Baptists and the American Civil War: January 10, 1861
Florida becomes the third state to secede from the Union, as state delegates vote 62-7 for disunion. Among the state’s delegates who have speaking parts in the secession debate is James Byeram Owens, a 44-year old Baptist minister and planter who owns 89 slaves, has nine children, and also practices medicine. He represents Marion County,…