(I Q sOcuDGf y
THE
Pine Tree Mission.
BY
JAMES H. A. JOHNSON, D. D.
1893.
BALTIMORE;
J. Lanahan, Bookseller and Stationer
118 E. Baltimore Street,
PREFACE.
In view of the fact that the author has not
been alone in the checkered experience gained
in this mission, he tenderly bears in mind the
one associated with him. This point in the
beginning indicated the sweetness of Divine
love attending the prosecution of the work
assigned him. He therefore most affectionately
dedicates this little volume to the consort of his
bosom—Kllen Johnson.
JAMES H. A. JOHNSON,
(In his early Ministerial Days) or in 1868.
ELLEN JOHNSON
In her early experience in the Ministry, or in 1868.
THE
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN VIRGINIA,
BETWEEN THE SEA ANB THE BAY.
INTRODUCTION.
The beginning of all missions is an interest¬
ing subject for readers and writers. This work
carried on in the progress of the American Civil
War and in the days of reconstruction, was
notably inspiring and impressive. It affected a
people who had been stupefied by the prevalence
of slavery and the relentlessness of hard task¬
masters. It was to them light shining in dark¬
ness, so that they could see their human nature
as they never had been taught to see it,^
Those men and women who had been commis¬
sioned to carry on this work found themselves
directed to a field for a glorious harvest. They
experienced a fascination in it that made priva¬
tions and hardships easier to be endured. Such
was the case in the designated part of Virginia
existing as the region in which transpired the
events recorded in this little book.
Hagerstown, Md., November 24, 1893.
JAMES H. A. JOHNSON
In 1893.
CHAPTER I.
Description of Country, Birds and People.
Rev. John M. Brown.
The strip of land forming a peninsula south of
the boundary line of Maryland, between the
Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, (belongs
to the State of Virginia,) is divided into North¬
ampton and Accomac Counties, and is called
" The Eastern Shore of Virginia." One part of
this shore is known as "The Bay Side" and
the other part as " The Sea Side."
The whole of this country was like a paradise
in 1865. There were towering pines, beautiful
beyond description, lifting their bushy heads far
above the bases of their majestic trunks and
humming out anthems of praise in every pass¬
ing breeze. Their trunks were so gigantic,
straight and clear that they stood like temple
columns in the magnificent and extensive groves.
Their native soil was level and cleanly covered
with a red carpet made by the abundance of
their falling shatters. Some of these great pine
14
PINE TREE MISSION.
forests were varied with oaks, prickly holly and
sweet tangled myrtle. Over this great construc¬
tion of nature soared the swift winged eagle,
which would sometimes swoop down upon its
toppings and then mount aloft to the wool-clouds
in the skies.
In the shades of those delightful groves red
birds whistled and robins warbled. The thickets
were filled with life and song; and chattering
crows held councils on the borders of every
field. There could be seen bands of buzzards
floating lazily on the air; and motionless fish-
hawks in the trees patiently watching for prey
along the shallows of the streams. There could
be seen the quiet crane meditatively stepping
among the lilies and the flags; the excited kill-
dee rapidly darting and wildly screaming over
the plowman's head; the blackbirds in numbers
flocking and the mocking birds on the wing
sweetly singing. '' The moving creature that
had life" made that land a lively land. No
lumbering cars and bellowing locomotives then
disturbed them.
Now as to the population. They lived in the
fuil enjoyment of that delightful country. They
PINE TREE MISSION.
15
numbered before the war 17,890 in Accomac
County. There were 3,295 free colored people,
or 1,598 men, and 1,747 women. There were
4,987 slaves—of this number 2,519 were men,
and 2,468 were women. This made a total of
8,282 colored people, which taken from the
aggregate population left 9,608 white people.
The population of Northampton County num¬
bered 7,498 persons, of this number there were
only 745 free colored people—342 men and 403
women. The enormous excess of the slave popu.
lation was 3,648 persons, 1,813 men and 1,835
women. This made a total of 4,393 colored
people to 3,105 white people in Northampton
County. The number of persons in all put
down for the two counties was 25,388. And so
in those counties after the war there were 12,675
free colored people, more or less, living without
the ministrations of any organized church among
them.
Then the military authorities of the Union had
full control of the whole of that country, and
were opening the way for school teachers and
missionaries to go among those colored people.
When Rev. John M. Brown, then pastor of Bute
16
PINE TREE MISSION.
Street A. M. E. Church in Norfolk,Va., learned
of this important field of labor, and the advant¬
ages to be gained therein, he at once communi¬
cated with Bishop Daniel A. Payne, D. D., who
was then presiding over the Baltimore Annual
Conference, which then included Virginia, and
requested of him the appointment of a mission¬
ary for the "Shore." Elder Brown was then
deeply interested in promoting the work in
every part of Eastern Virginia, and did not fail
to seize every opportunity to do it.
ELLEN JOHNSON
In 1893.
CHAPTER II.
The Appointment of the Missionary—The
Trip to the Field of Labor—The Arri¬
val on The Shore—Samuel Bivans—John
Jarvis—Meeting the People and Preach¬
ing—Laying the Foundation for Organi¬
zation.
The request of Elder Brown immediately
aroused Bishop Payne to action. He bore it
in mind that he had ordained to the Eldership
Jas. H. A. Johnson and had appointed him to
Hilton Head, South Carolina, and that he was
in Baltimore recovering from a severe spell of
jaundice contracted at the Hilton Head Mission¬
ary field of labor. And so he promptly commis¬
sioned Elder Johnson to go to the Virginia field
of labor and report at Norfork to Elder Brown.
This appointment was given early in the autumn
of 1865; but the emaciated condition of the
appointee prevented him from rendering compli¬
ance until December, 1865. Then on Friday, the
9th day of that month, he went to Gay Street
20
PINE TREE MISSION.
wharf in Baltimore, Md., and took passage on
the fine fast steamer " George I^eary." This
steamer was, at that time, remarkable for her
speed. She left her mooring at 6 o'clock in the
evening and landed at Norfork, Va., about 8
o'clock Saturday morning, December ioth.
Elder Johnson then left the apartment as¬
signed to colored people among the cattle and the
freight and went to Bute Street parsonage to see
Rev. John M. Brown. The arrival at his house
gave him great pleasure in view of the bright
missionary prospect before him. He at once
began to make arrangements for passage to '' The
Shore," and also gave much assistance in secur¬
ing subscribers for The Communicator—a paper,
the editorship of which Klder Johnson had re¬
signed on his entering the Missionary field.
Elder Brown went to the headquarters of Cap¬
tain Flagg, the commanding officer of the detail¬
ed work in that department of Virginia and se¬
cured of him a note of recommendation to his
representative, lieutenant Hite, stationed at
Drummondtown, on the Eastern Shore of Vir¬
ginia. This note, so important to Elder Johnson,
was obtained on Thursday, Dec. 15th; and then
PINE TREE MISSION.
21
he made his first attempt to reach "The Shore"
on Monday, Dec. 18th, 1865; but for some cause
there was lateness and he missed the boat. To
insure success for the next time a hackman was
employed to come at an early hour on Wednes¬
day morning, Dec. 20th. In due time he called
at the parsonage, on that morning, and conveyed
his passenger to the steamer Kolus. She left her
wharf at 7 o'clock, touched at Fortress Monroe
and by 12 reached Cherrystone landing in North¬
ampton County, Va. The trip was delightful and
interesting. In the stiff morning breeze wild
ducks, before the cutting prow, arose and flew in
different directions Elder Johnson at the land¬
ing stepped ashore as a perfect stranger, and
made inquiry of the men around him concerning
the country.
He learned that the nearest town, Eastville, the
County-seat, was seven miles away from the
landing. He went to one of the colored men
present, whose name he ascertained to be
Samuel Bivans, and informed him that he
was a preacher and desired to be conveyed up
the country in his passenger wagon. Bivans was
a Baptist and seemed to be delighted as soon as
22
PINE TREE MISSION.
he heard his applicant was a preacher; but again,
as soon as he learned on inquiry that he was a
Methodist, he quickly said, "Um-hum! There's
somebody who will take you up." Sometime af¬
ter that, though, that dear old brother, who now
dwells on the celestial shore, became one of
Elder Johnson's warmest friends and gave him a
pleasant time beneath his roof. He realized the
difference in a man's being a Methodist and in
his being all things to all men for Christ's
sake. The holy kiss he once implanted on the
cheek is still well remembered.
Again to the point. Application was made to
a worldly young man named James Collins, now
dead, and a seat was obtained for seventy-five
cents in his light-wagon behind his Arabian
footed bay steed. The ride through the country
was delightful, and ended at Eastville, before a
barn-like building on the side of the road. One
spot of a floor in that building was occupied by
John Jarvis as a shoe-mender, who was conspic¬
uously known as a Methodist brother who owed
allegiance to no Temperance Society on the face
of the earth. He gloried in being a Methodist;
and that was enough for him.
PINE TREE MISSION.
23
After an introduction he showed himself to be
very much pleased with the fact of having, for
the first time, a regularly ordained colored
Methodist Minister on " The Shore."
He at once called the leading colored men of
the Methodist persuasion in the neighborhood
together and made known to them the object of
his visitor. There was among them a small,
raw-boned, yellow man named Jackson Fry.
He was introduced. James Brown was consulted
and arrangements were promptly made to organ¬
ize for the first time in the history of that
country, a Methodist Society among the colored
people. The time was appointed for a meeting
and provision was made for the accommodation
of the preacher. It was decided that he should
stay at the house of Isaac Brown, a building
belonging to the slave-quarters on the farm of
Dr. Carr near the village. On arriving there,
much kindness was shown by Isaac and his wife
Eliza. All the people were exceedingly kind
and exhibited great interest in the prospective
church work before them.
The time appointed for the first meeting was
Thursday evening, December 21st, 1865.
24
PINE TREE MISSION.
When the day came it found the minister
taking medicine and suffering in bed from the
effects of the South Carolina fever. This was
a sad prospect; but finally he arose and at the
appointed time, in company with others, pro¬
ceeded to a little wooden structure on the
premises occupied by Dr. R. O. Sydney, one of
the government officers.
This building was about half a mile from Dr.
Carr's place on the opposite side of the road at
the upper end of the village.
