Name/Title
PaintingEntry/Object ID
2019.604.001Description
Oil painting, 30" x 24.25", in a gilt frame 34.25" x 28.75", portrait of General William Williams (1765-1838), who fought at the Battle of Stonington, 1814.
From Mary Thatcher:
"Biography: William Williams was born in Stonington on 2 September 1765, the son of William Williams and Eunice Prentice. He married 1) in 1787 Mercy Wheeler, and with her had two sons, General William Williams of Norwich (1788-1870) and Thomas Wheeler Williams of New London (1789-1874), and three who died young. He married 2) in 1799 Rhoda Babcock (1769 -1801, whose two children died young, and in 1804 3) her sister Ann Babcock,(1786-1855) Children: Franklin Williams (1806-1885 ), Ann Elizabeth (1814-1840 ), Calvin Goddard (1818-1863), and Ellen Williams (1820-1899) 2nd wife of Dr. William Hyde of Stonington.
William Williams lived on Taugwonk Road until 1833 when he built Redbrook on North Main Street south of the Stonington Cemetery. A Major General of the Third Connecticut Militia in the War of 1812, he fought in the Battle of Stonington. He was a large landowner, who had interests in the West Indian trade. For 30 years he was a shipping merchant, owned a quarter interest in the wharf and stores in Stonington. He often served as a representative in the state legislature. He was president of the Stonington Bank from 1827 to 1835, and was a selectman for the Town of Stonington for 6 years. He died on 15 May 1838 in Stonington, and was described after his death as being "of great individuality of character."