Voices of Camptown

Step beyond the well-trodden paths of Texas history and discover the vibrant, resilient community of Camptown—a freedom colony whose stories have too long lain buried beneath the soil of its historic cemetery.

In Voices of Camptown: Untold Stories From a Freedom Colony Cemetery, Charles Swenson, Tina B. Henderson, Ph.D., and Robert R. Bubb, Ph.D., bring to light the remarkable lives and legacies of African Americans in post-Emancipation Washington County, Texas.

This meticulously researched and deeply human narrative begins where most histories end: in the overgrown, nearly forgotten Camptown Cemetery. Here, the authors uncover the lives of those who transformed adversity into opportunity, building churches, schools, businesses, and a vibrant civic life in the shadow of Reconstruction and Jim Crow. Through painstaking archival work, oral histories, and community collaboration, the book resurrects the voices of individuals like Wiley Hubert, a master carpenter and community builder; Sam Love, a pioneering educator; and Mary Marks, whose personal journey echoes the broader struggle for dignity and recognition.

Each chapter weaves together personal stories with the broader currents of Texas and American history, revealing how formerly enslaved people forged new identities and communities despite daunting obstacles. Readers will meet educators, entrepreneurs, lawmen, and families whose names, once nearly lost, now stand as testaments to perseverance and hope. The book also chronicles the passionate, modern-day efforts to reclaim and honor this heritage, culminating in the restoration of Camptown Cemetery as a place of memory and pride.

Voices of Camptown is more than a local history—it is a celebration of community, resilience, and the enduring power of remembrance. It reveals the overlooked story of the “Birthplace of Texas Independence”— where half the population received their independence only following the Civil War — and challenges us to recognize the hidden chapters of our shared past and to honor those whose stories, once silenced, now speak with clarity and grace. Perfect for readers of African American history, Texas heritage, and anyone who believes in the importance of uncovering the truths that shape us all.