Robert Meacham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1835 (1835) |
| Died | February 27, 1902(1902-02-27) (aged 66–67) |
| Occupations | Minister, Politician |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Stella |
Robert Meacham (1835–1902) was an educational, religious and political leader inFlorida during and afterReconstruction.[1][2] AnAfrican-American, he was a slave inQuincy, Florida; one of the sons of his enslaver, he was educated by him. He purchased his freedom and that of his mother with money he had saved out of gratuities given to him by his father.[3] He helped to establish theAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church in Florida and acted as aminister.[1] He helped write Florida's newConstitution of 1868.[1]
In 1868 he was appointed clerk of the Circuit Court forJefferson County, Florida.[4] The following year he was named "superintendent of common schools". After a two-year term he becamepostmaster ofMonticello, Florida, county seat of Jefferson County. In 1871 he was reappointed to the school position, renewed again when the two-year term ran out. He went on to win a seat in theFlorida state legislature[2] as astate senator[5] serving from 1868 until 1879.[6] In 1880 he was made postmaster ofPunta Gorda, Florida. He retired toTampa in 1896, due to failing health, and died in 1902.[3]
His met his wife Stella, while both worked as servants in Tallahassee.[7] His daughter-in-law Christina Meacham (1865-1927) was a teacher and school principal in Tampa for whom the Meacham Early Childhood Center is named.[7]
 | This article about a member of the Florida State Senate is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |