Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1889, volume 6).djvu/559

Rh the contrary. Prince de Joinville denied the alleged interview with Williams, in a letter ad- dressed to John Jay, of New York. Williams became interested in genealogical research in 1822 and assisted in preparing a life of Eunice Williams, and it is probable that his taste for in- vestigation of historical subjects, with the knowl- edge of the doubtfulness of his parentage, created in his mind a sincere adherence to his singular de- lusion. He was an authority on Indian history, manners, and customs, and was thoroughly familiar with the labors of the early French missionaries. In 1846 he became a corresponding member of the New England historic-genealogical society. He is the author of " A Spelling-Book in the Language of the Seven Iroquois Nations " (Plattsburg, 1813) : " A Caution against Our Common Enemy," in the Iroquois language (Albany, 1813; English trans- lation, 1815); and a "Life of Te-ho-ra-gwa-ne- gen, alias Thomas Williams" (printed privately, 1859). He also translated into Iroquois " The Book of Common Prayer" (New York, 1853). — John's grandson, Samuel, clergyman, b. in Wal- tham, Mass., 23 April, 1743 ; d. in Rutland, Vt., 2 Jan., 1817, was graduated at Harvard in 1761, where his proficiency in mathematical studies in- duced Prof. John Winthrop to select him to go as his companion to Newfoundland to observe the transit of Venus on 6 June of that year. Mr. Will- iams taught at Bradford while studying theology, was licensed to preach in 1763, and was pastor of the church in Bradford in 1765-'80. He continued his school while occupying this charge, and gave lessons in natural philosophy to Benjamin Thomp- son, afterward Count Rumford, who was an inmate of his family, and with whom he maintained a sci- entific correspondence in later years. He was Hol- lis professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard in 1780-'8, lectured on astronomy to the senior class in 1785-'8, and in the last-named year, by request of the American academy of arts and sciences, went to Penobscot bay to observe a total eclipse of the sun. In the same year he was ap- pointed by the colonial government to survey the western boundary of Massachusetts. In 1788 he resigned his professorship, and he was pastor in Rutland, Vt., from 1789 till 1795. He subsequently preached in Burlington, Vt., for about two years, but his later life was passed in Rutland, where he edited the " Herald." He surveyed the western boundary of Vermont in 1805 by appointment of the governor, and delivered a course of lectures in the University of Vermont not long after its es- tablishment. The University of Edinburgh gave him the degree of LL. D. in 1785, and Yale the same honor in 1786. He was a member of several scientific bodies, here and abroad. He left many valuable manuscripts on philosophical, scientific, -and mathematical subjects, and published, besides pamphlets and addresses, " The Rural Magazine," a monthly devoted to historical and literary sub- jects, and a " History of Vermont," a work of great labor and research (Rutland, 1794; 2 vols., 1809). — Samuel's son, Charles Kilbourne, jurist, b. in ^Cambridge, Mass., 24 Jan., 1782 ; d. in Rutland, Vt., 9 March, 1853, was graduated at Williams in 1800, practised law in Rutland, Vt., and became an eminent member of the state bar. During the sec- ond war with Great Britain he served in one cam- paign on the northern frontier. He was frequently in the legislature from 1809 till 1821, and again in 1849, state's attorney in 1814-'15,a judge of the su- preme court in 1822-'4and in 1829-42, collector of customs for the state of Vermont in 1825-'9, and ichief justice of the supreme court of Vermont in -'6, at the same time occupying, ex officio, the position of chancellor of the state. He was presi- dent of the officers of censors in 1847, and gover- nor in 1850-'2. With his retirement from that office he closed a public life of forty years. Early in his career he took great interest in the organi- zation of the militia, and rose to the rank of briga- dier-general. He was an active member of the Abolition party, and while governor of Vermont he approved the once celebrated habeas corpus act which had passed the legislature and was the be- ginning of the struggle in Vermont against sla- very. In 1845 he became a corresponding member of the New England historic-genealogical society. In 1834 he received the degree of LL. D. from Middlebury. See a " Memoir " of him by Chief- Justice Isaac Redfield (Rutland, Vt., 1852).— A great-grandson of John, Stephen West, phy- sician, b. in Deerfield. Mass., 27 March, 1790; d. in Laona, 111., 9 July, 1855, was the son of Dr. Thomas Williams, a well-known physician in western Massa- chusetts. Stephen was educated in his native town, studied medicine under his father and, after at- tending a course of lectures at Columbia, settled in practice in Deerfield. and attained to success in his profession. In 1816 he turned his attention to the study of natural history and botany. With Ed- ward Hitchcock and Dennis Cooley he explored the forests and valleys of Deerfield in search of plants that were subsequently collected in an herba- rium. He lectured on medical jurisprudence before the Berkshire medical school in 1823-'31, and in 1838 became professor of materia medica, phar- macy, and medical jurisprudence in Willoughby university, Cuyahoga co., Ohio, which chair he re- signed in 1853. In 1838-'9 he lectured at Dart- mouth medical college. Dr. Williams was a mem- ber of many historical societies, president of the Franklin county, Mass., medical society, and vice- president of the Massachusetts medical society. He delivered many lectures on scientific subjects, and published, besides many pamphlets, " Report of the Indigenous Medical Botany of Massachusetts *' (Deerfield, 1819) ; " Traditionary and Historical Sketch of the Indians who formerly resided in the Valley of the Connecticut," in the " Scientific Tract " series (1819) ; " Catechism of Medical Juris- prudence " (Northampton, Mass., 1833); "Bio- graphical Memoir of Rev. John Williams " (Spring- field, Mass., 1837) ; " American Medical Biography " (1845) ; and " The Genealogy of the Williams Fam- ily in America " (1847). He edited James Beding- field's " Compendium of Medicine " (Deerfield, Mass., 1818). — John's first cousin, William, cler- gyman, b. in Newton, Mass., 2 Feb., 1665 ; d. in Hat- field, Mass., 29 Aug., 1741, was graduated at Harvard in 1683. He was settled as pastor of the church at Hatfield in 1685, and labored there for fifty-five years. He published numerous sermons and theo- logical treatises, and commanded a wide influence in his community. — William's son, Elislta, clergy- man, b. in Hatfield, Mass., 24 Aug., 1694; d. in Wethersfield, Conn., 24 July, 1755, was graduated at Harvard in 1711, studied* law, settled in Weth- ersfield, Conn., and for several years was clerk of the state general assembly and a member of that body. After the Collegiate school of Connecticut (now Yale) was removed from Saybrook to New Haven, some of the students refusing to obey the rules of government, Mr. Williams was chosen to instruct such as wished to withdraw, and taught them at Wethersfield for two years. He was or- dained to the ministry in 1721, and served the church at Wethersfield till 1726, when he became president of Yale, holding office till 1739. He sub-