Williams, William, 1731 - 1811 | Native Northeast Portal

William Williams was the son of Solomon Williams and Mary Porter of Lebanon, Connecticut. He married Mary Trumbull, the daughter of Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull in 1771. Williams graduated Harvard College in 1751 and in 1755 went on to become a member of Colonel Ephraim Williams’ staff at the Battle of Lake George. Upon his return, he became a shopkeeper and merchant.

He was elected as town clerk for Lebanon (1752-1796), treasurer, selectman (1760-1785), and the town’s representative to the Connecticut General Assembly. Williams served as Speaker of the Lower House (1755-1776) and of the Upper House for twenty-three more years. His other civic positions included being a justice of the peace (1759-1768, 1780-1810), judge of the Windham County Court (1776-1805), and probate judge for the district of Windham (1775-1809). Williams was Connecticut’s delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

He married Mary Trumbull, the daughter of Governor Jonathan Trumbull on February 14, 1771. Williams and his family were well acquainted with the Mohegan community and the Mohegan men who had fought and died during the Revolution. He was the overseer of their tribe and served on several legislative committees on Indian affairs for the Connecticut General Assembly.

Love, Samson Occom and the Christian Indians of New England, 323. Melissa Fawcett, Medicine Trail: The Life and Lessons of Gladys Tantaquidgeon (University of Arizona Press, 2000), 43. ANBO.IP 2.1.16, 35, 38; 2.2.42, 132, 138-40. Drawing: Oil, 1873, by James J. Sawyer, after John Trumbull, Independence National Historical Park.

Born:

1731

Died:

August 2, 1811