Drake, William Winans, 1843-1870
Biography
William Winans Drake (1843-1870) is the son of Rev. Benjamin Michael Drake (1800-1860) and
Susannah Priscilla Hawkins Magruder Drake (1811-1892). He attended Centenary College of
Louisiana from 1858 until 1861, when the college suspended classes during the American Civil War.
The college’s trustees awarded him a bachelor’s degree in 1868.
In 1862, Drake joined the Mississippi Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Within
the conference, he served the following positions (some dates are approximate): Port Gibson and
Colored Mission pastor (1862), Port Gibson Female Academy teacher (1863), Adams Colored Mission
(1864), Greenville pastor (1865-1869), Greenville District presiding elder (1867-1870).
In 1866, Drake married Alice Gorton (1847-1910). Their children were Benjamin Magruder Drake
(1868-1947) and William Winans Drake (1871-1933).
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
William Winans Drake letter
Letter from Centenary College of Louisiana student William Winans Drake to his father, Rev. Benjamin Michael Drake, who served on Centenary’s board of trustees. Also includes a postscript to his sister, Jane. Letter discusses upcoming meeting of Centenary’s trustees, activities of the college’s literary societies and French Society, student enrollment and attendance, and classroom assignments.