Col. Beverly Dickerson Williams

Narrative:

     Col. Beverly Dickerson Williams was born on 4 Jul 1822 in Perryville, Mercer Co., Kentucky.^5,6,7
     His mother died in 1830, when Beverly was about 8 years old.⁴
     Beverly is probably the male age 5 to 10 listed on the 1830 Federal Census of Mercer Co., Kentucky, in the household of Beverly Williams, who was listed as age 60 to 70. It seems likely that young Beverly was living in the household of his grandparents after the death of his mother. His father is appears separately in Mercer Co., the only white person listed in his household.^14,15
     Beverly was probably the male age 15 to 20 listed in the household of his father, William S. Williams, in the 1840 Federal Census of Mercer Co., Kentucky.¹⁶
     Beverly married first Narcissa B. Mitchell, daughter of James P. Mitchell and Sarah Hamner, on 26 Dec 1840 in Mercer Co., Kentucky.^8,9
     He and Narcissa settled in Boyle Co. after their marriage.
     Beverly was appointed deputy sheriff of Boyle Co. in 1842, and became high sheriff in 1844. He was again appointed deputy in 1846 and re-elected in 1848.^17,18

Establishing Himself in Business and Law --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     When his term expired he took up planting. But in the meantime he studied law under his future father-in-law, Judge Mitchell, and was admitted to the bar in 1849. He practiced law and continued his planting operations for several years.^17,19
     Beverly and Narcissa appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Boyle Co., Kentucky, enumerated 29 Aug 1850, reporting real estate valued at $3,000. Their children Parthernia, Harriet, Hammond and Emma were listed as living with them, as were Lapsley Y. Green, a 22- year old student, and M. J. Durham, a 27-year old lawyer. There were also four slaves listed, a 70-year old male, a 50-year old female, an 18-year old female, and a one-year old male.^3,20
     In 1853 Beverly went to Louisville and engaged in pork packing with the firm of Ousley Kenwood & Co., remaining in that business three years. It appears the family did not move to Louisville with him, as they were still in Boyle Co. in 1860.¹⁷

An Adventure in the West --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The discovery of gold in Jul 1858 in what is today Colorado started the Pike's Peak gold rush to the region. A group of investors, led by William H. Russell, saw an opportunity in serving the flood of immigrants and formed the Leavenworth City & Pike's Peak Express Company to transport "passengers, mail, freight, and gold" to and from the Pike's Peak area. Two years later the same investors formed the famous Pony Express to California.²¹
     Beverly went to Leavenworth, Kansas, to become the agent and general manager for the stage company. He left Leavenworth on 1 Apr 1859 with a party of 160 men, women, and children, and 400 mules, to establish the stage route to Denver. He was to locate stations each 25 miles, and leave seven men, one woman, and twelve mules at each station, with tents and provisions. The expedition reached Denver May 12, along with 40 wagons and stages that had started behind them but overtook them before reaching the city. He purchased a quantity of gold dust and had it melted into an ingot, which he took back to Leavenworth and put it on exhibit to build interest in the gold rush. He remained with the company about eight months.¹⁷
     Beverly and Narcissa appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Boyle Co., Kentucky, enumerated 19 Jun 1860, though it is questionable whether he was actually present with the family. They reported that she had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate of $2,000. Their children Parthernia, Harriet, Hammond and Emma were listed as living with them.²²
     The growing population in the area lead to the formation of a provincial government, known as the Territory of Jefferson. Beverly was elected as a delegate to the U.S. Congress to lobby for recognition of the Territory as a regular territory of the United States. He remained in Washington during the 36th Congress (1859-1861), and the Territory of Colorado was established 28 Feb 1861. He returned to the territory and was nominated for re-election but was defeated in the election.¹⁷

Becoming a Military Officer --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Beverly returned to Kentucky in 1862, and enlisted in the Federal Army. He was mustered in to Co. D, Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry on 20 Sep 1862 at Louisville, Kentucky. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant Aug 20, and was made quartermaster on the staff of Gen. James S. Jackson. He remained in this capacity until the battle of Perryville, Kentucky (also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills), on 8 Oct 1862, where Gen. Jackson was killed.^23,17
     On 13 Nov 1862 Gen. Alex McDowell McCook requested that Beverly be detailed as aid-de-camp on his staff, citing his performance at the Battle of Chaplin Hills. He said Beverly was "an intelligent and efficient officer." Beverly accepted the appointment by 1 Jan 1863, and was prepared to resign his current commission, but wrangling by his commanding officers over procedures delayed the process. On 6 May 1863 Beverly accepted the commission appointing him as Captain and aide-de-camp and swore a new oath of office. He served there until the close of the war.^24,25,17
     He was ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, to serve as a mustering out officer in 16 Jun 1865. On 1 Nov 1865 it was declared he was no longer needed there, and he was the mustered out himself.^26,17

