"The Gospel As Preached in the South"

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

The Gospel As Preached in the South, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Foot
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

The Gospel As Preached in the South, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Account by Henry Cooke, who had escaped his enslavement by Robert C. Nicholas, of a Gospel Meetings in Louisiana, led by William Ellis, another enslaved person, of Virginia. Title, "The Gospel as preached in the South."

The account was given as testimony in New Haven (Connecticut) on January 30, 1844. Cooke explains how meetings were arranged, when they were held, how many people attended and what happened if enslaved persons were caught.

Exerpts from the testimony: Cooke said he had attended a Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, the only nearby church, but "could not understand it." Overseer married one of the daughters of William Ellis "when Mr. Nicholas was absent at Washington." "It being the custom among planters theirs to make their slaves always take a thing that is offered them whether they want it or not." This comment was about an enslaved person being offered a glass of grog. If he had refused, he would have been whipped. "…-you are damn fools – don't pray any more when you feel bad take a fiddle and go to dancing." This comment was made by Robert Nicholas after he read the Bible to persons he had enslaved.

Biographical / historical:

Henry Cooke was enslaved on the plantation of Robert C. Nicholas, located 7 miles from Donaldsonville, Louisiana. He testified in 1844 in New Haven (Connecticut) about Gospel meetings held on plantations.

Acquisition information:
Purchase.
Physical description:
1 item