William Williams Billings

William Billings was one of the most prominent and successful business men in the area/New London, New London County, CT, USA

Attended Yale. 1821 graduated from Yale College/New Haven, New Haven County, CT, USA

William Williams Billings There is no prouder or more enduring personal record than the story of a self reliant manly and successful career It declares that the individual has not only understood his duty and mission but fulfilled them The following biography is highly suggestive of these facts.

William Williams Billings the honored subject of this sketch was born in Stonington Conn in the year 1802 He attended school at Norwich and New London to which last named city his father the late Hon Coddington Billings removed Having decided upon a collegiate course he was prepared under the tuition of the late Prof Denison Olmstead and in 1817 entered Yale College where he graduated with honor in the class of 1821 of which class of twenty one not more than eight survive

After leaving college Mr Billings at once entered a counting house where his business education was begun He manifested a decided interest in commercial pursuits and in 1823 and 1824 then only twenty one years of age he made voyages to Portugal and France to enlarge his business knowledge and mercantile experience In about the year 1823 Mr Billings formed a co-partnership with his brother the late Hon Noyes Billings under the firm name of N & WW Billings for carrying on the whaling business Here his indomitable will business energy and executive ability were clearly demonstrated The business rapidly increased and this enterprising firm soon became extensively and favorably known over all oceans and was eminently successful in the ownership and agency of whaling ships The firm continued until the business universally declined when its affairs were closed and Mr Billings retired from active business in the possession of a handsome competency

Since his retirement he has with an occasional trip to Europe lived among the people with whom his active business life had been immediately associated always interested in their success and gladly contributing to their comfort and enjoyment Mr Billings is a liberal contributor to all worthy objects both public and private being always directed by a thoughtful and positive judgment In 1828 he united in marriage with Miss Louisa Trott of a family well known in New London He is a member of St James Episcopal Church parish and his contributions to its maintenance have been munificent

Although now at the advanced age of nearly eighty years after a life of unusual activity Mr Billings retains in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth and vividly relates scenes and incidents of ye olden time Mr Billings is not a politician but he is always an earnest supporter of the principles of a free republican government

souce: History of New London County, Connecticut, With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men, edited by Duane Hamilton Hurd, p. 239