This is a biography of William Williams, a merchant, a delegate for Connecticut to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. As the son of a minister, Williams studied theology and law at Harvard, and throughout his life religion was a great influence on his political presence.

As one phase of the Bicentennial observation, The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut has authorized scholars in a wide range of study to write a series of monographs on the broadly defined Revolutionary Era of 1763 to 1787. These monographs [appeared] yearly beginning in 1973 through 1980. Emphasis is placed upon the birth of the nation, rather than on the winning of independence on the field of battle.