William and Sarah Nichol McWilliams - Chapter Six

 

The Church in the Wildwood

 

Chillisquaque Creek

William McWilliams, Chillisquaque Church, 1790

As the population of Turbot Township increased, William joined other settlers in establishing a Presbyterian house of worship. His family attended Chillisquaque Church, located near their residence. William’s signature was recorded in the first surviving record of the congregation in 1790 as one of the members supporting the hiring of a new traveling minister.[i] The McWilliams would have made the weekly trek to the log church on foot, by horseback or in a horse-drawn wagon. Two services were held on the Sabbath with an hour intermission between. Before the second sermon, his family would join the other parishioners for lunch during the intermission. Upon returning home, the congregation was expected to spend the rest of their Sunday at home studying Catechism.[ii]

The McWilliams’ children probably attended school until around the age of twelve. Most Scots-Irish Presbyterian congregations placed a high value on education and established a school soon after their church was built. In addition, education was monitored by the county government in very early taxation records. From the year 1810, Northumberland County tax lists required the inclusion of names of poor children whose parents could not provide for their schooling.[iii]

 

William McWilliams, 1781 Tax List, Turbot Township

 

The Tax Man Cometh

William was faithful and reliable in payment of his taxes to the government. Records show that William was assessed various levies on his real estate and personal property in Turbot Township. Beginning in 1778, he paid taxes on his acreage, horses and cattle.[iv] Like most of his neighbors, he kept one or two horses and between two and four cows in his early years in Turbot Township. In the assessments after 1800, his herd of cattle numbered five to seven head. From 1782 through 1784, William supported the fledgling United States government by paying a federal supply tax that was collected to help pay debts from the Revolutionary War. Contributing to this tax qualified William with Revolutionary War Patriot status.[v]

 

His sons were taxed after attaining the age of 21. James was recorded on the tax rolls in 1797, Thomas in 1798, William Jr. in 1806, John in 1809, and Philip and Samuel in 1810. The assessment for single men varied from 25 cents to 33 cents, depending on the rate charged per year. As the sons acquired horses and cattle, their taxes increased by a few cents.[vi]

William McWilliams, 1800 Federal Census, Turbot Township
William, Sarah & Eleven of their children were enumerated.

Count Your Blessings

 

The McWilliams family could not be located in the first US censes taken in 1790 but was enumerated in Turbot Township in Northumberland County in the US Federal Population Schedule of the 1800 and 1810 Censuses.[vii] William also appeared in the 1800 Pennsylvania Septennial Census.[viii] These documents provided no information except place of residence, name of the head of household, and the number of family members in various age ranges. It was interesting to note that there were both free people of color and slaves listed in a few entries for Turbot Township in 1800.

 

Sarah McWilliams' Headstone in Chillisquaque Cemetery

Rest in Peace

 

Sarah passed away from unknown cause on October 6, 1806. She and William had been married 35 years and she had blessed their union with thirteen children over a period of 26 years. Fortunately, all of her children still lived nearby at the time of her death. She left behind her 67-year-old husband, nine sons aged 9, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 31, 33 and four daughters aged 11, 26, 29, and 35. No doubt, she was sorely missed, especially by her four youngest children, who were under 16 years of age. William’s older children probably helped him weather the loss of Sarah and assisted with the upbringing of their younger siblings. Nine of William’s children still lived with him in 1810.

 

Sarah was buried in Chillisquaque Cemetery on the grounds of the Presbyterian Church she and William attended for many years. Her resting place is near the center of the graveyard. Her tombstone was inscribed, “In Memory of Sarah McWilliams Consort of Wm. McWilliams who departed this life Oct 6, 1806. Aged 52 years.”

 

Copy of William McWilliams' Will, 1816, Columbia County, PA

William’s Will

 

William filed his last will and testament on November 26, 1816, in Columbia County.[ix] He had not changed his place of residence, but a temporary adjustment of county boundaries placed his land in Limestone Township in Columbia County for about three years before it was returned to Northumberland County. He named his thirteen children as heirs, even including the married names of two of his daughters. The disparity of the amounts of money left to some family members and the division of the two oldest daughters’ shares among their children raised some interesting questions about family dynamics. Perhaps some of the daughters married well and would not benefit greatly from a portion of William’s estate.

