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NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.
The object of the writer, in preparing this account of himself, is to
RAISE SUFFICIENT MEANS TO FREE HIS LAST TWO CHILDREN FROM SLAVERY.
Having already, within twelve years past, purchased himself, his wife,
and five of his children, at a cost, altogether, of over _four thousand
dollars_, he now earnestly desires a humane and christian public to
AID HIM IN THE SALE OF THIS BOOK,
for the purpose of finishing the task in which he has so long and
anxiously labored.
God has blessed him in an extraordinary manner, not only by granting
freedom to him and so large a portion of his family, but by giving him
the hope of the gospel, and permitting him to preach that gospel among
his own people--in which calling he has been engaged for about
twenty-five years.
[Illustration: THE SARATOGA STREET AFRICAN BAPTIST CHAPEL.]
The building, of which the above cut is an imperfect representation,
fronts as above 100 feet on Saratoga street, and 46 feet on Calvert
street. The house is of brick, and cost over $18,000.--(See page 45.)
A
NARRATIVE
OF
THE LIFE
OF
REV. NOAH DAVIS,
_A COLORED MAN._
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, AT THE AGE OF FIFTY-FOUR.
PRINTED SOLELY FOR THE AUTHOR'S BENEFIT.
Baltimore:
PUBLISHED BY JOHN F. WEISHAMPEL, JR.,
No. 484 West Baltimore St.
ENTERED according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by NOAH
DAVIS, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Maryland.
STEREOTYPED BY
JOHN F. WEISHAMPEL, JR., BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER,
BALTIMORE.
Contents.
CHAPTER I.
Early Life in Virginia--Example of Pious Parents.
CHAPTER II.
Apprenticed to the Shoe-making--Learns housework--Intemperance--"A negro
can't be trusted"--Learning how to write and cipher.
CHAPTER III.
Religious Experience--Conviction and Conversion.
CHAPTER IV.
Marriage--License to Preach--Purchase of Freedom--Call to Baltimore.
CHAPTER V.
Experience in Baltimore--Education--Purchase of a Wife
and two Children--Great Distress of Mind--Generous Assistance--Church
Matters.
CHAPTER VI.
A New Movement in Baltimore--Erection of a Meeting
House for the African Baptist Church--Heavy Indebtedness--Account
of the Enterprise.
CHAPTER VII.
Account of a Visit to the northern Cities--True Friends.
CHAPTER VIII.
Conclusion--Object of this Book.
NARRATIVE.
CHAPTER I.
Early Life in Virginia--Example of Pious Parents.
I was born a slave, in Madison county, Virginia, March, 1804. My father,
John Davis, and his family, belonged to Robert Patten, Esq., a wealthy
merchant, residing in Fredericksburg--who was also owner, in connection
with Mr. John Thom, of a large merchant mill, located on "Crooked Run,"
a stream running between Madison and Culpepper counties. My father was
the head miller in that large establishment, in which responsible
station he was much respected.
There I was born, and remained until I was twelve years old. Mr. Patten
was always considered one of the best of masters, allowing his servants
many privileges; but my father enjoyed more than many others. Both he
and my mother were pious members of a Baptist church, and from their
godly example, I formed a determination, before I had reached my
twelfth year, that if I was spared to become a man, I would try to be as
good as my parents. My father could read a little, and make figures, but
could scarcely write at all. His custom, on those Sabbaths when we
remained at home, was to spend his time in instructing his children, or
the neighboring servants, out of a New Testament, sent him from
Fredericksburg by one of his older sons. I fancy I can see him now,
sitting under his bush arbor, reading that precious book to many
attentive hearers around him.
Such was the esteem I had for my pious father, that I have kept that
blessed book ever since his death, for his sake; and it was the first
New Testament I read, after I felt the pardoning love of God in my soul.
My father died, August 20, 1826, aged 60 years. My mother, Jane Davis,
at the death of my father, removed from the farm, where my father died,
and spent the remainder of her days in Fredericksburg, with her
children. She lived to good old age, and fell asleep in Jesus, Dec. 24,
1831.
My father had been allowed to keep a cow and horse, for his own use; and
to raise and feed his hogs and poultry from the mill. He had the
privilege of keeping his children with him, until they were old enough
to put out to such trades as they might choose. I had several brothers
and one sister. Two of my brothers, one older, the other younger than
myself, lived with our parents, at this place. My oldest brother worked
in the mill, with my father, while my youngest brother and I did little
else than play about home, and wait upon our mother. I had several
playmates, besides my brothers, and among them were the sons of Col.
Thom, and the servant boys who stayed at his house. Although many years
have passed away since, it gives me pleasure, even now, to recollect the
happy seasons I enjoyed with the playmates of my childhood.
But this pleasant state of things was not to continue long. The owners
of the mill and farm concluded to sell out the whole concern. My father
and his family then removed to another farm, belonging to our owner,
located in Culpepper county, near Stevensburg. Here I remained nearly two
years, working, part of the time, with a carpenter, who was building a
summer residence for my master; and the rest of the time, assisting my
father to cultivate as much ground as he and his family could tend. Here
I learned something of a farmer's life. The overseer, Mr. Daniel Brown,
had the reputation of being one of the best overseers in the county. But
my father's family was not put under him further than for his
protection; for after our owner sold the mill, he set my parents free,
and allowed them to maintain themselves, by cultivating as much ground
on the farm as they needed.
Sometimes my father would leave his little place in charge of my brother
Robert and myself, and would hire himself to work in some mill, or go
peddling poultry, vegetables, &c., at some of the market places around.