I may have found an elusive connection! I have found a marriage record of Abigail
WILLIAMS to Edward PURCELL in Knox County, In., July 5, 1814. I find an Edward PURCELL in
the 1820 Greene County census. There are nine people in the family. Neighbors are
Jeremiah PAGETT and John WILLIAMS.
I believe Abigail is the widow of Francis WILLIAMS (d. 1812), Knox County, IN. If so, the
household with Edward PURCELL probably contained some of her children with Francis.
I'm wondering if Edward had also been married earlier and whether some of the children
in the household were his by the earlier marriage.
Abigail had a son named John WILLIAMS (the neighbor?). I find a John WILLIAMS marrying
Nancy JOHNSTON in Knox County in May of 1820. Also I know that another of Abigail's
sons (William Francis WILLIAMS) married Mary "Polly" PADGETT in December 1823.
William Francis is listed as helping to construct "HADDON's Fort" in
Sullivan County.
Does anyone have information concerning these families? I am interested in
'clues' and I can offer any information I have. Hopefully, Pam