Family Demands Refund of 1890 Donation Made to Richmond University

Nkasiobi Oluikpe

The family of Thomas C. Williams (1831 – 1889) has told Richmond University, Virginia, USA, to return their ancestors’ donation Made to the institution in 1890, with interest.

The demand was made after the university removed T.C. Williams name from its law school, citing his ownership of enslaved people. This is also despite no documentation proof of Williams ownership of enslaved people.

The amount, which is put at $51million, calculated at six per cent compound interest, is a memorial gift the family was said to have made to the school in 1890.

“Williams attended Richmond College, was a Richmond College trustee from 1881 until his death in 1889, and was a benefactor of the institution.

“The law school had been called the T.C. Williams School of Law since 1920, but in 2022, the university removed his name from the school, citing recently located public records showing his ownership of enslaved people.”