William Williams was born in 1731 and received a common school education before attending Harvard and studying theology with his father. After serving in the French and Indian War, he became a successful merchant and also held several public positions, including town clerk, Selectman, and member of the Legislature for nearly forty years. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776 and signed the Declaration of Independence. He also served on the committee that framed the Articles of Confederation and was appointed to the Board of War in 1777. Later, he attended the Hartford convention and ratified the Federal Constitution. Williams spent his remaining years as a County Court judge, and died in 1811 at the age of 80.
