Stevenson, William


Marker Number: 10894
Marker Title: The Rev. William Stevenson
Index Entry: Stevenson, William
Address:  
City: Clarksville
County: Red River
UTM Zone: 15
UTM Easting: 309718
UTM Northing: 3720944
Subject Codes: PI;
Year Marker Erected: 1972
Designations: na
Marker Location: Town Square on US 82, Main St.
Marker Size: 18" x 28"
Repairs Completed: Fair; Refinish
Marker Text: (October 4, 1768 - March 5, 1857) 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.