Robert Williams (American politician)
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Robert Williams (12 July 1773 - 25 January 1836) was a Democratic-Republican U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1797 and 1803 and the Governor of the Mississippi Territory from 1805 to 1809
Born in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1773, Williams moved with his parents to Surry County, North Carolina (present-day Forsyth County). There, he received a liberal education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. Williams practiced law in present-day Rockingham County, North Carolina, and served in the North Carolina State Senate from 1792 to 1803.
In 1796, Williams was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 5th United States Congress and re-elected to the 6th and 7th Congresses, serving from March 4, 1797 to March 3, 1803. In 1803, Williams was appointed by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson to commission to ascertain the rights of persons claiming lands west of the Pearl River in Mississippi Territory and served in this capacity until 1807.
Williams was appointed the Governor of the Mississippi Territory (see Governor of Mississippi) and served in that post from May 10, 1805 to March 3, 1809. Afterwards, he lived in Mississippi and North Carolina, where he practiced law and engaged in planting. He served as adjutant general of North Carolina and finally moved to Ouachita, Louisiana, where he died in 1836. He is buried on his plantation near Monroe, Louisiana.
Williams' brother Lewis Williams was also a congressman from North Carolina. Another brother was U.S. Sen. John Williams.
| Preceded by James Holland |
U.S. Representative (District 3) from North Carolina 1797–1803 |
Succeeded by William Kennedy |
| Preceded by William C. C. Claiborne |
Governor of Mississippi Territory 1805–1809 |
Succeeded by David Holmes |
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