When the hour came for service the building
was crowded with an anxious congregation com¬
posed of white and colored people. They at
once devoted themselves to the preliminary
exercises, and fully prepared themselves to listen
to a sermon from the strange minister. It was
preached from the text: " God is a Spirit and
they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit
and in truth."
The sermon, because of the novelty of the occa¬
sion, was astonishing to those who heard it. It
prepared those present who were of the Metho¬
dist faith for the introduction of the proposition
to establish the African Methodist Episcopal
PINE TREE MISSION.
25
Church among them. And so the Discipline was
presented and the merits of this church as a
colored organization explained unto them. The
proposition to accept the Discipline was con¬
firmed by 40 persons giving their names for
organization at a future period. Prominent
among them were Jackson Fry, Isaac Brown,
James Brown, Easter Brown and Eliza Brown.
The intention being to go next day further up
the country to gather in more names, the con¬
gregation present liberally contributed $5.05 to
defray traveling expenses. The benediction was
pronounced upon them and they dispersed in a
happy mood for their homes.
The plan adopted for operation was to pass
through the country, preach and enroll names,
and then return for organization. This was to
be done as quickly as possible, and a start was
to be made on the succeeding day. The night
was spent at Isaac Brown's.
CHAPTER III.
The Start with Old Blind Betsey—Priva¬
tions on the Journey—L,ooking for
Charles Case—The Arrival at his House
—A Description of Him — His Horses—
Family — Church Services — Christmas
Day in Drummondtown—Jacob Guy —
Attempt to Organize at Drummondtown
—Opposition—Henry Wharton and Wife.
On Friday morning, December 22d, 1865,
preparations were made to proceed to Accomac.
Thomas Morris, who had been engaged for the
occasion, went to work early in the morning to
supply a conveyance for the trip. He brought
forth an old, weak, blind white mare named
Betsey, and hitched her to a well worn Jersey
wagon. After making incidental arrangements,
at 8 o'clock he started with the preacher. The
intention was to reach Pongoteague, twenty-five
miles away, and go to the house of a popular
old man named Charles Case. To reach this
end, onward the driver drove hour after hour,
PINE TREE MISSION.
27
breaking up switches along the road, and ever
and anon crying out, " Ghee up, Betsey! Ghee
up! " The poor old creature so frequently lost
the art of trotting that Morris had to spend
some time in skilfully working on her anatomy
to enable her to regain it. By this means some
progress was made until the winter's sun marked
the hour for dinner. But none was to be
obtained and so the driver went on through
Johnsontown, Bridgetown, Franktown, Hadlock-
town and Bel-Haven. Then the question, "Can
you tell us where we can find Charles Case?"
was put to persons passing along the road.
The sun by this time was beginning to mark
the hour for supper; but none was at hand for
either driver, preacher or Betsey, and then the
team was nearing Pongoteague. On reaching
this point it was learned that, " Uncle" Chas.
Case had moved to Walker's Plantation, which
had been passed some miles behind. Then
there was nothing to do but to turn around and
go back, although it had taken the old "mare"
about eight hours to go 22 miles. After turning
back and traveling for some distance a by-road
was discovered that led to the plantation. On
28
PINE TREE MISSION.
turning into it the first great object seen was a
persimmon tree! That was the time, then, for.
a consideration of the Scripture declaration,
'' to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.''
The hungry souls who observed that fruit went
at it like two delighted possums and left the tree
like two well satisfied coons.
The journey was resumed and in a short time
before the beginning of night, arrival was made
at the house of Uncle Charles Case. But the old
gentleman was not at home. His good old wife,
was there and she was informed that Elder
Johnson was in that country for the purpose
of organizing African Methodist Episcopal
Churches. This information pleased her very
much and she requested Morris and Johnson to sit
down, at the same time saying:
" Honies, I can't talk to you. My old man
is away; but when he comes, he can talk to you,
for he is high larned in de Scriptures."
And so the wearied travelers took their seats
before a comfortable fire and in a house for the
night.
Further on Mr. Charles Case came and with
him a white friend named Richardson. Mr.
PINE TREE MISSION.
29
Case was soon introduced to Rev. Jas. H. A
Johnson and informed of the object of his visit.
This pleased him very much and showed him to
be the very man whom the preacher should have
sought. He was the leading man among the
religious colored people of Accomac County, and
regarded by them as their local preacher. He
was the one who use to speak at their funerals
or " finerals " as he use to call it.
He was an admirable old gentleman. In general
constitution, small, bony and sinewy. His
form was somewhat angular and his complexion
black. He had one eye, a small nose, and thin
lips. His head was covered with bushy gray
hair, and his face wa£ adorned with white whis¬
kers by the ears. His voice was soft and inclin¬
ed to a tenor tone. He had no education but
could do something at reading.
He was quite an aged man, but very enter¬
prising.
He possessed cattle, horses and carriages. One
of his horses was called Marg, and his favorite
one L,ambertine. Marg was a dark bay mare of
good bottom, but a notable run-away; and so
Uncle Charles had a contrivance fixed for her.
30
PINE TREE MISSION.
He had the shafts so arranged that by a strap
passing over the dasher, he could quickly detach
them from the buggy and let Marg go on her
wayward course whenever a notion might take
her. Iyambertine, although hipped, was a bay
gelding upon which the old gentleman chiefly
depended for his accommodation in traveling
among the people.
A consultation with this well known man
brought about the best results. He at once
agreed to have a meeting in his neighborhood.
It was appointed to he held on Sunday, Dec.
24, 1865, in any place that was convenient. A
great turn-out was anticipated, but when the day
came it brought rain. Thiscaused a disappoint¬
ment, as there was no meeting house in which to
hold services. Of course there was no assem¬
blage. In lieu thereof the members of Uncle
Charles Case's family were taken as a congre¬
gation and services were held at his house.
There was still a prospect of an early oppor¬
tunity for seeing the people. The Elder's visit to
this point was made at the period of the Christ¬
mas holidays, and this was favorable to his work;
for the colored people were then wont to assemble
PINE TREE MISSION.
31
at the county town in great numbers. And so,
on Monday, December 25th, Mr. Case, after
breakfast, prepared to take the Elder to Drum-
mondtown in Accomac County. One of the
horses were put to the buggy and a start was
made for that destination fifteen miles away. A
stop was made at the house of Mr. Severn
Bivans; he was informed of the object of the
visit, his co operation was secured and then'the
journey was continued. When Mr. Case reached
Drummondtown, or Drummond/oK, the people,
ex-slaves and ex-slave-holders were observed to
be assembled in a great multitude.
After alighting, Mr. Case introduced the
traveling preacher to first one and then another
of the active men among the religious colored
people. As soon as they learned the object of
the visit they became seriously interested in it.
They, in this village, were blessed with the privi¬
lege of meeting in a church building that had
been occupied by the white folks. To this
building Klder Johnson was conducted to meet
others of the colored people there assembled.
When he met them he found prominent among
them a young man named Abel Satchel or Abel
32
PINE TREE MISSION.
Joines. He was known by both names. He
was acting as speaker among the people, or as
a preacher among them. It was important
therefore to have his co-operation. And so the
proposition to organize an African Methodist
Episcopal Church in that locality was laid be¬
fore him for his approbation. He heartily
approved it and went with Elder Johnson to the
Head Quarters of lieutenant Hite, that the note
of introduction from Captain Flagg might be
presented to him.
After this, Elder Johnson got into a cart to be
conveyed to the house of a friend named Jacob
Guy, which was situated in the woods about a
mile and a quarter from Drummondtown.
On arrival at the house, Elder Johnson became
more intimately acquainted with Mr. Guy and
with incidents attending his life. In speaking
of affairs in the days of slavery he said it was
common for slaveholders, when they wanted to
whip a colored man, to say, " Give me your
shirt." But he said: "I never allowed any
man to get my shirt."
Poor fellow! He was some time after this
interview killed in an attack made upon the col-
PINE TREE MISSION.
33
ored people on one August Court day at Drum-
mondtown.
Agreeable accommodations were found at his
house, and time to think on the experience of the
day. At that time was written down the excla¬
mation: "O, the life of a missionary!" The
importance of the work at this stage was so
great that the most prayerful consideration was
given to it. The intention was to effect the first
organization at Drummondtown on Wednesday,
December 27, 1865. That day was looked to
with burning anxiety. The intervening time
was spent at Guy's, where the scores upon scores
of noisy crows in business sessions, on the mar¬
gin of the field that once contained the corn,
made the study of nature more impressive.
When the appointed time came Elder Johnson
got into a cart (then the principal conveyance)
and went to Drummondtown to meet the people.
He found them there in the morning still en¬
gaged in the enjoyment of Christmas holiday.
He visited the church building to which the
colored people had been granted access and con¬
ducted religious services. He preached from
Psalm IyXII, 8th verse: "Trust in him at all
34
PINE TREE MISSION.
times; ye people pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah."
It was hoped that this would clear the way
for substantial organization, and so a call was
made for the names of persons who felt disposed
to constitute it. The attempt, though, brought
out the young man Abel Satchell in uncompro¬
mising opposition. He arrayed himself against
the undertaking and started a trouble that lasted
for many days. There was consequently not so
extensive an ingathering as was made at Kast-
ville. Instead of 40 names only 18 were
obtained. Among these were Henry Wharton
and Rachel Wharton, his wife; and George
Custis. Thankful for this result, Elder Johnson,
in the name of God, notwithstanding the scowls
and discouraging threats, settled his mind on
the prosecution of the work in that locality.
I,ooking forward to another time he was sub¬
mitted as a guest into the hands of Mr. Henry
Wharton, and was conveyed in a cart to his
house three miles away.
RachelWharton, stout and yellow, had a round
face and full light-eyes. She was found to be
brainy and inflexible concerning the African
PINE TREE MISSION.
35
Methodist Episcopal Church. She thought the
opponents were acting very unreasonably in view
of the fact that the people never before had the
proposition to organize a church presented to
them. She saw that the opposition sprang from
the followers of an old man named Handy I/ong,
who use to sometimes come down from the lower
part of Maryland to act as a local preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He knew not how
to organize and so preached in his way to the
people just as he found them. Mrs. Wharton
saw the difference in him and the one who came
with credentials from Bishop D. A. Payne, the
American Missionary Society and the United
States Government to preach the Word and
organize Churches.
CHAPTER IV.
The First Sacramental Service—The First
Quarterly Conference—Journeying back
to Eastville—William Wallace and his
wife Rosa—His mares Ellen and Sally—
Services again with the Eastville Peo¬
ple—Increase of Members—Organization
—Abiding again at Eastville.
