Nelson Walker (1827 - July 7, 1875) was a prominent community leader in Tennessee and Justice of the Peace. He was born enslaved, worked as a barber, purchased freedom for himself, his wife, and their four children, and became a wealthy lawyer, judge and bank president in Nashville, Tennessee.[1][2] He was a member of the masonic fraternity.[2]

In 1871 he served as a director of the Tennessee Colored Agricultural and Mechanical Association as well as the Freedman's National Life Insurance Association.[3] Nelson served as Treasurer for the first Negro Masonic Lodge and was influential in gaining support and funding for Mount Ararat Cemetery, Nashville's first black cemetery.[4]

Mason died at his home July 1875. He was described in his obituary as a "prominent colored man" and noted as the first black Justice of the Peace in his county, elected to office in 1866.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Carter, Tomeiko Ashford (30 August 2010). Virginia Broughton: The Life and Writings of a Missionary. University of Tennessee Press. pp. xxi–xxii. ISBN 9781572337091. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  2. 1 2 Freedom's Lawmakers by Eric Foner Louisiana State University Press (1996) page 220
  3. ↑ "African American Legislators".
  4. ↑ Lovett, Bobby (1999). The African-American History of Nashville, Tennessee, 1780-1930: Elites and Dilemmas (Black Community Studies). The University of Arkansas Press. p. 108. ISBN 9781557285560. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "Death of Prominent Colored Man". Asheville Union and American. July 8, 1875. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
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