WILLIAMS, William [1731-1811] -- American revolutionary patriot

He was born in Lebanon, Conn., April 18, 1731; son of the Rev. Solomon Williams (1700-76) of Lebanon. He was graduated from Harvard, A.B., 1751, A.M., 1754; studied theology under his father, 1751-52, and in 1755 joined the regiment of Massachusetts volunteers under Col. Ephraim Williams in the invasion of Canada. He was married to Mary, daughter of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull. ¤ He was town clerk of Lebanon, Conn., 1756-1801; a representative in the assembly for over fifty years; colonel of the 12th regiment of militia, 1773-76, and a delegate to the Continental congress, being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776. He was a member of the committee of safety; and expended most of his valuable property on the patriot cause. He was an assistant or councillor, 1780-1804; judge of the county court of Wyndham and probate judge for forty years, and a member of the convention that ratified the constitution of the United States in 1787. The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred on him by Yale in 1753. He died in Lebanon, Conn., Aug. 2, 1811. BDNA