Willis Benjamin Furbert known as “WB” was born 1870 to Thomas Furbert and Sarah Elizabeth Hill. WB was a Member ofColonial Parliament (MCP), representing Hamilton Parish. WB is a member of the Furbert clan which has a major presence in Hamilton Parish as business and property owners, church leaders, educators, and parliamentarians.
The family achieved a milestone in 1933 when Ernest Thompson Furbert(WB’s Brother)was elected as the first black Member ofColonialParliament for Hamilton Parish, beating out aMr.Outerbridge. According to a report in The Royal Gazette, onElection Day, Ernest told his supporters they had “accomplished an event unparalleled in the history ofthe parish in returning a coloured representative.”
W.B Furbert was a member of Parliament for Hamilton Parish for 15 years.He announced his retirement at TemperanceHall, the first black school in Hamilton Parish built by his grandfather Benjamin Hill, who was also a ship builder.During his speech when he retired, he mentioned
“I have lived eighty three years and have witnessed many changes in Bermuda. Some of the most changes have taken place in the last decade during which time important legislation has been passed in the House of Assembly.Free education, more scholarships and better scholarships and better schools have been provided; and Hamilton Parish has perhaps the best school building. There has been some extension of the franchise in the fact that women are now allowed to vote.We shall have to watch our industries and economy.In my early days I was closely connected with farming, and I believe that greater stimulus should be given this industry.”
Willis Benjamin Furbert is buried at Holy Trinity Church and is the Great Grandfather of the Hon. Wayne L. Furbert, JP, MP the current member of Parliament, who has served the residence of Hamilton Parish for over 30 years.