Joseph W. Chalmers

Joseph Williams Chalmers (December 20, 1806 – June 16, 1853) was a United States Senator from Mississippi. Born in Halifax County, Virginia, he studied law in the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, and in Richmond. He was admitted to the bar and practiced, and moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1835 and to Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1839, practicing law in both places. He was vice chancellor of the northern Mississippi district in 1842 and 1843, and was appointed and subsequently elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert J. Walker, and served from November 3, 1845, to March 3, 1847. While in the Senate, Williams was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (Twenty-ninth Congress).

Williams engaged in the practice of law in Holly Springs until his death in 1853; interment was in Hill Crest Cemetery.

James Ronald Chalmers, Joseph Williams' son, was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi from 1877 to 1884.

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Preceded by Robert J. Walker	United States Senator (Class 2) from Mississippi 1845–1847 Served alongside: Jesse Speight	Succeeded by Henry S. Foote

v • d • e United States Senators from Mississippi

Class 1: Leake • Holmes • Ellis • Reed • Ellis • Black • Trotter • T. Hickman Williams • Henderson • Speight • Davis • McRae • S. Adams • Davis • Ames • Pease • Bruce • George • Money • J. Williams • Stephens • Bilbo • Stennis • Lott • Wicker Class 2: T. Hill Williams • Reed • R. Adams • Poindexter • Walker • Chalmers • Foote • Brooke • Brown • Revels • Alcorn • Lamar • Walthall • McLaurin • Walthall • Sullivan • McLaurin • Gordon • Percy • Vardaman • Harrison • Eastland • Doxey • Eastland • Cochran