Captain Benjamin Williams



Signature of Cpt Benjamin Williams 1803 courtesy Wesleyan University

    Our Captain Benjamin Williams' story begins on the Isle of Bermuda. To understand him better we learn from the publication "The Story of Bermuda" by Hudson Strode.  "In 1687 the population of Bermuda was 1,889  Houses to accommodate the entire number were 579  which meant approximately 10 people to each house.
     A Bermudians house was his castle and haven of rest, but his warehouse as well. The majority were 1 1/2 story construction, the 1/2 story was the lower one, part cellar- part embankment. Those houses close to the water, belonged to seafaring men who had as much need for storage space as for living quarters. In the interval between voyages to the west Indies, Spain, America, Nova Scotia, they would store their cargoes of rum, tobacco, molasses, codfish, salt or slaves under the house. And here privateers would store their boxes, hales of loot; by running their ships close to shore and their houses and wharves, they could quickly unload the cargo at night and cheat the customs tax. The lower or one-half story served also as slave quarters and stable, and sometimes trading post. In some of the old cellar walls have been found old slave rings that were used to shackle those while being held for transportation. There was generally no communication between the upper and lower floors. One reached the drawing room by the outside stairway.
     The mother country of Great Britain allowed this colony to pursue whale fishing, not for commodity sale but for absolute necessity; oil for light and leather for shoes. A whale meant no only sea beef for their bellies, but shoes for their feet and oil for their lamps and lanterns. In 1750 more than 100,000 bushels of salt was traded annually and about one tenth of Bermuda's population was engaged in the business. Their whole business from which they made their living was salt, cedar and slaves. The cedar they used to make their fleet sailing vessels and sailors were slaves or prisoners. White men who were not able to pay their debts were bondsmen in their day.
     Bermudians despised farm labor and farmed only on compulsion. They neglected agriculture shamefully during the heyday of their maritime commerce. The better slaves were employed as house servants, mechanics, sailors, etc. Most of their food supplies were brought from the American colonies.
     In the decades that followed the 1780's Bermuda acquired sudden wealth from privateering. The social set stirred briskly by the in pouring of new gold. Daughters of small sea captains became heiresses overnight.
     Bermuda's prosperity rose to it's height in the years following 1812. Her fleet of merchantmen numbered more than 200, half of them privateering prizes. This trade prospered until 1822. The introduction of the steam in 1830 marks the final blow to the great shipping firms."


Early Bermda 1760

Benjamin Williams was born in 1767 on the Island of Bermuda and when he was a young man came to America. He eventually became successful as a businessman in the shipping industry, owning many vessels and became famous as a trader to the West Indies. 

 We do not have conclusive evidence at this time as to his parentage. However, Ella Burnham Williams Gamber researched this line extensively and concluded that the father of Captain Benjamin Williams is John Williams, a shipbuilder from the Bermuda Islands whose ancestors origionally came from Wales. Mrs. Gamber further states that John Williams married Miss Mary Savage in the Islands about 1755. We learn from the captain's granddaughter, miss Catherine Mather Williams, "My grandfather Benjamin Williams was soon followed to this country by his father John Williams and all his brothers and sisters. Though they made many trips back and forth to the mainland and some of the captains older grandchildren were born in Bermuda."

Early Map of Connecticut



When John Adams passed through Connecticut in 1771, he wrote in his diary, "Middletown I think is the most beautiful town of all. When I first came into the town, which was upon the top of a hill, there opened before me the most beautiful prospect of the river, and the intervals and improvements on each side of it, and the mountains, at about 10 miles distant, both on the east and west side of the river." 
It is no wonder Benjamin Williams came to visit this picturesque and bustling Settlement.  It was in just such a setting that a young, ambitious 19 year old Benjamin Williams met Martha Cornell. We learn of the courtship of Captain Benjamin Williams from the captain's granddaughter, Miss Catherine Mather Williams, " My grandfather, Captain Benjamin Williams, son of John Williams and the former Miss Savage, sailed from Bermuda Islands to Middletown shortly before he married. He met his wife at the home of  Mrs. VanDuesen. Miss Nancy VanDuesen went to see Martha Cornell and said to her, "I want you to come up to the house and meet the most handsomest man you ever set eyes on." To which Martha replied that she did not intend to run after strange men, but took her work however and went up to Mrs. VanDuesens home. There was a mutual attraction and this soon ripened into love."  The delectable Martha Cornell who gave her heart to the handsome captain was born about 1764 and is the daughter of William Cornell and Abigail Otis -the descendant of a very puritanical family.  Subsequently Benjamin and Martha were married in Middletown, Connecticut on February  11, 1786, a Saturday,  by Abraham Jarvis, second Bishop of Connecticut.  (Middletown Vital Records from Barbour, 1668-1852)