The time between tlie 27th and the 31st oi
December, 1865, was spent at Mr. Wharton's,
and so when Sunday, the 31st came, Elder John¬
son had it convenient to again go to Drummond-
town.
On that day the big bay army horse '' Charles"
was hitched to the cart, and preparation was
made to start for that important point. The Sacra¬
mental elements were provided, and all other
arrangements were made, and then Mr. Wharton,
his wife and the Elder took their seats for the
journey. Charles was told to "Go on," and
did so until he was stopped at the meeting house.
There an anxious congregation was found to be
PINE TREE MISSION.
37
assembled for the services. In a short time they
were accommodated with the preliminaries and
a sermon for the morning appointment. The
text was: '' For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive
the things done in his body acccording to that he
hath done, whether it be good or bad."—II Cor., v
Chap., 10th verse.
At the conclusion of the sermon an effort was
made to increase the membership, and thus
several more names were added to the roll. The
congregation of the morning was then dismissed.
At 3 P. M. they reassembled. A sermon was
preached from the text: "But let a man examine
himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink
of that cup." After the sermon the people
assembled around the altar and with a marked
degree of solemnity received for the first time in
the history of their lives the L,ord's Supper from
the hands of a regularly ordained colored minis¬
ter of the Gospel. By this event ended with
them the year 1865. When the new year, Mon¬
day, January 1, 1866, dawned, it found them
organized for new and important work; but the
officials were unacquainted with church govern.
38
PINE TREE MISSION.
ment and had to be instructed in their various
duties. They had to be prepared for the hold¬
ing of the first Colored Quarterly Conference
ever known upon "The Shore-" This was
appointed for Tuesday night, January 2d.
When that day came, it was a very disa¬
greeable one, attended with wind and rain.
Still, at the time appointed, Mr. Henry Wharton
prepared the cart and a journey v^as made at
night to the place of meeting in Drummondtown;
and there every man, but one, was found to
be at his post of duty, notwithstanding the
roughness of the weather. The session was
opened, but no one knew even how to make a
motion for the purpose of carrying on conference
business. Instruction was given along this line
and then business was transacted; after which
the session was closed and a trip was made back
to the house of Mr. Wharton, where plans were
considered for future operation.
The next important object was to organize the
persons gathered in at Eastville. And so, there
was intense anxiety on the part of the Elder to
reach that locality as soon as possible. Two
days, though, had to be spent at friend Whar-
PINE TREE MISSION.
39
ton's; but on Friday, January 5th, arrangements
were made to reach it. The day was a cold one
and the destination, for horse-traveling, many
miles away. And so, Mrs. Wharton, with woman¬
like consideration, made provision for comfort by
heating bricks, wrapping them up and placing
them in an iron pot to be set in the cart. After
this arrangement Mr. Wharton, with the Elder,
started towards Eastville. He drove along and
in the course of time discovered that he had
lost the heating contrivance by the way. Finally
he brought up at the house of Mr. Severn
Bivans, near Pongoteague, and left the Elder to
be dined and carried further on. After dinner
Mr. Bivans prepared his gig and conveyed him
to the house of Charles Case. But again the old
gentleman was away—up to Drummondtown,
and so the night had to be spent at his house.
By Saturday, January 6th, he was at home
and ready to give his services to advance the
interest of the church. He could not go to
Eastville, but said: "Bub, I will push you
down the road to my friend Wallace and he will
get you on the way." The buggy was brought
forth and in a short time " Bub,'' with good old
40
PINE TREE MISSION.
Uncle Charles, was on liis way to the house of
Mr. William Wallace, near Franktown. After
traveling some nine or ten miles a happy landing
was made at the door.
Mr. Wallace was not at home, and so the
travelers were received by his excellent, Christ¬
ian wife, Rosa. She was a woman prepossessing
in appearance, a bright mulatto of medium
stature, neat in form. She had auburn hair of a
silky nature. Her sympathetic eyes were of a
light grayish cast, and her face was rather round
and expressive of hospitality. Industry seemed
to mark all of her ways. Carding, spinning and
knitting the cotton and wool produced on her
place was a part of her occupation. People at
that time attempted to raise cotton in that part
of Virginia, and the spinning wheel was one of
the common instruments of the day. And so it
was ascertained that Mrs. Wallace was often
busy with her wheel and in seeing to the welfare
of her three good little children, Willie, Alfred
and Rosa. She looked well to the ways of her
household and ate not the bread of idleness.
The Elder was left in the hands of this good
woman until her liege lord should put in his
PINE TREE MISSION.
41
appearance. He came home at night, after
having made a long journey with his two high-
strung, dashing mares—Ellen and Sally. The
first was a dark chestnut sorrel and the second a
conspicuous cream having a moon-eye. Both
had flowing tails, were delicately formed, stood
about fifteen hands high, and before their expert
driver, could split the wind at the crack of the
• whip. Mr. Wallace put away those swift steeds
and came into the house and was introduced to
Klder Johnson. He was observed to be a comely
man, active and progressive. He was neither
large nor small, but muscular and well developed,
measuring about five feet six and weighing about
one hundred and sixty pounds. His head was
covered with soft brown hair somewhat curly,
and his almost beardless face was indicative of
common sense and affability. His nose was
straight, lips thin and prominent, eyes brown,
and complexion a blending of the yellow with
the brown. He was of the vital motive temper¬
ament, and consequently a lively man.
He was not religious but decidely respectful;
to church work. A serious conversation was
held with him concerning his soul's salvation,
42
PINE TREE MISSION.
and then after prayer, rest was obtained for the
night. Great joy was experienced on the dawn
of Sunday, January 7th, 1866.
Minds were fixed upon the services appointed
for the day. Soon after breakfast the swift
mares were put to the family carriage and Mr.
and Mrs. Wallace were ready to start with the
Klder to the meeting house at Deep Branch.
This was nine miles from the starting point and
about three miles from the nearest side of Kast-
ville. On arrival there an interested ccngrega-
tion was found to be assembled in and around
the school-house which was to be used as the
meeting-house.
Elder Johnson began the services of the morn¬
ing and preached from the following text:
" Then he called for a light and sprang in, and
came trembling and fell down before Paul and
Silas, and brought them out and said: Sirs, what
must I do to be saved? " Acts XVI. 29, 30.
During the services the people were visibly
affected and afterwards fully prepared for the work
of organization. Steps were taken to this end.
Class Readers and Stewards were appointed,
a quarterly Conference was decreed and the
PINE TREE MISSION.
43
number of membership increased to (58) fifty-
eight. Thus was founded The Eastville African
Methodist Episcopal Church, the first Meth¬
odist organization ever known to be among
the colored people of Northampton County, Vir¬
ginia. It was firmly fixed to stand for generations
then unborn. At the conclusion of this work the
congregation was dismissed with the under¬
standing that services would be held in the
afternoon.
The people re-assembled at the time appointed
and a sermon was preached to them from the
words: '' Lord make me to know my end and the
measure, of my days what it is, that I may know
how fruil I am." XXXIX. Ps., 4th verse.
There was a participation of officials at this
service which was the first event of the kind in
the history of the people's lives. There was
great joy on the occasion. The people were
filled with the Holy Ghost, and by tears evinced
it with exclamations of joy. In this condition
they were dismissed with the benediction.
Then Mr. Wallace and his wife, blessed for
their kind endeavor, departed for their home
and the Klder in the wagon of Mr. Willis Turner
44
PINE TREE MISSION.
went to the house of Isaac Brown on Dr. Carr's
plantation. The weather being cold a stop was
made at the office of Capt. Pride for the purpose
of being comforted by a fire.
CHAPTER V.
The First Circuit—A Rough Trip—Marry¬
ing and Baptizing—Handy L,ong's On¬
slaught—Shut out of Garrison Chapel—
Sacramental Services held and Church
Organized in the Woods—The First
Pongoteague Quarterly Conference—
Brief Visit again to Drummondtown,
Church work at this stage was getting to be in
pretty good order. The organized societies at
Drummondtown and Kastville constituted the
first circuit ever known among the colored people
of that country. And it was one that was hard
to travel, from the fact that the points were forty
miles apart and could be reached by neither steam
nor electricity. It formed a great base of opera¬
tion, though, and had to be traveled either with
horses, mules or oxen, or on foot. It had to be
done in some one way or another for a continu¬
ation of success. And this had to be done, too,
without any missionary support: and it had to be
done according to necessity.
46
PINE TREE MISSION.
On Monday, January 8th, a long trip had to
be taken to Cherrystone L,anding. This had to
be done in the open two-horse wagon of a friend
named Solomon Nottingham. On the way the
wind began to blow and a fine drifting snow
began to fall and increase in severity until it
became distressing. The intense coldness so
thoroughly chilled both Mr. Nottingham and
Elder Johnson that they had to resort for relief
to a fire in the woods. The ears of the latter
were frost-bitten, and his whole system so dis-
orded that, on returning to Eastville, the after¬
noon had to be spent by a fire-side for restoration
to a normal condition. Still the demands of the
work had to be met by traveling through
weather rough and smooth. Right on the heels
of this experience, steps had to be retraced to the
upper part of the country for the purpose of
officiating at a wedding. The locality was
reached in the following manner: On Wednes¬
day, January ioth, 1866, Mr. Wallace came to
Eastville in his cart behind a young horse and
conveyed Elder Johnson to his house twelve
miles away. In the evening he prepared his
buggy for his wife and the Elder, and then in a
PINE TREE MISSION.
47
saddle on another horse led the way to the
house of the intended bride's father—a Mr.
Hooten. Soon after arrival at the house, Iyittleton
Sample and Mary Susan Hooten were joined in
holy wedlock. Both of the parties were well
matched in size and complexion. Sample was
a good looking small young man of Indian hue.
He had a thin nose, bright eyes and small mouth.
Mary Susan was a delicately formed young
woman having also an Indian complexion and
straight black hair. She had an open counten¬
ance and was attractive.
The minister for performing the ceremony
was paid three dollars. The company then in¬
dulged in the festive arrangements, which were
in good style and embraced the following pecu¬
liarities. The groom stood at one corner of the
table and the bride diagonally opposite at another
corner, while the minister stood at the head
near the groom. The whole affair was credit¬
able to the people concerned and conspicuous as
one of the events of those primitive times.
