William was five years old when Lincoln gave the orders to free all persons held as slaves, he was in West Point, Virginia. He was born of slave parents and lived on the Chelsa Plantation. When he was about 14 yrs old he left the south and his final home was in Lima Pennsylvania. With his wife they raised eight children. William was a gentle man and loved by all. From his mother to my youngest great-grand there are eight generations. Our oldest family member just died last month she was 103 years old. There are 4 of them in their 90's, Wow! Our family is really blessed. We have a family church where all his children went in the 1890s---till now 2009.