WILLIAMS 376 WILLIAMSON WILLIAMS, ROGEK. the founder of the State of Rhode Island, and nobly distinguished as the first asserter in modern Christendom of the sanctity and perfect freedom of conscience; born in London, England, in 1607; studied at Oxford, entered the Church and natural- ly joined the Puritan party. To es- cape the persecutions to which the Puri- tans were subject in England, he like so many others fled to America to find what was denied them there — freedom to worship God. He arrived at Boston, New England, in 1631, and holding already in perfect clearness the grand truth of which he was the first modern apostle, soon found himself in collision with the churches already existing there; for they still acted on the very principles of which they had been the victims at home. At length, in 1636, he was ordered to embark for England. To avoid this he left Salem in mid-winter, wandered houseless and half-fed for 14 weeks, then found friends and hospital- ity among the Indians, whose language he had learnt. He preached to them, won their love, and was their friend and peace-maker till his death. He had re- solved on founding a new settlement, and after beginning to build and plant at Seekonk, had to abandon the spot, and selected Rhode Island, on which he landed from an Indian canoe, with five comrades, in June, 1636. He called the place "Providence," and commenced building. In the course of two years he was joined by others, and founded a commonwealth in the form of a pure democracy, and his system has had its influence on the whole political history of the State. He showed no spirit of re- venge toward those who had persecuted him; and when the colonies were threat- ened with a general rising of the Indian tribes, he nobly risked his own life, and undertook the mission to the Narra- gansetts to dissolve the conspiracy, in which he succeeded. To secure the per- manent existence of Rhode Island as a separate State, Williams was chosen to visit England in 1643. to obtain a char- ter. He was received with the greatest favor by the Long Parliament, and took back with him the desired charter. Wil- liams refused the oflice of governor, to which the colony wished to appoint him; labored on for its good, rewarding him- self in doing it; had a warm controversy with George Fox; and died in Providence in 1683. WILLIAMS, TALCOTT, an American journalist and educator, born in 1849, in Abeih, Turkey, son of an American missionary. He was educated at Am- herst College, from which institution, as well as from the University of Pennsyl- vania, Brown University, and several other universities and colleges, he re- ceived honorary degrees. Beginning with 1873, he was on the staff of various newspapers, including the New York "World," the San Francisco "Chronicle," the Springfield (Mass.) "Republican," and the Philadelphia "Press." From 1912 to 1919 he was director of the Pulitzer School of Journalism, Colum- bia University, New York, becoming emeritus professor of journalism in 1919. He was a member of numerous scientific societies, a trustee of Amherst College, and of the Constantinople Col- lege for Girls; and from 1888 to 1914, a member of the board of managers of the Archaeological Museum of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He was also a trustee of the Jeanes Fund and an officer in various philanthropic and other associations, as well as a frequent contributor to literary and philosophical journals. WILLIAMSBURG, a city and county- seat of James City co., Va.; on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad; 48 miles S. E. of Richmond. It was established in 1632, and is the oldest incorporated town in the State. Prior to the Revolu- tionary War it was the capital of the province; and was also the State capital till 1779. Williamsburg is the seat of William and Mary College (q. v.), and the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, which was opened in 1773, and is the oldest institu- tion of its kind in the United States. The city has other historic interests. On May 3, 1862, when the Confederates withdrew from Yorktown (q. v.) they fell back to Williamsburg and erected breastworks about 2 miles E. of the city. The Union forces under General Sumner followed, and on May 5 assaulted the Confederate position. The action lasted from early morning till night. General Hancock won the day by pretending to retreat, and then charging the pursuing enemy, who were completely routed. The total loss of the Union forces was 2,283; that reported by the Confederates, 1,560. Pop. (1920) 2,462. WILLIAMS COLLEGE, an educational non-sectarian institution in Williams- town, Mass.; founded in 1793; reported at the close of 1919: Professors and in- structors, 47; students, 480; president, Henry A. Garfield, LL. D. WILLIAMSON, CHARLES NORRIS, a British journalist and author, born in Exeter, England, in 18.59. He was edu- cated at the University College, London, and, after studying science and engi- neering for some years, he joined the
