Francis Williams (c. 1541 – 5 August 1598), also known as Francis Cromwell, of Huntingdonshire, was an English landowner and politician. He was elected MP for Huntingdonshire in 1572 and was appointed Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire in 1587.^[1]

Francis Williams, alias Cromwell, was the second son of Sir Richard Williams alias Cromwell (c. 1510–1544) of London, Stepney and Hinchingbrooke and Frances Murfyn (c. 1520–c. 1543), daughter of Thomas Murfyn and his second wife, Elizabeth Donne.^[1]

Williams, alias Cromwell was admitted to Gray's Inn in 1565.^[1]

His estates, which were mainly in Huntingdonshire, included the site of St Neots Priory, the manors of St Neots, Hardwick, and Grafham, as well as lands in the parish of Wintringham. He also owned property in Aldermanbury, London.^[1]

Fairly active in local affairs, he played a role subordinate to that of his elder brother, Sir Henry Williams, alias Cromwell. He served as JP, Court of quarter sessions in Huntingdonshire from 1582 and was Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire from 1587 to 1588.^[1]

With his brother's support, as sheriff, he was returned as junior knight of the shire for Huntingdonshire in 1572.^[1] He stood again in 1584, but then the sheriff was Sir Henry Darcy, a fierce opponent of his brother, who ensured that Francis was defeated and his own candidate, John Dorrington, was elected.^[2][3][4] He complained to the House of Commons, who appointed the Recorder of London and the solicitor-general to investigate the matter, but it was decided that the dispute lay outside its jurisdiction. Subsequently, the attorney-general took up his case in the Star Chamber. No further evidence survives, but Dorrington retained his seat.^[1][2][4]

Francis Williams, alias Cromwell married, by 1565, Margaret Mannock, daughter of Henry Mannock of Hemingford Grey, by whom he had a son:

• Henry Williams, alias Cromwell (b. 1565)^[5][6]

He was estranged from his wife by 1586 when he provided her with an annuity.^[1]

He died at Hardwick, Cambridgeshire on 5 August 1598 and was (presumably) buried at the parish church at Hardwick.^[1] His heir, Henry, then 33 years of age, inherited the site of St Neots Priory, called the Fermerne; the manor of St Neots, with 80 acres of pasture, called Little and Great-Dirty Wintringham; the manor of Grafham, and the manor of Hardwick.^[6]

• Charles, Nicholas (1849). Ellis, Henry (ed.). The Visitation of the County of Huntingdon, under the Authority of William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms, by his Deputy, Nicholas Charles, Lancaster Herald, A. D. MDCXIII. [London]: Printed for the Camden Society. OCLC 1102221623.
• DeWindt, Anne Reiber; DeWindt, Edwin Brezette (2006). Ramsey: the Lives of an English Fenland Town, 1200–1600 (illustrated ed.). CUA Press. ISBN 0-8132-1424-6.
• Fuidge, N.M. (1981). "Cromwell, alias Williams, Henry (c.1537-1604), of Hinchingbrooke and Ramsey Abbey, Hunts". In Hasler, P.W. (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 – via History of Parliament Online.
• Gough, Richard (1785). "A Short Genealogical View of the Family of Oliver Cromwell. To which is prefixed, a copious pedigree". Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica. Vol. XXXI. London: J. Nichols.
• Hofmann, T.M. (1982). "Cromwell, alias Williams, Richard (by 1512-44), of London; Stepney, Mdx. and Hinchingbroke, Hunts.". In Bindoff, S.T. (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558 – via History of Parliament Online.
• Noble, Mark (1787). Memoirs of the Protectorate-house of Cromwell: Deduced from an Early Period, and Continued Down to the Present Time,... Vol. 1 (3 ed.). London: C. G. J. and J. Robinson. p. 20.
• W.J.J. (1981). "Cromwell, alias Williams, Francis (c.1541-98), of Hemingford Grey and St. Neot's, Hunts.". In Hasler, P.W. (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 – via History of Parliament Online.
• W.J.J. (1981). "Darcy, Sir Henry (b.c.1539), of Brimham, Yorks. and Leighton Bromswold, Hunts.". In Hasler, P.W. (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 – via History of Parliament Online.
• W.J.J. (1981). "Dorrington, John (1547-1604), of Spaldwick, Hunts.". In Hasler, P.W. (ed.). The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603 – via History of Parliament Online.

• CROMWELL, alias WILLIAMS, Francis (c.1541-98), of Hemingford Grey and St. Neot's, Hunts. in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558–1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981.
• Pedigree of Oliver Cromwell