Who was William Edwards?

William Edwards (1752–1828) was born in Southampton, Virginia and died in Sumner County, Tennessee, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees.

How many people are researching William?

Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. The ancestor migration map traces 12 generations of this lineage.

What records do they have for William?

Records vary by researcher and can include census, vital, parish, cemetery, and family sources.

How do I compare family trees?

Use Compare Tree on an available researcher profile to compare overlapping people and records.

William "Cotton Billy" Edwards 1752–1828

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 2 independent trees

Birth year and location consistent across 2 trees

Death year and location consistent across 2 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

B Reliability

Reliability Score: B

Medium — based on the source tree

Grade scale

A 3 criteria (Strong)
B 2 criteria (Medium)
C 1 criteria (Basic)

Verification checklist

Record available
Descendant's record available
Star tree owner

2 researchers on YourRoots have William Edwards in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 12 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: B — verified across 2 independent trees

Born 31 JUL 1752 · Southampton, Virginia

Died 14 Jan 1828 · Sumner County, Tennessee, USA

Father William Edwards Sr

Mother Tabitha Petty

Siblings Absolom Edwards, Benjamin Edwards, Dorcas Edwards, Elizabeth Edwards, James Edwards, John Edwards, Mary Polly Edwards, Nathaniel Edwards, Thomas L Edwards, William Edwards

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Researchers connected through William Edwards 1752–1828

and 1 more tree owner connected with William Edwards 1752–1828

Immediate Family

Parents

William Edwards Sr

Tabitha Petty

Spouse(s)

No spouse recorded

Children

No children recorded

Biography

William "Cotton Billy" Edwards was born in 1752 in Southampton, Virginia, the child of william edwards sr and tabitha petty. William "Cotton Billy" Edwards passed away in 1828 in Sumner County, Tennessee, USA.

Sources

Life Timeline

1752

Birth of William "Cotton Billy" Edwards in Southampton, Virginia

Birth

1828

Death of William "Cotton Billy" Edwards in Sumner County, Tennessee, USA

Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from William Edwards

This ancestor line traces from Brome, Suffolk, England (1410) to Southampton, Virginia (1752) across 12 generations.

Direct Lineage

generations

Frequently Asked Questions

: William Edwards (1752–1828) was born in Southampton, Virginia and died in Sumner County, Tennessee, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (B) based on cross-tree validation.
: Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have William in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 12 generations of this lineage geographically.
: It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
: Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.