Age 7 in US Census, Stonington, New London, CT, FHL Film 1254103

Benjamin attended district schools until he was fifteeen years old. He was then sent to a boarding school in East Greenwich, RI where he studied three years, when he entered Phillips Academy at Andover, MA. At the beginning of the Civil War, he returned to Ledyard where he was one of the first volunteers, but was rejected because of physical disability. He then turned his attention to farming, which was his chief occupation for many years. Later, he turned his attention to the administering of estates, and to the guardianship of the unfortunate and of minors. His excellent reputation for integrity made him a favorite for such work, while his natural business ability insured the carefull management of the properties left in his charge.

According to a Genealogy of Williams Families, Benjamin lived in Mystic and had 8 children.

The 1880 US Census, Stonington, New London, Connecticut, National Archives Film T9-0108, page 496C, shows:

Benjamin F. Williams, age 38, born in Connecticut, both parents born in Connecticut, Farmer
Louisa Williams, wife, age 38, born in Connecticut, both parents born in Connecticut
Nathanel Williams, son, age 15
Frank L. Williams, son, age 13
Annie L. Williams, Daughter, age 12
Clarence H. Williams, son, age 7
Hattie F. Rogers, Servant, age 22
Herman Hancock, Laborer, age 23

1. Nathan WILLIAMS b. ABT. 1865; d. 1892.
2. Everett WILLIAMS d. INFANT.
3. Joseph WILLIAMS d. INFANT.
4. George WILLIAMS b. 1869; d. 1876.
5. Eliza Denison WILLIAMS b. 1875; d. 1880.
6. Frank Lincoln WILLIAMS b. ABT. 1867.
7. Annie Louise WILLIAMS b. ABT. 1868.
8. 1. Clarence Henry WILLIAMS b. ABT. 1873.
9. Everett WILLIAMS d. INFANT.
10. Joseph WILLIAMS d. INFANT.

Records of the 1st Congregational Church, Ledyard, Connecticut, (found in the Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT), show that Seth was baptized as an adult on July 10, 1831, and was admitted to the church on the same day. The record also shows that he died in July, 1854. His marriage to Lucy Ann Noyes of Stonington, on February 28, 1827, by the Rev. Timothy Tuttle, is also in the record. Rev. Tuttle also performed the marriage of his father to his second wife in 1825 (the widow Anna GallupP.

The 1840 Census shows Seth, 2 males under 5; 2 males 5-10; 1 male 30-40; 1 male 40-50; 3 females 8-10; 1 female 30-40. In 1840, William Henry would have been an infant and Joseph W. would have been the second male under 5; the 1 male 5-10 would have been Seth N. age 9; 1 male 30-40 would have been Seth himself. The male 40-50 is unknown and does not appear in the later census. The 3 females 8-10 would have been Harriet (age 7), Eunice Zerviah (age 11 and married by the 1850 census); and Lucy Ann, age 12. The female age 30-40 would be his wife Lucy Ann.

The 1850 Census, State of Connecticut, New London County, Town of Ledyard, Roll #48, page 65, shows that Seth was a farmer, born in Connecticut, with real estate valued at $5,000. It also shows wife Lucy Ann, age 44, and children Seth N., age 19; Harriet N., age 17; Joseph W., age 12; William H. age 10; Benjamin F., age 8; Abby E., age 6; and Orrin M., age 4 - all born in Connecticut. A copy of the Census is in the Williams family file.

The 1860 Census shows Lucy A. Williams, age 54; William Henry, age 20; Benjamin F., age 18; Abby E., age 17; and Orrin, age 14. By this time, son Joseph would have been 22 and was gone. Joseph is next found in the Chicago, Illinois 1860-61 City Directory.

1. Lucy Ann WILLIAMS b. 31 Jan 1828, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 1900.
2. Eunice Zerviah WILLIAMS b. 19 Mar 1829, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
3. Seth Noyes WILLIAMS b. 23 Apr 1831, Ledyard, Connecticut; d. 7 Apr 1889, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
4. Harriet Newell WILLIAMS b. 22 Nov 1832, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
5. Gurdon WILLIAMS b. 6 Nov 1834, Mystic, New London, Connecticut; d. Redlands, Ca.
6. Joseph Warren WILLIAMS b. 27 Aug 1837, Ledyard, Connecticut; d. 16 Mar 1917, Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
7. William Henry WILLIAMS b. 22 Oct 1839, Ledyard, Connecticut; d. 11 Mar 1901, New York.
8. 2. Benjamin Franklin WILLIAMS b. 7 Sep 1841, Ledyard, Connecticut; d. 1 Sep 1916.
9. Abbie Eliza WILLIAMS b. 7 Jul 1843, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 1922.
10. Orrin Merwin WILLIAMS b. 17 Nov 1845, Ledyard, New London, Connecticut; d. 26 Mar 1876, Winona, Minnesota.

1. Bethiah WILLIAMS b. 11 Nov 1787, Ledyard, Connecticut; d. 29 May 1817, Ledyard, New London, Connecticut.
2. Eunice WILLIAMS b. 20 Dec 1797, near Ledyard Center, New London, Connecticut.
3. 4. Seth WILLIAMS b. 25 Jan 1802, Ledyard, New London, Connecticut; d. 20 Jun 1854, Ledyard, New London, Connecticut.
4. Aseneth WILLIAMS b. 25 Jan 1802; d. 8 Aug 1826.

1. William Avery NOYES b. 30 Apr 1791, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
2. Joseph NOYES b. 25 Feb 1793, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
3. Thomas NOYES b. 5 Apr 1795, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
4. Paul Wheeler NOYES b. 5 Mar 1797, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 2 Feb 1879, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut.
5. Cyrus NOYES b. 15 Apr 1799, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
6. George Swan NOYES b. 30 Sep 1801, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 26 Feb 1866.
7. Nathan Chesebro NOYES b. 7 Jan 1804, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
8. 5. Lucy Ann NOYES b. 21 Nov 1805, Stonington, New London, Connecticut; d. 7 Jun 1890, Mystic, Connecticut.
9. William NOYES b. 30 Aug 1791, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
10. Joseph NOYES b. 25 Feb 1793, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
11. Thomas NOYES b. 5 Apr 1795, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
12. Paul W. NOYES b. 5 Mar 1797, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
13. Cyrus NOYES b. 11 Apr 1799, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
14. George Wheeler NOYES b. 30 Sep 1801, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.
15. Nathan S. NOYES b. 7 Jan 1804, Stonington, New London, Connecticut.