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The Rowe - Williams Connection
The Rowe's and Williams were connected in the 1800's when Vesta Victoria
Williams married Alden B. Rowe.
Oral family tradition says that Vesta's father was Brigadier-General Seth Williams of Civil
War fame. Seth Williams was born in Augusta, Maine. His parents
names were Daniel Williams and Mary Sawtelle. Seth's sister, also
named Mary was born in Norridgewock, Maine.
As of 2001, Cousin Don Sales has shared much information with me. He
has made a trip to Maine to trace our lineage. And has made significant
headway. As it stands now, Don
has found no connection between our Vesta Victoria Williams and Seth Williams,
the similarity is that they were both born in Augusta, Maine which could make
them siblings thought I doubt that. We may find a connection some
day, maybe he's a cousin or uncle or something like that.
brigadier-general Seth Williams
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2006: As you will see below, It is still very strong opinion in our family that this man is a direct ancestor in our family. Maybe he is, who knows. You can see the line that I believe is ours, and one that is pretty much proven by documentation (census records, etc.) by clicking here! |
But until we know for sure, this is what I have gleaned from one source:
Database: Full Context of Biographies of Notable Americans, 1904
The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume X
W
Williams, Thomas
WILLIAMS, Seth, soldier, was born in Augusta, Maine, March 22, 1822; son of
Judge Daniel and Mary (Sawtelle) Williams; grandson of Capt. Seth and Zilpha (Ingraham)
Williams and a descendant of Richard Williams, who came from Glamorganshire,
Wales, and settled at Taunton, Mass., as early as 1637. Judge Williams served as
state treasurer, 1837-40, and as judge of probate, 1848-55. Seth Williams was
graduated from the U.S. Military academy and brevetted 2d lieutenant, 2d
artillery, July 1, 1842; served in garrison in Rhode Island, New York and Maine,
1842-45, being promoted 2d lieutenant, 1st artillery, Aug. 31, 1844; was engaged
in the military occupation of Texas, 1845, and served as aide-de-camp to
Major-General Patterson in the war with Mexico, participating in the battles of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, in the siege of Vera Cruz and the battle of
Cerro Gordo. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, 1st artillery, March 3, 1847;
brevetted captain for Cerro Gordo, April 18, 1847; was in garrison in Maryland
and Pennsylvania, 1848-50; served as adjutant at the Military academy, 1850-53,
being brevetted captain of staff and assistant adjutant-general, Aug. 16, 1853,
and served in the latter capacity in the eastern division at Troy, N.Y.; in the
adjutant-general's office, Washington, D.C., and in the departments of the west
and the Ohio, 1853-61. He was brevetted major of staff and assistant
adjutant-general, May 11, 1861; promoted to the same rank, Aug. 3, 1861, and
served on the staff of General McClellan, 1861-62, being commissioned brigadier
general, U.S.V., Sept. 23, 1861. He was inspector-general of the
adjutant-general's department, 1862-64, was promoted lieutenant-colonel of staff
and assistant adjutant-general, July 17, 1862; brevetted colonel for gallantry
at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863; served as acting inspector-general on the staff of
the general-in-chief, March 10, 1864-Feb. 9, 1866, being present during the
entire Richmond campaign, and was brevetted major-general, U.S.V., Aug. 1, 1864,
for "highly meritorious and faithful services in the field, on the several
campaigns from Gettysburg, Pa., to Petersburg, Va." He was also brevetted
brigadier-general, U.S.A., March 13, 1865, for "gallant and meritorious services
in the campaign terminating with the surrender of the insurgent army under Gen.
Robert E. Lee," and major-general, U.S.A., on the same day, for "gallant and
meritorious services in the field during the rebellion." General Williams served
as adjutant-general of the military division of the Atlantic, Philadelphia, Pa.,
Feb. 9 to March 1, 1866. He never married. He died in Boston, Mass., March 23,
1866.
However according to 3 of Alden B. Rowe's
Grandchildren thru His son, Ernest Everett Rowe; Wilbur Vernon Rowe, Elveta
Arlene [Rowe] Barnes & Roger Allan Rowe [all 3 now deceased] and 1 grandchild
[Believed to be still living as of Dec., 2003] thru another son Alfred Boyington
Rowe; Eleanor Evelyn [Rowe] Bovee Our Rowe Family Oral History Refutes the claim
that he was never married.
According to all four of these people he was
father-in-law to Alden B. Rowe and father to Vesta Victoria Williams. They claim
he was married to a woman named Sara [last name unknown] in a private home
ceremony presided over by a Rowe family member. Also according to all four of
Alden and Vesta's grandchildren, Vesta was their only child.
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On to the Next Page (Williams Information)
This picture is one of a younger, Vesta Victoria Williams Rowe.
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