Ulysses L. Houston facts for kids

Ulysses L. Houston was an important leader in Georgia during a time of great change. He was a pastor, which means a religious leader, and also a state legislator. A state legislator is someone who helps make laws for their state. In 1868, he was elected to the Georgia State Legislature. He was also a very important organizer in the African-American community in Savannah, Georgia during the mid-1800s.

Early Life and Learning

Ulysses L. Houston was born into slavery in Grahamville, South Carolina. His owner, Moses Henderson, brought him to Savannah, where he worked as a house servant. Even though he was enslaved, he found a way to learn. He learned to read from white sailors while working at the city's hospital. He also earned money by hiring out his time, which means he worked for others and kept some of the money he earned.

A Leader in Faith

Houston became a licensed preacher in 1855. This meant he was allowed to lead religious services. From 1861 to 1889, he was the pastor of the Third African Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia. This church later became known as the First Bryan Baptist Church. It was a large church with about 400 members. He was also chosen twice to be the president of the black Baptist convention in Georgia. This shows how much people respected his leadership in the religious community.

Serving in Government

Ulysses L. Houston was one of the "Original 33" African American lawmakers in Georgia. These lawmakers were elected during the Reconstruction era. The Reconstruction era was a time after the American Civil War when the Southern states were rebuilt, and formerly enslaved people gained new rights. However, many of these African American legislators, including Houston, were later forced out of their positions.

Before his time in the legislature, Houston was also part of a very important meeting. In 1865, he was one of 16 formerly enslaved church leaders who met with Union General William Tecumseh Sherman. This meeting was important for discussing the future of formerly enslaved people.

See also

• First Bryan Baptist Church
• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era