(L-R) : Shepperson A. Wilbun, Jr., Peggy Lloyd, Barbara Smith, Tatyana Oyinloye
WASHINGTON – A marker commemorating the life and contributions of Archer Shepperson (1850-1905) was unveiled at his burial location on Saturday, October 17th at the Washington Cemetery located at 124 Carrigan Street in Washington, Arkansas. Representatives from the Arkansas State Archives and Black History Commission were in attendance. Tatyana Oyinloye of the Arkansas State Archives spoke on the importance of the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant provided by the Black History Commission. Barbara Smith, Director of the Black History Museum in Washington, and local historian Peggy Lloyd gave talks about the importance of the museum and the life of Archer Shepperson. Shepperson A. Wilbun, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee, a descendant of Archer Shepperson, was also in attendance along with his spouse.
The marker reads: “Archer Shepperson 1850-1905. Archer Shepperson was born into enslavement in Arkansas on February 7, 1850. Freedom came in 1865, and the 1870 census recorded him at literate and laboring for a Black farmer near Washington. The following year, Shepperson was a deputy sheriff and single-handedly quelled a potentially violent incident on the streets of Washington. He was praised in the local newspaper for his actions. In 1873 at age 23, Shepperson served in the Arkansas State Legislature as a Republican representative from the Fourteenth District. Following his service in the legislature, Shepperson joined the Hempstead County Board of Supervisors and focused on improving education. Despite not having a college degree, he served as principal of the public school for Black students for 25 years. He also helped raise funds for what became Haygood Seminary, a CME preparatory and vocational school at Washington, and wrote for local newspapers, gaining recognition and respect in Black and White communities alike. In 1910, local teachers honored him with a special stone marker at his grave.”
The marker was made possible through the Department of Arkansas Heritage with support from the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant provided by the Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas State Archives, and the Ethnic Minority Memorabilia Association (EMMA) of Washington, Arkansas.
For questions concerning the event call 870-703-8256 or email hempsteadhistory@gmail.com.
