Wednesday, May 20, 2015

ALEXANDER WILLIAMS 1820-1901

[Ancestral Link: Harold William Miller, son of Ada Marion Williams (Miller), daughter of James Clark Williams, son of Alexander Williams.]











Alexander Williams




Old Parish Church in Kirkcaldy.



FIRST GENERATION
ALEXANDER WILLIAMS
(Father of James Clark Williams)

Alexander Williams was born to Alexander Williams and Margaret Lonie on 13 July 1820, in Cupar, in the heart of Fifeshire, Scotland. He was christened ten days afterward.

His father's lineage in Fifeshire can be traced back to the 1600s, when the family name was
"Williamson." His mother's lineage, under the family name of "Auchterlonie," can be traced
back in Fifeshire equally as far.

Alexander was married at about the age of 25 to Catherine Clarke. Between 1846 and 1858, they had five sons, all born in Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland - Alexander, born January 2, 1846; William, born January 22, 1848; Andrew, born November 14, 1852; James Clark, born October 15, 1854; and John, born August 12, 1858. Kirkcaldy is a coastal town, nestled
on the Firth of Forth.

Alexander was the foreman of one of the big iron foundries, and he issued all of the supplies to the workers. He was very well liked by his associates, and they never missed an opportunity of showing their regard for him. In Scotland, at that time, the New Year's celebrations lasted a full week. Every night during the celebratory week, Alex and the workers would gather together for a "right gude time" singing and dancing. They always served cake, cheese, and-naturally-a "wee drop" to drink. There were times when the workers would lift Alex up on their shoulders and march all over while the bagpipe pipers would play Alex's favorite tunes, including Alex's favorite, "The Soldier's Return."

Alexander was very artistic, and painted many beautiful pictures. One was of a house and garden in detail which his family kept under glass to protect it from dust and grime. His hobby was raising and training birds. He made a large birdhouse with a glass front and raised many different kinds of birds, some of which he trained to talk. He also stuffed birds and arranged them in different attitudes: one would be breaking a shell against a branch to get the snail out, while another would be sitting on a nest. His collection was very valuable. He was also an accomplished rock mason.

Alex Williams lived to the age of 81 and died 6 November 1901 in Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland.

Reference: Family records of Charles Irvin Fox
Family records of Lucy Williams Price
Williams-Rogers A Family History, p 3, 4

Alexander Williams was born on the 18th of January, 1820, in Cupar, Fifeshire, Scotland.  He was married about the age of 25 to Catherine Clark.  They had five sons born in Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland - Alexander, born Jan. 2, 1846; William, born Jan 22, 1848,; Andrew, born Nov. 14, 1852; James Clark, born Oct. 15, 1854; and Joh, born Aug. 12, 1858.

Alexander was the forman of one of the big foundries, and also gave out all supplies to the workers.  He was very well liked by his associates and they never missed an opportunity of showing their regard for him.  

Alexander was very artistic, and painted many beautiful pictures.  One was a house and garden in detail, which they kept under glass to protect it from dust and grime.  

His hobby was the raising and training of birds.  He made a large bird house with a glass front, and raised many different kinds of birds, some of which he trained to talk.  He also stuffed birds, arranged in different attitudes. 
Found in Arnold Arthur Miller's Book of Rembrance.


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