From an entry in Portsmouth, Ohio’s Greenlawn Cemetery Sexton’s register is this entry from October 17, 1912. It notes: “These bodies were taken from a private burial ground on what is known as the Tieman farm about 2 1/2 miles below Pond Creek. They were re-interred on Lot 144 Section Evergreen.
| Name | Age at Death | Date of Death | Approximate Year of Birth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse Williams | 78 | 4 OCT 1882 | 1804 |
| Rebecca F Williams | 25 | 7 NOV 1834 | 1809 |
| Mary Williams | 48 | 3 SEP 1855 | 1807 |
| Sarah Roland | 69 | 25 APR 1857 | 1788 |
| Thomas Williams | 12 | 12 MAR 1854 | 1842 |
| Jesse Williams | 10 | 3 FEB 1854 | 1844 |
| Jane Williams | 35 | 16 APR 1845 | 1810 |
| Maria Williams | 12 | 4 APR 1851 | 1839 |
| Delilia Williams | 46 | 27 APR 1851 | 1805 |
| Sarah Williams | 11 months | 4 SEP 1837 | 1836 |
A review of the Evergreen Section’s 1 inch-to-20 feet plat created January 1, 1922, by City Engineer WJ Ward supports the reinterment of the above individuals on a plot owned by James M. Williams.
“Jesse Williams, an old and respected citizen of Buena Vista, died last Wednesday morning in his 78th year. He was a good citizen, and from Jackson’s time down voted for every Democratic candidate for Presidency. A more extended notice of his life will appear next week.”1
In Memoriam of Jesse Williams
“Editor Times: Jesse Williams, an old pioneer of this state, died October 4, 1882.”
“Mr. Williams had been in feeble health for several years. About nine months ago, he was stricken with paralysis, and after great and continuous suffering, with patience, christian endurance, and faith in divine providence, he passed away.”
“He was born on Blue Creek, Adams County, Ohio, March 23, 1804, and had reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years, five months and two days. He was a Democrat, and voted for Andrew Jackson, for President of the United States. He was true to his party, and during his life cast over fifty votes for the Democratic State and county ticket. Several times he expressed himself to the writer of this that he wanted to live long enough to vote for Mr. Newman for Secretary of State. This could not be; he was ready to go; his Lord wanted him and took him.”
“Mr. Williams was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over sixty-one years. Religion with him was of personal interest, and his actions and conversation were always consistent with his devotion and christian character. He was honest in everything. No one well acquainted with him could doubt this. Therefore, in the person of Jesse Williams, there was one true christian; he was what he professed to be. Five children survive thim. His last wife’s maiden name was Mary Smashes. They were married October 2, 1856. She was born in Adams County, Ohio-lives in West Union, at the time they were married. They have one son, James Williams, who is living with his widowed mother.”
“Never was wife and son more attentive and devoted in affliction to husband and father than they were.”
“The writer of this was his near neighbor and family physician for more than a quarter of a century, and he was good in every way, and I never saw him angry.”
“During his last days he said many pretty things. His mind was so calm, his thoughts so clear, and his voice so sweet. It appeared not unpleasant to be around the sick bed of the dying man, a great soldier in the Lord’s army.”
“He said to his wife that ‘God will wipe away all tears from all faces of those that have faith in him.’ To his daughter, Lizzie Adams, ‘there is sweet rest beyond the river.’ To Mrs. Frizell, ‘I will soon be where there are flowers brighters than yours but can not send you any.’ He repeated the following verse:”
Why do we mourn for dying friends,
Or shake at death’s alarm;
‘Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call us to his arms.
“Reverend Crosby preached his funeral. Text- ‘If a man die shall he live again. All my appointed time will I wait till my change cometh.'”
“Well, Jesse Williams is gone. His neighbors and friends feel his loss. In church his familiar face will no more be seen. All sympathize with the bereaved, but shed a tear? It is his gain. Having lived to a good and ripe old age, and now done with the things of earth, he has gone home to his God. No trials, there, no pain, no death. It is joy, and peace, and rest for evermore. Buena Vista, October 9, 1882.”2