The next grand novelty was baptizing by a
regularly ordained colored minister of the gospel.
This rite was performed on Thursday, January
48
PINE TREE MISSION.
nth, 1866, at the house of Mr. Nedab, on the
public road near the little seaport Onancock.
There were baptized:
George Tankard Nedab,
Sylvia Ann Cordia Nedab,
Rosina Lockwood Nedab,
Maria Anna Susan Lincoln Nedab,
Margaret Sarah Elizabeth Tompken Nedab.
These duties being done progress was made
toward the house of Mr. Henry Wharton that
another visit might be made as soon as possible
to the important work at Drummondtown. On
arriving at the house the Elder was informed
that Handy Long, an old man in the capacity
of a local preacher, and living near Newton
(now called Pocomoke City) had come down to
Drummondtown and torn up the A. M. E.
organization which had been founded according
to commission from the A. M. E. Connection,
the United States Government, and the Ameri¬
can Missionary Society. In addition to this sad
news one of the enthusiastic followers of Handy
Long, on Saturday, January 13th, said to Elder
Johnson: "Handy Long told me to tell you
that you are no better than a thief and a robber."
PINE TREE MISSION.
49
This message from that ardent sister was humbly
received as an incentive to a higher degree of
vigor for a prosecution of the work. It was
necessary, though, to leave the neighborhood on
that day for important operations in another
locality. The design was to organize at Pongo-
teague; and so a start, on foot, was made for
that settlement. A walk of ten miles, and a
two mile ride in a carriage brought the Elder to
the house of Mr. Severn Bivans, where he was
refreshed with corn bread and milk. The start
was made at i o'clock and the arrival at 4 P. M.
Sunday, January 14, 1866 was to be a great day
in that section. The intention was to hold a
meeting at Garrison Chapel, a building of the
white people which had been neglected because
of the war.
On the coming of that day Mr. Bivans took the
Elder to the house of Uncle Chas. Case and se¬
cured bread and wine for sacrament. Then the
journey was made toward the chapel four or five
miles away. On getting to it a large congrega¬
tion composed of persons from every quarter were
met by the Elder. They were about to go into
the Chapel for a beginning of the morning ser-
50
PINE TREE MISSION.
vices, when an unexpected difficulty arose.
There was a white minister in the county
named Tompkins; and he with one of his trustees
appeared on the ground and made inquiry con¬
cerning the meeting. He had an interview with
Klder Johnson and said: ' ' Why, you have a large
crowd, I cannot get out such a crowd as this."
After making inquiry he was shown creden¬
tials from Bishop Payne. He said—"I know
Bishop Payne," and then he consulted with his
trustee and concluded to lock the door giving
access to the lower floor of the chapel. This
was done and the people were informed that they
could go through the side door into the gallery,
which had been prepared for colored people, and
hold their services there.
In replying to that proposition, although it
was a cold day, Elder Johnson said to his
people—"It is degrading to our manhood to go
up into that gallery. If you say so, I will go
right over there into the woods and preach."
To this they heartily assented and went to the
woods. There Uncle Charles Case selected a
clever spot and the men made arrangements for
the services. After singing and prayer, and
PINE TREE MISSION.
51
singing again, a sermon was preached to the
people from the text—I am the good Shepherd:
the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.—
St. John, X Chap., nth verse.
That was a remarkable day and a remarkable
incident attended the course of the services.
Soon after the selection of the spot for worship
the rays of the sun fell upon it and continued to
shine with such intensity that the Elder had to
raise his hand to shield his head while preach¬
ing. The people moreover while listening found
comfort in sitting upon the ground as they would
in summer. Upon that hallowed spot the Pon-
goteague A. M. E. Church was organized and
.the Sacrament of the lord's Supper admin¬
istered. After all was over the weather resumed
its previous coldness, the people dispersed and
the telling work of the day was done. Glory
be to God in the highest!
Monday, January 15th, 1866, was stormy and
snowy and the Elder spent his time on the
premises of Mr. Case. Tuesday night, January
16th, was the time appointed for the session of
the first Quarterly Conference among the people
of Pongoteague. At that time the leading men
52 PINE TREE MISSION.
assembled at the house of Charles Case and
were appointed stewards and leaders to form, a
Quarterly Conference. The session was held and
specific instruction given to the brethren to
enable them to transact business. There were
at this Conference Peter Savage, Severn Bivans,
William Downey and others of a good and noble
stamp.
In the course of business it was ordered that,
Charles Case be licensed a local preacher, and
William Downing an exhorter.
It being necessary again to make a brief visit
to Drummondtown, the Elder started for that
place on Wednesday, January 17th, 1866, in Mr.
Case's wagon. He rode as far as Pongoteague
and then on foot went across the branch to
Severn Bivans' house and then in Mr. Bivans'
gig to Drummondtown and to the house of Mr.
Wharton. There he wrote the licences of Chas.
Case as local preacher, and of William Downing
as exhorter and 'gave them to Mr. Bivans to be
delivered to those persons. The next important
task performed was the regulation of the books
for the three organized churches of the circuit.
Charles Case was the first colored man ever known
to be licensed as a local preacher on "The Shore.''
CHAPTER VI.
Troubles and Opposition—Conversation
with White Farmers on the road prom
Drummondtown—A Fiery Sister—Efforts
to Return to Eastville-Meeting Friends
—Waiting for a Wagon—Abiding with
Mr. Wayfield in the former house of
Chas. Case—On to Eastville—Sabbath
Service—Quarterly Conference—James
Jacobs—Incidents—Walker's Glencoe—
Drummondtown Experience—Dialogue
with Handy L,ong.
Thursday, January 18, 1866, was a day on
which there was some unpleasant experience.
Elder Johnson, from the house of Henry Whar¬
ton, went across a branch to the house of a friend
named Parker and there met young Abel Satchell.
He and Satchell both being young and inexperi¬
enced got into a warm controversy and talked
more wildly than they would at this riper period
of their lives. One was fighting for Handy
Long and the other for the A. M. E. Church.
54
PINE TREE MISSION.
In the afternoon the Elder returned to the house
of. Mr. Wharton and gathered up his effects and
left with Mr. Wharton in his cart to abide at
the house of Jacob Guy; but on arriving there
it was learned that Mrs. Guy was sick and a
return had to be made to Mr. Wharton's to rest
for the night.
On Friday, January 19th, the Elder hoped to
have a settlement of affairs. To this end he
started on foot by way of the county road for
Drummondtown. On getting there he went to
the office of Lieut. Hite to get his influence in
behalf of the church organization, but could
not succeed in doing it. He was not a man like
Captain Flagg and Captain Pride.
And so, disappointed and perplexed, Elder
Johnson left his office and again turned his face
towards Henry Wharton's. Soon after doing this
he was overtaken by two white gentlemen in a
buggy. They halted, and one of them asked
the question:
" Do the colored people employ you to
preach here? "
The reply was: " No sir, I am sent here as a
missionary."
PINE TREE MISSION.
55
The querist then said: "You are a missionary?"
The reply was: " Yes sir."
The next question was: "Where are you
from? "
The reply was: " From Maryland, sir."
This caused a surprise, and the response:
"Ah! from Maryland, eh? "
The answer was: "Yes sir: bred and born
there."
The interrogator then said: " I heard that you
were from some place much further off. How
long have you been preaching?"
The reply was: " About two or three years."
Then after asking the question: " Did you
preach down below last Sunday? " and being
informed in the affirmative and that the preach¬
ing was at Pongoteague, they passed on well
satisfied that the preacher was not a dangerous
character.
The Elder then proceeded on his journey over
the Onancock road, toward the house of Mr.
Wharton. As he turned into a woods he met a
sister, who gave him one round thousand for
coming down there to organize churches in
Abel Satchell's country. She was left, and
56
PINE TREE MISSION.
progress was made toward the house, which was
attained after a journey of nine miles in going
and returning.
Saturday, January 20th, was the day for the
Elder to again start for Eastville. It was all
important for him to be there on the following
Sabbath day; but when Saturday morning came
he was twenty miles away, and had neither horse
nor steer to take him to the destination. Mr.
Wharton, inclined to Handy Eong, had taken
the horse, and at an early hour had gone to
Drummondtown.
Klder Johnson, therefore, took his little
bundle after breakfast and went on foot towards
Eastville. He walked out to the "telegraph"
or county road, and sat down on the root of a
large sycamore tree, which stood in the road.
While sitting there some worldly men provi¬
dentially came along and one of them said:
uHow do you do, Mr. Johnson?
Then they began a conversation, and spoke of
the manner in which the people were treating
the preacher. Then, on learning that the
preacher desired to get to Eastville, they began
to show much interest in devising some means
PINE TREE MISSION.
57
by which he might succeed in getting there.
While they were talking, a two-horse wagon
was seen coming up the road, and one of them
said:
"That's Jim Martin's wagon, now!"
When it came near they made inquiry of the
driver as to whither he was going. They told
him that the preacher wanted to get on his way
to Eastville.
The driver said he had to go to Drummond-
town; but if the preacher would wait until he
returned, he would take him at least as far as
Pongoteague. A happy agreement was made
to this effect. An invitation was given to enter
a house near by, and there the intervening time
was profitably spent in studying a little book,
in looking at the old woman spinning cotton on
the wheel, and at the old man plastering up the
chimney back with mud.
In due time the driver with his wagon, an
uncovered one, and such as is used in hauling
goods, returned and facilitated the Elder's
journey toward Eastville. All would have been
well, but a heavy rain came down and thor¬
oughly soaked him before he got to the house
58
PINE TREE MISSION.
of Severn Bivans. On arriving there, the
Elder stopped, left the Quarterly Conference
book of Ames Ridge Station, and then made
every effort for a continuance of his journey.
The Iyord's business demanded it. And soy as
good luck would have it, a friend by the name
of Wayfield was at hand, and put his slow bay
horse to the gig of Mr. Bivans and conveyed
Elder Johnson to his house (the one formerly
occupied by Uncle Chas. Case) to partake of his
hospitality until the Sabbath day. That Satur¬
day night was a stormy one. The wind blew
and shook that house until it seemed like a
vessel on the sea. Still it was a happy abiding
place, for in it there was a prospect of getting to
Eastville in the morning.
