Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Willard (q. v.), was born September 3,
1868. Miss Willard received the benefits
of a broad education, and from an early
age has taken a keen interest in matters
of public affairs, particularly the woman
suffrage movement. For fourteen years
she was the leading teacher of dancing in
Stamford and Greenwich.
In 1899, Miss Willard rented "The
Maples," the former beautiful residence of
Commodore E. C. Benedict, on the Post
Road, and engaged in the hotel business.
The venture was started in a small way,
but was a success from the beginning. In
1906 the business was incorporated, with
Miss Willard as president, and at the
same time the hotel was purchased. It
is among the most attractive of the small
hotels in Connecticut, accommodating
eighty guests. No small amount of credit
is due to Miss Willard's executive ability
and business judgment. The hotel is always
filled to its capacity, and this in
itself is a testimony to the general management.
Miss Willard is much interested in the
issues of the day, and is a remarkably
well-read woman. She is a member of
several clubs and organizations, among
them being the Colony Club of New York
City.
WILLIAMSON, Edward A.,
Physician.
There are many men of physical stam-
ina and mental power who have come to
America to grasp from the hand of op-
portunity the means of personal success.
Here and there is found a man, with no
friends or influence to aid him, only the
strength of his own personality, who has
endured all the hardships and overcome
all the obstacles in the path of the un-
aided youth to attain the privilege of a
life of service to mankind. This is a high
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
213
achievement, the more to be applauded
for the fact that personal advancement
has been held a matter of negligible im-
portance in the face of the great respon-
sibilities which he has so cheerfully ac-
cepted and so capably borne. To the
thoughtful observer, a man of this char-
acter stands out among his fellows, a
figure of the greatest significance. Such
a man is Dr. Edward A. Williamson, of
North Stamford, Connecticut.
The name of Williamson is derived
from one of the most ancient sources, the
custom of adding "son" to the name of
the father. It was very popular in the
early centuries, signifying "beloved helmet,"
that is, protector. Its early fame
was derived from the first two post-Con-
quest rulers. Under the form of Guillaume
it is a common name in France,
where members of the family have held
positions of great honor, and it appears
twice in the Sussex Domesday Book.
The Williamson family, of which the
doctor is a member, is one of the very
oldest in England. There have been
many worthy scions in the various walks
of life, but particularly in the military and
civic life of their country have they become
famous.
The following is the original coat-ofarms
of the Williamson family, granted
to Sir Joseph Williamson in the time of
Charles II.
Arms—Chevron engrailed between three tre-
foils slipped sable.
Crest—Demi-eagle disposed, holding in the beak
a trefoil.
Motto—Murus aeneus conscientia sana. (A wall
of brass is conscious of strength).
The above Sir Joseph Williamson was
one of the noted men of his day. As his
biographer has truly said of him : "To
give an account of his full life would in-
volve an almost exhaustive survey of the