Thomas McCain

Thomas McCain
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
Member of the MississippiHouseofRepresentatives
In office 1872–1875
Personal details
Born	c. 1827 Tennessee, United States
Party	Republican

Thomas McCain (born c. 1827) was an American politician from DeSoto County, Mississippi. ^[1] An African-American officeholder during the Reconstruction era, he represented DeSoto County in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1872 to 1875 and was appointed lieutenant colonel of the county militia. ^{[2] [3]}

Early life

McCain was born in Tennessee. ^[3] By 1870 he was living in DeSoto County, Mississippi, where federal census records list him with his wife, Tabitha, and their children. ^{[3] [4]}

Career

He represented DeSoto County in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1872 to 1875. ^[2] He was an officer in the county militia. ^[3]

Personal life

He was married and had children. ^[3]

See also

• African American officeholders from the end of the Civil War until before 1900

References

1. Riley, Franklin L., ed. (1910). Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society. Vol. 11. University, Mississippi: Mississippi Historical Society. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
2. Foner, Eric (1996). Freedom's Lawmakers: A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press. p. 144.
3. Baldwin, DeeDee. "Thomas McCain (DeSoto County)". Against All Odds: The First Black Legislators in Mississippi. Mississippi State University Libraries. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
4. "Thomas McCain (DeSoto County)". Mississippi State University Libraries. Retrieved December 4, 2025.