This bright prospect was realized- on January
21st, 1866. When that glorious day broke forth,
good friend Wayfield hitched his 15.40 nag to
the gig and conveyed the Elder to the house of
Mr. Wallace. Soon after that a fast moving
horse had him on the way to the meeting house
three miles from Eastville. Succeeding in getting
there services were commenced. A sermon was
preached fro m the text: " Ye are those who have
PINE TREE MISSION.
59
been with me in my temptation.'''' The Lord's
Supper was administered, and Thomas Collins
and Anna Johnson were baptized. After services
the Elder took passage in a wagon with Solomon
Nottingham and James Collins and went to
Eastville.
Those young men, although unconverted, use
to exert themselves in behalf of the church.
Monday, January 22, 1866, was another im¬
portant day in the organization of the Eastville
work. The first Quarterly Conference was to
be held on that night. When the hour came
the Elder was at the house of Mr. Isaac Brown,
on Dr. Carr's plantation, and held the confer¬
ence there. It was a great novelty, and much
instruction had to be given. Finally, though,
there was a performance of good and solid work.
James Jacobs, who was some time afterwards
bitten by his own little mad dog and died with
the hydrophobia, and Willis Turner were licensed
to be exhorters. The application of another
brother, named Jackson Fry, for local preacher's
license, for some reason was not favorably con¬
sidered, although he seemed to be the best
qualified church member in the community.
60
PINE TREE MISSION.
That session of the conference adjourned to
meet on Thursday night, February i, 1866. At
the time of its institution the country was stirred
up from f county-seat to county-seat, by the in¬
troduction of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. And this afforded every reason to
make each day telling in the work.
Tuesday, January 23d, was spent chiefly in
studying and writing; but an early opportunity
was sought after this to visit the army officers;
for it was discerned that such visits were help¬
ful to the work.
Wednesday, January 24th, was taken as a day
to call on Captain Pride and to go to Drummond-
town again, as it demanded the most serious
attention.
The question, "how to get there," was soon
settled by the Klder's good friend Wallace
appearing with his carriage in Eastville, and
giving him a seat with two passengers—a white
lady and gentleman. Then rapid progress was
made upward through the country. Incidents
made the trip somewhat memorable.
It was a rainy day and the level roads were
slushy. The bare-footed horses made peculiar
PINE TREE MISSION.
61
music in traveling over them. The night spent
at Mr. Wallace's was stormy. The lightning
flashed and the thunder rolled as though the
season had come for "seedtime and harvest."
The Elder remained at this habitation until an
opportunity was given him to get further on the
way.
Thursday, January 25th, was passed profitably
by reading a little book titled "Six Months in
a Convent, or a Narrative by Miss Rebecca
Theresa Reed," which was discovered in the
house. It told of the burning down of the
Ursuline Convent at Charleston, Mass. The
reading of it was concluded on Friday, Jan¬
uary 26th, and then all anxiety prevailed to
get to Drummondtown. The desire was to make
a start on the next day, Saturday, January 27th.
And so, on that day, friend Wallace put a horse
to his buggy and conveyed the Elder to the
lane that led to the house of Mr. Chas. Case.
On being left at the lane the Elder walked to
the house, expecting to be assisted further on
to his destination; but Uncle Charles was not at
home.
It was necessary, therefore, to settle down and
62
PINE TREE MISSION.
await his arrival. After doing so the following
incident was observed..
A magnificent sorrel stallion named "Glencoe,''
belonging to Mr. Walker, while being led by a
little colored boy seemed to be filled with con¬
tempt as he looked down upon him and reared
up to strike him down. It was only Mr. Walker's
quick hallowing that saved the boy. That horse
seemed to be in possession of almost human
intelligence. It was said that he one day, while
in his stall, was struck by Mr. Walker and be¬
came so enraged that he strove to get out to
wreak his vengeance on him. Finally Uncle
Charles came home and met Elder Johnson, and
learned of his desire. He then readily, after
dinner, conveyed him in his carriage to the house
of a brother named George Reed. As his house
was beyond Pongoteague, it was reckoned that it
would be easy for the Klder to get from there to
Drummondtown in the morning.
The night was consequently spent there for him
to be ready on the coming day for the ordeal in
the history of the work. It was presumed that
the remaining portion (twelve miles) of the trip
would be pursued without any further delay.
PINE TREE MISSION.
63
But when Sunday, January 28th, 1866, came,
kind-hearted Geo. Reed discouragingly said:
"Brother Johnson, you had better not go up to
Drummondtown to-day. They say if you come
up there they are going to take you out of the
pulpit."
The reply was: " It is my appointment there;
and so if you will hitch up your horse and
take me I will go there."
In compliance with this decision the horse
was put to the Jersey wagon and a start was
made for the town. On reaching it the Elder
went right to the church, but found the pulpit
occupied by Bro. Handy Long and the house
filled with people. Elder Johnson, nevertheless,
walked in and took his seat in the pulpit and
heard friend L,ong to the end. When he sat
down, Elder Johnson, who had never seen him
before, said:
" You are Brother Long, I believe."
He in a gruff manner replied: "Yes, that's
my name."
The response was: " My name is Johnson. I
suppose you have heard of me."
64
PINE TREE MISSION.
IyOng then said: "Yes, atid I don't want to
hear any more of you."
Johnson said: " I want to talk to you."
Long said: " I don't want any talk with you."
Johnson said: "Are you a minister of our
Saviour ? Sit down, I want to talk to you."
Iyong then went off saying: " I don't want
any talk with a man who comes on another
«man's ground and does as you have done."
The author of these remarks was a small black
man with gray hairs and a dogmatic visage.
He was lean and seemed to have a good constitu¬
tion. Reason, though, seemed to be beyond his
comprehension; and the interview left it so that
Klder Johnson had to bide the issue. In all of
this, as from the beginning with the timidity of
pious friend Reed, there had to be a cultivation
of moral courage.
After the dismissal of the congregation, Elder
Johnson, surrounded by a crowd of excited
people, stood out on the road side before the
church and listened to their murmurings. He
finally, in a cool manner, said to them:
" Well, I am a lone man here, and I suppose
some of you would not like to be in my place."
PINE TREE MISSION.
65
These remarks had a beneficial effect. A tall,
fine looking brown skin man named George
Perkins subsequently said to Elder Johnson,
'' When I heard you make those remarks I
immediately turned over on your side."
In the face of all the opposition of that day
four declared allegiance to the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church.
It was a notable day, and one on which the
organizing Elder evidently was preserved by the
Pre-eminent Hand Divine. After leaving the
premises he wrent to the house of Robert Custis
and saw his brother Thomas who had just re¬
turned from Baltimore City. The A. M. E.
organization at Drummondtown came up through
great tribulation.
CHAPTER VII.
Working the way back to Eastville—
Closing the Quarterly Conference—
Visiting Sinner Spencer Wright—Look¬
ing to Capeville—Organizing the Frank-
town Church at Mr. Wallace's—Travel¬
ing back to Case's—Baptizing the Bivans
Children—Flying Visits—On to Norfolk
—Rev. E. W. S. Peck—Events in Norfolk
—Back to the Shore — Visit to Mr.
Edmund Press, Sr.
The disagreeable experience at Drummond-
town made it pleasant to turn the thoughts on
other places. This was done for the purpose of
organizing new societies and improving those
then in existence. The town was left on that
day; a stoppage was made at the house of Mr.
Wharton; effects were gathered up and arrival
made at the house of friend Reed about sun¬
down, and lodgement secured there.
That good brother on Monday morning, Jan¬
uary 29th, prepared a way for the Elder to get
PINE TREE MISSION.
67
back to his other important posts of duty. He
put his unbroken steer to a cart as a mode of
conveyance to Pongoteague. When he made a
Start, then the fun began. That steer in every
way faithfully showed that there was something
in the proverb: "As stubborn as an ox." He
seemingly preferred every other way but the
right way. He started, and halted, and plunged,
and made efforts to run away. Friend Reed by
great exertions kept him in the road until he
brought him up on the premises of Mr. Bivans.
There the Elder stopped and worked on the
Circuit Record, obtained dinner, and made
further preparations to " move on."
He obtained by Mr. Bivans' kindness the use
of his wagon, the loan of a book titled: "The
Memoirs of Rev. David Stoner," and the ser¬
vices of a religious brother named Isaac Sam¬
ple to conduct him to the house of Mr. Case.
He was conveyed there and being desirous of
hastening on, gathered up some articles and
started on foot for the house of Mr. Wallace,
eight miles away. As he approached Bel-Haven
he was overtaken by friend Case, in his two
horse carriage, and conveyed a part of the way.
68
PINE TREE MISSION.
Good Uncle Charles was always concerned in
making easy the journeys of the preacher.
After reaching a certain point by this means
the Elder walked to a neighbor's house and he
in a cart took him the remainder of the distance
to the house of Mr. William Wallace, where he
always had a pleasant reception.
There some corn bread—sweet corn bread from
meal always fresh from the mill, and some raw
oysters were enjoyed and rest obtained in a
bulging feather bed.
Tuesday, January 30, 1866, Eastville was still
before the mind, but the day was spent at Mr.
Wallace's. A letter was written to the jovial
Rev. J. R. V. Thomas, at Portsmouth, Va.; the
killing of seven hogs was witnessed; arrange¬
ments were made for a Franktown organization
meeting, and the enchantiug notes of a booby
owl were listened to in the evening. And thus
went the day.
On Wednesday, January 31st, 1866, Mr. Wal¬
lace with characteristic kindness made provision
for a passage on to Eastville. He was to take
to that place a white gentleman named Steward,
and so at the same time made arrangements for
PINE TREE MISSION.
69
the Elder. By this means the desired poinc
was again attained and a sojourn once more
made at the house of Isaac Brown. So ended
the first month of the year 1866.
At the beginning of the second one operations
were started to advantage. Fifty pages of" The
Memoirs '' were read, the house of local preacher
James Jacobs and that of Mr. Griffin Collins, the
father of thirteen fine children, were visited; and
then in company with Jacobs a passage, along a
tract of land where were strewn the skeletons of
government horses, was made to the house of
friend Isaac Brown. There at night the ad¬
journed session of the Quarterly Conference was
held and closed. That was the final event of the
day, Thursday, February 1st, 1866. On Friday,
February 2nd, fifty more pages of "The
Memoirs" were read; and three miles were
walked in the afternoon to get to the house of a
great sinner named Spencer Wright. The Elder,
a stranger in that land, saw the absolute neces¬
sity of becoming " all things to all men " that
he might gain some unto Christ and increase the
membership of the organizations.
