William Wilkins (December 20, 1779 – June 23, 1865) was an American judge and politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Jacksonian member of the United States Senate from 1831 to 1834 and as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Pennsylvania's 21st congressional district from 1843 to 1844.

The faction was named Family Party since Wilkins, Dallas and several other key leaders were all related by marriage.

The Family Party had political strength and were able to place the defeated governor William Findlay as a U.S. senator in 1821.

[6] He was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the 21st United States Congress, but resigned before qualifying, never taking his seat.

[6] Wilkins was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate from Pennsylvania and served from March 4, 1831, to June 30, 1834, when he resigned.

National party nominee Martin Van Buren's views on the Bank recharter and tariffs made him unpopular in the state and at the state convention the party nominated Wilkins as their Vice-Presidential candidate.

[8] He came in 3rd place overall, but did not cost Van Buren enough electors to lose or even to force a contingent election.

It sets the mark for the most faithless electors won by a person without the death of a nominee.

[6] Wilkins was appointed as the 19th United States Secretary of War by President John Tyler, serving from 1844 to 1845.

[6] Wilkins was aboard the USS Princeton when one of its guns exploded in 1843 near Mount Vernon.