Through his various newspapers he published editorials in support of prominent politicians, canal and railroad proposals, and advocated for the colonization of free Blacks.

During the War of 1812, he volunteered for military service, organized a company of militia of young men from Utica, and was present during the Second Battle of Sacket's Harbor, where he advanced to the rank of colonel.

When a cholera epidemic broke out in Utica in 1832, Williams volunteered in setting up temporary hospitals and aiding the sick and himself became infected.

He was an elder and a devoted member of Utica's First Presbyterian Church, and was strongly opposed to Freemasonry, to which he published a controversial newspaper, The Elucidator.

Always civic minded, Williams spent the better part of his adult life involved in several areas of public service.

[4][5] During his printing career Williams "trained a multitude of lads" as apprentices, often acting in a fatherly capacity,[14] which included notable figures like Thurlow Weed who went on to become a New York newspaper publisher and politician, and Henry Ivison, an apprentice who lived with the Williams family for eight years, and who went on to become the founder of the prominent New York publishing house of Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Company.

[4][17][18] Williams and Seward printed and published the speeches of Alexander B. Johnson, and John Sherman's description of Trenton Falls, in upstate New York.

[19] On July 10, 1793, the first newspaper to appear west of Albany, New York, was a weekly publication called the Whitestown Gazette, which was founded in New Hartford.

Through their newspaper they advertised for "The Philadelphia Edition of the Edinburgh Encyclopedia" ..."just received by A. Seward at his book-store, and subscriptions are to be paid and called for by subscribers.

Though Williams was strongly opposed to the precepts of the Freemasonry, Seward was, however, considered the very back bone of the Masonic Lodge, and presented its members with a Bible they used for many years following.

[9] Williams was subsequently publicly accused by his opponents in The Oneida Observer, February 23, 1830 issue,[h] of "reaping a rich reward from the printing and selling of Anti-masonic books.

"[37] Williams also printed, in 1832, an edition of the New Testament; Walter King's Questions on the Gospel Harmony; Proceedings of thee Synod of Dort.

[38] Williams also established a newspaper called The Farmers' Calendar that featured advice for farming in New York for each year of the month.

He had announced that the word NEWS was derived from the four cardinal points of the compass marked with the letters N, E, W, and S.[39] In 1813, during the War of 1812, a second attack was expected at Sacketts Harbor.

[41][43] A companion of Williams and a member of the company gave witness:[40] "So prompt were his movements, that in thirty hours after the requisition was received, we were on our way in sleighs for the Harbor.

And here, as in a subsequent campaign when he was on the lines in the staff of General Collins, Colonel Williams was as highly valued as a soldier, as he was through life esteemed as a citizen.

"During the campaign, Williams was promoted to brigade major and subsequently advanced to the rank of colonel on the staff of General Oliver Collins.

[49][48] Beginning in 1816, Williams published editorials in his Utica Patriot and Patrol in support of the proposed Erie Canal and railroads in central New York.

[44][59] The Board of Health had formed a committee to deal with ways to curb the spread of the cholera epidemic, of which Williams was a member.

[61] By 1836 he sold his bookstore and moved his family to Tonawanda in Erie County to manage an estate of which he was part owner with his father-in-law, Henry Huntington, of Rome.

[8][5] In 1841, while riding topside on a stagecoach, Williams was involved in a severe accident, having been thrown from the top, resulting in a head injury.

Williams's newspapers and maps is said to have aided in the public awareness, support and promotion of many projects that came to fruition in upstate New York.