The night was cheerfully spent at Wright's
70
BINE TREE MISSION.
house, and so was Saturday, February 3rd. On
this day an attempt was made in the woods to
fell a tree, and various other pursuits were
followed to make the day go by profitably.
A poem, titled " The Dove," which was a
kind of a paraphrastic composition of the poem
on " The Raven," was read aloud in the woods.
Fifty more pages of " The Memoirs of Rev.
David Stoner '' were read and then the day was
significantly closed with a prayer meeting at the
house of Spencer Wright.
Earnestly did the participants strive to make
a serious impression upon the heart of Spencer
Wright. Ivocal preacher Jacobs remained all
night; but, notwithstanding all of this, Spencer
continued in his carnal state. He knew his
Master's will, but he would not do it. He was
a man rather remarkable in his general com¬
position. He was of medium height, square
shouldered, full breasted and muscular. In
thoracic development he was a veritable Tom
Sayers. He had a round head on a short neck,
a broad face with a pointed chin, a prominent
aquiline nose, large eyes showing much white¬
ness, rather thin lips indicative of temper and
PINE TREE MISSION.
71
resolution. His skin was black and smooth.
Two or three years after the prayer meeting
Elder Johnson visited him in jail and found him
chained down to the floor. He said unto him:
" Well Spencer, what brought you here? "
His reply was: "No good, to be sure."
Elder Johnson then said: " If you had heeded
what I told you, you would not now be here."
He said: "That's so."
The crime for which he stood charged and for
which he was incarcerated consisted in his dis¬
guising himself in his wife's clothing and' in
going to the store of a merchant in- the dead
hour of night, when people had retired, and
there cutting his throat from ear to ear. For
this awful murder he was condemned to be
hanged. Elder Johnson succeeded in getting
the Governor to grant him a respite, but he was
finally executed at Eastville. And so the
prayer meeting to him was of no avail.
Sunday, February 4, 1866, Elder Johnson
was still found at Wright's house entertaining
hopes of getting down to Capeville, twelve miles
off, for the purpose of organizing another society.
But hope was deferred and made the heart sick.
72
PINE TREE MISSION.
Capeville was down on Cape Charles' near
Magothy Bay, which colored people then called
'' Magady Bay.'' The Elder had a strong desire
to visit it on that day; but, on account of the
weather or some other cause, he could not then
do it. Organization was subsequently effected
there by Rev. John H. Offer, Elder Johnson's
successor. The failure of that day was a draw¬
back to the work: and so, to give some satis¬
faction to the Elder's disappointed mind, a visit
was made to an old unoccupied building, known
as Salem Church, and the broad Atlantic ocean
viewed from one of its upper windows. Rest for
the night was obtained at Spencer Wright's
house that a departure might be made on the suc¬
ceeding day. On Monday, Feb. 5, 1866, the mind
was fixed on Franktown. And so as the first step
toward getting to that place, the Elder on foot,
accompanied by Spencer Wright, started for
Eastville. There the ever obliging Wallace was
found with his pale sorrel trotting horse
" Iyewis," to his cart. In company with him, a
journey was made to his house, for the purpose
of holding a meeting, that another society might
be organized.
PINE TREE MISSION.
73
Steps were taken to this end at night. At
that time a number of people assembled at the
house and engaged in religious services with the
Elder; afterward the discipline of the Church
was laid before them and explained. Some of
them accepted it, and on that Monday night, Feb.
5th, A. D., 1865, in the house of Mr. Wallace
were organized as The Franktown A. M. E.
Church. It made the fourth society. One of
the conspicuous persons at that meeting was
Jasper Savage, a short, round, plump little dark
man. He not prefer to live up on dry land,
and therefore cast himself into the water.
After the people were dismissed, the Elder
obtained a refreshing night's rest in the house
where he effected the organization.
The next day, Tuesday, Feb. 6th, the atten¬
tion was again turned to official duties in Acco-
mac. In the meantime attention was also given
to the events of the day. The morning was
made notable by an attempt to work a kicking
mare in double harness; but it was of no avail
for she kept squealing and kicking until she was
victorious.
In the afternoon a trip was made with Mr,
74
PINE TREE MISSION.
Wallace in his buggy to a point on the county
road at which stood a Universalist Church that
never had been successful, and stood only to be
consumed by fire. At that point the Elder left
Mr. Wallace and wended his way to the house
of Charles Case. He moved along the by-road
until he came to a bridge; and then he stopped
to indulge in meditation. He listened to the
gurgling stream and chirping birds, and dwelt
in sweet reflection, while far away from home
and a dear companion. He then passed along
in quietude, disturbed only'by two barking curs
among the pines and reached his destination to
give himself to slumber.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1866, a visit was made
to the house of Mr. Severn Bivans^and the fol¬
lowing children were baptized:
Margaret Ellen Bivans,
Charles Edward Cosley Bivans,
Eevin Samuel Solomon Horace Bivans,
Eauretta Easter Rio Cordilla Bivans.
After performing this ceremony the Elder,
in Chas. Case's buggy, behind Mr. Bivans'
mare, drove to Drummondtown to see the
condition of affairs. Afteir making several visits
PINE TREE MISSION.
75
he returned through rain . and darkness, and
closed the day with family prayers.
The next important object in view was the
making of a trip to Norfolk. To this end the
Elder on Thursday, Feb. 8, 1866, went to Mr.
Wallace's and remained during the night. On
Friday, Feb. 9th, he was conveyed to Eastville,
whence, by the kindness of friends, Solomon
Nottingham and Edmund Press, he was taken to
Cherrystone Landing to board the steamer
" Eolus " for the city of Norfork. This he did
in company with Dr. R. O. Sydney.
On arriving near the Norfolk wharf an attempt
was made to land by crossing the deck of the
steamer " Thomas Kelso; " but as soon as the
Elder got on the deck he discerned the steamer
moving out for Baltimore. It was only by her
stopping at Portsmouth that he was enabled to
get back to Norfolk on a ferry-boat. As soon
as he did this he went to see Rev. John M. Brown
at the parsonage on Bute Street. A report of
the work was made to him, and a pleasant time
spent with him in making visits from place to
place: to "The Teachers Home," to the office
of Capt. Flagg, and to the houste of Mr. Calvin
76
PINE TREE MISSION.
Pepper, one of the notable Republicans of the
day.
The Elder spent a part of his time on Saturday,
Feb. ioth, in Norfolk, and a part in visiting the
lively pastor at Portsmouth, Rev. Jeremiah R.
V. Thomas.
On Sunday, February nth, 1866, he rendered
his services to the congregation-of Rev. John M.
Brown.
In the morning he preached to said congre¬
gation from the text: Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul
and with all thy mind. Matt. XXII. Chap. 37
verse.
In the afternoon he officiated at the same
church: read a part of the Xllth Chapter of St.
IvUke and made introductory remarks to an
address delivered by Capt. Flagg.
In the evening again he conducted services for
an address by a Mr. Cowan, Superintendent of
of the Schools. He spoke of things concerning
his society and the schools. The great and
glorious work of the Republican party in that
day was to advance education and religion, right
on the heels of the war among the colored people.
PINE TREE MISSION.
77
And so they had their agents in the churches
and wherever they could use them.
In the city of Norfolk, at that time, Rev. Ed¬
ward W. S. Peck, an acquaintance of Elder
Johnson from boyhood, was doing missionary
work for the M. E. Church. And so a pleasant
time was spent with him and in his school on
Monday, Feb. 12, 1866.
In the evening a visit was made to the Bute
Street Baptist Church to hear the distinguished
Calvin Pepper; but as quarreling seemed to be
the indulgence of the hour, the visitor withdrew
from the premises.
On Tuesday, a trip was again made to Ports¬
mouth, and Ten Dollars were obtained from
Rev. J. R. V. Thomas to help along with the
Missionary work upon " The Shore." Another
pleasant incident of the trip was the meeting of a
good old friend in the person of a Catholic Priest,
Father Plunket.
In the evening, after returning to Norfolk, an
attempt was made to lecture 011 Education in the
Church of Rev. E. W. S. Peck. By that feeble
effort the lecturer obtained the feeble sum of
One Dollar and Fifty cents. A goodly part of
78
PINE TREE MISSION.
the next day, Wednesday, Feb. 14, the Klder
spent with his esteemed friend Peck: but in the
evening he had to go to Klder Brown's Church
on Bute Street to act for him in joining Stephen
Nash and Harriet Cross in holy wedlock.
After performing that ceremony, Klder John¬
son returned to the abode of Rev. Peck and
spent the night with him.
Ofi Thursday, morning February 15th, devo¬
tional service was held in his room, and after
breakfast, he was bidden adieu.
Several important matters were then attended
to in winding up the time in Norfolk. A copy
book was bought for Spencer Wright, and,
strange to say, as a co-incidence in names, a box
of Wright's pills for Mr. Wallace; a visit was
made to " The Teachers' Rest " and prayer was
offered at their evening devotions. The Klder
then went to the Bute Street Parsonage, and in
the absence of Rev. John M. Brown, joined in
holy wedlock James Anderson and Lavinia Jane
Edwards. Preparation was then made to leave
in the morning and return to the holy field of
labor 011 " The Kastern Shore."
Friday morning early February i6th, 1866,
PINE TREE MISSION.
79
Elder Johnson left the parsonage and went to
the steamer Eolus and took passage for '' The
Shore." He paid 10 cents for a copy of The
Baltimore American and spent a pleasant time in
conversing with Captain Pride and Dr. R. O.
Sydney.
The steamer's hour for leaving was 7 o'clock.
She left, and after a rough voyage, made Cherry¬
stone landing, where carriages and wagons were
held in reserve for the accommodation of passen¬
gers. This was a profitable business then followed
by a number of the colored men on '' The
Shore."
Elder Johnson was received by Edmund Press,
Jr., a young man of Indian descent, yellow,
with black eyes and straight black hair. He
conveyed the Elder through the country and
stopped at his father's mill, which stood near
the-public road. Behind that mill there was an
extensive pond in which many terrapins had
their habitation. That pond moved the upper
and nether millstones to hum and crush the
people's corn, that they might be supplied with
fresh, delicious meal.
Some time was spent at that interesting estab-
80
PINE TREE MISSION.
lishment; and then the Elder was conducted by
the senior Edmund Press to his house and made
a participant of his hospitality.
