As secession fervor continues sweeping the South, Virginians are conflicted. In the eastern part of the state, slavery is a major economic foundation and slave-based plantations are common. To the west (which in 1863 would become the new state of West Virginia), slavery is less dominant, and small farmers more numerous, yet many non-slaveholders in…
In the pages of the Primitive Baptist (the newspaper of Primitive Baptists in south Georgia and north Florida), editor Burwell Temple breaks from the ranks of most of his fellow Primitive brethren by publicly addressing the issue of secession. Temple expresses foreboding for the new year, but remains hopeful that all “true” Primitive Baptists –…
Shortly after the new year begins, the white First Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee establishes a “Second Colored Baptist Mission” in Edgefield (on Fatherland Street), East Nashville. Directed by a white committee and George Dardis, a free black preacher, the Second slave congregation is co-sponsored by Nelson G. Merry, the free black pastor of the…