Williams-Merrill House, the Former Home of ANC Williams

 A.N.C. Williams.  

A.N.C. Williams was born into slavery in Williamson County in 1844 and was freed before the end of the Civil War. He was the first free Black merchant to conduct business on Franklin's main square, successfully owning and managing stores in Franklin for sixty-three years. He began operating his first store on the public square in 1863, although the original location was destroyed during the battle of Franklin in 1864. His business occupied several locations before he finally purchased a building on upper Main Street on Franklin's downtown square. Both Black and white customers openly frequented A.N.C. Williams' store, which was unusual for this time, and signified his elevated standing in the Franklin community as well as the Natchez Street district.6He is listed on the Pioneer Families of Williamson County, and is buried in Toussaint L'Ouverture County Cemetery, Franklin's historic African-American cemetery. A.N.C. Williams is significant for his contribution as a free Black entrepreneur and businessman who assisted in the development of Franklin's post-Civil War downtown merchant base, as well as paving the way for additional African-American businesses to participate in Franklin's expanding economy.