Background
He was born in New York City, the son of William Williams, a painter born in Bristol, and Mary Mare Williams, sister of the painter John Mare.
He was born in New York City, the son of William Williams, a painter born in Bristol, and Mary Mare Williams, sister of the painter John Mare.
Today, Williams is widely regarded as the first American portraitist. Williams resided in New Bern, North Carolina from 1804 to 1823, after living in Philadelphia, Georgetown, and Charleston. He painted portraits of Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, as well as other important figures of this time.
Williams died in New Bern and buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
