Williamson Family to Hold 2nd Annual Reunion Friendly, West Virginia August 11, 2005 -- The descendants of Samuel Williamson (1688-1771) of Fifeshire, Scotland, will hold a reunion starting 8AM Saturday September 24, at the GE Employee Park near Friendly, West Virginia. The Williamson descendants, friends and families of the Ohio Valley are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Williamson Reunion. Most of the Williamson families, living in the area today, can be traced to Samuel Williamson, whose son, Moses, was an early settler. If you have an interest in learning more about the Williamson family, you are invited to join the festivities. The activities for this years reunion include a covered dish luncheon, a tour of old home places, cemeteries, Tyler County museum and other points of Williamson family historical interest. A short genealogy workshop will be held in the afternoon. Attendees are encouraged to bring along family pictures and memorabilia. Come join us and celebrate our Williamson heritage. A brochure concerning the reunion is available by contacting Lisa Thorn 304.758.2601 - email [email protected], or David Williamson 614.921.8711 email [email protected], Phyllis Williamson 740.376.401 [email protected] About the Williamson Family SAMUEL WILLIAMSON, SR. was born 1688 in Fifeshire, Scotland, and died 1771 in Mifflin Township, Cumberland County, PA. He married (1) MARY URIE in Scotland. She died 1733 in at sea. He married (2) MARY IRWIN Abt. 1744. She was born Abt. 1720 in Ireland, and died Aft. 1771. Children of SAMUEL WILLIAMSON and MARY URIE are: JOHN2 WILLIAMSON, SR., b. Abt. 1721; d. Abt. 1791, now Buffalo Township, Washington County, PA. MOSES WILLIAMSON, SR, b. 1723; d. 1792, Ohio County, (now WV). SAMUEL JR. WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1725; d. 1798, E Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, PA. THOMAS WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1727; d. 1789. ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1730; d. Aft. 1771. JAMES WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1732; d. November 1763, killed by Indians. Children of SAMUEL WILLIAMSON and MARY IRWIN are: MARY WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1745; d. Abt. 1822. RHODA WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1747; d. August 03, 1826, Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin County, PA. DAVID WILLIAMSON, b. February 1748/49, Pequea Valley, Lancaster County, PA; d. September 04, 1830, Corydon, IN, at home of son Alexander. ANN WILLIAMSON, b. Abt. 1751; d. Abt. 1752, died young Many thousands of Ulster-Scots came to Pennsylvania in the 1700's. These were folk who had gone from Scotland to Northern Ireland (Ulster), and after some years moved on to Pennsylvania. Penn's colony was like a promised land. The main reason for migrating was economic, although political and religious factors played a part, too. Large scale movement to Pennsylvania began about 1715. One of the main settlements was in what is now Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - in the Pequea Valley, named for Pequea Creek. The Pequea Presbyterian Church was organized in 1724. Lancaster County was formed in 1729. By the 1730's the Cumberland Valley attracted most of the Ulster-Scots. It is estimated that, by the outbreak of the Revolution in 1775, a quarter of a million Ulster-Scots or Scots had come to Pennsylvania. One of the families to leave Ulster was that of Samuel Williamson, a staunch Presbyterian, as were all the Ulster-Scots. Samuel was born in Fifeshire, Scotland (north of Edinburgh), in 1688. He was married about 1720 to Mary ---, and soon after went to County Armagh, Ireland (west of Belfast). About 1733 he came to America and settled in the Pequea Valley. Most all Williamsons living in the local area today are descended from Moses Williamson, son of Samuel. Contact: For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release contact Harley Dakin 740-498-5636 or by email [email protected]