Guide to the Bedford H. Williams Papers MSS.3683
Williams, Bedford H.
- Publication:
W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
Mary Harmon Bryant Hall
September 2012
500 Hackberry Lane
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487-0266
205.348.0500
archives@ua.edu
- Creation:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-09-13T11:05-0500
- Language Usage:
English
- Description Rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Bedford H. Williams papers
- Unit ID:
MSS.3683
- Repository:
W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
- Quantity:
1.0 Linear feet
- Dates:
1830-1945
- Abstract:
Legal documents, financial records, correspondence, and other personal papers of this Tuscaloosa County probate judge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- creator
Williams, Bedford H.
- Access Restrictions:
Conditions Governing Access note
None
- Usage Restrictions:
Conditions Governing Use note
None
- Acquisition Information:
Provenance
unknown
- Preferred Citation:
Preferred Citation note
Bedford H. Williams Papers, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, The University of Alabama
- Processing Information:
Processed by
unknown; revised by Martha Bace, 2012
Biographical/Historical note
Bedford H. Williams (1822-1917) owned and operated a cotton gin and served as Probate Judge of Tuscaloosa County in the late 19th through early 20th centuries. He married Elizabeth Shepherd on 17 February 1845 and they had five children (Sarah, James, Mary, Emeline, and Dock). Elizabeth probably died before 1880, as the 1900 U.S. Census shows Penina as his wife of 20 years.
When Williams died in February 1917, Joe A. Searcy became guardian to Williams' wife, Pennina E. Williams. Searcy was a surveyor and ran for Probate Judge in 1928. The relationship between Searcy and his father, Reuben, to the Williams remains unclear.
Scope and Contents note
The majority of the papers consist of legal documents issued by Williams while serving as Probate Judge, along with financial records, correspondence, and other miscellaneous materials. Surveying notes of Searcy, along with financial records of his and his father, and records from the construction of the Warrior River Bridge are included.
Source(s)
Searcy, Joe A. (local)
Searcy, Reuben (local)
Williams, Pennina (local)
Alabama (local)
Daily Life and Family (local)
Southern Life and Culture (local)
Deeds, 1847-1888 Box 5734 Folder 1
Deeds, 1891-1894 Box 5734 Folder 2
Deeds, 1895-1914 Box 5734 Folder 3
Sheriffs Deeds Box 5734 Folder 4
Land Deeds Box 5734 Folder 5
Quit Claim Deeds Box 5734 Folder 6
Warranty Deeds Box 5734 Folder 7
Deeds of Conveyance Box 5734 Folder 8
Mortgages, 1867-1895 Box 5734 Folder 9
Mortgages, 1896-1902 Box 5734 Folder 10
Powers of Attorney Box 5734 Folder 11
Records of Estates Box 5734 Folder 12
Petitions and Declarations of Exemptions Box 5734 Folder 13
Contracts Box 5734 Folder 14
Petitions and Letters of Administration Box 5734 Folder 15
Incorporations Box 5734 Folder 16
Bonds Box 5734 Folder 17
Records of Judgement Box 5734 Folder 18
Patents, Licenses, Rights Box 5734 Folder 19
Contract of Confession of Judgement Box 5734 Folder 20
Satisfaction of Mortgages Box 5734 Folder 21
Liens Box 5734 Folder 22
Town Beats Box 5734 Folder 23
Miscellaneous Legal Documents Box 5734 Folder 24
Constructions of Warrior River Bridge Box 5734 Folder 25
Tax Receipts Box 5734 Folder 26
Money Owed to B.H. and P.E Williams Box 5734 Folder 27
Bills and Receipts of B.H. and P.E. Williams Box 5734 Folder 28
Bank Records of B.H. and P.E. Williams Box 5734 Folder 29
Correspondence to B.H. Williams Box 5734 Folder 30
Envelopes Box 5734 Folder 31
Personal - B.H. and P.E. Williams Box 5734 Folder 32
Advertisements and Miscellaneous Box 5734 Folder 33
Miscellaneous Court Papers of B.H. Williams Box 5734 Folder 34
Surveys - Joe A. Searcy Box 5734 Folder 35
Money Owed to Rueben Searcy and Son Box 5734 Folder 36
Papers unrelated to Williams or Searcy Box 5734 Folder 37
Joe A. Searcy's Receipt Book Box 5734