William Williams was born in 1731 in Lebanon, Connecticut, the son and grandson of Christian ministers and Harvard graduates. At 16, he entered Harvard College and later studied theology under his father.

His plans to enter the ministry changed after he served in the French and Indian War, an experience that led to his deep distrust of British officials. After returning to Connecticut, Williams opened a shop, became Town Clerk in 1753, and began serving in the Connecticut House in 1757, rising to become Speaker of the lower house in 1775.

In 1771, Williams married into the Trumbull family and worked closely with Governor Jonathan Trumbull in drafting Revolutionary papers and publishing Patriot writings. In 1773, he was appointed a colonel in the 12th regiment of the Connecticut militia, a post he resigned upon joining the Continental Congress. In 1775, he raised funds door-to-door to support Connecticut troops at Ticonderoga.

Appointed to Congress in June 1776, Williams arrived too late to vote for independence but signed the Declaration in August. In 1788, he served as a delegate to Connecticut’s constitutional ratifying convention, where he voted in favor of the U.S. Constitution. Williams died in 1811.