WILLIAMS, John Foster, naval officer, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 12 October, 1743; died there, 24 June, 1814. He early adopted the life of a sailor, and in the spring of 1779 commanded the Massachusetts cruiser "Hazard," of fourteen guns, with which in that year he captured the "Active," eighteen guns, and performed other gallant exploits. In 1780 he was given the " Protector," another Massachusetts ship, with which, on 9 July, 1780, he fought the letter-of-marque "Admiral Duff," which blew up after an action of an hour and a half. After taking many prizes he had a running fight with the frigate " Thames" and narrowly escaped capture, he commanded the "Hazard " again in the unfortunate expedition to Penobscot river, in which that vessel with others was lost. Late in October he set out for a cruise in the West Indies, where he took valuable prizes; but, falling in with two ships of superior force, he was captured and remained a prisoner till the peace. From 11.790 until his death he was in command of a revenue-cutter.