Reuel Williams

Reuel Williams (June 2, 1783 – July 25, 1862) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term as a U.S. Senator from Maine from 1837 to 1843.

Early life and career Born in Hallowell, Massachusetts to Seth Williams and Zilpha Ingraham, he attended Hallowell Academy, and went on to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1804, commencing practice in Augusta, Maine.

Political career He was a member of the Maine Legislature, in the two houses of the legislature, from 1812 to 1829 and again in 1832 and 1848. He was commissioner of public buildings in 1831. He served as a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1836.

In 1837, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Ether Shepley and served from March 4, 1837, to February 15, 1843, when he resigned.

While in the Senate he served as chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Naval Affairs.

Private life Mrs. Reuel Williams (Sarah Lowell Cony), portrait by Thomas Badger He was also the manager of the Kennebec and Portland Railroad for 12 years. He died in Augusta, aged 79, and was interred in his family's cemetery on the banks of the Kennebec River in Augusta.

In 1807, he married Sarah Lowell Cony, daughter of Judge Daniel Cony of Maine. Their son, Joseph H. Williams, also a politician, was elected Governor of Maine. Their daughter, Jane E. Williams, married Unitarian minister and author Sylvester Judd on August 31, 1841; they had three children. Another daughter, Helen A. Williams, married John Taylor Gilman originally of Exeter, New Hampshire. After his death, she was remarried to Charles H. Bell of Exeter, New Hampshire.

He died in Augusta, aged 79, and was interred in his family's cemetery on the banks of the Kennebec River in Augusta.