People of the Revolutionary War | The Founding Fathers - An Overview | Hugh Williamson
Hugh Williamson (1735-1819) - North Carolina
Image: Courtesy of National Archives, Records of Exposition, Anniversary,
and Memorial Commissions
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.
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