William Williams House | |
 William Williams House in 1968 | |
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| Location | Lebanon, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°38′9.8″N72°12′46″W / 41.636056°N 72.21278°W /41.636056; -72.21278 |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | by 1748 (1748) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Lebanon Green Historic District (ID79002666) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71001012 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971[1] |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971[2] |
| Designated CP | June 4, 1979 |
TheWilliam Williams House is a historic house inLebanon, Connecticut at the junction of Connecticut Routes87 and207, aNational Historic Landmark. It is significant as the residence ofFounding FatherWilliam Williams (1731–1811), who was a delegate fromConnecticut Colony to theContinental Congress and a signer of theDeclaration of Independence.[3] Williams lived here from 1755 until his death, and it is a well-preserved and little-altered colonial-era house.
The Williams house is a2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure, five bays wide and two deep, with a side-gable roof, twin interior chimneys, and clapboard siding. Its main entrance is centered on the front façade with a Greek Revival surround, with sidelight windows and pilasters flanking the door, topped by a cornice with a carved elliptical arch. A single-story ell extends to the rear of the house. The interior follows a center hall plan and retains original features, including fireplace mantels (although most of the fireplaces have been closed up), and wide pine flooring.[3]
The house's construction date and original owner are not known. It was purchased in 1748 by Reverend Solomon Williams, who gave it to his son William in 1755. William was born in 1731 and was trained atHarvard College, and he saw provincial militia duty in theFrench and Indian War in 1755. He settled in Lebanon that year, and embarked on a career as a merchant, jurist, and politician. He served in the provincial assembly 1757-1776 and the state legislature 1781–1784. He was a steadfast supporter of independence during theAmerican Revolution, working closely with his father-in-law, Lebanon native andGovernor of ConnecticutJonathan Trumbull. Williams personally funded Connecticut militia thatcaptured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. He was elected to theSecond Continental Congress, where he signed theUnited States Declaration of Independence and theArticles of Confederation. He was a delegate to the 1788 state convention that ratified theUnited States Constitution.[3]
Williams' house was also directly involved in the war effort during the revolution. In the winter of 1780–81, the French cavalry forces ofLauzun's Legion were stationed in Lebanon. Williams' house was allotted to Lauzun's second-in-command Robert Dillon during this time.[4]
The house was declared aNational Historic Landmark and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1971.[2][1]
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