William Williams (1731-1811) was Governor Trumbull's son-in-law and his associate in organizing provisions for the Revolutionary armies. Always active in politics, he served for years as (Lebanon) town clerk and representative to the Assembly. As a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence, Williams was born in the Welles House and lived out his last years in the house known as the Williams House. - NRHP Registration Form
| Y/M/D | Description | Association | Composition | Place | Locale | Food | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y/M/D | Description | Association | Composition | Place | Locale | Food | Event |
| Significant name | William Williams House | Lebanon, CT | |||||
| 1771/00/00 | Mary Trumbull marries William Williams | Marriage of Mary Trumbull and William Williams | |||||
| 1775/05/10 | Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia from 5 October 1775 until 12 December 1776 | Represented South Connecticut | Independence Hall | Philadelphia, PA | Second Continental Congress | ||
| 1776/08/02 | Most delegates sign the Declaration of Independence | Signer, representing Connecticut | US Declaration of Independence | American Colonies Declare Independence from Great Britain |
History
William Williams was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, on April 8, 1731, the son of a clergyman. He graduated from Harvard College in 1751 and for a period studied theology. He took part in the military operations at Lake George, New York, in 1755, during the French and Indian War. At the conclusion of this campaign he returned to Lebanon and soon set up in business as a merchant. In 1771 he married Mary, the daughter of Johnathan Trumbull (1710-85). They had three children.
Williams held many public offices: Fron 1760 to 1785 he was a selectman for Lebanon; he was their town clerk from 1752 to 1796. He served as a member of the Connecticut lower house from 1757 to 1776 and from 1781 to 1784; and he was a member of the governor's council from 1784 to 1803. Williams threw himself into the Revolutionary cause, helping compose many state papers for Governor Trumbull and also using his own assets to raise money to cover the cost of sending troops to aid in the capture of Ticonderoga in 1775. Williams was a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1778 and from 1783 to 1784. He signed the Declaration of Independence and assisted in framing the Articles of Confederation. He was a delegate to the Connecticut Convention of 1788 at Hartford and voted to ratify the new Federal Constitution. From 1776 to 1805 he was judge of the Windham County Court and from 1775 to 1809, judge of probate for the Windham District. Williams died at Lebanon on August 2, 1811 and was buried in the Trumbull Plot, a cemetery located a short distance east of Lebanon. - NRHP Registration Form
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