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Birth: April 23, 1731
Death: August 2, 1811 (Age 80)
Colony: Connecticut
Occupation: Soldier, Politician
Significance: Signed The Declaration of Independence (Age 45)
William Williams was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Originally born in Lebanon, Connecticut, Williams attended Harvard where he studied theology and prepared to be a priest. Williams then decided to join the Connecticut Militia and fight in the French and Indian War. After the conclusion of the French and Indian War, Williams moved back to Lebanon, Connecticut and became an ardent Patriot who was a member of the Sons of Liberty and served on the Connecticut Committee of Correspondence and Council of Safety.
Williams was elected to the Second Continental Congress on July 11, 1776. Even though this meant that Williams never had a chance to vote for Independence or approve The Declaration of Independence, as those events took place before he was elected to Congress, Williams still signed The Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776 as a representative of Connecticut. After signing The Declaration of Independence, Williams continued to serve in the Congress before he returned to Connecticut and became a Priest as he intended to some 30 years earlier.
William Williams in Philadelphia
Williams arrived in Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress in 1776, and he spent time in Philadelphia while the city served as Capital of the United States. While serving as a member of the Second Continental Congress, Williams worked at Independence Hall, where he signed The Declaration of Independence. A plaque commemorating Williams for signing The Declaration of Independence can be found on Signers' Walk on the 600 block of Chestnut Street (between 5th and 6th Streets).
