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The Colorado County Historical Commission (CCHC) erected a new state historical marker honoring Benjamin Franklin Williams, the founding pastor of Columbus’ St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and a three-time legislator, Thursday, April 23, at the Colorado County Courthouse.
Williams (1819–1886) served as a delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention representing Colorado and Lavaca counties from 1868–1869 and then went on to be one of the first Black representatives in the Texas Legislature, starting with the 12th Legislature representing Colorado and Lavaca counties from 1870–1871.
“He served. He cared about his community, and he left his mark on history,” CCHC President Regena Williamson said. “All these things are important, and it’s important for us to remind our children and grandchildren.” According to the marker, African Americans in Texas were not able to uniformly vote until after the ratification of the 15th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1870, despite the emancipation of slaves being ordered in 1865. Despite previously being able to serve in the state constitutional conventions, the first African Americans elected to serve in the Texas Legislature were elected to the 12th Legislature, which first convened on Feb. 8, 1870. Prior to the end of federal reconstruction in 1870, 12 African Americans served in the Texas House of Representatives, and two served in the Texas Senate.
Williams later served as a representative in the 16th Legislature for Fort Bend, Wharton and Waller counties in 1879 and as a representative in the 19th Legislature for Ford Bend and Waller counties in 1885.
“When you think about his level of service, it’s really quite a phenomenal story,” CCHC Emcee Ester Chandler said. “…Then after the Jim Crow laws kicked in, he still had the heart of a servant and continued being a traveling Methodist minister.”
Born enslaved in Virginia, Williams was brought to Colorado Count y around 1859. After emancipation, he became a traveling preacher, founded St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Columbus and served as the chaplain for The Union League. Williams also helped found the town of Kendleton, later working as its postmaster. He and his wife Carol ine had one son named Thomas. There are no known descendants of Williams, but members of his church family attended the ceremony.