Bishop Abraham Jarvis

Side note about Bishop Abraham Jarvis (May 5, 1739 – May 3, 1813) was the second American Episcopal bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and eighth in succession of bishops in the Episcopal Church. He was a high churchman and a loyalist to the crown. (Photo courtesy Trinity website, from NYPL digital collection.)Trinity .

The Williams couple would go on to have 7 children.

By 1750, Middletown was the most populous and one of the wealthiest towns in Connecticut. The town owed its size and prosperity primarily to the maritime trade and since Middletown was the chief port for West Indian shipping, the Captain decided to settle there. He purchased five acres of land, bounded at that time by Main Street, Washington Street, and the Connecticut River, for “thirty pounds of lawful money” from John and Rebecca Cotton, whose ancestor William Cornwell acquired the land in 1650 as one of Middletown’s original settlers.

The happy couple was soon blessed with a family upon the birth of their first son, Thompson Phillips Williams born November 8, 1787 in Middletown, Connecticut.  If we do the math, we  can see that Thompson was a honeymoon baby.  Thompson married Sept 25, 1808 in Middletown, Conn.,  Mehitable Frith (1792-1863) and he died in Middletown, Conn on March 25, 1841 at the age of  53. He is buried in the Mortimer Cemetery in Middletown. Most of their children were born in Bermuda. One of their sons, Hezekiah Frith Williams (1810-1863).

They were blessed again with the birth of a daughter, Sallie Williams on March 19, 1789 in Middletown, Conn. Sallie married the widower Thomas Mather (a Merchant born in Lyme, Conn and the son of Samuel Mather, Jr,) on Oct 17, 1813. Sallie and Thomas had 10 children together namely,  Frederick Samuel b. 1815, William Henry b. 1817, Edward b. 1818, Theodore b. 1820, Amelia Charlotte  b. 1822, Augusta Harriet b. 1824, Charles b. 1826, George Alfred b. 1828,  Twins-Elizabeth Sally and James b. 1831. Sadly, none of these children would know their grandfather Capt. Williams. Sallie Williams Mather died  March 16, 1832 at the age of 42, just 4 short months after the birth of her twins (one wonders if she died of complications from the births?) She is buried in the Mortimer Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut. She left a twice widowed husband and a large young grieving family to carry on.

The Benjamin Williams family would soon have another addition to the family with the birth of their twin sons, John and Benjamin Williams on August 11, 1790 in Middletown, Connecticut.  These sons remained unmarried. Benjamin died in Batavia Island of Java.

 Benjamin is listed in the 1790 census as living in Middletown, Conn on page 420

Head of Household	Over 16	Under 16	Female	Other	Slv.
WILLIAMS, Benjamin	1	3	3	0	2



Capt Benjamin Williams home built 1791

Upon his plot of land on Washington and Main streets, as described in New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Vol III (1913) page 1249, compiled by William Richard Cutter , “Captain Benjamin Williams built an impressive brick house on East Washington St in Middletown in 1791”.  His house is further described as “a dignified mansion of Georgian brick with a view of the Connecticut River” in the publication, Images of America, Middletown By Robert Hubbard, Kathleen Hubbard, Middlesex County Historical Society, page 23.  

An additional colorful description is offered by Connecticut: A Guide to Its' Roads, Lore and People By Federal Writers Project , page 206.  “27 Washington Street (R). The brick mansion is a house of distinction stranded in mediocre surroundings. The flaring stone lintels over the windows, the large 7 x 9 panes of glass (a novelty when the house was built), the delicate cornice, and the group of three dormers in the hip roof, two with triangular and one with a cured pediment as in Rhode Island work, all give the house a touch of stateliness and taste of the best Georgian design. But the wide, flat-arched, open-pediment portico is distinctively of Connecticut, an early and beautiful example of ‘the Connecticut porch,’ as it is sometimes called".




