Sheppard "Shep" Mullens
Waco, McLennan County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Following the American Civil War and Emancipation of slaves in 1865, it was not until 1867 that African Americans in Texas were able to uniformly register to vote, following the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While African Americans served as delegates to state constitutional conventions prior to 1870, the first African Americans elected to serve in the Texas Legislature were elected to the 12th Legislature, which convened in provisional session on February 8, 1870. Prior to the end of federal Reconstruction in 1870, twelve African Americans served in the Texas House of Representatives, and two served in the Texas Senate. This marker is erected in honor of: Sheppard "Shep" Mullens (c. 1829 - August 6, 1871) representative in the 12th Texas Legislature representing McLennan, Limestone and Falls counties. Sheppard (also Shep, Shepperd, Sheppert) Mullens (also Mullins) was born into slavery in Lawrence County, Alabama around 1829. He was brought to Texas in 1854. After Emancipation, Mullens acquired several lots in Waco and other land in McLennan County. On December 29, 1866, he married Sallie Downs. Mullens emerged as a community leader, was appointed to register voters in the county, and served as a delegate to the Republican Party convention and Constitutional Convention of 1868-69. Mullens won a seat in the 12th Texas Legislature. He served on the Immigration and Privileges and Elections committees. While still in his term of service, Mullens died on August 6, 1871, in Waco and was buried at First Street Cemetery. Erected by the 88th Texas Legislature and the Texas Historical Commission as Authorized by SB 667 (2023)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born into slavery in Alabama around 1829 and brought to Texas in 1854, Sheppard "Shep" Mullens emerged after Emancipation as a Waco community leader — acquiring land, registering voters, and serving as a delegate to the 1868-69 Constitutional Convention. In 1870 he won a seat in the 12th Texas Legislature, among the first African Americans ever to serve there, representing McLennan, Limestone, and Falls counties. He died in office in 1871 and was buried in Waco's First Street Cemetery; the state placed this marker in his honor in 2023.
Why it matters
Mullens was part of the first generation of Black Texans to hold elective office, a brief Reconstruction opening of the political system that would be shut down for nearly a century afterward.
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Related people
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