Peter Williams

by


Peter Williams was born in April 1721. He was the son of innkeeper Thomas Williams and his second wife, Hilletie Bronck. He grew up in a very large combined family living at his father's establishment on Albany's South side.

In January 1744, he married Sara Van Iveren at the Albany Dutch church. She died after the birth of one child in 1745. In October 1755, he married Elizabeth Fonda. By 1766, five more children had been christened in the church where he was a pewholder, baptism sponsor, and deacon.

Peter Williams was known as a tailor and merchant and was an Albany mainstay for several decades. He lived in the second ward where his property was valued comparable to that of other middling business people. In 1750 and 1763, he served as firemaster.

In 1763, his name appeared on a list of Albany freeholders. In 1766, he joined with other Albany men to sign the constitution of the Albany Sons of Liberty.

In 1760, he was named co-executor of the estate of his former father-in-law. Peter Williams was last heard from in 1768 when he was identified as a deacon at the Dutch church.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Peter Williams is CAP biography number 6319. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 2/15/07