 

The transcription of his will reads as follows:

 

1816

William McWilliams Will

No 1 Will                        

              In the name of God amen I William McWilliams of Limestone Township Columbia County being in a State of Perfect health and of sound mind and memory blessed by god but calling to mind that it is appointed: once for all men do die do make constitute and declare this to be my last will and testament And first I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors And as touching the worldly estate which it hath pleased god to bless me I give bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner viz first I allow all my Just debts and funeral charges to be paid and also that a head and foot stone for my late wifes grave and for my own grave also, be furnished and paid for out of my real estate Second my will is that all my Sons be paid moderate wages for all the time which they wrought for me after they severalty arrived at twenty one years of age Third if I should not live until my son Joseph Watts arrives at the age of Twenty one years my Will is that he have six months Schooling and boarding and Sixty Dollars to be paid out of my real estate Fourth my will is that my daughter Sarah Should be paid reasonable wages for all the time she may have wrought for me after she was twenty one years of age out of my real estate. Fifth my will is that my sons which may be living on my plantation at my decease shall keep it in their hands and enjoy the benefits arising therefrom for one year after my decease and from then on to be put out by my executors or the survivor of them to the shears until it shall be sold. Sixth I bequeath to my Grandson William Renolds (son of My daughter Hannah) two hundred Dollars to be paid out of my real estate Seventh my will is that my daughters Mary Cruser and Eleanor Scouts receive one dollar each in apiece to be paid when my real estate shall be sold and that together with what they have already received I allow as sufficient wages for all the labour I have received from them Eighth my will is that if my personal estate should not be sufficient to pay all my just debts including wages to pay for as above mentioned that the deficiency be paid out of my real estate when Sold.  Ninth my will is that fifty pounds a piece be paid to each of my sons viz James, Thomas, William, John, Samuel, Philip, David, Robert and Joseph Tenth my will is that my real estate be sold by my executors at any time after one year after my decease at the discretion of my executors and after the debts and legacies as above mentioned shall be paid the residue and remainder be equally divided amongst my children viz James, Thomas, William, John, Samuel, Philip, David, Robert, Joseph, Mary, Eleanor and Sarah Eleventh I constitute and appoint my son James and my son Thomas executors of this my last will and testament Twelfth my will is that the dividend of my estate which may be coming to my daughter Mary as above mentioned be paid to her children I do publish pronounce and declare this and this only to be my last will and testament In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26^th day of November 1816 William McWilliams (Seal) Witness presents John Ballict Solomon Levan Nicholas Gouger. Columbia County Pa.

William McWilliams' Headstone in Chillisquaque Cemetery

William died on January 11, 1819, and was buried beside Sarah in Chillisquaque Cemetery. His tombstone was inscribed, “In Memory of Wm. McWilliams who departed this life on Jan. 11, 1819. Aged 80 Years.” In the years since his death, a Revolutionary War medallion attached to a small American flag has been placed beside his headstone.

Leaving a Legacy

William’s will was entered into probate court four days after his passing:

Be it remembered that on this 15^th day of January A.D. 1819 personally appeared Before me Josiah McCline Register for said County Solomon Levan and Nicholas Gouger Two of the Subscribing Witnesses to the within will and being sworn according to Law did depose and say that they was personally present and saw William McWilliams the Testator sign seal publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he the said Testator was of sound mind disposing memory and understanding and that they witnessed the same in the presence and at the request of the Testator and in the presence of each other and that the same Solomon Levan and Nicholas Gouger Subscribed thereto as Witnesses are deponents proper hand writing and further saith not. Soloman Levan Nicholas Gouger sworn and subscribed before me Josiah McCline Regr. Date aforesaid.

                                                                        Be it remembered that on the fifteenth day of January Anno Domini 1816 before me Josiah McCline Register for said County was proved and approved the last will and Testament of William McWilliams late of Limestone Township Deceased of which the preceding is a true copy and that Letters testamentary in due and common form of Law were granted unto James and Thomas McWilliams executors therein named

                                           Witness my hand aforesaid

 

No further court action to dispose of William’s property has been located except this reference to his estate found in the Columbia County Orphan’s Court probate records:[x]

Affidavit for rule on McWilliams executors by William’s son-in-law, John Scout (husband of daughter Eleanor):

Nov 4^th1822 affidavit of John Scout Read stating the insolvency of the Exrs of William McWilliams deceased rule to show cause (granted) why Executors should not give bail on or before the first day of next Term. By the Court. [illegible sale and illegible due] {filed with orphans Court papers}

 

 NEXT - Following in William and Sarah's Footsteps

 

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[i] Finney, Rev. William Gardner, The History of the Chillisquaque Church, 1926, Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, page 27, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records; Reel: 236, accessed www.ancestry.com

[ii] Dr. Mary Belle Lontz, “Chillisquaque Church and Cemetery,” Proceedings and Addresses, 10 December 1990, Volume XXX, page 99-100, The Northumberland County Historical Society, Sunbury, PA; accessed from copy purchased from the society

[iii] Northumberland County, PA, Board of County Commissioners, Tax Records, 1774-1843, Turbut Township, 1787-1825, Family Search, microfilm 1449349, DGS 7857877, 1810; accessed  www.familysearch.org.

[iv] Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1762-1794, Series No. 4.61; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4, PA Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA, PA, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, William McWilliams; accessed www.ancestry.com 

[v] Egle, William Henry, Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume 19, Proprietary, Supply and State Tax Lists of the Counties of Northampton and Northumberland for the Years 1772 to 1787, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, State Printer, 1897, pages 423, 447, 506, 576, 589, 673, 748; accessed www.familysearch.org

 

[vi] Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, Board of County Commissioners, Tax Records, 1774-1843, Turbut Township, 1787-1825; accessed www.familysearch.org, filmstrip 1449349, DGS 7857877

[vii] 1800 U.S. census, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Turbot Township, p. 796, Williams McWilliams; NARA microfilm publication M32, roll 37; accessed www.ancestry.com, image 5 and 1810 U.S. census, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Turbot Township, p. 130, James McWilliams; NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 53; accessed www.ancestry.com, image 8

[viii] 1800 Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863, Northumberland, All, Records of the House of Representatives, Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7, PA Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA, Box 1026: accessed www.ancestry.com, image 12

[ix] Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Columbia County Wills and Administrations, Volumes 1-2, 1813-1850, William McWilliams, volume 1, page 94; accessed www.ancestry.com, image 70 OR can be accessed www.familysearch.org, image 70

[x] Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1994, Columbia County, Orphan’s Court Dockets, 1814-1841, William McWilliams, volume 1-3, volume 1, page 301; accessed familysearch.org, filmstrip 955824, DGS 5544892, image 185

 

WILLIAM AND SARAH NICHOL McWILLIAMS - Chapter Five

 

A Baker’s Dozen (Thirteen Children)

Sarah and William were far more fortunate in rearing healthy children than most families who lived before the age of modern medicine. Disease, accidents, infection, lack of medical care and even poor nutrition left more than one empty chair at the table of nearly every family at the turn of the nineteenth century. Against those odds, the McWilliams raised thirteen children who lived to adulthood.

Sarah and William were undoubtedly devoted and caring parents who sacrificed the time and energy necessary to nurture their large family. Sarah dedicated twenty-six years of her life to childbearing, welcoming a new infant every two or three years between 1771 and 1797. She must have worked from sunrise to sunset to provide food and clothing for her growing brood.

Details about the lives of some of their children have proven to be elusive. The following information about their offspring is as accurate as possible based on limited documentation.[i]

Hannah McWilliams Black Headstone

Hannah – born October 3, 1771; died July 12, 1847. Hannah married John Black and resided in Derry Township, Montour County, PA. Hannah had at least one son, William Renolds, who was named in her father’s will. Hannah was buried in Chillisquaque Cemetery. Her tombstone was inscribed “IN MEMORY OF HANNAH BLACK, Wife of John Black who died July 12^th, 1847. aged 76 years 10 mo. & 6 d.”

James – born September 27, 1773; death date unknown. James was one of the executors of his father’s estate. Neither a wife nor children were located.

Thomas McWilliams Headstone

Thomas – born January 30, 1775; died January 20, 1833, just a few days before his 58^th birthday. Thomas joined James as an executor of William’s estate. Thomas married Elizabeth Davis, the daughter of one of the McWilliams’ neighbors. They raised a large family, but the number of children was not determined. Thomas and Elizabeth were also buried in Chillisquaque Cemetery. His headstone was inscribed, “THOMAS McWILLIAMS DIED Jan. 20, 1833 AGED 57 yr. 11 mo. & 20 d.”

Mary Agnes – born October 3, 1777; died about 1821. Mary wed Benjamin Crusen, who was related to her brother John McWilliams’ wife, Mariah. Mary may have had a daughter named Jane, and her father mentioned “her children” in his will. Her burial place was not located.