Saturday, February 17th, was spent in various
ways at Mr. Press' house—spent in going to the
meadow to see him feed his sheep; in passing
around with the tall youth, Washington Press,
to make observations; in going to Spencer
Wright's, giving him his copy book and setting
copies for him; in returning to Mr. Press' and in
writing resolutions expressive of the colored
people's regard for their friend, Dr. R. O.
Sydney. That gentleman had done much to
improve the condition of the colored people and
to help on the missionary work of the A. M. E.
Church. Those resolutions were subsequently
adopted at a meeting and presented to him.
CHAPTER VIII.
Farewell Services at Eastville—Invalid
Phcebe Bickers—Resolutions Presented
to Dr. Sydney — Promiscuous Events —
Aaron Riley and Hon. Henry Wise—
Varied Experiences—Preaching by Fire
in a Field—L,iee of Rev. Joshua Thomas
—Uncle Jim Carpenter—Friendly Visits
—At Custis Bailey's—At Drummondtown
—Baptizing—Trip to Baltimore and Re¬
turn.
On Sunday morning, February 18, 1866, the
Press family were deeply interested in the antici¬
pated services of the day. Washington Press
hitched up a mettled horse and conveyed the Elder
to the schoolhouse at Deep Branch to hold the
farewell services of the day. A goodly number
of people assembled on that occasion and enjoyed
the devotions of the morning hour. A sermon
was preached to them from the text: "And they
spit upon Him. and took the reed and smote Him
82
PINE TREE MISSION.
on the head."—Matthew XXVII Chapter, 30th
v erse.
The Iyord's Supper was then administered
and there was a signal out-pouring of the Holy
Spirit.
The people re-assembled in the afternoon and
listened to the farewell discourse from the text:
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine
which ye have learned, and avoid them. Rom. XVI
Chap., 17th. ver.
The people after the sermon contributed thir¬
teen dollars for the Elder, and full of emotion
heartily shook his hand and expressed many
regrets because he had to leave them; but they
were left to the protection of their Heavenly
Father. The Elder then got into a wagon and
proceeded on the way to a,stopping place. While
doing so he entered a house or cabin, that stood
some distance back from the road, to see a sick
woman named Phoebe Bickers. He saw her in
a bed that sat upon a dirt floor She was a full
faced brown skin woman who had been confined
to her bed for eight years. She was nevertheless
cheerful in her consciousness that her afflictions
POE TREE MISSION.
83
were but for a moment, and were working out for
her a '' far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory."
A visitor approaching her cabin could hear her
voice singing praises to God before he would get
to her door. Great was her rejoicing when
prayer was offered at her bedside.
After leaving her a stop was made at the
dwelling of Dr. Sydney; and there, after an in¬
troduction to his wife and sister, the resolutions
framed were presented to him. He read them
and was sensibly affected by them. He .spoke
very encouragingly to the Elder and invited him
to stay at his house and make it his headquarters.
The^doctor was a heavy set white man, wearing
a full beard and gold spectacles. He said he
was from Mississippi. Still he was uncompro¬
mising in his defense of the colored people. The
journey was continued from his house down to
Mr. Press', and there the Elder remained. On
Monday, February 19th, 1866, he was much in-
disposedv and had to take thirty drops of a
remedy called " Turlington's Balsam " and then
retire to bed. After some improvement he again
84
PINE TREE MISSION.
arose, and spent some time in reading to the end
" The Memoirs of Rev. David Stoner."
Tuesday, February 20th, 1866, in full appre¬
ciation of the very kind treatment received,
devotions were held in the family of Mr. Press,
and they were bidden adieu. Then Washington
Press conveyed Elder Johnson to the house of
Mr. Isaac Brown and there left him.
On Wednesday, February 21st, he went with
Mr. Wallace in his cart to his home.
Thursday, February 22, 1866, was spent most
delightfully with that liberal friend. Breakfast
was supplied by the hands of his good wife,
Sister Rosa; and then with him a trip was made
to the woods, where two of his companions,
Kphraim Stevens and Aaron Riley were engaged
in sawing timber with a whip-saw for him.
Some time was spent in that woods, and then a
return was made to the house for the pur¬
pose of slaying five hogs. While this work
was going on Elder Johnson read some of " The
Pilgrim's Progress."
After dinner all hands, some in carts and
some walking, went again to the woods and
exerted themselves (the Elder with them) in
PINE TREE MISSION.
85
getting up a beam upon the scaffold that it
might be sawed. At that time the Elder heard
Mr. Aaron Riley relate the following story:
He said: "I was once hired, to Henry A.
Wise, and one morning was a little behind time
in getting to work, and found Mr. Wise on the
farm when I got there. Then the trouble began.
Mr. Wise said: 'Good morning, Mr. Riley. You
are late this morning.' Riley said he replied:
' Yes sir, I over slept myself this morning.' Then
Mr. Wise said: ' I am going to settle with you
this morning.' You have often heard it said:
'Ivong pay, sure pay—good when you get it.'
You know I have often promised you a thrashing,
and you know I will not lie. You know you
have often heard me say that a liar would steal.'
Riley said: 'I then started to water the horse,
but Mr. Wise curbing and swearing said; 'That
horse has been watered. Put him in the stable
and come up to the house and draw your shirt.'
Riley said: ' Then I tried to reason with him;'
but Mr. Wise said: ' O! you are a lawyer, are
you? I didn't know that before! I have studied
in Philadelphia and other places but I never
heard of you before. In fact I did not know
86
PINE TREE MISSION.
that there was a nigger lawyer in Virginia. You
are a lawyer—eh? Draw your shirt.
Riley said: "At that time Mr. Wise had a
peculiar kind of an India-rubber whip that
stretched out and which he brought from Brazil.
He threw that out at me and gave me a cut.
Then I ran up to him and put my arms around
him and said: ' Oh! Mars Henry don't do dat.'
Riley said " Mr. Wise then began to thump
me with his fist and I grabbed his wrist." He
then again commanded me to draw my shirt and
said: ' You have kept me here when I ought to
have been up to Drummondtown.' I intended
to give you only nine and thirty; but now I
intend to give you one hundred.
Riley said ' That declaration was attended
with an oath, ' and Mr. Wise furthermore said:
'' Here you have kept me when I should have
been attending to cases which are waiting for
me in Court. You have hurt my wrist and
dirted my wrist-band with your smut, and now I
have changed my mind again. I intend to give
you one thousand. " Bob bring me my box."
Riley said: "I then threw him down and ran
about six miles to get to my mistress."
PINE TREE MISSION.
87
After listening to this interesting story the
Elder returned to the house and remained, all
night. The next day, Friday, February 23d,
Dr. Orr was seen at Franktown and consulted
relative to church buildings and schoolhouses.
The government officers at that time were very
much concerned in advancing such work.
On Saturday, February 24, 1866, efforts were
made to get into the neighborhood of the Pongo-
teague church. Again, by the kindness of Mr.
Wallace theUniversalists' building was reached,
and thence, by walking, the house of Mr. Case.
The design in going to him at that time was to
make arrangements for the farewell services to
be held on the succeeding day. There was no
house for worship and something had to be done
for the accommodation of the people. A plan
was formed after due deliberation.
On Sunday, February 25th, 1866, the Elder
and Uncle Charles went out on the farm and
looked around and finally selected a site in
the woods back of the barn-yard. A fire was
built on a part of it, and a part of it was
covered with straw. Thus a place was prepared
for worship, and the morning, congregation
88
PINE TREE MISSION.
assembled on it. There they more cheerfully
engaged in the worship of Almighty God than
some people do in Gothic temples. A sermon
was preached unto them from Matthew, XXII
Chapter, 37th verse, and the Sacrament of the
Iyord's Supper was administered out in that cold
winter atmosphere.
In the afternoon they reassembled and listened
to remarks from local preacher Charles Case,
and subsequently, according to his call, liberally
contributed ten dollars for the Elder. They
were formally dismissed and so ended the ser¬
vices of that memorable day.
The Elder left the premises and went to the
house of Mr. L,ewis Perkins and then with
George Bagwell, behind his double team, to his
house, where he became absorbed in reading a
book, titled " The Iyife of Rev. Joshua Thomas;
or, The Beginning of Methodism on the Eastern
Shore of Virginia."
The discovery of that book was a notable
event in the beginning at that very time of
African Methodism in the same place.
On Monday, February 25th, 1866, some time
was spent with an old man well-known by the
PINE TREE MISSION.
89
name of Uncle Jim Carpenter. He was a brown
skin man, thin and rather tall. He had a little
face and a small head. But his exemplary
piety, uncompromising denunciation of all things
wrong and his pre-eminent regard for the Church
of God made him to be respected and feared by
saint and sinner throughout the principal part of
that land. When the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church was introduced he accepted it with
an open heart and outstretched arms. On that
Monday he conveyed the Elder to the house of
Mr. Wallace and left him there. Iyong ago
Uncle Jim went to his heavenly reward.
The Elder at Mr. Wallace's obtained his
trotting horsg '' I<ewis'' and in a buggy drove
to Eastville on business of importance. He
visited the teachers, delivered documents to
Capt. Pride, went into the school room, and took
a lunch with two white gentlemen, Dr. Orr and
Dr. Warner. On returning to Mr. Wallace's, a
call was made at the house of Mr. Griffin
Collins, which sat about a mile back from the
road. On Tuesday, February 27th, Uncle Charles
Case was received. On Wednesday, the 28th,
Mr. James Roselle brought his cream colored
90
PINE TREE MISSION.
mare and the Elder rode her to his house. And
so ended the winter of the year 1866.
On Thursday, March 1st, in the morning a
visit on horse-back was made to the house of
Mr. Geo. Bagwell. The Elder in a wagon then
went to Uncle Charles Case's and to friend Way-
field's and stopped. Those visits were made for
the advancement of connectional work. They
were continued on Friday, March 2nd. On that
day the Elder got into the cart of a Mrs. Taylor
and rode to the house of Mr. Custis Bailey, a
broad-faced, grizzly old brother of much char¬
acter. The reception met was truly cordial.
In the afternoon, Peter, his son, a large broad
faced, brown skin young man, hitched up a fine
little bay horse to a vehicle, or as an old man
once said, to a " hehacle '' and took the Elder to
Drummondtown to seek some news from home.
