Samuel Best Williams (page 62 of Rachel Hardin's book)
Rachel Taylor Williams obituary (page 70 of Rachel Hardin's book)
Hannah Williams Stith obituary (page 68 of Rachel Hardin's book)
Stith Family Reunion photograph caption (more of page 68)
Fred Paul Stith obituary (more of page 68)

SAMUEL BEST WILLIAMS
     b 1-29-1823 Hardin Co., Ky. d 10-16-1865 Meade Co., Ky,
                m. 3-20-1845 Rachel Taylor b 1-13-1827 d 8-29-1895 Meade Co., Ky.
Samuel Williams died young and therefore was not remembered by his grandchildren or even his younger children. But much was recalled by children and grandchildren about Rachel who was left a widow at 38 with an infant and many other children and slaves all to be provided for. About this time her slaves were freed and it was said she never let Abraham Lincoln's name be mentioned in her house. Her worst fears were apparently not realized as the slaves did not leave and she had men to work the land. "Auntie" recalled her mother got on her horse every morning and went to supervise the running of the farm and tending to all her charges. She was adept at making medicine from herbs and her medical advice was sought throughout the valley. She also boarded the teacher and promoted the schooling as well as religious training. I think she was instrumental in organizing Buck Grove Baptist Church, the churchyard where she is buried. She was also an expert at raising flax and spinning and weaving.

Their children were:

John Taylor Williams b 2-23-1846 d 2-22-1899
       m. 9-13-1876 Narcissa R. Abell
Mary Frances b 10-23-1847 d 1-30-1858
Hannah Chase b 2-22-1849 d 11-14-1930
       m. 12-12-1866 Thomas J. Stith
James F. b 12-15-1850 d 3-9-1851
Annie b 12-27-1851 d 1-1-1852
Thompson Kendall b 12-8-1852 d 11-5-1875
Jacob Marks b 10-21-1854 d 10-17-1936
       m. 10-15-1884 Sallie Moreman
Thomas Jefferson b 2-23-1856 d 3-8-1944
       m. 12-9-1891 Minnie Rawlings
Jesse B b 3-9-1858 d 9-1-1869 Eunice Enfield b 6-26-1860 d 9-24-1950
       m. 12-6-1893 William A. Shacklett
Infant Son (Daniel?) b 4-6-1862 d 4-6-1862
Viola Boone b 3-31-1863 d 7-26-1907
        m. 3-13-1887 Richard P. Shacklett
Samuel Lawrence b 8-24-1865 d 6-30-1867

From Sam and Rachel Williams Bible in the possession of Robert Williams.

RACHEL TAYLOR WILLIAMS January 1827 - August 20, 1895

At noon, August 20, after an illness of two weeks, Mrs. Rachel Williams left scenes earthly to enter a rest prepared for the faithful and hear the plaudit "Wee done, enter the joys prepared for His own."

Mrs. Williams was a Miss Taylor and was born in this county in 1827 and was united in marriage in March 1845 to Sam Williams by whom she had a large family of children, six of whom are living: Jack, Jacob, and Thomas and Madames R. P. Shacklette, Enfield Shacklette and T. J. Stith, all of whom are members of the church and excellent citizens.

Deceased was a member of Hill Grove Baptist church and was baptized by Rev. George Hicks about 45 years ago.

She raised several orphan children, Mattie Taylor, her niece and a daughter of the late Dr. Jake Taylor, Ella Buford and Phillip Noel were still with her.

She realized from the first that the summons had come and calling each member of the family by name she bequeathed her personal effects as she deemed best, asking her daughters, Viola and Enfield, to care for the orphan girls as their own. She was perfectly rational to within a few hours of her demise and talked beautifully of the transition.

She requested her son-in-law, T. J. Stith, to read and pray. The comforting words from the 23rd Psalm were read followed by a petition for strength, faith and perfect submission. At the close she said, "I am waiting and am ready when the Lord calls me."

Aunt Rachel (as I always called her) came from a family of strong intellect and great force of character. Only two of them survive, Mrs. Eunice Taylor of California, who had been married twice and Mahlon Taylor of Louisville. Aunt Rachel was a devoted mother, firm staunch friend and excellent neighbor. She was broad in her views, exemplary and upright in dealings and universally kind and benevolent to the needy. She never turned a deaf ear to a worthy call or refused a helping hand to the unfortunate. Her creed was "Universal Love" than which none more exalted exists.

She was laid to rest in the Buck Grove cemetery and the funeral services conducted by Rev. Judson Willet. A large concourse of friends and relatives were present, a loving tribute of respect and esteem and to hear a fitting eulogy on the departed, whose works and good deeds will ever be fresh in the minds of those who mourn her loss. This feeble tribute from my pen is added with more than usual feeling because my husband admired and respected her in an eminent degree.

A Friend of the Family

MRS. HANNAH STITH DEAD.

    Hannah Chase Williams, daughter of Samuel and Rachel Taylor Williams, was born in Meade county, Kentucky, Feb. 22., 1849 and died at the home of her son, Arvin Stith, at Ekron, Nov. 14, 1930 raged 81 years, 8 months and 22 days. She united with the Hill Grove Baptist Church at the age of 18 years under the pastorship of Rev. George Hicks.

