Emerson (Willie) Williams and Morris Press announce the release of his fourth historic novel set in his native Greenbrier County. Captain Jack, frontiersman, tells the true story of the Williams family’s horrors and triumphs with the Shawnee Indians lead by Chief Cornstalk. Terror strikes as the family enjoys breakfast one hot July morning in 1763.
Young Jack and his two brothers witness, from afar, the murder of their father, and the capture of their mother and younger siblings. Mary McCoy Williams’ ordeal as a captive with the Shawnee in Ohio is detailed as she struggles to keep her two young children safe from harm. The three brothers make their way to Staunton to the home of their McCoy grandparents. Captain William McCoy, brother of Mary, and uncle to the boys becomes a father figure to them. They all
return to Greenbrier in 1769 when a treaty is signed with the Indians. The Williams boys help in the building of McCoy Fort that is being excavated near Williamsburg at the present time. Jack, Thomas and Richard grow up to participate in the battles of Point Pleasant, Fort Donnally, McCoy Fort and others. Two brothers become captains in the local militia and one pays the ultimate price on the battlefield. Williamsburg, in Greenbrier County is named for their slain father, John Thomas Williams. Captain Jack Williams is the author’s 4th great grandfather.
Emerson Williams is a juried Tamarack author. His previous novels are Roaring Creek and Sinkhole Justice about relatives in the Civil War, and The Constant Yen, that details the capture of a serial killer by a Rupert Fire Chief.
Williams lives with his wife, Ann in Goochland, VA, and has a second home in Alderson. Ann has created a cookbook, Tailgate to Candlelight, with many treasured recipes from her mother, Mary Bobbitt and other Greenbrier locals.
The author will sign his novels at the Fairlea Magic Mart from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Nov. 23; at The Open Book, Lewisburg, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; at the Alderson Big Wheel, Sunday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and at the Williamsburg Historical Society Sunday, Nov. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. Books will be available at these locations indefinitely. Books may also be ordered on line at emersonwms@yahoo.com and at P.O. Box 58, Oilville, VA 23129.
