WILLISTON, Samuel, philanthropist, born in Easthampton, Massachusetts, 17 June, 1795; died there, 18 July, 1874. His father, Reverend Payson Williston (1763-1856), was graduated at Yale in 1783, was minister of Easthampton from 1789 till 1833, and published several sermons. The son began to study at Phillips Andover academy with view to the ministry, but abandoned his purpose, owing to weakness of the eyes, and engaged in the manufacture of buttons, in which he gained a large fortune. This occupation was begun at his own home by his wife, and extended until many hundred women in the neighboring towns were employed in it under his superintendence. In 1831 Joel Hayden began to make buttons in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, with machinery of his own invention, and, Mr. Williston entering into partnership with him, they continued the business there till 1848, when Williston bought Hayden's rights and removed the factory to Easthampton. Afterward he engaged also in the manufacture of suspenders. In 1840 he established at his native place Williston seminary, a preparatory school of high grade, to which he gave at various times about $270,000 and bequeathed $500,000 more. He also gave to Amherst $150,000, endowing professorships there in 1858-'9, gave liberally to Mount Holyoke female seminary, and three times erected a church at Easthampton, which was twice burned. His benefactions amounted to more than $1,500,000. He also did much to improve the appearance of his native town. In 1841-'3 Mr. Williston was a member of the Massachusetts legislature. His widow gave to the seminary that bears his name the Williston homestead to be used as the principal's house after her death, which occurred in 1885.