William Henry Harrison, also known as Bill Thomas (born September 1843), was a state legislator from Hancock County, Georgia. Early life Bill was born into slavery, the son of a woman named Eliza and Harrison McLane, who died about 1854 or 1855. He had three sisters and two brothers. After his father died, 14 year old Bill became a slave of Judge James Thomas in southwestern Hancock County, Georgia. He became his body servant and was literate, having been taught to read the bible by the judge. Seeking his freedom, he was among the about 100 people involved in the Sparta insurrection of September 13, 1863. Bill Thomas was emancipated at the end of the Civil War and changed his name to William Henry Harrison. Members of his family are said to be buried at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church cemetery in the county. Legislator He was a leader of Georgia's African-American community during the Reconstruction Era after the American Civil War. He was one of two African-American representatives, along with Eli Barnes, elected to the Georgia Legislature as a Republican from Hancock County, Georgia in April 1868.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Notable quotes

“The strongest of all governments is that which is most free.”
— Letter to Simón Bolívar (27 September 1829). Quoted in James Hall, A Memoir of the Public Services of William Henry Harrison, of Ohio (Philadelphia, PA: Key & Biddle, 1836).
“...there is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power.”
— Letter to Simón Bolívar (27 September 1829). Quoted in The Life of Major-General William Henry Harrison: Comprising a Brief Account of His Important Civil and Military Services (Philadelphia, PA: Grigg & Elliot, 1840)
“Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.”
— Last words to John Tyler. Quoted in Jebediah Whitman, "A Memorial to Our Dear Departed President" (New Ark, DE: Printed by the Author, 1841).

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

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William Henry Harrison, also known as Bill Thomas (born September 1843), was a state legislator from Hancock County, Georgia.

Notable quotes

“The strongest of all governments is that which is most free.”
— Letter to Simón Bolívar (27 September 1829). Quoted in James Hall, A Memoir of the Public Services of William Henry Harrison, of Ohio (Philadelphia, PA: Key & Biddle, 1836).
“...there is nothing more corrupting, nothing more destructive of the noblest and finest feelings of our nature, than the exercise of unlimited power.”
— Letter to Simón Bolívar (27 September 1829). Quoted in The Life of Major-General William Henry Harrison: Comprising a Brief Account of His Important Civil and Military Services (Philadelphia, PA: Grigg & Elliot, 1840)
“Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.”
— Last words to John Tyler. Quoted in Jebediah Whitman, "A Memorial to Our Dear Departed President" (New Ark, DE: Printed by the Author, 1841).

Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.

Overview

William Henry Harrison, also known as Bill Thomas (born September 1843), was a state legislator from Hancock County, Georgia. Early life Bill was born into slavery, the son of a woman named Eliza and Harrison McLane, who died about 1854 or 1855. He had three sisters and two brothers. After his father died, 14 year old Bill became a slave of Judge James Thomas in southwestern Hancock County, Georgia. He became his body servant and was literate, having been taught to read the bible by the judge. Seeking his freedom, he was among the about 100 people involved in the Sparta insurrection of September 13, 1863. Bill Thomas was emancipated at the end of the Civil War and changed his name to William Henry Harrison. Members of his family are said to be buried at the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church cemetery in the county. Legislator He was a leader of Georgia's African-American community during the Reconstruction Era after the American Civil War. He was one of two African-American representatives, along with Eli Barnes, elected to the Georgia Legislature as a Republican from Hancock County, Georgia in April 1868.

From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).