William J. Winchester

William J. Winchester (c. 1876-1952[1]) was a city councilor and state legislator in Delaware. He served from 1948 until 1952 and was the first African American in the Delaware House of Representatives. A historical marker the state capital, Wilmington, Delaware, commemorates him and other of the state's pioneering African American legislators.[2]

William J. Winchester
Member of the Delaware House of Representatives
from the Delaware's 1st House of Representatives district
In office
1948–1952
Wilmington City Council
Personal details
Born1875 or 1876
Barclay, Maryland, U.S.
Died (aged 76)
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAlverta Winchester
ChildrenLem Winchester
ProfessionPolitician
[1]

Life before politics

William J. Winchester was born in Barclay, Maryland around 1876. In 1888, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware.[1]

He married a woman named Alverta.[3] They had one child, vibraphonist Lem Winchester.[3] Winchester served as grand master of a local Odd Fellows lodge.[1]

Political career and life

He was a Republican.[4] Winchester served on the Wilmington City Council for sixteen years, leaving the council in 1941.[1]

He ran for the Delaware House of Representatives in 1944 and was defeated.[1] He was elected in 1948, making him the first Black man elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1950.[5]

While serving in the house, Winchester worked as superintendent for Wilmington's garbage collection.[1] In June 1949, Winchester was awarded an honorary doctor of law from Delaware State College.[1]

Death

Winchester became sick in late 1951, missing numerous legislative sessions.[1] He died of cerebral thrombosis at his house in Wilmington on January 3, 1952, while serving his second term in office.[1][5]

At the time of his death, he was a member of the Odd Fellows and Elks. He was also a trustee and the treasurer of Mount Joy Methodist Church and a trustee of Morgan State University.[1]

Legacy

In 1979, a bridge in Wilmington over the Christina River at Third Street was named in his honor.[6]

See also

References
  1. "William J. Winchester Dies; First of Race in State Assembly". The News Journal. 3 January 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  2. "South Wilmington - Cradle of African American Political Leadership".
  3. "Widow of William J Winchester". January 22, 1977. p. 15 – via newspapers.com.
  4. Hornsby, Alton Jr. (August 23, 2011). Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781573569767 – via Google Books.
  5. Munroe, John A. (2004). The Philadelawareans, and other essays relating to Delaware. Newark: University of Delaware Press. p. 148. ISBN 9780874138726. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  6. "Chapter - Delaware General Assembly". legis.delaware.gov.
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