Robert McAlpin Williamson was born September 9, 1804 in Georgia to Judge William Peter Ballantine and Rebecca Ann McAlpin Williamson. His mother Rebecca died when he was a baby. He was well educated. His legal career began in Georgia and he was admitted to the Georgia bar. A family legend says that he left Georgia after a duel over the virtue of a woman. His opponent was killed, but the woman did not want to have a relationship with him. Williamson then moved to Texas in the mid 1820s and he settled in San Felipe de Austin where he is said to have become acquainted with William B. Travis. After moving to Texas and settling in San Felipe, he served as city attorney and also as mayor.
