Today Union Lieutenant Colonel James A. Thompson, stationed in Gallatin, Tennessee and hoping to be mustered out of service soon, writes to a friend, Sarah Sherburne. Thompson’s letter includes a mention of revival season among the Baptists of the area. “Gallatin Tennessee. October 23″ 1865. Friend Sarah Your kind letter dated Oct 6″ 1865.…
Delegates to the Hiwassee United Baptist Association of Tennessee, in annual meeting in Roane County, discuss and debate the recent Civil War. The South’s role in the war is considered as that of the aggressor, but the association seeks distance from political conflict and “unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” The question…
Edmond Kelley is Tennessee’s first ordained African American Baptist minister. Born a slave in Tennessee in 1817, he escaped to Massachusetts, where in 1851 he published his life’s story to date. Having secretly taught himself to read during his youth, in 1843 Kelley was ordained by the white First Baptist Church of Nashville. Three years…