Eleanor McWilliams Scout

Eleanor- born February 3, 1780; died January 1, 1861, at age 80. Eleanor married John Scout and had three daughters. She raised her daughters alone after her husband died in 1826 when her girls were ages 8, 5 and 4. Her tombstone in Oak Grove United Methodist Cemetery in Paxinos, PA, was inscribed, “Our Mother Eleanor Wife of John Scout b. 1780 d. 1/9/1861.”

William McWilliams Jr. Headstone

William Jr. – born April 21, 1782; died November 21, 1853. William married Eleanor M. Cemore (or Cemunn). They raised a large family in nearby Delaware Township. William, Eleanor and some of their children are buried in Warrior Run Church Cemetery. The inscription on William’s monument is faded but appears to read, “In memory of WILLIAM McWILLIAMS, who departed this life Nov. 21, 1853. He was 72 years of his age.”

John McWilliams Headstone

John – born June 28, 1784; died July 30, 1849. John married Mariah Cruiser. He had a family of eight children. He, Mariah and several of their children were buried in Chillisquaque Cemetery. His headstone was inscribed “IN Memory of JOHN McWILLIAMS who was born June 28, 1784. Died July 30, 1849. Aged 65 Years 1 Month & 2 Days.” (John is my third great-grandfather.)

Samuel B. McWilliams Headstone

Samuel B. – born August 13, 1786; died July 19, 1867, less than a month before his 81^st birthday. Samuel married Margaret Hershberger. They had at least twelve children. Samuel left Pennsylvania around 1815 and settled in Ohio. He and Margaret were buried in the Old Burying Ground Cemetery in Greenfield, Highland County, OH. His tombstone reads, “SAM McWILLIAMS Born in Northumberland Co. Pa. Aug. 13, 1786, DIED July 19, 1867, aged 80 yrs 11 mos. 6 ds.”

Phillip McWilliams

Phillip McWilliams Headstone

Phillip – born October 21, 1788; died November 25, 1875, at age 87. Like his brother Samuel, he went to Ohio in 1815. Apparently, Phillip was well-educated, as he was employed as a school teacher in both Pennsylvania and Ohio before becoming a full-time farmer. He married Eleanor Murray Collier on July 6, 1815 in Ohio. They had twelve children. Phillip was a founding member of the First Presbyterian Church in Greenfield and served 53 years as a ruling elder in the congregation.[ii] He, Eleanor and several of their children were buried in the Old Burying Ground in Greenfield, Highland County, OH. His gravestone was inscribed, “McWILLIAMS PHILLIP McWILLIAMS Oct. 21, 1788 Nov. 25, 1875 Son of William & Sarah BORN IN NORTHUMBERLAND CO. PA.” He was the only child whose photograph has been found.

David McWilliams Headstone

David – born January 19, 1791; died July 2, 1856. David married Jane Craig (sister of Margaret who married Robert.) They settled in nearby Elysburg. He, Jane and several of their nine children were buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Elysburg, Northumberland County, PA. His extremely weathered tombstone appears to read, “DAVID McWILLIAMS Born Northumberland Pa. Jan. 19, 1791 Died July 2, 1856 Aged 65 Years 6 months (illegible)”

Robert N. McWilliams Headstone

Robert N. (may have been “N” for Nichol) – born February 3, 1793; died September 27, 1857, at age 64. Robert married Margaret Craig (sister of Jane who married David) and settled in Elysburg. He, Margaret and some of their six children were buried in Pine Hill Cemetery in Elysburg, Northumberland County, PA. The tombstone he shares with his wife and daughter was engraved, “McWILLIAMS ROBERT N. 1793—1857”

Sarah Johnston McWilliams Shipman Headstone

Sarah Johnston – born March 25, 1795; died September 10, 1868. Sarah married Jacob Shipman. She spent her entire life in Northumberland County and was buried in Oak Grove United Methodist Cemetery in Paxinos, PA. She had at least one child and several step-children. The writing on her headstone was difficult to decipher, but appeared to say, “SARAH J. SHIPMAN died September 10, 1868 AGED 76 years, 6 mo. & 15 d.” An additional sentence is partially buried from settling of the stone and is unreadable.

Joseph Watt – born June 17, 1797; died about 1855 in Marion County, IA. Joseph followed two of his older brothers to Ohio and married Jane Elwood in Highland County on August 16, 1825. After spending many years in Ohio, he moved his family to the Iowa frontier in Marion County by 1847. He and Jane were the parents of nine children. His grave was not located.

