John Williams (Salem)
Encyclopedia
John Williams was an American physician and politician from Salem, New York
.
, 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.
in 1775, to which body he was reelected and served until its dissolution in 1777. He was appointed surgeon of the State forces in 1775. Williams was a colonel of the Charlotte County Regiment in 1776 and retained command throughout the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1777 to 1779 when he was expelled for the act of defrauding fellow soldiers of their earned wages.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly
in 1781 and 1782, and again a member of the State senate from 1782 to 1794. Williams was appointed a member of the first board of regents of the University of the State of New York
in 1784. He served as brigadier general of militia in 1786. Williams was a delegate to the State ratification convention in 1788. He was a member of the Council of Appointment
in 1789.
In March 1789
, Williams received a small number of votes running as a Democratic-Republican in the 5th District
for Congress, but was defeated by Federalist Peter Silvester
. In January 1793
, Williams ran again as a Democratic-Republican for Congress, this time in the 9th District
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Federalist James Gordon
.
In December 1794
, Williams was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 4th
, and in December 1796
was re-elected as a Federalist to the 5th United States Congress
, serving from March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1799. In April 1798
, he ran for re-election as a Federalist in the 7th District
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Democratic-Republican John Thompson. In April 1802
, he ran for election again as a Federalist in the 12th District
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Democratic-Republican David Thomas
.
He 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, and a judge of the county court. Williams died in Salem, N.Y., July 22, 1806; his interment is at Salem Cemetery.
Salem, New York
Salem, New York is the name of two locations in Washington County, New York in the USA:* Salem , New York* Salem , New York...
.
Early life
Williams was born in BarnstapleBarnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
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.
Career
Williams was a member of the New York Provincial CongressNew York Provincial Congress
The New York Provincial Congress was an organization formed by rebels in 1775, during the American Revolution, as a pro-rebellion alternative to the more conservative Province of New York Assembly, and as a replacement for the Committee of One Hundred.A Provincial Convention assembled in New York...
in 1775, to which body he was reelected and served until its dissolution in 1777. He was appointed surgeon of the State forces in 1775. Williams was a colonel of the Charlotte County Regiment in 1776 and retained command throughout the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1777 to 1779 when he was expelled for the act of defrauding fellow soldiers of their earned wages.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1781 and 1782, and again a member of the State senate from 1782 to 1794. Williams was appointed a member of the first board of regents of the University of the State of New York
University of the State of New York
The University of the State of New York is the State of New York's governmental umbrella organization responsible for most institutions and people in any way connected with formal educational functions, public and private, in New York State...
in 1784. He served as brigadier general of militia in 1786. Williams was a delegate to the State ratification convention in 1788. He was a member of the Council of Appointment
Council of Appointment
The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:...
in 1789.
In March 1789
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1789
The 1789 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held on March 3 and 4, 1789, to elect 6 U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the 1st United States Congress.-Background:...
, Williams received a small number of votes running as a Democratic-Republican in the 5th District
New York's 5th congressional district
The 5th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives that lies along the North Shore of Long Island. It consists of northeastern Queens County and northwestern Nassau County. The Queens portion of the district includes the...
for Congress, but was defeated by Federalist Peter Silvester
Peter Silvester
Peter Silvester was an American politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York...
. In January 1793
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1793
The 1793 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held in January 1793, to elect 10 U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives.-Background:...
, Williams ran again as a Democratic-Republican for Congress, this time in the 9th District
New York's 9th congressional district
New York's 9th Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in New York City. It includes parts of southern Brooklyn and south central Queens...
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Federalist James Gordon
James Gordon (New York)
James Gordon was an Irish-born American merchant, soldier, and politician.He was born in Killead, County Antrim, Ireland, and left in 1758, settling in Schenectady, New York. From that base and from Detroit, Michigan, he traded with various Native American tribes...
.
In December 1794
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1794
The 1794 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held in December 1794, to elect ten U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives of the 4th United States Congress.-Background:...
, Williams was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 4th
4th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President: John Adams * President pro tempore:** Henry Tazewell , first elected December 7, 1795** Samuel Livermore , first elected May 6, 1796** William Bingham , first elected February 16, 1797...
, and in December 1796
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1796
The 1796 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held in December 1796, to elect ten U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives of the 5th United States Congress.-Background:...
was re-elected as a Federalist to the 5th United States Congress
5th United States Congress
The Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
, serving from March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1799. In April 1798
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1798
The 1798 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held from April 24 to 26, 1798, to elect ten U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives of the 6th United States Congress....
, he ran for re-election as a Federalist in the 7th District
New York's 7th congressional district
New York's Seventh Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in New York City. It consists of parts of Northern Queens and Eastern portions of the Bronx. The Queens portion includes the neighborhoods of College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson...
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Democratic-Republican John Thompson. In April 1802
United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 1802
The 1802 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held from April 27 to 29, 1802, to elect 17 U.S. Representatives to represent the State of New York in the United States House of Representatives of the 8th United States Congress....
, he ran for election again as a Federalist in the 12th District
New York's 12th congressional district
New York's 12th Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives located in New York City. It includes parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan...
to which Washington County had been re-districted, but was defeated by Democratic-Republican David Thomas
David Thomas (New York)
See David Thomas for similarly named peopleDavid Thomas was an American politician.-Life:...
.
He 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, and a judge of the county court. Williams died in Salem, N.Y., July 22, 1806; his interment is at Salem Cemetery.