Athens in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Reconstruction
Fort Henderson and Trinity School
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2020
1. Reconstruction Marker
Inscription.
Reconstruction. Fort Henderson and Trinity School. “Trinity School founder Mary Fletcher Wells and the American Missionary Association forged the path for reconstruction in Limestone County's African American population in an approach based on the belief that education and religion – in equal parts – were necessary if freedmen were to claim the full benefits of citizenship.” , Charlotte Fulton, author of Holding the Fort: A History of Trinity School in Athens, Alabama 1865-1970
Veterans of the 110th United States Colored Troops returned to a home forever altered by war. Some elected to build a future in Limestone County; others decided to make their own way in the post-bellum world. Doctor Peete enlisted in the 38th U.S. Infantry. Peete served in Kansas as a guard for stagecoaches. He mustered out at Fort Richardson, Texas, in 1870. Peete moved to Dallas and worked as a laborer. He died there on February 2, 1923. Unlike their former comrade, George Allen, John Jackson and John Roberts remained in Limestone County. Allen bought land from his former owner and with his wife Martha raised twelve children. He passed away on May 1, 1896. Jackson returned to Elkmont and adopted the surname Dawson. He died in 1905. Roberts became a farmer and was married three times. In 1911, Roberts purchased a tract of land from a Mr. Jack Grisham for $1601.52. Roberts passed away on May 19, 1943, in Athens at the age of 105. By then, his old post at Fort Henderson served a different and important purpose. Founded by Mary Fletcher Wells, the site was now a school for African Americans.
[Photo captions:] , Middle: A native of Michigan, Wells founded Trinity School in the battle- damaged white Baptist church near the Athens railroad depot in May 1865. Wells also established Trinity Congregational Church in 1872. This is the only known surviving image of Wells, found in a book published in 1893, a year after her death. Frances E. Willard and Mary A. Livermore, A Woman of the Century
Right: Sammie Dawson Mason holds a photograph of her father, 110th USCT soldier John Jackson Dawson. Mason attended and taught at Trinity School where her father fought and became a prisoner of war. As a young girl, Sammie often searched the school grounds for bullets during recess. Courtesy of the Decatur Daily
“Trinity School founder Mary Fletcher Wells
and the American Missionary Association
forged the path for reconstruction in Limestone
County's African American population in an
approach based on the belief that education
and religion – in equal parts – were necessary
if freedmen were to claim the full benefits of
citizenship.” — Charlotte Fulton, author of
Holding the Fort: A History of Trinity School in
Athens, Alabama 1865-1970
Veterans of the 110th United States Colored Troops
returned to a home forever altered by war. Some
elected to build a future in Limestone County; others
decided to make their own way in the post-bellum
world. Doctor Peete enlisted in the 38th U.S. Infantry.
Peete served in Kansas as a guard for stagecoaches.
He mustered out at Fort Richardson, Texas, in 1870.
Peete moved to Dallas and worked as a laborer. He
died there on February 2, 1923. Unlike their former
comrade, George Allen, John Jackson and John
Roberts remained in Limestone County. Allen bought
land from his former owner and with his wife Martha
raised twelve children. He passed away on May 1,
1896. Jackson returned to Elkmont and adopted the
surname Dawson. He died in 1905. Roberts became
a farmer and was married three times. In 1911,
Roberts purchased a tract of land from a Mr. Jack
Grisham
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for $1601.52. Roberts passed away on May
19, 1943, in Athens at the age of 105. By then, his
old post at Fort Henderson served a different and
important purpose. Founded by Mary Fletcher Wells,
the site was now a school for African Americans.
[Photo captions:]
Middle: A native of Michigan, Wells founded Trinity School in the battle-
damaged white Baptist church near the Athens railroad depot in
May 1865. Wells also established Trinity Congregational Church in
1872. This is the only known surviving image of Wells, found in a
book published in 1893, a year after her death. Frances E. Willard
and Mary A. Livermore, A Woman of the Century
Right: Sammie Dawson Mason holds a photograph of
her father, 110th USCT soldier John Jackson
Dawson. Mason attended and taught at Trinity
School where her father fought and became a
prisoner of war. As a young girl, Sammie often
searched the school grounds for bullets during
recess. Courtesy of the Decatur Daily
Erected 2020 by American Battlefield Trust & Paul Bryant Jr.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 2, 1923.
Location. 34° 47.86′ N, 86° 58.828′ W. Marker is in Athens, Alabama
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 18, 2020
2. Reconstruction Marker on extreme right side of circle.
, in Limestone County. Marker is on Trinity Circle north of Browns Ferry Street (County Road 29), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 Trinity Cir, Athens AL 35611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
