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 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
Born1875/1876
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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