WILLIAMS, John, Congress, NY (1752-1806)

WILLIAMS, John, a Representative from New York; born in Barnstable, England, in September 1752; received a liberal education; studied medicine and surgery in St. Thomas Hospital, London; served for one year as surgeon’s mate on an English man-of-war; immigrated to America in 1773 and settled in New Perth, Charlotte County (now Salem, Washington County), N.Y.; engaged in an extensive medical practice; member of the State Provincial Congress in 1775, to which body he was reelected and served until its dissolution in 1777; appointed surgeon of the State forces in 1775; colonel of the Charlotte County Regiment in 1776 and retained command throughout the Revolutionary War; served in the State senate in 1777 and 1778; member of the State assembly in 1781 and 1782; again a member of the State senate 1782-1785; appointed a member of the first board of regents of New York University in 1784; brigadier general of militia in 1786; delegate to the State ratification convention in 1788; member of the council of appointment in 1789; elected as a Federalist to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses (March 4, 1795-March 3, 1799); was a large landholder; a promoter and director of a company organized to build the Erie Canal as a private enterprise, the project later being taken over and completed by the State; judge of the county court; died in Salem, N.Y., July 22, 1806; interment in Salem Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present