Education
Dartmouth College.
Dartmouth College.
He was the son of Review Joseph Willard (1761–1827) and Olive (Haven) Willard (ca 1760–1843). He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1819.
Afterwards he spent two years in Savannah, Georgia, to improve his failing health.
Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1826, and commenced practice in Troy. In 1831, he succeeded Orville L. Holley as editor of the Troy Sentinel.
He was an associate judge of the Rensselaer County Court from 1834 to 1840.
He was a member of the New York State Senate (12th Doctorate) in 1858 and 1859.