The College Education of Professor Frank Barrington

I have posted before about Richard Barrington, the former enslaved manservant of Senator Solomon Downs. I knew Mr. Barrington and his son Francis W. "Frank" Barrington founded one of the earliest schools for African-Americans in Monroe called Wisner Colored High School. I knew Richard sent his son north to receive his education, but until now, … Continue reading The College Education of Professor Frank Barrington →

Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington

Among Dr. Williams' papers was a file with Richard Barrington's name on it. Inside were copies of some sheets of paper with info written on them. Richard W. Barrington The first document was a paragraph which relates Mr. Barrington's dates of birth and death, along with some info about how he became a slave of … Continue reading Some Tidbits About Richard Barrington →

Talking Headstones: Richard Barrington

Robert Tanzy has acted in many plays locally. He had retired from the library but was convinced to come back and help us by playing Richard Barrington. He even grew a beard to look the part! https://youtu.be/LuMW5R_jLg8

Up From Slavery: An Interview with Richard Barrington

Yesterday, I told you about Senator Solomon W. Downs. Today I want to tell you about his slave, Mr. Richard Barrington. The following article was found many years ago in a New Orleans paper. It was printed just a few years before Richard's death. Richard was the father of Wisner Colored School, the forerunner of … Continue reading Up From Slavery: An Interview with Richard Barrington →

Louisiana Senator Solomon Weathersbee Downs

I wrote this article in August, 2007 for Louisiana Road Trips Magazine: Solomon Weatherbee Downs was born in Montgomery County, TN in 1801, the illegitimate son of William Weatherbee. At a young age, Downs’ parents moved to Ouachita Parish and he was sent to Transylvania University in Lexington, KY to finish his education. Downs studied … Continue reading Louisiana Senator Solomon Weathersbee Downs →