Capt Benjamin Williams family Home

The City of Middletown further describes this home, "The Captain Benjamin Williams house, and the Captain Samuel Johnson House (44 Washington Street), were built by wealthy Middletown sea captains and are reminders of Middletown's early days as a busy river port. It is unusual that this house is of brick, for brickwork is a relatively rare phenomenon in eighteenth century Middletown and is generally associated with the Federal Style and not with the Georgian. Federal details include the fanlight over the door and the delicate porch, which is a later addition."

The Williams family would have three more sons, Charles Cornell Williams born July 3, 1793 who married Amy Emma Plum(b)  Aug. 22, 1813. Daughters from this union, 
-Sarah (b. 1815; d. June 9, 1847;  
-Emma Plum Williams (b. 1817; d. 1898; m. Varnum J. Card); 
-Martha Cornell Williams, she was a writer  (b. Apr. 15, 1819; m. George W. Woodward); 
-Charlotte A. Williams (b. Oct. 23, 1824; d. Mar. 12, 1894; m.1st  Feb. 16, 1843, Edward Haskell, 2nd Dr Waldo C Daniels.
 Charles passed away  January 14, 1852/53 in Ohio.  Charles had gone west became a farmer.

Next,  Edwin Williams born April 22, 1795 both sons born in Middletown, Connecticut. Edwin married Jane Livingston (daughter of Abraham Livingston and Maria Peebles) on September 8, 1817, the ceremony taking place at the home of Jane's brother- in-law, Samuel Mather, at Middletown, Connecticut, the Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott (Dr Nott was related to the family through having married the widow Gertrude Peebles Tibbits -this is Jane's auntie-as his second wife) being the officiating clergyman. After his marriage and the birth of several children he removed to Stillwater, New York.  Edwin died Sep. 9, 1842 at the age of 47 and is buried in Stillwater Union Cemetery, Stillwater, New York. Edwin left a large family to carry on; sadly only a few years later, Jane followed him in death. The family was split up at this point each going their separate ways. The oldest, Catherine, became a caretaker for the Mather family. Helen had married Hugh P Welch and took in the youngest boys, Hugh, John, Charles and Frederick. Mary, the baby was raised by the Thomas Mather family. The others were on their own.

Lastly, Edward Willett Williams, born September 19, 1797 in Middletown, Connecticut. Edward went west with his brother Charles C. Williams to Ohio. (Recently came across some information about Edward Willett Williams: "Edward W. Williams married Elizabeth Freer married Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio 24 Sep 1820 by J. Waldo. She was from NY, born 1799 in Ulster Co. NY to Simon and Phebe (Ketcham) Freer. In a family bible that my sister has, Edward is listed as Willet. I would assume that was his middle name. They had 5 children: Theodore (married lives in North Dakota), Mortimer (died aged 19 years old), Edwin, Martha C (married Harrison Gray lives in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan, large family), and Eliza Jane (married had 4 children died 1849). Theodore and all the children were born in OH. They lived in Lake Co, which was part of Geauga Co, I believe. Edward died in Nov of 1829 in Ohio"

As Martha Cornell Williams Woodward was a writer, she published a curious article in 1887 about her uncle Edward and her disreputable cousins, which explains so much about what happened to this branch of the Captain's family.

