Alexander John Williams (1790 - 1814)

Born 10 Oct 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Died 15 Aug 1814 at age 23 in Fort Erie, Bas-Canada

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Biography

Captain John Williams served in the United States Artillery in the War of 1812
Service started: January 9, 1806
Unit(s): 2nd Regiment
Service ended: August 15,1814

Captain John Williams was Killed in Action Fort Erie, Delaware during War of 1812.

"Captain Alexander John Williams was the oldest son of Colonel Jonathan Williams, the first Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. He was born Oct. 10, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pa.

He entered the Military Academy, as a Cadet, July 9, 1806, and was graduated from that institution, and promoted, Mar. 1, 1811, to be a Second Lieutenant of Engineers. He continued on duty at West Point till 1812, when he was ordered to superintend the construction of Ft. Mifflin, Pa., and while there was promoted, July 1, 1812, to a First Lieutenancy.

Believing that he would see more active service and be more rapidly advanced in the Artillery, during the war now declared against Great Britain, he asked for a transfer to that corps, in which he was commissioned a Captain, Mar. 17, 1813. His residence of over a year on the lowlands of the Delaware River, at this time, had brought on a dangerous fever, yet, so anxious was he to share the honors and perils of the campaign of 1814, that, before he was convalescent, he applied to be ordered to the Niagara army, which he joined in time to take part in the defense of Ft. Erie.

Here his abilities were so conspicuous that he was selected for the important command of the old work before the assault was made upon it. Thrice, on the morning of Aug. 15, 1814, had he repulsed the enemy, and, when a fourth desperate assault was being made upon the bastion of the fort, he perceived a lighted port fire in front of the enemy, enabling them to direct their fire with great precision. Instantly he sprang forward, cut it off with his sword, and in the act fell mortally wounded, - thus nobly sacrificing himself to save his men. So perished this gallant and accomplished officer, not twenty-four years old, sincerely lamented by his friends for his private worth, and deeply regretted by the whole army, with which he was a favorite.

Though ambitious of distinction, he was perfectly unassuming; with laudable spirit, he was indefatigable in the discharge of every duty; and, by his intelligence, zeal, and exemplary deportment, won the esteem and applause, not only of his subordinates, but of every superior in command."^[1]

U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970

Name: Alexander John Williams Gender: Male Baptism Age: 0 Event Type: Baptism Birth Date: 10 Oct 1790 Baptism Date: 31 Jan 1791 Baptism Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Church: Second Presbyterian Church Father: Jonn. Williams Mother: Mananine Williams^[2]

U.S., Returns of Killed and Wounded in Battles, 1790-1844

Name: A J Wiliams Death Date: 15 Aug 1814 Death Place: Fort Erie, Canada[Bas-Canada] Rank: Captain Killed or Wounded: Killed

" Alexander J. Williams Captain, 2d Artillery, killed while being engaged in the Defense of Fort Erie, Upper Canada, where, in a hand-to-hand encounter, while repulsing the enemy’s fourth desperate assault (Forlorn Hope – 2) upon the bastion of the work. (Born Pa. Ap’d Pa.)

Alexander John Williams: Born Oct. 10, 1790, Philadelphia, PA.

Cadet of the Military Academy, May 15, 1805, to Mar. 1, 1811, when he was graduated First in his Class, and promoted in the Army to Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, Mar. 1, 1811.

Served: at West Point, N. Y., 1811 – 12; and in the War of 1812 – 15 (First Lieut., Corps of Engineers, July 1, 1812) & (Captain, 2d Artillery, Mar. 17, 1813)

with Great Britain, in command of “Fort Mifflin”, Pa., 1812 – 14, – and in the Campaign of 1814 on the Niagara Frontier (Command of 3 18-pounder guns at Lundy’s Lane), being engaged in the Defense of “Fort Erie”, U. C., where, in a hand-to-hand encounter, while repulsing the enemy’s fourth desperate assault upon the bastion of the work, he was Killed, Aug. 15, 1814: Aged 24.

Buried, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.^[3][4]

U.S., Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930

Name: Alexander J Williams Birth Year: abt 1790 Father: Jonathan Williams Event: Death Death Date: 15 Aug 1814 Death Place: Fort Erie Age at Death: 24^[5]

Sources

• The siege of Fort Erie, also known as the Battle of Erie, from 4 August to 21 September 1814, was one of the last engagements of the War of 1812, between British and American forces. It took place during the Niagara campaign, and the Americans successfully defended Fort Erie against a British army. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_Erie#:~:text=The%20siege%20of%20Fort%20Erie,Erie%20against%20a%20British%20army.
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28248136
• Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point N.Y., Volume 1, pg 93

1. ↑ [(* https://www.usace.army.mil/About/History/Brief-History-of-the-Corps/Beginnings/#:~:text=The%20Corps'%20fortifications%20assignments%20proliferated,fortifications%20protecting%20New%20York%20Harbor.)]
2. ↑ [(Source Citation Presbyterian Historical Society; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; U.s., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1907; Book Title: Register of Baptisms and Marriages Etc 1744-1833; Accession Number: V Mi46 P533r V.2)]
3. ↑ [(https://forwhattheygave.com/2012/06/30/alexander-j-williams/)]
4. ↑ [(Original data: Returns of Killed and Wounded in Battles or Engagements with Indians, British, and Mexican Troops, compiled 1850–1851, documenting the period 1790–1848. Microfilm publication M1832, 1 roll. NAID: 1184633. Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780s–1917, Record Group 94. The National Archives in Washington, D.C.)]
5. ↑ [(Newspaper: Columbian Centinel Publication Date: 1 Oct 1814 Publication Place: Massachusetts, USA Call Number: 485704)]

See Also

• Family Tree: Alexander John Williams; Deceased in 1814 - Fort Erie..Pa; Parents: Jonathan Williams 1750-1815; Marianne Alexander 1764-1845;: Siblings M Josiah Williams 1776-; F Christiana Williams ;M Henry Jonathan Williams; M Alexander John Williams †1814 https://gw.geneanet.org/ohperryl?n=williams&oc=&p=alexander+john