Burwell Toler facts for kids

Burwell Toler (born around 1822 – died July 21, 1880) was an important African American leader in Virginia after the American Civil War. He was a skilled carpenter, a respected minister, and a Republican politician. Toler worked hard to help his community during a time of big changes called Reconstruction.

Who Was Burwell Toler?

Burwell Toler was likely born into slavery in Hanover County, Virginia. Even before the Civil War, he became a carpenter and a preacher. This was a remarkable achievement for an African American during that time.

His Work as a Minister

After the Civil War ended, Burwell Toler became an officially recognized minister.

• On August 13, 1865, the Colored Baptist Shiloh Association made him a minister.
• The next month, he was allowed to perform marriages in Henrico County.

He became the first minister at Shiloh Baptist Church in Ashland, which was the main town in Hanover County. He also led Abner Baptist Church and Jerusalem Baptist Church, both in Hanover County. Rev. Toler even started new churches in nearby Caroline, Goochland, and King George counties. From 1879 until he passed away, he was the leader for the Mattaponi Baptist Association.

A Leader During Reconstruction

During the period known as Reconstruction, the Freedmen's Bureau saw Burwell Toler as a key leader for the African American community. The Freedmen's Bureau was a government agency that helped formerly enslaved people. They noted that he was respected by everyone. This shows how much people trusted and looked up to him.

Becoming a Politician

Burwell Toler also became active in politics, joining the Republican Party.

• In April 1867, he represented Hanover County at a Republican meeting in Richmond.
• In 1868, voters in Hanover and Henrico counties chose Toler to be their representative at the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868.
• This convention was a very important meeting where leaders wrote a new constitution for Virginia.

Even though some people tried to say he wasn't educated, Rev. Toler was very active at the convention. He spoke twice and worked on different committees. He voted to approve the new constitution. In 1869, he tried to become a member of the Virginia House of Delegates but did not win. He stayed involved in politics but was not elected to public office again.

Later Years

In 1870, Burwell Toler told the government that he owned property worth about $200 in Hanover County. On January 1, 1871, he bought 25 acres of land near Ashland. He still owned this land when he died.

Rev. Toler passed away on July 21, 1880, in Hanover County. He is probably buried at the Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery. His youngest son, Joseph Toler, is also buried there.