Anthony D. Williams (politician)
Encyclopedia
Anthony David Williams was a Liberian politician who served as the Vice President of Liberia from 1850 to 1854 under President Joseph Jenkins Roberts
. Born free in the United States in 1795, he immigrated as a Methodist preacher from Petersburg, Virginia
to Liberia in 1823. Williams served as the Colonial Agent for the American Colonization Society
from 1837 to 1839. During his tenure, the colony of Mississippi-in-Africa
was established. In the 1849 elections
, Williams ran for vice president against incumbent Nathaniel Brander
. The failure of any candidate to secure a majority of the vote led the race to be thrown to the House of Representatives, which chose Williams as vice president.
His son, Anthony D. Williams, Jr., served as Secretary of War and Navy, and later unsuccessfully ran for president in 1891 as the candidate for the New Republican Party and again in 1899 as the candidate of the National Union Party.
Joseph Jenkins Roberts
Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first and seventh President of Liberia. Born free in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, Roberts emigrated to Liberia in 1829 as a young man. He opened a trading store in Monrovia, and later engaged in politics...
. Born free in the United States in 1795, he immigrated as a Methodist preacher from Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
to Liberia in 1823. Williams served as the Colonial Agent for the American Colonization Society
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society , founded in 1816, was the primary vehicle to support the "return" of free African Americans to what was considered greater freedom in Africa. It helped to found the colony of Liberia in 1821–22 as a place for freedmen...
from 1837 to 1839. During his tenure, the colony of Mississippi-in-Africa
Mississippi-in-Africa
In the history of Liberia, Mississippi-in-Africa was a colony settled by freed African-American slaves in present-day Sinoe County, Liberia. It existed from 1835 until 1842, when it was incorporated into the Commonwealth of Liberia. It is also the title of a nonfiction book about the recolonization...
was established. In the 1849 elections
Liberian general election, 1849
Presidential elections were held in Liberia in 1849. The result was a victory for incumbent President Joseph Jenkins Roberts....
, Williams ran for vice president against incumbent Nathaniel Brander
Nathaniel Brander
Nathaniel Brander was a Liberian politician and jurist who served as the first Vice President of Liberia , under President Joseph Jenkins Roberts.-Early life:...
. The failure of any candidate to secure a majority of the vote led the race to be thrown to the House of Representatives, which chose Williams as vice president.
His son, Anthony D. Williams, Jr., served as Secretary of War and Navy, and later unsuccessfully ran for president in 1891 as the candidate for the New Republican Party and again in 1899 as the candidate of the National Union Party.