Parsons in Tucker County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Williams v. Board of Education Case

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

1. Williams v. Board of Education Case Marker

Inscription. In 1892, Coketon Colored School teacher Carrie Williams sued the local school board for equal pay. She was represented by the first African American lawyer in WV, J.R. Clifford, in front of Judge Hoke. Local jury found for her and she won appeal at WV Supreme Court. This early civil rights case affirmed equal school terms for African Americans in WV.

Erected 2011 by Tucker County Historical Society & Friends of Blackwater, and the West Virginia Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the West Virginia Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 39° 5.808′ N, 79° 40.812′ W. Marker is in Parsons, West Virginia, in Tucker County. Marker is on First Street (U.S. 219) west of Walnut Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Parsons WV 26287, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. We Are Free Because You Were Brave! (here, next to this marker); Tucker County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Corrick's Ford Battle (a few steps from this marker); Tucker County Jail

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Tucker County Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Parsons / Corrick's Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of All Women who Served in the Armed Forces to Preserve America's Freedom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of All Vietnam Veterans (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parsons.

Regarding Williams v. Board of Education Case. The law said the school year was eight months, but only five months’ worth of money was allocated to the colored school for the teacher’s salary. The schoolteacher taught the full eight months, and then sued for the missing three months’ salary. She won because the school board did not follow the law and she did.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Additional commentary.
1. The Carrie Williams Case
Excerpt from the 1898 WV Supreme Court ruling: “1. The law of this state does not authorize boards of education to discriminate between white

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

2. Williams v. Board of Education Case Marker

and colored schools in the same district as to length of term to be taught.

“2. Where a teacher has been employed to teach a colored school by the trustees thereof, under the supervision of the board of education, and she teaches the same the full term of the other primary schools in the same district, satisfactorily to the patrons of such school, she is entitled to pay for her whole term of service; and the board of education cannot escape the payment thereof by interposing a plea that it had, by reason of the school being a colored school, limited the term thereof to a shorter period than the white schools in the same district. Such discrimination, being made merely on account of color, cannot be recognized or tolerated, as it is contrary to public policy and the law of the land.”

— Submitted September 1, 2018.

Marker at the Tucker County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 22, 2014

3. Marker at the Tucker County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 838 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.