Clarksville in Red River County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Rev. William Stevenson

(October 4, 1768 - March 5, 1857)

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

1. The Rev. William Stevenson Marker

Inscription. Frontier minister; friend of Stephen F. Austin, father of Texas. A circuit rider in Missouri Conference, Methodist Church, Mr. Stevenson in 1815 made a pastoral trip to Pecan Point, home of Claiborne Wright, member of newly-arrived Anglo-American colony on Texas side of the Red River. Records indicate that his preaching to Wright and friends in 1815 constituted the first Protestant sermons ever given in Texas, then part of Catholic "New Spain." He thus established a beachhead for religious freedom in Texas at this point of entry.

Erected 1972 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10894.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 33° 36.682′ N, 95° 3.019′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Texas, in Red River County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Walnut Street and Broadway Street. Located in town square, former location of courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 Walnut Street, Clarksville TX 75426, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stagecoach Stand, C. S. A. (here, next to this marker); Five Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Red River County

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(a few steps from this marker); Members of Confederate Congresses (a few steps from this marker); Home of Col. Charles DeMorse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Northern Standard (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church Clarksville (about 600 feet away); Red River County War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Red River Courthouse (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article on William Stevenson. (Submitted on August 15, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Rev. William Stevenson Marker on right side of photo. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

2. The Rev. William Stevenson Marker on right side of photo.

Marker in town square to right of Confederate statue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 21, 2016

3. Marker in town square to right of Confederate statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.