William Patrick Mabson Sr. (c. 1844 or 1846 – December 20, 1916),[1][2] was an American educator, minister, newspaper owner, editor, and politician.
He was a state legislator in North Carolina for at least two terms, active during the Reconstruction era.
[3][4][5] Mabson was one of the founders of Freedom Hill (now Princeville) in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
[1][8] His brother was George Lawrence Mabson, North Carolina's first Black lawyer.
[6][1][14] He was the owner and editor of the Austin Searchlight weekly Black political newspaper, which ceased production shortly after his death.