{Springfield daily republic. [volume], May 07, 1887, Image 7 About Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, page 7} OUR COUSINS My uncle Edward and father stood at the door. They were brothers and the resemblance striking. Day was declining. ''God knows" it was my uncle Edward who spoke, and his voice was tremulous and low, as with suppressed feeling "God knows how unfortunate this has been for me, for us all. I have suffered in these seven years, Charles, separated from my kind. I have expiated my boyish rashness with my life, for I am dying, Charles, you know that." Don't say that, Edward," said my father, ignoring the first part of his speech; "you may live many years, I trust so, Edward." -My uncle waved his hand in dissent. "No," he answered; -"I shall leave them and in poverty." "They are used to that," returned my father, coldly, -"she was not born in silks and satin's; they will get along. There is David Freeman: he is a strong man in every sense of the word." "But my children Charles, they are of our flesh and blood (there was a dash of pride in his tones), and she has been a faithful wife, I am sure of that." "They will get along," said my father, still coldly, as he and uncle Edward walked slowly down the pathway. One day they said that my uncle Edward was dead. My father bowed his head and shook like a leaf when the word came. Some months after my uncle Edward's death it was said that the family had moved west. They had gone with David Freeman. Years passed. I had grown to womanhood, but the impressions of my childhood remained with me, and the white, sad face of my uncle Edward was never forgotten. We lived on the old place, it was called the old homestead now. My older sister was married and gone. What a wedding it was and she was celebrated as a beauty far and near. She had married well, and had removed to a distant city. After this event we returned to our quiet ways. One morning, it was in the early spring, I heard my mother say that David Freeman had just gone past. "I wonder what has brought him back?" she asked. "He has come to settle up some old affairs, I fancy," replied my father. "That piece of property Edward owned was sold the other day. I am glad of that. It will be something for them." My father's eye took on a far off look such a look as I had often noticed of late. Was it regret or the thoughtfulness of advancing years? Whatever it may have been, or however my father may have regarded transactions of the past, he kept his own counsel. "Well." said my mother, "I hope they will not pack back again." "No. David Freeman is pleased, I am told, with the country out there. They will never return here. It seems he made inquiries about that claim of ours," said my father after a pause. "He is bound to look after the interests of those children and it is his right." "I cannot see how they have any right; or if they have," retracted my mother, "it is a shame." "Amy!" said my father sternly. Mother colored to her temples. "That claim," she proceeded, "is in the far distance, and it is not worth while borrowing trouble about what may never come." "I am not so sure about it being at so great a distance," returned my father. The bill passed the senate last winter and it was barely squelched in the house. I think I shall subscribe for The Washington Intelligencer this winter in order to keep track of what is going on." "Oh, I have very little faith in it." replied my mother. "And The Washington Intelligencer appears to be a remarkably dull paper; you have spent a good deal on that paper already, Charles." "Mother," I said that evening, as we sat in the twilight waiting for father, who had gone to a village caucus, "who is that David Freeman and what is this mystery which overshadows our family? I remember, mother, my uncle Edward; his sad face comes back to me at times, plain as upon that evening when father said he looked in his winding sheet happy as in the days of their boyhood. Who are these children, and that imperious woman? I remember father said she was imperious, allowing no feeling to show itself when the tragedy of Uncle Edward's death took place. It was a tragedy the tragedy of a life, I have thought since." "The woman," replied my mother, glancing furtively about her, and in a voice hushed, as if the very walls had ears, "is your aunt by marriage a tardy marriage it was said, and those children are your disreputable cousins." "Why are they disreputable, mother?" "Because," replied my mother, in sharp incisive tones, "it was a misalliance- an unequal marriage." "Your grandfather (Capt Benjamin Williams), my child, was an Englishman, with high ideas of caste and family distinction. He was a merchantman, owning ships for the transportation of American products to foreign ports. He was a proud man, looking down upon the canaille, as they were termed, as upon an inferior race. But in the course of years reverses came. In the wars between France and England (prior to 1800) his ships, with those of many others, were captured by French privateers, for which out rage no reparation was made to the owners never has been, and, l am afraid, never will be. In the midst of these perplexities he died, leaving six sons and one daughter. Your aunt Sarah was a famous belle in her day, and your Uncle Edward was strikingly handsome." "Oh, yes, mother," I replied eagerly. "A division of your grandfather's property left comparatively small amounts to each, and they found themselves, for the first times in their lives, thrown upon their own resources. Your father decided to come west for the purchase of lands; the others tried various pursuits, mostly failing in all. Your uncle Edward, having squandered his portion, came west. He was never strong, and knew nothing of labor in any form. "It was a great pity," murmured my mother; "a great pity " "Not far distant from us lived this family of Freemans. They were strong and robust, uneducated and common. There was a daughter, with hair as black as night, tall, and lithe as