Williams, Solomon (1700-1776)

Connecticut clergyman.

Minister of the First Congregational Church at Lebanon, Connecticut (1722-76). Moderate New Light who avoided dogmatic controversy. Excellent scholar of Greek and Hebrew, which he could translate at sight; published numerous sermons. Founded the Lebanon town library and grammar school. Trustee of Yale College (1749-76); elected professor of divinity (1752) but declined the appointment. D.D (Yale, 1773).

Son of Rev. William and Christian (Stoddard) Williams of Hatfield, Massachusetts. Educated at Harvard (A.B. 1719). Married Mary Porter; several children, including William Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.