Campbell, Donald K.

Rev. Samuel Williamson (12 June 1795--12 Mar. 1882) was born in York District, S.C., the son of Samuel and Ann Starr Williamson. His father served in the Revolutionary War and fought at the Battle of Hucks Defeat, Brattonville, S.C. In 1838, Reverend Williamson became a professor at Davidson College, a Presbyterian institution located in Davidson, N.C. He later served as president of the college before retiring in 1854. In 1856, Samuel Williamson moved to Arkansas to become the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Washington, Hempstead County, migrating to the southwest part of the state with his family and slaves. One former slave, John Williamson, born about 1846, founded Haygood Academy in Washington, Ark., in 1883 under the auspices of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church.