William Massey, minister, and educator, was born in Culpepper County, Virginia in 1843 or 1844. His mother was Mrs. Mildred Thompson; his father was unknown to him. He was sold from his mother at the auction block in Richmond, Virginia in 1856. Dr. Allen M. Hall who took him to Tennessee bought him. Mr. Hall sold him to a slave trader, John R. Massey, who in turn sold him to a cotton planter named J.B.Sterling, at Greenville Mississippi. William Massey tried to run away from slavery. He got as far as Memphis but was captured and returned to his master who made his feet fast in stocks. William Massey recounted how "a log and chain was placed upon my legs and I was forced to drag them around. During this sad experience of 1859 I professed a hope in Christ and my master licensed me to preach." When the Confederate Army in Mobile surrender he made his way to Union troops, and enlisted in the 8th Illinois Regiment and went with them to Mobile, then to New Orleans, Red River, Mississippi, Shreveport, Louisiana; Marshall, Texas: and Alexandria, Louisiana.
His first marriage before the Civil War produced one
daughter, who for many years taught school in Texas. He
was sold from his first wife during slavery and married
again after the emancipation of the slaves. He had at
least three children by Cora, his second wife. His second
wife died in Feb 1899 in Austin. William Massey married
yet again in 1900. He and his third wife, Mary, had at
least one daughter.
His education was not extensive and he never went to school. His young mistress in Alexandria, VA taught him his alphabets. All he knows besides he taught himself. Still he made himself proficient in the primary grades and has taught very success schools. He was one the Freedmen's Bureau's teacher in Marshall, Texas. In 1869, along with the other bureau teacher, Caroline Poe, he helped found a new school building to replace the two rundown schoolhouses that had been the only places of education for black children in Marshall.
At the close of the war he joined Bethesda Baptist
Church, Marshall, from which he was ordained in September
1867, by a presbytery of white brethren, among whom were
Dr. A. E. Clemons and T. L. Scruggs and several deacons
of the white church. Soon thereafter Rev. William Massey
organized the "Colored Baptist Church" in his
home. Soon the name "Bethesda" was chosen for
the biblical pool where the sick and troubled went for
healing. Members of this congregation included prominent
business, educational, and political leaders.
The ministry of Reverend Massey spanned many years,
during which his services proved invaluable, especially
to the Missionary Baptists, who at that time had but few
consecrated men in the field. He did both pastoral and
evangelistic work. He was a pioneer. He pastored the
church at Marshall for seven years; from Marshall he
located at Waco, where he did commendable work for four
years. The Calvert church calls him for six years. He
also pastored at Austin, Navasota, Cold Springs,
Weatherford, Pilot Point, Denison, San Angelo and other
locations.
During his long career he converted over 3000 peoples and more than 2500 have been baptized. Rev. Massey was at one time the moderator of St. John Association and served as president of the Missionary and Educational Convention of Texas for fourteen years. Guadalupe College and a Presbyterian college conferred upon him the degree of D. D. Reverend Massey was one of the founders of the Thirteen District Association in Northern Louisiana. Rev. Massey was also President of the Texas State Convention. He is a life member of the National Baptist Convention and at one time served as one of it vice presidents
Reverend Massey is interred in Old Powder Mill Cemetery,
in Marshall, Texas