any gypsy queen. She was picturesque, just the style to attract an idle man's fancy. Your uncle Edward soon became entangled with the girl. Your father said everything he could say at the time, but it was of no use, and your uncle Edward married the girl. David Freeman, the brother, brought matters to a crisis by insisting that the marriage taking place. We saw very little of your uncle after that for a year or more. We would have saved him, if we could," said my mother. "but he rushed out to his doom. You know the rest. He was ill for some years, and died, having led a miserable, depressed life. And now I hope we shall hear no more of these disreputable relatives," added my mother, rising hastily to extinguish a coal which had snapped upon the carpet. Years went by, my father still clinging to the belief that the claim due to the family would be paid. Year after year during the sessions of congress he subscribed for The Washington Intelligencer, but without results. The bill continued to be remanded to its long standing receptacle, or more discouraging still, to be vetoed by presidents. My mother died comparatively young;. my father not long surviving her with his death these claims ceased to be remembered. The old place became deserted by members of the family, who were scattered in various portions of the West. Nearly a century had run it course since these claims due to numbers of American citizens had been withheld by the government. The original claimants, as also the second generation of claimants, had long since gone to that bourne from whence there is no return, when December 12, 1885, the third generation of claimants were startled from their apathetic disregard of the subject by the announcement that the long pending French spoliation bill had passed both House and Congress. New England was agitated to its center. Claimants uprose from the far west. Abodes of poverty were penetrated by the strange news. Their ships had come in; ay, even then they were lying out at the offings. Musty papers and defunct family histories were wildly sought for. Graveyards were explored; tablets standing sphinx like were deciphered. Who were our grandfathers? Of the number were ourselves, with evidences in a fair state of preservation. The cargoes of these captured ships, as shown in time worn bills of lading, etc, were unique, "molasses casks, negro slaves and other merchandise. Jamaica rum, certain amounts of specie." Yea, verily! And phantom like the wrecked hulks of these ships sped on, sailing sailing in space. Every branch of the family could be traced with one exception. It was that of our disreputable cousins. Years had accumulated since they had even been thought of. What had become of them? Possibly- they were dead, or in their obscurity they might never be found? My uncle Edward's pale, sad face seemed to reproach me. Again I heard him say "They are of our flesh and blood, Charles," and I left no stone unturned in my search for some clue to them. My modes of procedure were far fetched and circuitous, much as if an enemy were to be circumvented. They were found, and to our surprise their place of residence was within 300 miles of us. With the information thus gained, I wrote to my cousin Mrs Garland, as I learned at Ellendale, Wisconsin stating the case, and volunteering instruction in regard to evidence necessary to be produced. I assumed a kind of dictatorship, under the impression that my disreputable cousins would be found in a state of semi barbarianism, and that any incidental knowledge thrown in would be to their advantage. Some little time elapsed without a response to my communication, and I began to have doubts of their having any aspirations for a higher degree of prosperity than that which they already possessed. At length the morning mail brought the long expected letter. My cousin Charlotte (the same name I with myself a family name) had been thrown from her carriage, by which accident she had suffered temporary inconvenience. She was improving, however, and hastened to apologize for the delay. As to the claim referred to she had been favored, her brother Hugh, member of congress from that district, having kindly kept her informed. Himself a claimant, very naturally he had used his best endeavor in the matter. Any assistance necessary, either financially or otherwise, I might rest assured would be cheerfully accorded. Her letter was charmingly written and strictly business like, and with not the slightest allusion to any relationship existing between us. "Fred'" I said as my favorite nephew sauntered into my somewhat circumscribed apartments (the world had not used me as well as might have been expected). "Fred! see, here is a letter from our disreputable cousins." Fred was something of a humorist in his way. I watched his smile broaden as he read on; then quietly refolding the letter he said: "It is business like." adding, "There is not a member of our family capable of writing such a letter as that." "Yes," I assented; "they seem to be high up in the world, that family. Judging from her letter, this world's goods are of less importance to my cousin, Charlotte than myself. Her handwriting, even, is of the very latest." "Why not" said the imperturbable Fred "The world has changed since people were excommunicated for mesalliances. The world moves, Aunt Charlotte." "You are right. Fred, I have had an inkling of some such sentiment all my life, but kept a discreet silence. Conventional marriages in my days, Fred, were de rigueur (required by etiquette or current fashion), but it appears now that the tables have turned."
 "Yes," laughed Fred: "it is now Blood vs. Luck, and vice versa. Hon. Hugh F. Wingate. of Wisconsin! Why, it was he who made the great speech last winter on the Chinese question." "Fred, dear, I feel quite as if I should faint dead away. Hand me that vinaigrette." But I recovered, and we were very jolly after the latest discovery of our disreputable cousins. 
-Martha Cornell Woodward in Boston Transcript


