NEW BOOK HIGHLIGHTS PEOPLE, STORIES OF CAMPTOWN

  

A new book uncovers some of the untold stories behind historic figures from the Camptown community of Brenham.

“Voices of Camptown: Untold Stories from a Freedom Colony Cemetery” focuses on the lives of African Americans in Washington County after Emancipation and the legacies they have left behind.

Charles Swenson, who authored the book with contributions from Dr. Tina Henderson and Dr. Robert Bubb, said Camptown is a significant part of Brenham and Washington County history that is often overlooked.  Through their work, he said their goal was to allow the broader public to gain a broader understanding about life in that era and the people who were a part of it.

Research through newspaper articles, land records, Freedmen’s Bureau records, birth and death certificates and other materials went toward discovering more about individuals such as Wiley Hubert, who helped build and establish the first freestanding Freedmen’s school in the area, Alexander Thomas, one of Washington County’s earliest Black attorneys, and Robert Sloan, one of the county’s most renowned lawmen.

Dr. Henderson, president of the Texas Ten Historical Explorers group that was founded by the late Eddie Harrison, said Harrison was instrumental in their efforts to share the stories from some of Camptown’s inhabitants.

The book is in the early stages of publication and is available for pre-order in paperback and digital form.  It will be sold at local bookstores and through larger outlets.  A limited number of copies will be brought to Saturday’s Juneteenth Heritage Celebration at the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.