 The
versatile Williamson was born of Scotch-Irish descent at West
Nottingham, PA., in 1735. He was the eldest son in a large family,
whose head was a clothier. Hoping he would become a Presbyterian
minister, his parents oriented his education toward that calling.
After attending preparatory schools at New London Cross Roads, DE,
and Newark, DE, he entered the first class of the College of
Philadelphia (later part of the University of Pennsylvania) and took
his degree in 1757.The next 2 years,
at Shippensburg, PA, Williamson spent settling his father's estate.
Then training in Connecticut for the ministry, he soon became a
licensed Presbyterian preacher but was never ordained. Around this
time, he also took a position as professor of mathematics at his
alma mater.
In 1764 Williamson abandoned these pursuits and
studied medicine at Edinburgh, London, and Utrecht, eventually
obtaining a degree from the University of Utrecht. Returning to
Philadelphia, he began to practice but found it to be emotionally
exhausting. His pursuit of scientific interests continued, and in
1768 he became a member of the American Philosophical Society. The
next year, he served on a commission that observed the transits of
Venus and Mercury. In 1771 he wrote An Essay on Comets, in which he
advanced several original ideas. As a result, the University of
Leyden awarded him an LL.D. degree.
In 1773, to raise money for an academy in
Newark, DE., Williamson made a trip to the West Indies and then to
Europe. Sailing from Boston, he saw the Tea Party and carried news
of it to London. When the British Privy Council called on him to
testify as to what he had seen, he warned the councilors that the
colonies would rebel if the British did not change their policies.
While in England, he struck up a close friendship with
fellow-scientist Benjamin Franklin, and they cooperated in
electrical experiments. Moreover, Williamson furnished to Franklin
the letters of Massachusetts Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson to his
lieutenant governor that created a sensation and tended to further
alienate the mother country and colonies.
In 1775 a pamphlet Williamson had written while
in England, called The Plea of the Colonies, was published. It
solicited the support of the English Whigs for the American cause.
When the United States proclaimed their independence the next year,
Williamson was in the Netherlands. He soon sailed back to the United
States, settling first in Charleston, SC, and then in Edenton, NC.
There, he prospered in a mercantile business that traded with the
French West Indies and once again took up the practice of medicine.
Williamson applied for a medical post with the
patriot forces, but found all such positions filled. The governor of
North Carolina, however, soon called on his specialized skills, and
he became surgeon-general of state troops. After the Battle of
Camden, SC, he frequently crossed British lines to tend to the
wounded. He also prevented sickness among the troops by paying close
attention to food, clothing, shelter, and hygiene.
After the war, Williamson began his political
career. In 1782 he was elected to the lower house of the state
legislature and to the Continental Congress. Three years later, he
left Congress and returned to his legislative seat. In 1786 he was
chosen to represent his state at the Annapolis Convention but
arrived too late to take part. The next year, he again served in
Congress (1787-89) and was chosen as a delegate to the
Constitutional Convention. Attending faithfully and demonstrating
keen debating skill, he served on five committees, notably on the
Committee on Postponed Matters, and played a significant part in the
proceedings, particularly the major compromise on representation.
After the convention, Williamson worked for
ratification of the Constitution in North Carolina. In 1788 he was
chosen to settle outstanding accounts between the state and the
federal government. The next year, he was elected to the first U.S.
House of Representatives, where he served two terms. In 1789 he
married Maria Apthorpe, who bore at least two sons.
In 1793 Williamson moved to New York City to
facilitate his literary and philanthropic pursuits. Over the years,
he published many political, educational, economic, historical, and
scientific works, but the last earned him the most praise. The
University of Leyden awarded him an honorary degree. In addition, he
was an original trustee of the University of North Carolina and
later held trusteeships at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
and the University of the State of New York. He was also a founder
of the Literary and Philosophical Society of New York and a
prominent member of the New-York Historical Society.
In 1819, at the age of 83, Williamson died in
New York City and was buried at Trinity Church. |
