State Representative Mike Sparks, Daily News Journal, July 19, 2015
The bust of Rep. Sampson Keeble sits prominently in the rotunda of the Tennessee State Capitol
Did you know that the first African-American Tennessee legislator was from Rutherford County?
Many may not be aware of the name Sampson Keeble. In m y opinion, Keeble was a significant trailblazer who paved the way for African-Americans in politics in the great state of Tennessee.
Keeble came from a household owned by Walter Keeble, a white slave owner who treated his servants (he would not refer to them as slaves) with respect and compassion. Walter Keeble emphasized in his 1816 will that his slaves were to be cared for, educated and freed as soon as the law abolished slavery and that any of his heirs who did not agree receive nothing — land, slaves nor money.
When Walter Keeble died, Sampson Keeble along with Walter Keeble’s children and grandchildren received inheritances.
When Sampson Keeble was 18 years old, he took a job as “roller boy” on the Rutherford Telegraph in Murfreesboro. By 1854 Keeble was working as pressman for both the Telegraph and the Murfreesboro News.
He may well have learned the trade under H.P. and Edwin Keeble, who owned the Murfreesboro Monitor newspaper.
Walter Keeble Sr. and son Walter Jr. built this home in 1811. The home was passed to his daughter and husband, Dr. George W. Thompson and Mary Eliza Keeble Thompson in 1844. Thomas E. McCullough purchased the home in 1887 and resided there till 1928 when James Peyton Smith purchased the home.
A man of many attributes Sampson Keeble was a barber, businessman and civic leader and became the first African-American to serve in the 38th Tennessee General Assembly from 1873-1875 and with an ironic twist served in the Confederate Army and as a Republican.
Sampson Keeble was believed to be among the wealthiest blacks in the city of Nashville at that time. The love of politics ignited when he worked for some time as a custodian in a law office, where he became interested in studying law.
The attorneys in that practice, intrigued by his enthusiasm and whit became supportive of his efforts and helped prepare him to eventually take the bar exam. Keeble’s legal training would later allow him to qualify for election as a Davidson County magistrate.
He worked in a barbershop on Cedar Street (today’s Charlotte Avenue) and took various part-time jobs to support himself and his family. Sampson eventually established the Rock City Barber Shop and managed it for about 20 years.
Sampson Keeble’s journey becoming a legislator started off as a rocky adventure. He submitted his name as a Republican nominee for a seat in the General Assembly in July 1869 but lost the nomination to J.H. Sumner. This loss did not stop his determination and passion to leave an impact.
He remained active in politics, and his intelligence and good nature won him many friends and supporters. Unlike most other counties that elected black politicians during the next decade or so, Davidson County continued to retain a majority of white voters.
On 224 North Walnut Street in Murfreesboro sits one of the most prominent and historical buildings owned by the wealthy Keeble family. Sadly this building (the former site of The Daily News Journal) is set to be demolished within the next several weeks.
The house was originally built for Edwin Keeble, who owned the newspaper company that Sampson Keeble worked for as a young boy. Not only was Edwin Keeble a business owner, he served in the Tennessee General Assembly and as speaker of the House.
It is evident that the leadership passed from Walter Keeble down to his siblings, children and servants continued to change the dynamics and progression in Nashville. There is no doubt in my mind that young Sampson Keeble viewed Edwin Keeble as a mentor who noticed Sampson’s leadership potential.
MTSU, with Sidney McPhee’s leadership, and the nationally acclaimed College of Mass Communication and Billy Pittard, chair of the electronic media communications department, who has won five Emmys and produced 30 documentary films, the Rutherford County Historical Society, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, County Historian Greg Tucker and many others w ho have a love for our history and heritage should come together and help produce a documentary about the life of Sampson Keeble.
This Tennessee Historical Commission marker commemorates the service of Sampson W. Keeble, “the first African-American to serve in the Tennessee General Assembly.” It stands near the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Avenue in downtown Nashville. (photo by Kathy Lauder)
Not only does his personal story need to be told, but it could have a significant impact on our local tourism.
Mike Sparks of Smyrna represents the 49th District in the General Assembly.