 NEXT - THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD

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[i] Headstone photographs, dates of birth and death; accessed at www.findagrave.com and Floyd, J.L. & Co., Genealogical and Biographical Annals of Northumberland County Pennsylvania, Chicago, IL, J.L. Floyd & Co., 1911, p. 224, William McWilliams; accessed https://archive.org

 

[ii] Collier, Rutherford, Newspaper Clipping found in a private Collier Journal 1899, owned by Alan Collier Todd, location unknown; accessed www.ancestry.com

 

WILLIAM AND SARAH NICHOL McWILLIAMS - Chapter Four

 

FEATHERING A NEST

 

New Purchase Agreement Signed at Fort Stanwix 28 July 1769
Between Thomas & Richard Penn and Leaders of the Six Nations
Purchase Price was $2000

The Penn family’s “New Purchase” of territory from the Indians opened additional land for settlement farther north in the province in 1769. William McWilliams bought a tract in Northumberland County on January 24, 1774, from George Shaafe, the original owner of the land warrant.^[i] William obtained a mortgage document dated January 25, in which he was identified as a Yeoman (farmer and landowner) from Chanceford Township in the County of York. He secured the mortgage totaling 125 pounds, with a down payment of five shillings. Perhaps Sarah’s inheritance made it possible for them to make the purchase. The mortgage was paid in five installments to Frank Allison and James Biddle of Philadelphia.^[ii]

 

William McWilliams Land Warrant 25 January 1774

William McWilliams Land Patent 
26 January 1774, Northumberland County, PA

William McWilliams Mortgage 25 January 1774
Transcription 1815, Columbia County, PA

Their “plantation,” named Shaafesburg, contained 306 acres and 30 perches.  The location was surveyed, mapped and described as “on the head of Limestone Run [a creek] north of Chillisquaque Creek to extend down the said Run in the Forks of the Susquehanna.” The property adjoined land belonging to Peter Burnes, Cornelius Atkinson and Samuel Boone, who was likely a relative of Daniel Boone, a Pennsylvania native.^[iii]

 

The McWilliams’ new real estate was located nearly one hundred miles north of their York County home. River travel up the Susquehanna could have been utilized to make the trip. William may have gone ahead to his plantation to clear land for crops and build a cabin before the rest of the family followed. Their first child, Hannah, was born October 3, 1771, and their first son, James, was only four months old when they purchased their farm.^[iv]

 

Creating a home in the wilderness was a daunting undertaking for William, or any man. Although the soil was fertile, it was covered with native forest which had to be cleared before planting could be done. William had to remove the underbrush, girdle the bark of mature trees and wait for them to die and fall, or cut the trees down and burn any wood that could not be salvaged for heating, cooking or building.^[v] Crop cultivation required enormous physical stamina just to produce enough food for subsistence. William had to walk eight miles behind his horse or team of oxen at a speed of about one and one-half miles per hour to plow just one acre of land. Planting, cultivating, and harvesting also required similar time and effort.^[vi] Of course, William also had to choose and cut trees to provide suitable lumber for construction of a log cabin and simple log furniture for his family. All these tasks had to be done with only hand tools powered by William’s muscles or by his farm animals.

 

William would have guided his wooden plow, pulled by horses or oxen, to dig a furrow four or five inches deep. A wooden harrow was then pulled over the plowed field twice to smooth the soil for sowing crops. Grain with small seed such as wheat or oats was broadcast by hand, while corn was planted in holes dug with a grubbing hoe. The same hoe was also used to remove weeds as the corn grew. Beans were sometimes planted among the corn plants allowing the stalks to become natural supports for the bean vines. Most settlers planted apple, peach and cherry orchards as soon as possible, because the trees would not bear fruit for a few years.

 

At maturity, wheat, oats and similar grains were harvested by cutting the stalks at about half their height with scythe or sickle and cradle and then stacked in sheaves to be threshed with a flail during the long winter months. Hay was mown with the same tools and was left in large stacks in the fields. Corn was harvested by pulling the ears of corn from the stalks.^[vii] Children were often given the task of shelling the corn from the cobs by hand.

 

Sarah and William relied on their farm produce, native fruits and wild game for food.  Potatoes, turnips, pumpkins and cabbages were staple vegetables grown in gardens in Northumberland County. They stored well when placed in a cellar, or buried in a pit or barrel and dug out as needed during the winter. Apples also kept well, especially when sliced and dried in the sun.

