William A. Feilds

William A. Feilds


Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office 1885–1886

Personal details
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican

William A. Feilds (between c. 1846 and 1852 – September 9, 1898) was an African-American schoolteacher and principal, born a slave, who served one term as a Republican legislator in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1885 to 1886. He was also elected a member of the Shelby County county court (a legislative body), and a justice of the peace. According to researchers on the American documentary series Who Do You Think You Are? (2011), he is the maternal great-great-grandfather of actress, singer, and Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams and of actor Chris Williams and the maternal great-great-great-grandfather of Jillian Hervey.