Description
Eliza Williams, a well known colored woman, died very suddenly at 11:30 o’clock Saturday night, at her home northwest of town, age 77 years (born ~1836). She came prominently into public notice a few years ago by reason of a suit against the heirs of the late Colonel E. R. Brown, in which she alleged she had been the common law wife of Col. Brown and was entitled to share in his estate. The suit was unsuccessful, and at the termination of the litigation the Brown heirs had an order of court to eject Eliza Williams from a 49-acre tract of land half a mile north of Dead Man's Corner, which belongs to the Brown estate. The order of ejectment, however, was not executed, nor was there any intention of exercising it: the heirs always expected to give Eliza Williams and Amanda Henley, former slaves of Colonel Brown, use of the land as long as they lived. As near as can be learned, Colonel Brown, who died something like 20 years ago, bought Eliza Williams in Tennessee when she was 10 years old. Colonel Brown was a resident of Mississippi, and moved to Atchison County with his family, in 1870, and brought the two former slave women with them. Amanda Henley died January 31, of the present year (1913), age 85 (born ~1828). Eliza Williams survived her only a month, although she was in average health until a few minutes before her death. Eliza sold butter and buttermilk in town. and was here Saturday. She was a very industrious woman, and always at work. Saturday, after her return front town, she did her housework and such chores as she attended to personally. Her death was due to a goiter, with which she had been suffering a long time. Her grandson Felix Morton, who was living with his grandmother, notified his notified his mother, Mrs. Betty Morton, and Mrs. Al. Robb, daughters of the deceased. The death of Eliza Williams makes three have died on the same place within a few months. The others were Amanda Henley, as stated and Phelix Williams, son of Eliza Williams, who died last fall. Brown heirs will pay the funeral expenses of Eliza Williams as they did of Amanda Henley. The funeral will be from Ebenezer Baptist Church at 2 p.m. tomorrow. The body was brought to town yesterday and is at the Morton home, No. 1027 North Tenth Street.Date(s) of Creation
3/6/1913
