Martha DeLoach had a bible that I know existed when Lonnie J. (Pat) applied for Social Security. The bible could not be used to certify his age because his name was listed as Patrick. All of the family stated that his name was always Lonnie J. and that Pat was a nickname. When Grandma Williams died, the bible was given to her daughter, Mellie, and was there when my dad applied for his social security. When Allie died, no bible was found. LaVerne (Mutt) Williams Rodgers.

(Medical):Hands were crippled by arthritus and became fists. She broke her hip at age 89 and never walked again.

Came to Tx from Dothan, Houston, Al. Moved to Guadalupe, maybe Bell Co., Falls Co. & then Henderson Co., Tx.

It was said the ancestors of Thomas Elrige Williams originally came from England. They were carpenters, ship-builders and musicians. Supposedly they came to the U.S., aboard a ship built by them. He owned a store in Luverne, Crenshaw Co., Al. He was a Methodist minister. (The previous statements were made to Alfred Williams by Martha E. DeLoach Williams. She lived with the family of Lonnie J. (Pat) Williams.
Thomas Elrige was born in Fl., then moved to Al. In Crenshaw Co. In 1872 a marriage was performed by him, or his father, for Mary Olive DeLoach and John Highsmith.
This Williams family came to Guadalupe Co. in 1895, according to Boonie Williams Estes. Willie Sims said they came to Bell County in Texas in 1894. Lonnie J. always said they came to Texas when he was 4, that would have been 1893 or 1894. They were there in 1900 census. In 1902 they bought a farm in the Willow Springs Community from the Sheltons. I have been told Thomas Elrige ran a grocery store there until buying the farm at Willow Springs in 1902 from the Shelton's. Also have been told he was pastor of a Methodist church in the vicinity of Don Norman's Welding Shop & First Nat'l drive-in Bank. On 1910 census Thomas E., Martha, Lonnie J & Leona, along with Mellie Willis, Allie, Alma, & Earl Byron, were living on W. Corsicana St. in Athens, Texas. I do wonder if this isn't the time he owned the store. I have a book for 1910 that has charge accounts in it for such things as seed, mules, wagons, etc. LaVerne (Mutt) Williams Rodgers

COMM Name in Marriage Book is William E. Williams, but is Thomas E. Williams on license.