1880 United States Federal Census." Year: 1880; Census Place: Clay, Logan, Kentucky; Roll: 429; Page: 596d; Enumeration District: 173. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355434 - H R Williamson (15) son, Mail carrier, in household of I. H. Williamson (40) in Clay, Logan, Kentucky, USA. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002." Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355430 - King Williamson marriage to Hellen Burnett on 14 Dec 1886 in Sumner, Tennessee, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002." Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355431 - King Williamson marriage to Hellen Burnett on 14 Dec 1886 in Sumner, Tennessee, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"1900 United States Federal Census." Year: 1900; Census Place: Central City, Muhlenberg, Kentucky; Roll: 545; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0061. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355433 - Henry R Or K Williamson (34), married, Day Laborer, head of household in Central City, Muhlenberg, Kentucky. Born in Kentucky, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"1910 United States Federal Census." Year: 1910; Census Place: Bradley, Grady, Oklahoma; Roll: T624_1252; Page: 3a; Enumeration District: 0091; FHL microfilm: 1375265. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355435 - H K Williamson (45), widowed, Farmer, head of household in Bradley, Grady, Oklahoma, USA. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"U.S., Newspapers.com™ Marriage Index, 1800s-current." The Blanchard Record; Publication Date: 5 Sep 1912; Publication Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. Ancestry.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/587162761/?article=e3d12afe-e3f4-40de-a23f-c81d81dc35af/a08d78b7-2055-4ba2-b1ee-92a982031fa0 - Henry K Williamson (46) marriage to Bertha Wlntton in about 1912. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995." Original data: Marriage Records. Oklahoma Marriages. Various Oklahoma County marriage collections. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355427 - Henry K Williamson (46) marriage to Bertha Whitton on 17 Aug 1912 in McClain, Oklahoma, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Oklahoma, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-current." The Blanchard Record; Publication Date: 5 Sep 1912; Publication Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. Ancestry.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/587162761/?article=575a90a8-bc02-4d6c-ae98-c460d79878f2 - Name: Henry K Williamson; Topic: Other; Residence Date: 5 Sep 1912; Residence Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Wyoming, U.S., State and County Death Records, 1896-1971." Wyoming State Archives; Cheyenne, WY, USA; Wyoming State Death Records. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355426 - Henry Williamson in death record for son Burnett Williamson 1 Sep 1930, husband of Helen Barnett, in Casper, Natrona, Wyoming, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"Web: Oklahoma, Find A Grave Index, 1800-2012." Original data: Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WILL&GSfn=H&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=38&GScntry=4&GSsr=681&GRid=58500252& - Henry King Williamson burial (died on 4 Feb 1931) in Bradley, Grady County, Oklahoma, USA. Born on 10 Apr 1866. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
-
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007." Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Ancestry.com. - Henery K Williamson Social Security record. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"1870 United States Federal Census." Year: 1870; Census Place: Davis, Lafayette, Missouri; Roll: M593_786; Page: 180A. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355429 - Henry K Williamson (4) in Davis, Lafayette, Missouri. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"1880 United States Federal Census." Year: 1880; Census Place: Clay, Logan, Kentucky; Roll: 429; Page: 596d; Enumeration District: 173. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355434 - H R Williamson (15) son, Mail carrier, in household of I. H. Williamson (40) in Clay, Logan, Kentucky, USA. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002." Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355430 - King Williamson marriage to Hellen Burnett on 14 Dec 1886 in Sumner, Tennessee, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Tennessee, U.S., Marriage Records, 1780-2002." Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355431 - King Williamson marriage to Hellen Burnett on 14 Dec 1886 in Sumner, Tennessee, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"1900 United States Federal Census." Year: 1900; Census Place: Central City, Muhlenberg, Kentucky; Roll: 545; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0061. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355433 - Henry R Or K Williamson (34), married, Day Laborer, head of household in Central City, Muhlenberg, Kentucky. Born in Kentucky, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"1910 United States Federal Census." Year: 1910; Census Place: Bradley, Grady, Oklahoma; Roll: T624_1252; Page: 3a; Enumeration District: 0091; FHL microfilm: 1375265. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355435 - H K Williamson (45), widowed, Farmer, head of household in Bradley, Grady, Oklahoma, USA. Born in Kentucky. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"U.S., Newspapers.com™ Marriage Index, 1800s-current." The Blanchard Record; Publication Date: 5 Sep 1912; Publication Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. Ancestry.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/587162761/?article=e3d12afe-e3f4-40de-a23f-c81d81dc35af/a08d78b7-2055-4ba2-b1ee-92a982031fa0 - Henry K Williamson (46) marriage to Bertha Wlntton in about 1912. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995." Original data: Marriage Records. Oklahoma Marriages. Various Oklahoma County marriage collections. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355427 - Henry K Williamson (46) marriage to Bertha Whitton on 17 Aug 1912 in McClain, Oklahoma, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Oklahoma, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-current." The Blanchard Record; Publication Date: 5 Sep 1912; Publication Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. Ancestry.com. https://www.newspapers.com/image/587162761/?article=575a90a8-bc02-4d6c-ae98-c460d79878f2 - Name: Henry K Williamson; Topic: Other; Residence Date: 5 Sep 1912; Residence Place: Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Wyoming, U.S., State and County Death Records, 1896-1971." Wyoming State Archives; Cheyenne, WY, USA; Wyoming State Death Records. Ancestry.com. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/35355426 - Henry Williamson in death record for son Burnett Williamson 1 Sep 1930, husband of Helen Barnett, in Casper, Natrona, Wyoming, USA. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"Web: Oklahoma, Find A Grave Index, 1800-2012." Original data: Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WILL&GSfn=H&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=38&GScntry=4&GSsr=681&GRid=58500252& - Henry King Williamson burial (died on 4 Feb 1931) in Bradley, Grady County, Oklahoma, USA. Born on 10 Apr 1866. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
"U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007." Original data: Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Ancestry.com. - Henery K Williamson Social Security record. (Accessed 6 April 2025).
Comments