From Proud Heritage, Volume II by DCPA. This hardcover book is available online.
Mary Theodosia Williams, born 26 May 1834 in Alabama, possibly in Walker County, was the eldest child of John Mason Williams and his wife, Theodosia Menasco. Mary T., as she was known, married James Lee Price on 9 February 1854 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. They were the parents of two daughters: Theodosia C. (called “Gurley”), born 3 March 1859 in Chesterville, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, married John McWhorter Ewing 4 November 1875 in Lee County, Mississippi, died 11 August 1933 in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas, buried City Cemetery in Waxahachie, Texas; and Louisa (called “Ido”) born 10 April1863 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, single, died 20 February 1936 in Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas, buried Edgewood Cemetery, Lancaster, Texas. Mary T. married her second husband, Samuel Billingsley, son of William and Mary Billingsley, on 28 January 1868 in Lee County, Mississippi. They were the parents of three children: John Mason “Jack” born 1 July 1869 in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, married Alice Lee Evans Taylor on 29 April 1915 in Dallas County, Texas, died 7 January 1936 in Dallas, Texas; Lucy Williams, born 12 November 1872 in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, married Frank Robert Winniford on 22 December 1892 in Dallas County, Texas, died 28 August 1965 in Lancaster, Texas; Nancy Turner, born 12 November 1874 in Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi, single, died 24 February 1936 in Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas. All three children buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Lancaster, Texas.
Mary T. came to Texas in December, 1885, from Lee County, Mississippi, following the death of her husband, Samuel Billingsley. She more than likely made the trip with her two brothers, Andrew Jackson Williams and Boyd C. Williams and her younger children. They joined her father and another brother, Benjamin D., for a short period in Mineral Wells, Texas. In 1886, Mary T. moved to Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas, and resided there until her death 11 June 1924. She supported her family by using her talents as a dressmaker. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church and for years took an active part in the work of her church. She is buried in Edgewood Cemetery, south of Lancaster in Dallas County.
By June Anderson Shipley, Dallas, TX
