Williams, John R., 1782-1854

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1782-05-04

Death 1854-10-20

Biographical notes:

Williams was born in Detroit (Mich.) on May 4, 1782. In 1796 he served under Gen. Wilkinson in 1796 at Fort Marsac (Tenn.). In the War of 1812 he served as Captain of the artillery and was taken prisoner when Detroit fell. Later, Williams returned to Detroit, where he opened a general mercantile business. He was prominent in Michigan politics, serving as Delegate from the 1st District to the Constitutuional Convention of 1835; and as Delegate from Wayne Co. to the 2nd Convention of Assent, 1836. He was one of the first trustees of the University of Michigan in 1821. He prepared the first charter for Detroit, served as its first Mayor, and for six additional terms, 1824-1846. Williams was Senior Maj. Gen. of Michigan's State militia when he died on Oct. 20, 1854. (Information from Michigan Biographies v. 2, p.453.) John Winder (b. 1804) was U.S. receiver of public lands at Detroit (Mihc.), 1826-1828; bookkeeper of the American Fur Co., Mackinac Island (Mich.), 1828-1829; and clerk of the Michigan Territorial Supreme Court, 1829. (Information from Bentley finding aid.).

From the description of Correspondence, 1832. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 42787206

Williams was born in Detroit (Mich.) on May 4, 1782. In 1796 he served under Gen. Wilkinson in 1796 at Fort Marsac (Tenn.). In the War of 1812 he served as Captain of the artillery and was taken prisoner when Detroit fell. Later, Williams returned to Detroit, where he opened a general mercantile business. He was prominent in Michigan politics, serving as delegate from the 1st district to the Constitutional Convention of 1835; and as delegate from Wayne Co. to the 2nd Convention of Assent, 1836. He was one of the first trustees of the University of Michigan in 1821. He prepared the first charter for Detroit, served as its first mayor, and for six additional terms, 1824-1846. Williams was Senior Maj. Gen. of Michigan's State militia when he died on Oct. 20, 1854.

From the description of John R. Williams papers, 1771-1909. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 51805891

John R. Williams was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1782, the son of Thomas Williams. After temporarily moving away during his childhood, he returned to Detroit as a teenager and worked for Joseph Campau, his uncle. At the age of 18, Williams joined the United States Army, serving as a "cornet," and he worked as a contract agent for Ormsby & Wilson, who supplied military forts along the Ohio River. In the early 1800s, Williams again returned to Detroit, where he and Campau began a successful mercantile business.

During the War of 1812, Williams served as captain of an artillery regiment, and was taken prisoner at the capture of Detroit. After the war, Williams began a political career, helping write the first charter for the city of Detroit and becoming the city's first elected mayor (he served several non-consecutive terms between 1824 and 1846). He later earned a commission as Major General of the Michigan Militia, a title he held until his death. Williams and his wife, Mary Mott, had ten children. Williams died in 1854.

From the guide to the John R. Williams papers, Williams, John R. papers, 1798-1801, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)