Stephen Williams family papers

Stephen Williams, 1722 - 1795

Stephen Williams, the second son of the Rev. Dr. Stephen Williams (Harv. 1713) of Longmeadow, and grandson of the Rev. John Williams (Harv. 1683), of Deerfield, Massachusetts, the "Redeemed Captive," was born in Longmeadow, January 26, 1721-22. His mother was Abigail, eldest daughter of the Rev. John Davenport (Harv. 1687) of Stamford, Connecticut. Two of his brothers were graduated here, in 1745 and 1755 respectively.

He studied theology with his father, and in February 1744, was recommended by the Hartford North Association to the society in what is now the town of Granby, as a candidate for their pulpit; and again, in January 1745, the Fairfield East Association advised the church in what is now Trumbull to apply to him. Late in the same year he accepted a call to the church in East Hartford, but for some (now unknown) reason the plan was not carried into effect. Early in 1746 he began to preach to the villagers in New Roxbury, or West Woodstock, a newly constituted parish in Woodstock, Connecticut, where he received a formal call to settle, on the 8th of July. On the 2th of June 1747, he was ordained over the church (called the Second Church in Woodstock), which was gathered in the same connection.

He continued in this position through his life, sustaining "a very amiable and worthy character," and died there, May 6, 1795, in his 74th year.

He married, October 18, 1748, his second cousin, Martha, eldest child of Captain Jonathan and Thankful (Strong) Hunt, of Northampton, Massachusetts, who died a few years before him. They had three daughters and four sons; the younger sons were graduated here in 1783 and 1785 respectively.

From: F.B. Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College, Vol. I, pp. 695f.

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Timothy Williams, 1764 - 1849

Timothy Williams, the youngest son of the Rev. Stephen Williams (Yale 1741), of West Woodstock, Connecticut, was born in Woodstock on April 16, 1764. He joined College in February of the Freshman year.

He studied theology, and was licensed to preach by the Windham Association of Ministers on May 15, 1792; and after his father's death, in 1795, he supplied the vacant pulpit in West Woodstock for a time. His active life was, however, mainly given to teaching, and in a lesser degree to evangelistic labors.

He taught in an academy in Norwich, Connecticut, for several years, and in 1796-97 was the Preceptor of the Academy since known as Lawrence Academy, in Groton, Massachusetts. Later he taught in an Academy near Albany, New York, and in another in Hampshire County, Virginia -- in which latter State he resided for twenty years.

He fulfilled several appointments as a missionary in the employment of the Presbyterian Church and preached as a supply in many parts of the North and South, though never ordained.

He returned to New England about 1840, and made his home in the place of his birth, where he died in February, 1849, in his 85th year. He was unmarried.

From: F.B. Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College, Vol. IV, p. 446.