William A. Feilds

William A. Feilds
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office 1885–1886
Personal details
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican

William A. Feilds^{[N 1]} (born c. 1846–1852, died September 9, 1898) was an African-American schoolteacher and principal, born a slave, who served one term as a Republican legislator in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1885 to 1886. He was also elected a member of the Shelby County county court (a legislative body), and a justice of the peace.^[1] According to researchers on the American documentary series Who Do You Think You Are? (2011), he is the maternal great-great-grandfather of actress, singer, and Miss America 1984, Vanessa L. Williams and of actor Chris Williams and the maternal great-great-great-grandfather of Jillian Hervey.^[2][1]

Notes

1. Historical records do not agree on the spelling of his surname; it has been alternatively spelled Field, Fields, and Feild. According to the state of Tennessee, Feilds himself preferred this spelling.^[1]

References

1. "African American Legislators in 19th Century Tennessee: WILLIAM ALEXANDER FEILDS". State of Tennessee. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
2. "Who Do You Think You Are?: Season 2, Episode 1, Vanessa Williams (February, 2011)". Who Do You Think You Are?. 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2015-12-05.