John Williams (Tennessee politician)

John Williams
United States Senator from Tennessee
In office October 10, 1815 – March 3, 1823
Preceded by	Jesse Wharton
Succeeded by	Andrew Jackson
Personal details
Born	(1778-01-29)January 29, 1778 Surry County, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	August 10, 1837(1837-08-10) (aged 59) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Resting place	First Presbyterian Church Cemetery Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Melinda White[1]
Relations	Lewis Williams (brother)[2] Robert Williams (brother)[2] James White (father-in-law)[1] Hugh Lawson White (brother-in-law)
Children	Joseph, John, Mary, Cynthia, Susan[3]: 45–6
Residence	Colonel John Williams House
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Branch/service	U.S. Army
Years of service	1799–1800, 1813–1815[3]: 18, 28
Rank	Colonel[3]: 18, 28
Battles/wars	Battle of Horseshoe Bend[4]

John Williams (January 29, 1778 – August 10, 1837) was an American lawyer, soldier, and statesman, operating primarily out of Knoxville, Tennessee, in the first part of the 19th century. He represented Tennessee in the United States Senate from 1815 to 1823, when he lost reelection to Andrew Jackson.^[3]: 36 Williams also served as colonel of the 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment during the Creek Wars, and played a key role in Jackson's victory at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.^[3]: 23

Williams later distanced himself from Jackson, and aligned himself with John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay.^[1] Adams appointed him chargé d'affaires to the Federal Republic of Central America in 1825.^[1]