Lawyer and jurist. A graduate of the University of NC. TN State Senator and TN Supreme Court Justice. Chancellor of TN 1836-1852. Was a private in the War of 1812. He was the twin of Lewis Williams, long-time US Congressman from NC. He is the namesake of Thomas Lanier Williams III, better known as the playwright Tennessee Williams, who was a 3x great-nephew of TLW I.

His brother, Senator John W. Williams, while in the 59th Regiment of Infantry, U.S.A. was ordered to the Creek Nation, and in the engagement of Tohopeka, or the Horse- Shoe, his regiment bore the brunt of the battle. The report of General Jackson on this sanguinary conflict did not, in the opinion of Colonel Williams, do justice to his regiment, and hence the long enmity between them. From 1815 to 1825 he was a Senator in Congress, highly respected for his integrity and ability. In 1825 he was appointed by Mr. Adams, Envoy to the Central American States. He married Melinda, daughter of General James .White and sister of Judge Hugh L. White, the candidate against Martin Van Buren for the Presidency of the United States. He was the father of Joseph L. Williams, member of Congress from 1859 to 1845; of Colonel John Williams, of Knoxville, and of Margaret, first wife of Chief Justice Pearson, of North Carolina. He died at Knoxville, August 7, 1837.

His brother William was a successful merchant and farmer, lived at Strawberry Plains, East Tennessee. He married Sarah, daughter of Colonel King, of Virginia; issue; Sarah, married to Rev. Thomas Stringfield.

His twin brother Lewis, who lived and died in political strife. He was born about 1782, educated at the University, where he graduated in 1808. He entered political life as a member of the House of Commons in 1813, and was re-elected in 1814. He became a Representative in Congress and he died on February 23, 1842. Greatly esteemed for his sterling independence and his integrity, his abilities were such that by common consent he was styled "The father of the House." Mr. Adams' oration on the occasion of his death was a beautiful tribute to his worth, as was also the brilliant effort of Mr. Rayner. He never married.

Thomas Lanier Williams, was long the Chancellor of Tennessee; he married Polly McClung. a niece of Judge Hugh L. White. The following are their issue: (1) Rebecca, wife of the son of Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky; (2) Melinda, wife of Chief Justice Napton of Missouri; (3) Margaret, wife of Hon. John G. Miller, Member of Congress from Missouri, and afterwards of H.W. Douglass, of Nashville, Tennessee.