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.
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.
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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.