Mississippi becomes the second state to secede from the United States. Among Mississippi’s leading advocates of secession and promoters of the Confederacy is Reuben Davis (1813-1890), a politician/physician/historian/lawyer from a Baptist family. “A true Southerner” and ardent advocate of black slavery, Davis is a renowned lawyer and Mississippi congressman who resigns his congressional seat upon…
Alabama’s secession convention continues. Accompanying James DeVotie as a secession convention delegate is fellow Baptist Samuel Henderson, Tuskegee pastor and editor of the South Western Baptist state paper. With DeVotie, Henderson is an avowed secessionist. Somewhat of an outlier among Baptists in the South at large, Henderson since the early 1850s has been an advocate…
Alabama’s secession convention begins in Montgomery. Among the delegates is James DeVotie. One of the most respected preachers in the state, DeVotie had pastored (in succession) Montgomery First Baptist, Tuscaloosa First Baptist, and Siloam Baptist in Marion. While pastoring Siloam, DeVotie helped establish Howard College (now Samford University) and held a variety of elected positions…