A Railroading Career in Memphis --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Beverly was appointed secretary and treasurer of the Memphis & Little Rock Railway in Nov 1865 in Memphis, Tennessee, remaining with that road eight years in different capacities.¹⁷ It seems clear that Beverly moved to Memphis about this time, and there are some indications that Narcissa joined him there.
     His wife died in 1868 in Crab Orchard, Kentucky.⁴
     Beverly married second Ann M. Rawlings on 3 Dec 1872 in First Presbyterian Church, Memphis, Tennessee, with Rev. Borland officiating. That evening they departed on the steamer A. J. White down the river for a honeymoon trip.^10,11,12

Taking Up Planting in Arkansas --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     He retired from railroading in 1873 and took up planting cotton on his second wife's plantation in Jefferson Co., Arkansas. By 1889 the plantation consisted of 1,100 acres in cotton and 300 acres in corn oats and other grain.^27,28,29
     In 1875 he purchased "a fine residence" a the corner of Fourth and Ringo Sts., Little Rock, and moved his family there.²⁷
     Beverly and Ann appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas, enumerated 2 Jun 1880. Her son by her prior marriage, Dr. John Waters, was living with them, as were William Robbins, age 18 and listed as adopted son, Ida Robings, age 15 and listed as a niece, and two servants, Ed Daniels and Emily Cal.³⁰
     Beverly elected in 1881 as a member of the state legislature from Pulaski Co., and served one term.³¹
     Beverly and Ann appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Arkansas, at 1019 w 4th St., enumerated 12 Jun 1900, reporting that they owned their home, which was mortgaged.³²
     Beverly left a will dated 13 Feb 1907 stating he was of Pulaski Co., Arkansas, in which he appointed Daniel W. Jones as executor, to serve without bond. He left $1,000 to his granddaughter Vesta, daughter of his late son Hammond. He left to her siblings, Beverly, Hamond, and Jacob, one dollar each. He also left one dollar each to Narcissa and Elizabeth, the daughters of his late daughter Emma. He left to his wife furniture, china, and silverware, which he said was hers from before their marriage. He left everything else, after payment of his debts, to his daughter Harriet.³³
     Beverly died on 22 Feb 1907 at his residence, 1019 West Fourth St., Little Rock, Arkansas, at age 84.¹ He was buried on 23 Feb 1907 in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Shelby Co., Tennessee.¹³

His Estate Proves to be Insolvent --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     His will was proved on 16 Aug 1907. His named executor refused to serve, so the court appointed W. B. Worthen Company as administrator. They were required to post a bond of $20,000.³⁴
     On 26 Aug 1907 the administrators advised the court that no personal property could be found. The only assets found were three lots in Little Rock, which had a mortgage of about $8,000. Claims against the estate totaled about $8,300. They requested authority to have the real estate sold, which was apparently approved.³⁵ On 12 Mar 1908 his widow petitioned the court to, claiming that the administrators had $919 on had, and asking the court to fix the amount of her dower and direct the administrators to pay it to her.³⁶
     His widow filed an application for a pension based on his Civil War Service 25 Nov 1908, which was subsequently approved.³⁷
     The first settlement of the estate was filed on 7 Dec 1911. The administrators reported they had sold the three lots for $9,381, less mortgage of $8,118. They had paid $326 in taxes, and the widow's dower of $306. His final expenses, consisting of $152 to the undertaker, $92 to his doctor, and $5.50 to the man who attended him his last two weeks, were paid in full. After payment of fees to the county clerk, $267 remained.³⁸
     The final settlement of the estate was filed on 7 Dec 1911. In it the administrators reported having received a pension check for $36. The remaining claims, mainly for groceries and supplies, but also including some older doctor's bills, were paid in part, totaling $303, leaving nothing in the estate after payment of the administrator's fee of $19.75. One claim had apparently been overlooked and the administrator offered to pay it themselves. Nothing was left for the named heirs.³⁹