Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Anne T. Johnson, Special Collections Assistant.
Administrative Information
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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.
Preferred Citation:
The Gospel As Preached in the South, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase.
Biographical Information:
Henry Cooke was a slave on the plantation of Robert C. Nicholas located 7 miles from Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Testified in 1844 in New Haven (Connecticut) about Gospel Meetings on plantations. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Account by Henry Cooke, a runaway slave belonging to Robert C. Nicholas, of a Gospel Meetings in Louisiana, led by William Ellis, another slave, 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 epxplains how meetings were arranged, when they were held, how many people attended and what happened if slaves were caught. For excerpts see folder link below.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- African Americans--Religion
- Fugitive slaves
- Slavery--Louisiana--History
- Slavery--Southern States--History
Container List
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 a slave 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 his slaves.