Coming to Baltimore

The William’s arrival in Baltimore was led by their uncle Cumberland Dugan around 1769.

In Boulden’s 1875 “The Presbyterians of Baltimore” he writes that Dugan “brought to Baltimore Henry Payson and Joseph Williams” but the year wasn’t specified.  It had to be years after Dugan's arrival because Henry Payson (likely a relative of Captain Williams' 2nd wife) would have been 7 years old (born in 1762) and Joseph Williams (if referring to the eldest of the Williams brothers) would have been 5 being born in 1764.   We can't confirm at this time when Payson and Williams arrived in Baltimore, but it was likely in the 1780s. 

By 1776 Cumberland established a successful merchant shipping business (Archives of Maryland) at Dugan’s Wharf which is now where the National Aquarium is located.  In fact, he has also been credited with building the first row houses in Baltimore (Cumberland Row).

Benjamin Williams, Joseph's next youngest brother, was settled in Baltimore by 1784 when nearing 17 years of age.  He wrote to his sister Susanna often and mentioned his appreciation of her ensuring their younger brothers received schooling and an education, and hoped his future step-mother (Mercy Davis) would help relieve some of the stress of his sister who was just 18. 

Records are not yet found regarding Joseph's life in Baltimore, but it seems he began purchasing land in 1792 and 1793 shortly before his death due to illness.  Joseph passed away at only 29 in August 1793 at his father's home in Roxbury, Massachusetts. In  February 1794, Benjamin Williams and his sister Susanna along with their 7 younger siblings bought parts of 4 original lots in Baltimore and made that new town their home.   

In 1798, their grandfather Colonel Joseph Williams passed away at 90.

By 1803, the brothers were quickly established as shipping merchants following in their uncle Cumberland’s footsteps, except for Nathaniel who became an attorney at law.  Benjamin and George were in business together at Bowley’s Wharf at the end of South Street, and Samuel and Amos each had their own businesses also at Bowley’s Wharf.   Cumberland was also listed as a merchant in 1807.

In 1812 Benjamin died at 44 years of age leaving George to run their business.  Benjamin had other business interests including being a Director of Union Bank, Maryland Insurance Company No. 15 (along with brother Samuel), and of Union Manufacturing Maryland’s first cotton mill.  Amos had already been involved as a Director of Union Insurance Company in 1804 and continued that role as a Director of Farmers and Merchants’ Bank No. 252 and Union Insurance Company No 30 in 1812.  This same year is when the Williams brother’s shipping became privateer as Congress declared War on Great Britain in June of 1812.

As the war came to Baltimore in September 1814, the Williams brothers and their cousin defended the town in the Battle of North Point, just two days before the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Amos, Cumberland, George, Nathaniel and their cousin Nathaniel Felton Williams were Privates under the command of either Captain Sterett leading the 5th regiment of the Maryland Militia, or Captain Nicholson Artillery Company of Maryland Volunteers.  In the Battle, Amos was injured (information on injury not available) but his brother Nathaniel was more seriously wounded with a bullet in his upper thigh. After the War, they each applied for, and were granted pensions.