Today is the last day of #BlackHistoryMonth.
#FortBendCounty #Texas is home to a breadth of important Black history—and underrecognized history-makers.
Today, I rise to recognize #BenjaminFranklinWilliams, one of Fort Bend's first Black civic leaders.
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Williams (1819–1886) was born into slavery. As part of the slave trade, he was repeatedly uprooted and relocated across the southern United States, until reaching the Texas gulf coast region in 1859.
Here, Williams became involved in politics and quickly ascended as a formidable political leader – not just for his community, but for the entire state.
He served as vice-president of the Loyal Union League, a pro-Lincoln organization that mobilized Blacks and Unionists.
During Reconstruction, Williams was elected delegate to 2 Texas Constitutional Conventions, one of only 10 Black men to serve. There, he sat on the Executive Committee, where he proposed banning racial segregation and enshrining suffrage rights.
In fact, when the second convention was unwilling to go far enough in enshrining suffrage rights, he refused to sign the constitution and withdrew from the convention!
Williams' earnest and active involvement with state politics was rewarded with three terms as State Representative.
Not only this, but he was also nearly elected Speaker of the Texas House by a bipartisan coalition, only losing the election by a mere 3 votes!
Politics aside, Williams was a widely renowned Methodist Episcopal minister and traveling evangelist. He helped establish churches in Columbus and Austin, many of which still exist to this day.
He also played an instrumental role in the founding of Precinct 4's very own #Kendleton, a slave plantation turned Freedmen's community.
Williams served as Kendleton's land speculator, mechanic, and engineer, and was instrumental in the city's settlement and development.
On February 27, 1886 – 137 years ago this past Monday – Williams passed and was laid to rest at Kendleton's Newman Chapel Cemetery.
Despite his lasting legacy, his name has faded to time. In fact, @CongressmanPete found his headstone buried in the mud just last year.
This past #Juneteenth, #MLKDay, and #PresidentsDay, I proudly joined @CongressmanPete and local chapters of @exchangeclub, @JackandJillInc, @TodaysDAR, and others in the restoration and preservation of Bates M. Allen Park's historic burial sites.
houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…
On Monday, I proudly announced a $4 million initial investment into the redevelopment, memorialization, and preservation of Bates M. Allen Park's historical burial sites, including an African American Memorial and park.
I was joined by a bipartisan group of local officials, several organizations, and descendants of those buried here.
Thank you to @CongressmanPete, @SheriffFagan, @BillRickert, @FBCAttorney, DA Middleton, Constable Beard, Mayor Humphrey, and everyone else who turned out.
This #BlackHistoryMonth, Fort Bend County turns over a new leaf, ensuring that Williams – and all the other forebearers lying at rest at this sacred, solemn site – are given the recognition, dignity, & memorialization that they deserve.
Fort Bend County won't forget ever again.
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