Williams, John Lee, 1775-1856

Civil engineer, lawyer, Florida pioneer, historian.

A native of Salem, Massachusetts, he moved with his family to a farm in New York State when he was young. Disliking a farmer's life, he went to college, attending law school and tutoring to pay his tuition. In 1820 the newly widowed Williams moved to Florida observing changes in the newly acquired territory. He lived in Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Picolata, just outside St. Augustine - where he wrote his "History of Florida" and "Views of West.

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