SYLVESTER H. WILLIAMS was born in Henderson County, Ky., April 30, 1819, to Burle and Zillotis (Sugg) Williams, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia, and of English descent. Burle Williams, when a young man, came with his parents to Henderson County, Ky. Here his father, James Williams, who was among the earliest settlers of the county, bought wild land and improved a farm. In that county Burle was afterward married, and there he bought a farm, upon which he resided until 1821, when he sold out and removed to Graves County. Here he bought another farm, upon which he resided until his death, in 1829, in about his fiftieth year. Sylvester H. Williams received a fair common school education in youth. After his father's death he made his home with his uncle, Robert Robertson, who resided near Providence, until he was sixteen years old. He then went to Providence, where he was employed for one year at the cabinet business, after which he learned the saddler's trade, following the same for about four years. After this he was engaged in the grocery trade at Providence for some six or seven years. In 1850 he bought 190 acres of wild land three miles northeast from Providence, where he has since improved the farm, upon which he now resides, and to which he has added from time to time, now owning well-improved farms amounting to about 1,100 or 1,200 acres. Here he is extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits and the live stock trade. He was first married, in 1847, to Miss Prudy Kennadey, a native of what is now Webster County, Ky. To this union were born three children, only one of whom—Henry B.—is now living. Mrs. Prudy departed this life in January, 1863. Mr. Williams was next married, in September, 1863, to Miss Sallie J. Bassett, a native of Hopkins County, Ky. Three sons and three daughters have blessed their union. Both Mr. Williams and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in polities is a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 1052.