He first appears as a Colonel of militia in April, 1778.  In the spring of 1779, he went into actual service, and was probably at the siege of Savannah.  He was with Gen. Sumter in 1780, and in the early part of that year he was in the battle of Musgrove’s Mill, on the Ennoree river.  After that engagement he went to Hillsboro, where he raised a corps of cavalry, and returned to South Carolina.  During Ferguson’s movements, after crossing the Wateree with the intention of embodying the loyalists, and intercepting the “Mountain Men,” Col.  Williams continually hovered around his camp, prepared to strike a blow when he could, and cripple his advance.

Colonel Williams was a worthy member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him.  It is to be regretted more has not been preserved of his efficient military services.

COLONEL WILLIAM GRAHAM.

Colonel William Graham was the son of Archibald Graham, of Scotland.  He was born in Augusta county, Va., in 1742.  He emigrated to North Carolina several years previous to the Revolutionary War, became the owner of much valuable land, and finally settled on First Broad river, then Tryon county, but now in Cleaveland.  His patriotic principles soon became known, and were called into active service at the commencement of the Revolution.  As the commanding officer, he had the general superintendence of several Forts, erected on and near the frontier settlements, as protections against the hostile Cherokee Indians.  Whilst in command of Fort McFadden, near the present town of Rutherfordton, he formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Susan Twitty, widow of William Twitty, and, as the “darts of Cupid” are often irresistible, he married her, and the union proved to be a happy one.

In the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax on the 12th of Nov., 1776, when the first State Constitution was formed, Colonel Graham was one of the delegates from Lincoln county, his colleagues being Joseph Hardin, Robert Abernathy, William Alston and John Barber.

In the expedition which marched in 1776, under General Rutherford, against the Cherokee Indians, Colonel Graham commanded the regiment which went from Lincoln and Rutherford counties.  This expedition, as is well known, was completely successful, and caused the Indians to sue for peace.

In the expedition which marched for the relief of Charleston, in the spring of 1780, from Charlotte, the place of rendezvous for several counties, Colonel Graham led the regiment from Lincoln county.  On the arrival of the several forces at Charleston, they found the city so completely invested by the British army that they could not render assistance to the American garrison.