Shortly afterwards, on Dec. 12, 1866, she was married to Thomas J. Stith and they lived happily together for 55 years, he preceding her in death some nine years ago. The following children were born to them Mrs. Irene Stith Fontaine who died May 22, 1915; Dr. S. H. Stith, Brandenburg; W. A. Stith, Stith Valley; J. Strother Stith, who died May 24, 1929; K Arvin Stith, Ekron; Mrs. H. C. Moorman, Sumner, Ill.; L. T. Stith, Tampa, FIa.; Mrs. Ray Keith, Bewleyville; Thomas E. Stith, Stith Valley; Mrs. W. S. Shipp, Pleasure Ridge; Fred P. Stith, Mattoon, Ill.

There are 35 grand children of whom Mrs. Walter Scott is the eldest. There are 15 great grand children of whom Marion Ann Gailbreath, aged two days, is the youngest.

The following brothers and sisters survive: Jacob M. Williams, Stith Valley; Thomas J. Williams, Ekron; Mrs. W. A. Shacklette, Bunceton, Mo., and a large circle of nieces and nephews.

After a long and useful life she died as she had lived _ honored, trusted and loved. She reared her own monument while she lived in the hearts of all who knew her. Her Christian life was beautiful and through all the joys and sorrows that she met in the way, her faith in God never wavered.

Funeral services were held Sunday at Ekron Baptist Church conducted by the pastor, Rev. Martin, and Rev. W. S. Shipp. Interment was at the church cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS.
We certainly are appreciative of the many deeds of kindness shown us during the illness and death of our mother by neighbors and friends.

K. A. Stith Family and the Other Children.

Dr. and Mrs. S. H. Stith entertained to dinner Sunday Mrs. W. A. Shacklette and Mrs. Wathena Long, of Clarksburg, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Hatcher and Miss Barbara Shacklette.

Mrs. Enfleld Shacklette of Joplin, Mo., and Mrs. Ham Moorman, of Sumner, Ill., have returned home after attending the funeral of their sister and mother, Mrs. Hannah Stith.

Mrs. Hanah Williams Stith passed away at the home of her son, Arvin Stith Friday. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Stith Family 1911 Reunion Photograph

The family picture at the right was taken in 1911 at the rural home of Thomas Jefferson Stith and Hannah Williams Stith of Guston. Back row, left to right: Dr. Sam Henry Stith, Fred Paul Stith, Leonard T. Stith, Strother Stith, Rachel Stith Keith, Wivie Stith Shipp, Thomas E. Stith, Walter Scott, K. Arvin Stith, W. A. Stith, Sr., Ham C. Moorman, Irene Stith Fontaine. Seated, Mabel Coleman Stith, holding daughter Ruth Stith Rinehart, Emma Garner Stith, holding Louise Stith, Thomas Jefferson Stith, holding great grandson Walter C. Scott, Hannah Williams Stith, holding great granddaughter Rena Lou Scott Parks, Ruth Fontaine Scott, Lena Drury Stith, Mabel Stith Moorman holding son Thomas Moorman. Seated on ground, Will Tom Stith, Blanche Drury Stith Gailbreath. William Allen Stith. Jr., Stith Fontaine, George Lewis Stith and Ralph O. Stith. Of the eleven children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Stith, two are still living, Mrs. Mabel Moorman Stith of Orlinda, Calif. , and Fred P. Stith of Ekron.

FRED PAUL STITH
Mr. Fred Paul Stith, 92 years old, of Ekron, died Wednesday, November 25, 1981, at the Medco Center, Brandenburg.

He was horn February 17, 1889, the youngest of 11 children of Thomas Jefferson and Hannah Williams Stith. His ten brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded him in death, were: Irene Stith Fontaine, Dr. Sam Henry Stith, W. Allen Stith, Strother Stith. K. Arvin Stith, Mabel Stith Moorman, Leonard Stith, Rachel Stith Keith, Thomas Enfield Stith and Wivie Stith Shipp.

Except for short periods of time in Mattoon, Illinois, and Louisville, Fred Stith's entire life was spent in Meade County, mostly in Ekron where he farmed ant worked at contract carpentry.

As a result of his first marriage of 28 years to Naomi Truman Wise, of Louisville, he had one daughter, Virginia Carroll Stith Morgan, who presently resides in Clearwater, Florida.

His second marriage of 36 years to Stella K. Lee, of Flaherty, ended with her death last December.

This last surviving member of a generation of pioneer Kentuckians will be missed by an untold number of friends and relatives, including his daughter, two grandsons, David and Fred, and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 29, 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Hager Funeral Home, with Rev. Charles Blanc officiating. Burial was in the Stith family plot at Ekron Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Harold Stith, Ralph Stith, Thomas J. Stith, Dale Morgan, James Williams, and Walter Scott.

"Last cousin to die leaving Lois and Rachelle. They died 1982. "