Vermont political and military leader. He is usually called “Judge” to differentiate him from a distant cousin of the same name who also lived in Rutland, Reverend Samuel Williams. Little is known of his early life and education, but he was one of the first settlers of Rutland. He served in the Vermont Militia during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Hubbardton, and attained the rank of captain. He was a Rutland Selectman from 1783 to 1787, and Town Clerk from 1788 to 1797. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1783 to 1785, 1787 to 1794, and 1798 to 1799. Williams was a member of the Governor’s Council from 1795 to 1797. He was a Judge of the Rutland County Court from 1790 to 1793, and Chief Judge from 1794 until his death. In 1794, Judge Williams and Reverend Williams founded the “Rutland Herald” newspaper. Judge Williams died while working on a farm with his brother Elias; while moving a load of firewood by sled, he fell on a piece which had a knot protruding; the knot caused him internal injuries, and he died several days later.
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As a side note, the state records which contain some of Williams's bio details cleaned up the story of his accident. Accounts in the Rutland Herald indicate that when he fell, he sat on the knot protruding from the piece of wood, and that's how it caused his internal injuries. He died of sepsis caused by the perforation. (bio by Bill McKern)
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As a side note, the state records which contain some of Williams's bio details cleaned up the story of his accident. Accounts in the Rutland Herald indicate that when he fell, he sat on the knot protruding from the piece of wood, and that's how it caused his internal injuries. He died of sepsis caused by the perforation. (bio by Bill McKern)
Vermont political and military leader. He is usually called “Judge” to differentiate him from a distant cousin of the same name who also lived in Rutland, Reverend Samuel Williams. Little is known of his early life and education, but he was one of the first settlers of Rutland. He served in the Vermont Militia during the American Revolution, including the Battle of Hubbardton, and attained the rank of captain. He was a Rutland Selectman from 1783 to 1787, and Town Clerk from 1788 to 1797. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1783 to 1785, 1787 to 1794, and 1798 to 1799. Williams was a member of the Governor’s Council from 1795 to 1797. He was a Judge of the Rutland County Court from 1790 to 1793, and Chief Judge from 1794 until his death. In 1794, Judge Williams and Reverend Williams founded the “Rutland Herald” newspaper. Judge Williams died while working on a farm with his brother Elias; while moving a load of firewood by sled, he fell on a piece which had a knot protruding; the knot caused him internal injuries, and he died several days later.
-----
As a side note, the state records which contain some of Williams's bio details cleaned up the story of his accident. Accounts in the Rutland Herald indicate that when he fell, he sat on the knot protruding from the piece of wood, and that's how it caused his internal injuries. He died of sepsis caused by the perforation. (bio by Bill McKern)
-----
As a side note, the state records which contain some of Williams's bio details cleaned up the story of his accident. Accounts in the Rutland Herald indicate that when he fell, he sat on the knot protruding from the piece of wood, and that's how it caused his internal injuries. He died of sepsis caused by the perforation. (bio by Bill McKern)
Inscription
He was a pillar of Church and of State
and lived and died, the Father of this
Village and the Friend of Mankind.
Over the remains of his mortal Part
as testimony of his virtues
this marble is placed
by his Masonic Bretheren
June 24th A.L. 5800.
Gravesite Details
in 44th year; Revolutionary War veteran
Family Members
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