Thomas Williams

November 5, 1779 (age 96)

Pomfret

He entered the Freshman Class of Williams College in the fall of 1795, and continued there until March, 1798. Before graduation he had begun to teach, and after successive engagements in Beverly, Mass, and in Woodstock and Norwich, Connecticut, he opened in the spring of 1803 in Boston a school for African-American pupils. While thus employed he was licensed to preach, May 17, 1803, by the Windham County Association, in order that he might officiate as chaplain in the almshouse in Boston, in connection with his other duties. Late in the same year he gave up his school, and served for some weeks as a missionary preacher in New York State. On his return, and after spending six weeks with Review Doctor Emmons, of Franklin, Mass, (his entire course of theological preparation), he was ordained as an evangelist, at Killingly, Connecticut, May 16, 1804. He was next installed pastor, November 6, 1816, of the church in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which he served for about four years. In July, 1821, he returned to his former charge in Providence, and remained with them until August, 1823. In December, 1823, he began to preach for the First Church in Attleborough, Massachusetts, and was installed there September 29, 1824, Doctor Emmons preaching the sermon, as well as at his former installation. In 1839-1840 he resided in Hartford, Connecticut, and then for three years in East Greenwich, R. I., whence he returned to Providence, where his residence continued until his death. During all these years, until extreme old age, he was restlessly employed in his calling, preaching as he found opportunity over a wide circuit. His last appearance in the pulpit was in 1872, when in his 93rd year he died in Providence, September 29, 1876, aged 97 years, lacking 36 days, of old age, with no indication of disease. Foreign upwards of 13 years he had been the last survivor of the Yale class of 1800 and since March, 1873, the sole living Yale graduate of the eighteenth century. His published writings comprise some thirty sermons and discourses. This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.

Thomas Williams

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author Congregationalist minister

Background

Williams was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, November 5, 1779, the son of Joseph and Lucy (Witter) Williams.

Education

In the succeeding fall he entered the Junior Class of Yale College, where he graduated in 1800.

Career

He entered the Freshman Class of Williams College in the fall of 1795, and continued there until March, 1798. Before graduation he had begun to teach, and after successive engagements in Beverly, Mass, and in Woodstock and Norwich, Connecticut, he opened in the spring of 1803 in Boston a school for African-American pupils. While thus employed he was licensed to preach, May 17, 1803, by the Windham County Association, in order that he might officiate as chaplain in the almshouse in Boston, in connection with his other duties.

Late in the same year he gave up his school, and served for some weeks as a missionary preacher in New York State.

On his return, and after spending six weeks with Review Doctor Emmons, of Franklin, Mass, (his entire course of theological preparation), he was ordained as an evangelist, at Killingly, Connecticut, May 16, 1804.

He was next installed pastor, November 6, 1816, of the church in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which he served for about four years.

In July, 1821, he returned to his former charge in Providence, and remained with them until August, 1823.

In December, 1823, he began to preach for the First Church in Attleborough, Massachusetts, and was installed there September 29, 1824, Doctor Emmons preaching the sermon, as well as at his former installation. In 1839-1840 he resided in Hartford, Connecticut, and then for three years in East Greenwich, R. I., whence he returned to Providence, where his residence continued until his death.

During all these years, until extreme old age, he was restlessly employed in his calling, preaching as he found opportunity over a wide circuit.

His last appearance in the pulpit was in 1872, when in his 93rd year he died in Providence, September 29, 1876, aged 97 years, lacking 36 days, of old age, with no indication of disease.

Foreign upwards of 13 years he had been the last survivor of the Yale class of 1800 and since March, 1873, the sole living Yale graduate of the eighteenth century. His published writings comprise some thirty sermons and discourses.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Yale Obituary Record.

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