Charles Williamson (1757-1808)
Capt. Charles Williamson, British Agent & Land Speculator, of New York
He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was commissioned into the 25th Foot (Edinburgh Regiment). In 1779, he sailed to America to join his regiment who were engaged in the American War of Independence but his ship was captured by a French privateer and he was held as a Prisoner of War in Boston. Placed on parole, he was given lodgings in the house of Mr. Ebenezer Newell. When Williamson was finally set free in an exchange of prisoners, he absconded with Newell's daughter, Abigail, to whom he was married in 1781 by a Justice of the Peace in New London, Connecticut.
Retiring on half-pay, they lived quietly on a farm in Scotland for nine years, but he became restless and using his connections the British government sent him on an information gathering mission through Marseilles, the Balkans, Russia and Turkey. On his return his father introduced him to Sir William Pulteney who had just established Putleney Associates to invest in land in the United States, notably 2-million acres in western New York owned by Robert Morris. As foreigners weren't allowed to buy land, Williamson was sent over to acquire U.S. Citizenship and act as their agent.
Williams set sail for New York with his young family in 1791. The Pulteney Purchase, or Genesee Tract as it was known, was comprised of what are now Steuben and Ontario counties. Helped by a couple of aides, Williamson focused on creating the infrastructure needed to settle the land and established the settlements of Bath, Williamsburg, etc. He became active in local politics and served as a judge and member of the N.Y. State Assembly. He was relieved of his duties in 1800 when he was paid a settlement and given significant real estate in compensation before returning to England in 1800.
The British had become concerned about Spain's land acquisitions in the Americas and Williamson pledged his support towards a plan to recruit recent British immigrants to attack Spanish possessions in Florida, Mexico and South America if needed. Back in America to facilitate the plan, he became reacquainted with Aaron Burr who was still reeling from the fallout since he shot and killed Alexander Hamilton. Scholars have suggested that Williamson then became involved in the “Burr Conspiracy” to create an independent nation within the States or Mexico that would help the British take back Louisiana and parts of South America with Williamson's volunteers. Although Williamson did communicate with Lord Melville, etc. the British did not respond to Burr’s proposal.
In 1808, Williamson delivered confidential dispatches to the Governor of Jamaica, directing him to cooperate with Cuba in defending against a French takeover. He then proceeded to Havana, Cuba, but with the outbreak of the Peninsula War he was ordered to return to England. Before leaving, he contracted yellow fever and died. He had long since become estranged from his wife and children and his brother, Lord Balgray, settled his estate. He and Abigail had six children but only two lived to adulthood (listed above) including Charles Alexander Williamson who in 1837 inherited Lawers House in Perthshire.
Retiring on half-pay, they lived quietly on a farm in Scotland for nine years, but he became restless and using his connections the British government sent him on an information gathering mission through Marseilles, the Balkans, Russia and Turkey. On his return his father introduced him to Sir William Pulteney who had just established Putleney Associates to invest in land in the United States, notably 2-million acres in western New York owned by Robert Morris. As foreigners weren't allowed to buy land, Williamson was sent over to acquire U.S. Citizenship and act as their agent.
Williams set sail for New York with his young family in 1791. The Pulteney Purchase, or Genesee Tract as it was known, was comprised of what are now Steuben and Ontario counties. Helped by a couple of aides, Williamson focused on creating the infrastructure needed to settle the land and established the settlements of Bath, Williamsburg, etc. He became active in local politics and served as a judge and member of the N.Y. State Assembly. He was relieved of his duties in 1800 when he was paid a settlement and given significant real estate in compensation before returning to England in 1800.
The British had become concerned about Spain's land acquisitions in the Americas and Williamson pledged his support towards a plan to recruit recent British immigrants to attack Spanish possessions in Florida, Mexico and South America if needed. Back in America to facilitate the plan, he became reacquainted with Aaron Burr who was still reeling from the fallout since he shot and killed Alexander Hamilton. Scholars have suggested that Williamson then became involved in the “Burr Conspiracy” to create an independent nation within the States or Mexico that would help the British take back Louisiana and parts of South America with Williamson's volunteers. Although Williamson did communicate with Lord Melville, etc. the British did not respond to Burr’s proposal.
In 1808, Williamson delivered confidential dispatches to the Governor of Jamaica, directing him to cooperate with Cuba in defending against a French takeover. He then proceeded to Havana, Cuba, but with the outbreak of the Peninsula War he was ordered to return to England. Before leaving, he contracted yellow fever and died. He had long since become estranged from his wife and children and his brother, Lord Balgray, settled his estate. He and Abigail had six children but only two lived to adulthood (listed above) including Charles Alexander Williamson who in 1837 inherited Lawers House in Perthshire.
