William L. Owen

William L. Owen (April 29, 1809 – July 22, 1881) was a planter, businessman, and politician from Halifax County, Virginia. As a politician, he served in the House of Delegates of Virginia, the Committee of Nine, and the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867. He was a trustee of Virginia Military Institute and Hampden-Sydney College.

Early life and education William L. Owen was born April 29, 1809, the second son of John Owen and Nancy Easley of Black Walnut, Virginia, now known as Cluster Springs. Both John and his father Robertson Owen were planters in Halifax County.

Family lore is that he was born in a home named 'Mayo' that takes its name from a community where the Mayo Creek is crossed by modern-day Highway 96 in southeastern Black Walnut District. His brother, Robert Easley Owen, and his nephew, Thomas Howerton Owen, lived in this home the rest of their lives. Census records may verify this.

The Last Will and Testament of his father specified that “my children ... to be given what is generally understood to be a common school education, such as reading, writing and common arithmetic”.

Before the Civil War

Family lore tells that as the Civil War approached and began, Owen's extensive business connections in both northern and southern states lead him to believe that the South could not prevail against the industrial strength of the North.

American Civil War

Family lore tells that William L. Owen owned a cotton broker business in Milton, North Carolina and purchased cotton from farmers during the Civil War. ". serving on the following committees: Second Auditor's Office (1865–1866) (chair) Executive Expenditures (1866–1867) Finance Resolutions (1866–1867)

According to oral history, one of his former slaves served in the House of Delegates of Virginia at the same time as he.

Mr. Owen did serve with David Canada, an African-American, in the Constitutional Convention of 1867

Further research is needed to determine if either of these two individuals were former slaves of Owen.

Virginia Convention William L. Owen served in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867.

"Owen voted as a Conservative throughout the convention with only one exception: he voted with the Radicals against a "roll call on the adoption of a minority report of the Committee on the Franchise ... [which failed to enfranchise Blacks.". According to the minutes of the debate, he disagreed with some proposed provisions, especially funding sources in the form of taxes from exempt businesses. The convention was factious, and members argued extensively over issues the Federal Government required them to address in the Reconstruction Constitution. Owen felt the pressure acutely and wrote in April 1868 to a family member: "How a wise and rational government could have contrived - and can continue [these policies]... is to me the greatest wonder and astonishment of my life. I have been through all the trials until now intensely National in my feelings. At great peril to my reputation amongst my own people and kindred...and fully I plead for the Union and upheld its authority. Is it human nature to continue to live and cherish a Government so cruel?" " available at HathiTrust Digital Library.

His participation in the Constitutional Convention and Committee of Nine is recorded in The Debates and proceedings of the Constitutional convention of the state of Virginia available at HathiTrust Digital Library and recounted in The Constitution of Virginia: An Annotated Edition.

Committee of Nine During the Reconstruction, he played a major role in the Committee of Nine.

Trustee He was a member of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Military Institute from 1864 to 1871. Later in life, he was referred to as “Colonel”, but this must have been an honorary title since he did not attend VMI and does not appear to have been in the military.

He was elected to the Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sydney College June 13, 1876 and served until his death in 1881. At least two of his sons attended Hampden-Sydney College and one son, Archibald Alexander Owen, married a daughter of Hampden-Sydney College President John M. P. Atkinson. later destroyed by fire and rebuilt by his son Rufus Owen.

He was a Mason and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church.

Death and legacy He died July 22, 1881, leaving an estate valued at $999,990.

The Hon. W.L. Owen Scholarship at Hampden-Sydney College was dedicated in his honor in 2009 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth.