As we look back on the History of the first Schools for Colored Children in Monroe, Louisiana and Ouachita Parish that were setup following the American Civil War, the school that stands out is, "The WIsner School," started by Richard Barrington. However, let us not forget that there were several other Schools for Colored Children that came before the WIsner School. You see, there was about a 4 - 5 year period in between when President Abraham Lincoln first signed the legislation for the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, which was to provide relief, education, and legal assistance to formerly enslaved people and poor whites in the South, before the WIsner School came into existence. Sadly, the records of the temporary Colored Schools that were once located in Monroe, Louisiana from 1865 - 1869, are no longer readily available in Monroe!!! Although the records and pictures of the Former Freedmen Schools aren't readily available anymore,for the citizens of Monroe to study and learn from, their importance and the vital role they once played in the Educating of Black Citizens and Black Children of Monroe, following the American Civil War, will long be remembered by future generation.Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer, Walter H. Williams! One thing that's different about this week's Black Pioneer is that he was actually born in Toronto. Canada. You see, way before Walter was born, his father, Reason Williams, decided to escape to Canada,"WHERE HE COULD TRULY LIVE AS A FREE MAN! Therefore, In 1825, Reason Williams moved from the state of Virginia to Canada. Although Reason Williams never returned to America, his two sons, William and Moses, returned to America to take part the "THE GREAT RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH," shortly after the American Civil War. Before the Winter of 1867, William had settled down in Lafayette, Louisiana. Although there have been disputes as to who was the very first Black School Teacher for The Freedmen's Bureau, most reports state that William H. Williams was the first Black Canadian to officially be Appointed by the Freedmen's Bureau to teach Colored Children in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Feb. 3, 1868. Even though Walter had to endure opposition and hard trials from White Citizens in Lafayette, he was able to keep on going! Additionally, Walter was even more encouraged when his brother, Moses Williams, who was also a School Teacher decided to come and join him in his efforts to teach the Colored Students in Lafayette. Since both Walter and Moses Williams could speak French as well as English, they were able to breakdown many of the barriers in communication that had existed in the community. Furthermore, it was reported that he had 40 or more Colored Students in his class. Two of the main things that lead to the end of Freedmen Schools in Louisiana were : by 1872, the Freedmen's Bureau had begun to release responsibility of teaching Colored Children to Missionary Organizations ; and in 1872, the Louisiana Congress failed to renew funding for the Freedmen Schools in Louisiana. By the way, in 1872, Walter married Pearl Gennieve Doucet, the daughter of Jouchan and Delia (Michel) Doucet, the couple ended up having 7 children together. When the Freedmen Schools closed, Walter went on teaching in other public and private schools, in Louisiana, until the mid-1880s. Following his Career as a School Teacher, Walter went on to serve approximately 12 years, as a public servant at the U.S. Custom House, at the Port of New Orleans, but he later returned to teaching in Lafayette, Louisiana. Regretfully, Walter H. Williams was killed in 1902, during a dispute with a White Man in the pop bottling business, over the amount of money Walter was to receive for returning some pop bottles. Of course, the White merchant was acquitted for murdering Walter!
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