Topic: Benjamin Williams

Benjamin Williams (1 January 1751 – 20 July 1814) was the last Federalist governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 1799 to 1802 and from 1807 to 1808. He was the first of two North Carolina Governors since the American Revolution to serve nonconsecutive terms.

Williams was born in Johnston County, North Carolina in 1751 and became a farmer. He married Elizabeth Jones on 10 August 1781; they had one son, also named Benjamin.

Williams served as a member of the revolutionary convention in Johnston County in 1774; he then served in the North Carolina Provincial Congress and two terms in the Provincial Council. In 1775, Williams was appointed to the Second North Carolina Regiment; he served until 1781, was promoted to the rank of colonel, and fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.