William N. Stevens facts for kids

William N. Stevens (1850–1889) was an important lawyer and politician from Virginia. He is known for representing Sussex County, Virginia in both parts of the Virginia General Assembly, which is Virginia's state legislature. He was likely the first African-American person to serve in this way from his area.

Early Life and Family

William N. Stevens was born in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1850. He was born free, meaning he was not enslaved. His parents were Mary A. Stevens and Christopher B. Stevens, who was a contractor. William's family had been free for several generations. They owned their own home and another piece of land in Petersburg. William studied law, which prepared him for his future career. He never married.

Political Career

After becoming a lawyer, William N. Stevens moved to Sussex County. He soon began his political career, representing the county in the Virginia General Assembly for much of the next two decades. He also bought more property in Petersburg.

In 1869, the people of Sussex County elected Stevens to the Virginia House of Delegates. This is one of the two parts of Virginia's state legislature. He was a member of the Republican Party and was the only delegate from Sussex County at that time.

Two years later, in 1871, voters from Sussex and nearby Dinwiddie and Greensville Counties elected Stevens to the Senate of Virginia. This is the other part of the state legislature. He took the place of David G. Carr.

Stevens was known as a skilled speaker. One person at the time described him as "able and scholarly" and noted his speeches had "elegance and grace." He continued to be re-elected by the voters of Sussex County for several years. However, as the politics of the time changed, Stevens lost an election in 1879 to Samuel Pickett.

But William Stevens didn't give up! He ran again in 1881 and defeated Pickett, returning to represent Sussex, Dinwiddie, and Greensville Counties in the Virginia Senate. His time in office ended when George P. Barham defeated him in the 1883 election.

Later Life and Death

William N. Stevens passed away in 1889 at the age of 39. He died from throat cancer and never married. His house is still standing today in a historic African American community called Pocahontas Island in Petersburg. A person who owns the house now is working to preserve the history of the island, including the stories of both free and enslaved African Americans who lived there.

See also

• African-American officeholders during and following the Reconstruction era