Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument
Williamson County Courthouse
Suggested Wording to the Texas Historical Commission
for a Proposed Historical Contextual Marker
(to be placed next to the Confederate Monument)

1. Although a delegate from Williamson County voted against secession from the Union on February 2nd, 1861, Texas joined the Confederate States of America in March, 1861.

2. The Texas Declaration of Secession stated the purpose of that action was
to maintain slavery in this state, claiming as “undeniable truth…(that) the African race… (is) rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race and in that condition only could their existence in this country be rendered beneficial or tolerable.”

3. After the Civil War, the United States Constitution was amended in the late 1860s to
grant freedom, bestow citizenship, and guarantee the right to vote to the former slaves.

4. This Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument was erected in 1916 to honor the military service of citizens of Williamson County who fought for the Confederacy. Along with others like it erected in this same time period throughout the South, this monument reflected the Jim Crow era of our history when African Americans were subjected to racial discrimination, segregation, and injustices, inscribed by law.

5. This plaque is installed in this year- ????- to clarify history and to move forward to bring dignity and harmony to all members of our diverse community.

Note: This proposed wording was developed after a review of suggested wording from Mickie Ross, the Williamson Museum Director, and then in consultation with William E. Nicholas, retired Professor Emeritus of History, Birmingham-Southern College, in Birmingham, Alabama. Professor Nicholas encouraged us, for the purpose of a historical marker, to ensure the proposed information is historically accurate and verifiable, clear and concise in its wording, and devoid of biased statements. The above proposed wording was the consensus attempt by a Cultural and Historical Advocacy group in Georgetown to meet these criteria. The Williamson County Commissioners Court, however, denied permission for such a historical marker to be located on the Williamson County Courthouse grounds as required in an application to be submitted to the Texas Historical Commission.