| Key | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Arthur Williams |
| Born | December 11, 1930, Gordon, Georgia |
| Died | January 14, 1990, Savannah, Georgia |
| Profession | Antiques dealer and historic preservationist |
| Major Restorations | Over 50 buildings including Mercer House and the Olde Pink House |
| Notable Event | 1981 shooting of Danny Hansford, acquitted in 1989 |
| Mercer House Value | Nearly $9 million posthumous listing |
| Sister | Dorothy Kingery, Mercer House heir, died 2023 |
| Niece | Dorothy Susan Kingery, current Mercer House owner |
Early Life and Background
From Gordon, Georgia, James Arthur Williams was born on December 11, 1930. He was born to barber Arthur Costlar and Blanche Brooks Williams. His childhood in rural Georgia inspired a love of handicraft and local heritage.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Arthur Williams |
| Birth Date | December 11, 1930 |
| Birthplace | Gordon, Georgia, United States |
| Parents | Arthur Costlar Williams (barber) and Blanche Brooks Williams |
| Early Relocation | Moved to Savannah in early adulthood to pursue antiques work |
Preservation Career in Savannah
Williams began repairing three Savannah East Congress Street buildings at 24. around 30 years, he renovated around 50 ancient buildings in the city’s sector. He became a leading preservationist with the Mercer House and Olde Pink House.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Career Start Age | 24 years old |
| First Projects | Three homes on East Congress Street |
| Total Restorations | Over 50 historic properties |
| Signature Properties | Mercer House; Olde Pink House |
| Social Reputation | Hosted lavish Christmas parties for Savannah’s elite |
Wealth and Holdings
Through his preservation work, Williams gained large real estate assets, although his net wealth is unknown. Mercer House alone was worth about $9 million after his death. His antiques business and property investments indicate a large financial legacy.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Asset | Mercer House on 219 Bull Street, Savannah |
| Posthumous Listing Price | Just under $9 million (later reduced to ~$7 million) |
| Property Portfolio | Dozens of restored homes and commercial buildings |
| Antiques Business | Specialized in 18th- and 19th-century American and European decorative arts |
| Financial Standing | Considered one of Savannah’s wealthiest preservation entrepreneurs |
Family and Succession
Williams’ sister Dorothy Kingery inherited Mercer House and ran it until her 2023 death at 88. Dorothy Susan Kingery, his niece, runs the museum and event facility. Family cemetery in Georgia hold Arthur and Blanche Williams, his parents.
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Sister | Dorothy Kingery; inherited Mercer House; managed it until her death in 2023 |
| Niece | Dorothy Susan Kingery; current owner and operator of Mercer House |
| Mother | Blanche Brooks Williams; interred at Ramah Church Cemetery, Gordon, Georgia |
| Father | Arthur Costlar Williams; barber by trade; buried in Danville, Georgia |
| Family Burial | Ramah Church Cemetery (Williams family plot) |
Controversy and Cultural Impact
In 1981, Williams shot his assistant Danny Hansford at Mercer House, claiming self-defense. The case spanned four trials before his acquittal in 1989, a Georgia legal record. The incident inspired the bestseller and film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | October 1981 |
| Victim | Danny Hansford |
| Legal Proceedings | Four separate trials between 1982 and 1989 |
| Acquittal | February 1989 |
| Inspired Work | Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1994 book; 1997 film adaptation) |
FAQ
Who was Jim Williams?
Jim Williams, a Savannah antiques dealer and preservationist, restored over fifty historic buildings.
What is Mercer House?
Williams lived in Savannah’s 19th-century Bull Street house Mercer House, his landmark restoration effort.
What happened in the 1981 shooting?
After four trials, Williams was acquitted of shooting Danny Hansford at Mercer House in self-defense in 1989.
How did Williams’ renovation affect Savannah?
His significant renovations maintained Savannah’s historic district and encouraged regional historical tourism.
Who owns Mercer House today?
Dorothy Susan Kingery, Williams’ niece, runs Mercer House as a museum and event site.
