William Newby (1826-1899?) was born in Carthage, Tennessee to John Newby and Rebekah Simpson. His ancestors ahd lived for several generations in Virginia and Tennessee. William married Fereby Files in 1849. They were the parents of six children. In 1861 he joined the Union Army and was reported to have been killed at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Thirty years later he returned to his family in White County, Illinois. However, the government questioned his true identity and put him on trial as an imposter. He served two years in prison. After his release he disapeared and was reported to have died in about 1899. Descendants live in California and other parts of the United States.

List of members included in each volume except v. 1.