The Freedmen’s Bureau is especially active in South Carolina, the state formerly home to a large number of the South’s slaves. White residents of the states are already taking steps to restrict the freedoms of former slaves, while Northern relief and charitable agencies, including American Baptist-related organizations, are making efforts to assist freedmen in obtaining…
The Big Creek Baptist Church of South Carolina today issues its first formal statement pertaining to freedpersons: Should “colored members” leave “their former owners without leave, they shall notify the church.” They then “must apply for letters of dismission within the space of six months or their names shall be erased from the church book.”…
Gilead Baptist Church of South Carolina’s Grindal Shoals community dates to September 27, 1804. Revolutionary veterans comprised six of the founding members. Upon the commencement of the Civil War, many members joined the Confederate Army, including pastor Philip Ramsour Elam. William Lee took Elam’s place as pastor for 1861 and 1862. During Lee’s pastorate, three…