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Williams, Samuel May (1795-1858)
Williams, Samuel May
Life Sketch
1858
Samuel M. Williams, the subject of this sketch, filled a considerable place in Texas history in an early day, but his name is hardly known to this generation. His case is an apt illustration how much more enduring military glory is than civic honors. Had he exerted himself on the battlefield as he did in the world of business, it is not likely that he would not be almost forgotten.
Samuel M. Williams, son of Howell and Dorothea Williams, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, October 4, 1795, a descendant from New England ancestry of Welsh extraction. He received the rudiments of a common-school education in his native place, and at the age of thirteen went to live with an uncle in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was put to business as a member of the clerical force in his uncle's store. There he enjoyed excellent opportunities to become acquainted with the world of business, of which he was not slow to avail himself. From Baltimore he went to New Orleans, while still a youth, and there resided until 1821, when he was attracted to Texas, coming out with Stephen F. Austin and locating at old San Felipe, then the head of Austin's colony. He at once became secretary of the colony and Colonel Austin's confidential clerk, and as such had charge of all the books, maps and papers belonging to the colony. This was a position which Mr. Williams was well qualified to fill, and one that he did fill with entire satisfaction both to Colonel Austin and the settlers. The following extract from John Henry Brown's history is in point: "It must be borne in mind that while nearly fourteen years had been added to the scroll of time since Mr. Austin began colonization in Texas, he had in fact been only about ten years in the country, the remainder of the time being consumed in his two prolonged trips to Mexico. Hence it is the more remarkable that the affairs of his colony were managed with such great skill, and that he enjoyed in such an unusual degree the confidence and esteem of his colonists. That he was ably assisted and sustained by his secretary, and in one grant his partner, Samuel M. Williams, we have his own assurances and the testimony of their contemporaries. " Interesting himself in all the affairs of the colonists Mr. Williams was led to take a pronounced stand against Mexico in the troubles preceding the revolution, and as a result he was one of the patriots for whom special demand was made by the Mexican authorities in their efforts to quell the disturbances. He was not in the field during the time of the invasion of the country by Santa Anna, being absent in the East soliciting aid for the settlers. Mr. Williams had already severed his connection with Austin's colony as secretary when the war came on, and having formed a partnership with Thomas F. McKinney, was engaged in mercantile business at the old town of Quintana, at the mouth of the Brazos, when the crisis was reached in the early spring of 1836. When the city of Galveston was projected by Michel B. Menard, Mr. Williams became interested in the enterprise, taking stock in the company, and accepting a place on its first board of directors. The firm of McKinney & Williams was one of the first to open a mercantile establishment in the new town; they built the first wharf; put up the first warehouse, and owned the first boat, the Lafitte, engaged in local trade. Subsequently obtaining from the Congress of Texas a charter for the Commercial and Agricultural Bank, Mr. Williams turned his attention to banking, and for a number of years conducted the only bank in the city of Galveston. He received a great many land grants, but as land was cheap in these days he never realized much from this source. Indeed, though he led an active career for more than forty years, and possessed varied interests, he did not succeed in accumulating a large estate. He lived at a time of low values. March 18, 1828, Mr. Williams married Sarah Patterson Scott, a daughter of William and Mary Scott, who migrated from Kentucky to Texas in 1824. The issue of this marriage was four children, who became grown: Austin May Williams, who died in Caldwell, Burleson county, Texas, in 1869; William Howell Williams, for many years a resident of the city of Galveston, now living in Newark, New Jersey; Mary D. Williams, now widow of Thomas J. League, residing in Galveston; and Caroline Williams, who was married to Dr. Marcus Campbell, and died on Clear creek, in Galveston county, in 1876. Samuel M. Williams died September 13, 1858, followed a little less than two years later by his wife, who passed from earth August 31, 1860. Both are buried in the Episcopal cemetery at Galveston. Samuel M. Williams was a man of excellent business ability, superior mental attainments and charming graces of manner and person. He spoke three languages fluently, English, French and Spanish, and was a most entertaining conversationalist. He was scrupulously neat in his dress, and distinguished for his great dignity of character, being a man whom a child might approach, but at the same time one with whom the most exalted would not dare take any liberties. He was a prominent Mason, a pioneer member of the order in Texas, making the principles and practices of the craft his religion. ~ Samuel M. Williams was from Baltimore, Maryland; came to Texas as early as 1823. Was for several years secretary of Austin's Colony. He served in the congress of the republic, from Galveston, was for years president of the Agricultural Bank at Galveston. He died in September, 1858. Mr. Williams was always an active business man. He was for years in partnership with Thomas F. McKinney, and furnished material aid to Texas during her early struggle. [A Texas Scrapbook Made Up Of The History, Biography, and Miscellany of Texas And Its People, compiled by D. W. C. Baker, 1875. |
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Williams
Samuel May
12105
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