 

Wheat, oats, corn, and buckwheat were common cereal grains on most farms in Turbot Township. As the population grew, Pennsylvanians took their grains to a nearby water-powered grist mill for grinding into flour and cornmeal. Bread, oatmeal, cornmeal and buckwheat cakes were baked in a Dutch oven in the kitchen hearth, while most other foods were boiled over a fire. Of course, the firewood had to be replenished at regular intervals and the old ashes had to be removed to keep the fire burning. Wild honey, maple syrup harvested from maple trees, and molasses made from sorghum were used for sweetening food. Dandelion greens were gathered to eat when green vegetables were not in season.^[viii]

 

The McWilliams kept a cow or two as a source for milk and butter.^[ix] It is likely that William also raised swine for consumption, because they required little care, their meat was easily preserved, and they produced large numbers of offspring. Pigs often roamed and foraged freely in the woods during the spring and summer where they fattened before fall when many were butchered. William probably supplemented his food supply by fishing and hunting wild poultry, rabbits, squirrels and deer to provide fresh meat for roasting and stewing.

 

Sarah’s chores as a farmer’s wife were no easier than her husband’s labors. In addition to housekeeping chores, food preparation, and bearing and rearing their children, she probably partnered with William in the care of their livestock. Women of her generation typically tended the family’s swine and poultry, and used cream from their cattle to churn into butter. Until their sons were old enough to assist William, Sarah probably helped with butchering the hogs, preserving the meat by salting or smoking, and rendering the fat into lard for cooking. She may have raised chickens or guinea hens for eggs and meat. She also could have helped William harvest their grain and hay.^[x]

 

Most women made all the clothing for their family from wool or flax produced on their farms. Sarah was no doubt adept at spinning wool, weaving and sewing. The Scots-Irish grew and processed flax to use as fiber for linen cloth, a skill that was almost universal among former residents of Ireland. Mending and laundering by hand added more chores to the long list of responsibilities that Sarah must have shouldered. She probably even made candles to light their home in the evenings.

 

The McWilliams’ home was probably located near a dependable water source, such as a clear stream or natural spring. Sarah and the children most likely carried water to the house in buckets or barrels for cooking, drinking and household chores.

 NEXT - A BAKER'S DOZEN (Thirteen Children)

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[i] Pennsylvania, Land Warrants and Applications, 1733-1952, Harrisburg, PA, Pennsylvania State Archives, Land Warrants, William McWilliams (1774), 24 January 1774; accessed www.ancestry.com, Northumberland, 1774, image 574 

[ii] Columbia County, Indexes to Mortgages, Wills and Administrations, and Miscellaneous Records, 1773-1833, Columbia County, PA, page 4, William McWilliams (1774), Mortgage, 25 January 1774; accessed www.familysearch.org, Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994, Columbia, filmstrip 955505, DGS 5544891, image 254           

[iii] Pennsylvania State Archives, RG-17, Records of the Land Office, Copied Surveys, 1681-1912, series #17.114, George Shaafe, No. 1467, 5 September 1769, Berks County; accessed www.phmc.pa.gov, Images of Each Survey, Full Alphabet Volumes: A to Z, volume M, page M-214 and reverse

[iv] Floyd, J.L. & Co., Genealogical and Biographical Annals of Northumberland County Pennsylvania, Chicago, IL, J.L. Floyd & Co., 1911, p. 224, William McWilliams; accessed https://archive.org

[v] Gagliardo, John G., Germans in Agriculture in Colonial Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, volume 83, issue 2, April 1959, pages 207-208, accessed https://journals.psu.edu/pmhb/article/viewFile/41466/41187

[vi] Brandon Knapp, “How Steam Power Revolutionized the Farm in America,”
Yesterdaystractors.com, accessed at www.yesterdaystractors.com/articles/artint226.htm

[vii] Gagliardo, pages 208-213

[viii] Youmans, Martha Follmer, “Journal of Anna Margaret Follmer 1775-1781,” Special Issue Historical Leaflet Series Publications of the Columbia County Historical Society, pages 7, 8, 10, 18, August 1976, Bloomsburg, PA; accessed Northumberland County Genealogical Library, Sunbury, PA

[ix] Northumberland County, PA, Board of County Commissioners, Tax Records, 1774-1843, Turbut Township, 1787-1825, Family Search, filmstrip 1449349, DGS 7857877, William McWilliams, accessed at familysearch.org.

[x] “Agriculture and Rural Life,” Stories from PA History, accessed at explorepahistory.com/stories.php