Hi, Barbara,
I am interested to know about John D. Williams' father and how you found that information. I have put my information on a public tree, but will be happy to send you what I have. The family story is that John's father or mostly likely a grand-father fought in Rev. War in NC but I have not ever found that link.
About the Staer river, I have no hope of finding it but land records for Halifax may help locate the NC Baggotts and possibly the Williams. In the 1810 census record, J.Williams is living next to P.Baggott. No children but what may have been his mother. Then in 1850, living next to Elisha Baggott is one Lydia Williams, age 67 (b. 1783) who would have been about the right age to be the wife of Parker Baggott. So the search goes on to connect all the dots.
Let me know what you need. I have the names and birth years of the children of John D. and Lydia Baggott Williams.
Which of James A. Williams' children is your line? Ours is Edward B. Williams.
Regards, Judy