Benjamin Williams family is listed int he 1800 Federal Census, page 449 as having 5 males under the age of 10, 2 males age 10-15, 1 male age 16-25, 1 male age 26-44, 2 females age 10-15, 1 female age 26-44

The sea Captain became a large ship owner and had many vessels plying between the East and West Indies and the port of Middletown, the towns on the Connecticut River having extensive shipping interests in those days.



Sloop vessel from the period

The complex conflicts with the French Republic leading up to the war of 1812 resulted in heavy losses for Benjamin.  Beginning in 1797, he lost many vessels and their precious cargo to the French as described in the publication, The French Assault on American Shipping 1793-1813: a history and comprehensive record of merchant losses -Greg H. Williams




 

John Andrews document, August 2, 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

-Benjamin was sole owner of the schooner Clara, which was bound for Leogane when it was seized off the coast of the Tortuga Island on April 9, 1797 by a French privateer and was retaken by a British cruiser and brought to St. Nicholas Móle. The vessel and cargo were condemned.

-Benjamin was sole owner of the sloop Scrub, a 71- ton vessel captured by French. The Scrub was seized by French capt Louis Nadal’s French privateer schooner  La Revanche on 10, April 1797 while on the way to Havana with cargo. The vessel and cargo were condemned by the Tribunal of Commerce and Maurice Rondineau, the maritime agent for the French Republic in Cuba, and because they came from an English port.

-Benjamin was co-owner of the 91-ton vessel, The Brig Caroline.  On April  20, 1797, the Caroline was on her  way home with cargo of rum and sugar from Jamaica when she was seized by French capt Henry Groselier’s privateer La Fortune. The vessel and cargo were condemned at the Cape for going to ports in rebellion against the laws of France and under British protection.

William Stam document, August 2, 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

The net loss to Benjamin Williams on voyage $4, 559.66 (to give some perspective, that would be like loosing $82,902.91 in 2012 and this was just one one of his vessels. Imagine these kinds of losses for his entire business).



John Nolls docment, April 22, 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

- He owned The schooner "Polly", which was sunk. Later in 1885, someone else claimed the Polly although the claim could not be well substantiated.



-Benjamin was  part owner of the Syren, 114 -ton schooner , which left port for La Guaira with $6,128.33 worth of flour (that loss would be equal to $111,424.18 in 2012) and was seized on October 22, 1798 by French capt Souloumide’s privateer L’Amour de la Patrie and were condemned because the crew comprising of 8 men, 2 of whom were Portuguese  and one an Englishman, were both deemed enemies of the French Republic.

-The captain also had interests in schooner  Federal George, Brig Nancy  and Brig Rosetta  that all met similar fates at the hands of the French Republic.

I am certain that with a heavy heart and mind, the captain filed his claims and expected that the government would reimburse him for his losses. Quoting Ella Gamber, "Benjamin Williams said to his wife, you will receive the money for the lost ships." He died in the hope that his widow would receive what was her due, but this was never done.  It was said that a great amount of money was supposed to have been laid aside from the Louisiana Purchase to reimburse them for the losses, however, his widow and their children died without receiving justice. The claims were finally allowed in 1885 in President Arthur's administration, and then only such a small percentage of their full value was distributed over 100 heirs and proved to be negligible. Ella Williams Gamber's share of the claims came to $25.39

The once thriving Middletown port began it's decline in the early 19th century with strained American-British relations and resulting trade restrictions, which led to the War of 1812. The port never recovered.

Insurance Policy dated December 13, 1803  courtesy of

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

According to the publication, “With Historical Sketches of  Cromwell, Portland, Chatham, Middle Haddam, Middletown & Its Parishes”  David D. Field, D.D.;  Middletown, Conn. 1853  MIDDLETOWN TOWN OFFICERS,  Pages 228 – 232, Benjamin Williams who died June 15, 1812 was appointed as a Justice of the Peace. There is no mention of dates of service, only his death date which suggests he held the position until his passing.

The Benjamin Williams family is listed in the 1810 census as living in Middletown, Conn., on page 248. 2 males age 10-15, 4 males age 16-25, 1 male age 26-44, 1 female age 16-25, 1 female age 26-44 

At the early age of 45 years, Captain Benjamin Williams of Middletown, Connecticut, passed away June 15, 1812. His cause of death is unknown. The Captain is buried in the Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Middlesex County Connecticut. 

Even with these heavy losses, the Captain must have died a comparatively rich man, as his will indicates below:

" In the name of God, Amen. I Benjamin Williams, of Middletown, being of sound mind and memory and calling to mind my frailty and mortality, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. In the first place I commit my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried. And as to such worldly estates as God has seen fit to bless me, I so give and dispose as follows: I give and bequeath to my dear wife, Martha Williams, and to her heirs and assigns forever all my real estate in Newfield (so called) or in said westfield in said Middletown with all my farming utensils and every kind and description and all my carriages, horses, cattle, cows and sheep and swine. Also my household furniture of every kind and all my silver plates. Also $3,000 in Middletown bank stock. Also my negro girl, Rose, and her child George, also my black boy Joseph. This is given her only on condition that she relinquish those of my children to whom I shall give all the remainder of my estate, all her right and claim to the brick dwelling house, buildings and land in the city of Middletown. I give to my sons, Thompson Phillips Williams and Benjamin Williams and John Williams, all the charges which I have against them on Book, also notes I may have against them, which is in full of their share of the estate. I give and bequeath to my mother-in-law (compilers note: I believe this is his mother or maybe a step mother as his mother in law was Abigail Otis Cornell), Mary Williams, $100 to be paid within one year of my decease. I give and bequeath to my sister, Mary Brereton $100 to be paid to her one year after my decease. I then order that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of the remainder of my estate, of whatever kind, or nature, lying or being, give and bequeath to my children, Sallie Williams, Charles Williams, Edwin Williams and Edward Willett Williams, excepting to Sallie, to whom I give $1,000 more than the share of either of them. And in case of decease of either of them, my said children, Charles, Edwin or Edward Willett, before they arrive respectively of age of twenty one years, then the share of each one as may be deceased shall belong to the survivor or survivors of said four, unless such one may have deceased have left an heir or heirs lawfully begot. If my executors should judge it for the best interest of my said children, Sallie, Charles, Edwin and Edward Williett to sell that part of my real estate lying out of the state of Connecticut, then authority is hereby granted and vested in them of in the survivor or survivors of them to sell the same and give good sufficient deeds thereof.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Martha Williams, executrix. My brother, Josiah Williams and my friends Ebenezer Sage and Samuel Witmore executors of this, my last will and testament, in witness whereunto I have set my hand and seal this first day of June, A.D. 1812.
Then this instrument was exhibited in court, being proven to be the last will and testament of Benjamin Williams Esq. deceased. The registry of this court and Martha Williams, Josiah Williams, Ebenezer Sage and Samuel Whitmore who appointed executors, personally appeared before me, accepted the trust reposed in them and gave bond according to the law. Testator, John Fisk, Clerk."

Capt Benjamin Williams is buried in Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Connecticut



On Captain Williams’ death in 1812, the family home and property passed to his youngest four children and six years later, the Williams family sold their beloved home for $3,600 to Henry L. deKoven who was active in the China trade, involved in merchant shipping and was the first president of the Middlesex County Bank in 1830. (compiler's note, I think Henry L. deKoven got a heck of a deal on the house!) The Captain Benjamin Williams home would henceforth be known as the deKoven house. In 1900, the deKoven House was passed to Clarence Seymour Wadsworth (1872 – 1941) by his mother, Cornelia deKoven Wadsworth through her sister Margaret deKoven Casey.  Clarence Seymour Wadsworth used the house as a business office after he built the Mansion on his Long Hill Estate. In 1941, he bequeathed the house to the Rockfall Corporation, which he had founded in 1935 and has been dedicated to environmental education, conservation projects and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. Restored in 1942, the house opened as a Community Center for non-profit organizations in Middlesex County.

The deKoven House, just yards from the banks of the Connecticut River, is listed on the national register of historic buildings (added 1978) as the Captain Benjamin Williams House.  Additionally, it is part of the "Middletown Heritage Trail Site 4" іn а walking trail.  There is a photograph of architectural plans and the original materials used when building the home found here on this website Museum Quest.



deKoven House

Thirteen years after his passing, Benjamin's widow, Martha Cornell Williams, passed away June 23, 1825 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut and is also buried in the Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Conn. (Martha's maternal grandparents, Major Jonathan Otis and Catharine Coggeshall Otis are also buried in the Mortimer Cemetery, Middletown, Conn.).


Additional shipping documents from 1796:

Daniels document August 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Israel Driggs documnet, April 29, 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Daniels document August 10, 1796 courtesy

Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Connection to Benjamin Williams:

Benjamin Williams married Martha Cornell who had Edwin Williams

Edwin Williams married Jane Livingston who had Hugh Welch Williams

Hugh Welch Williams married Annis White Gleason who had Charles Eli Williams

Charles Eli Williams married Louisa Christensen who had Charles Fredrick Williams

Charles Fredrick Williams married Illa L. C. Hawks who had Carroll D. Williams

Carroll D. Williams married Lois Keele who had LIVING Williams

LIVING Williams married A. C. Curtis who had.....

compiled and edited, J. L.Curtis-Jones