He received it in a letter from Win. H. J.
Wheeler, a youth whom he had raised and left
in charge of his business when he started into the
missionary field with Rev. Dr. T. G. Steward.
While in Drummondtown a visit was made to the
house of Robert Custis, and then a return trip
made to the house of Custis Bailey which in all
made twenty-eight miles.
PINE TREE MISSION.
91
Saturdayj March 3rd, 1866, was spent on the
premises of friend Bailey. While there the
Elder made attempts to plow and spent some
time in meditation.
One of the passing events of the day was a
battle in the yard between a rooster and a turkey.
What was the casus belli the Blder did not
ascertain, but he observed that the combatants
fought most vigorously, and that each one seemed
determined to gain the victory. This, at one
point of the struggle, appeared to be in favor of
the turkey, but his antagonist redoubled his
efforts and went at him with such Napoleonic
energy that he was glad to bring the battle to a
close, and so quickly darted off loudly crying out,
"Quit! quit! quit!" But the rooster did not
quit until he had made the rout complete and
showed himself worthy to be termed the
Triumphant Chanticleer.
The Elder, from the scene of that historical
engagement, went on foot with old friend Bailey
to the house of Uncle Charles Case and put up
for the night.
On Sunday, March 4, 1866, he, with that old
gentleman, made an early start for Drummond-
92
PINE TREE MISSION.
town. Services on that day were to be held at
the house of one old brother named Richard
Bailey, and it was hoped that they would be
successful. But, alas for Drummondtown! While
the Elder and Uncle Charles were approaching
the locality, old man Bailey met them and in¬
formed them that he had not seen his landlord,
and therefore had told the people that he did not
think the services would be held at his house.
That was another set back for Drummondtown,
and it came near destroying the arrangements
for the day.
The Elder felt cast down, but undaunted.
He gathered together such people as he could
command and took them to a woods to hold
services with them there. He preached from
the text: If they called the master of the house
Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of
his household.—Matt., X Chap., 25th verse.
The Elder, on leaving the woods after service,
met Mr. Wallace, who had driven twenty-five
miles with the white lady teachers—Miss Paten
and Miss Doxey—to find the place of worship,
but had failed to do it. He turned back and
all went to the house of one obliging brother,
PINE TREE MISSION.
93
named Wilson Burton, by whom they were
entertained. The pleasure on the occasion was
enhanced by the agreeableness of his wife.
After dinner the Elder baptized his children—
Athia Ann Burton and Elizabeth Burton.
The visitors then all departed. The Elder
went to the house of Uncle Charles Case, where
he arrived late in the evening and held class
meeting. After that he went with Mr. James
Roselle in his cart and arrived at his house about
midnight. The kindness shown by the people
and friends of the organized churches made a
preacher feel like dwelling with them forever.
On Monday night, March 5th, 1866, the devout
James Carpenter and the firm George Bagwell
called and engaged in a soul-stirring prayer
meeting. On Tuesday, March 6th, the circuit
record was written up and a trip was made to the
house of Mr. Wallace. Thence the Elder was
taken on Wednesday, March 7th, by Mr. Wallace
in his buggy to Cherrystone landing. There
the steamer Eolus was boarded and a passage
was made to Norfolk and Baltimore. The Elder
by that trip made an absence of fifteen days
from his field of labor. At the end of that time,
94
PINE TREE MISSION.
on Thursday evening, March 22nd, 1866, he
left Baltimore on the steamer James T. Brady
and by traveling all night on the Chesapeake
Bay arrived early on Friday morning, March
23rd, at Fortress Monroe. One hour afterwards
he went aboard the steamer Eolus and was con¬
veyed to Cherrystone Landing. There he was
met by young Washington Press and taken to
the house of his father. That made it necessary
for services to be again held at Eastville.
CHAPTER IX.
Services again at Eastville—Pioneer I^ay-
men—Baptism op the Roseli.es—Good
Friday Services—Dedication in the
Franktown District—Easter Services—
Dedication at Pongoteague—Incidental
Employment—Peter Savage and His Pur¬
suits—iyast visit to drummondtown.
Saturday, March 24th, 1866 passed away very
pleasantly at the house of Mr. Press. The Elder
with him, Edmund and Washington, in a wagon,
went to Eastville, three miles off, in the after¬
noon, and saw the great Saturday afternoon
gathering of the people. This made it con¬
venient for those concerned to publish the ap¬
pointment and have assurance of a large con¬
gregation on the Sabbath. On that day March
26th, 1866, the people assembled in the School
House at Deep Branch and showed their growing
interest in the accepted organization. In having
this meeting there was a design on the part of
the Elder to make the services of that day de¬
cidedly impressive.
96
PINE TREE MISSION.
And so there were preaching, administration
of the Holy Eucharist and reading of the Disci¬
pline. The text for the morning hour was:
She hath done what she could: she is come af ore-
hand to anoint my body to the burying. Mark
XIV. Chap., 8th verse.
After services a return was made to the house
of Mr. Press and a visit to the beloved Baptist
brother Samuel Bivans.
At night a meeting was held in the little
school house at Eastville. A sermon was
preached to the people from the text: "It is
finished.''
By this meeting the services for the Conference
year were closed and adieu bidden to the pioneers,
Isaac Brown, James Brown, Jackson Fry, James
Jacobs and Dennis James.
Monday and Tuesday were employed in be¬
coming more extensively acquainted with the
people in the Eastville district.
On Wednesday, March 28th, 1866, a move¬
ment was made toward Conference by going
with Mr. Wallace to his house and then after
tea with him to the house of James Roselle,
where a retirement was made for the night.
PINE TREE MISSION.
97
On Thursday, March 29th, 1866, at the house
of James Roselle were baptized his children—
Cordelia Rachel Jane Roselle,
Joseph Charles Hill Roselle,
Mary Elizabeth Roselle.
Friday, March 30th, 1866, following, was
Good Friday. When it came the people pre¬
pared themselves both spiritually and physically
to observe it. Religious persons regarded it as
a day for fasting and prayer; and so to qualify
themselves for the latter they strictly paid atten¬
tion to the former. In this condition they
attended special services held on that day at a
little unoccupied school house which stood in
the woods along the road side, north of Frank-
town. The services were' to be more than ordi¬
narily interesting, because that little house was
to be dedicated on that day. Hence the people
met promptly at the appointed hour.
The Elder, mounted bare-back on Roselle's
cream-colored mare, proceeded along with some
of them. He had a lively congregation, and
preached to them from the text: "It is written
my house shall be called the house of prayer.—Matt.
XXI Chap., 13 verse.
08
PINE TKEE MISSION.
After the sermon the house was dedicated;*
the Sacrament of the ford's Supper was admin¬
istered, and sixteen persons were taken into the
church. This good work being concluded, the
congregation was dismissed, and the Klder, in a
sulky, went to the house of friend L,evi Bagwell,
and there broke his fast in the evening.
Saturday, March 31, 1866. was spent in read¬
ing "The L,ife of Rev. Joshua Thomas," in
walking from Bagwell's to Roselle's, in writing
a letter to Rev. Savage L,. Hammond, and in
taking a horse-back ride in the evening.
Sunday, April 1, 1866, came as glorious
Easter Day, to be celebrated by the colored
people of Pongoteague, as they had never cele¬
brated it before in their lives. They were to
have Kaster services and the dedication of a
church.
The Elder, to get to them, went on horse-back
to the house of Mr. George Bagwell, and in his
wagon to the house of Uncle Charles Case, and
thence with him to Pongoteague.
An enthusiastic congregation was met, and a
*Sometime afterward, in Rev. John H. Offer's admin¬
istration, that little house was burnt to the ground.
PINE TREE MISSION.
99
sermon was preached to them from the text:
" And if Christ be not risen then is our preaching
vain, and your faith is also vain." i Cor., XV
Chap., 14 verse. The house was then dedicated,
and the work at that point was closed up for the
conference year.
After dining at Mr. Severn Bivans' a return
was made to the house of Mr. Case, and two
days were spent with him.
On Monday a class-book was prepared for Mr.
William Downey, a good, humble man, who had
been appointed leader.
On Tuesday there was the accomplishment of
important reading and a trip made to Belhaven,
where resided a faithful friend to the church,
in the person of Mrs. Maria Nedab.
On Wednesday, April 4, 1866, chapters were
read in Genesis, the existence of God was studied,
church books were posted up, and a visit was
made to the house of Mr. Peter Savage, where a
refreshing night's rest was obtained.
On Thursday, April 5th, a jolly good ride was
taken with him in a cart, behind a steer. He
was able though to ride in better style.
Peter Savage, at that time, was one of the
100
PINE TREE MISSION.
most remarkable men of that land. In appear¬
ance he was a well-rounded, medium sized,
smooth skinned, dark man. He had a bushy
head of hair and a lively face. But his re-
markableness did not consist in his physical
characteristics.
It was in his qualification as a farmer. In
this vocation he was conspicuous, and as indus¬
trious as ever man could be. He surpassed
every man in that section of the country in
raising sweet potatoes. He was an adept in
managing hot-beds. He knew precisely how to
make the seed bring forth the most productive
plants, and then how to make those plants cover
ten acres of ground with the most productive
vines.
To succeed in this particular branch of his
calling, he paid strict attention to his hog-pen.
He made it large enough to contain a sufficient
number of hogs to generate a great abundance
of compost. And then, to secure this, he would
from time to time put into that pen load after
load of shatters, and keep on at it until he would
have to take a little ladder to get up to his hogs.
In this wise he raised his great amount of pork
PINE TREE MISSION.
101
and sweet potatoes, ife would sometimes have
on hand seventy-five head of hogs.
He lived on the borders of a creek, and made
even the very sharks subservient to his agricul¬
tural progress. How? Why in this manner:
At night he would bait a large hook, put it to a
strong rope, cast it into the creek, and wait for
the result until morning. Then he would go
and find a shark, which would furnish him
grease to use upon his wagons. Much more
might be said of this distinguished tiller of the
soil, who was broken up by imposition.
On Friday, April 6, the Elder was at the
house of Charles Case, studying and writing
report for Conference.
On Saturday, April 7, 1866, he bade the fam¬
ily a final pastoral adieu, and with Mr. Case
walked out to a little village called Middlesex,
and got into his buggy for Drummondtown. On
the way a stop was made at the house of Mr.
Bivans, at Wilson Burton's, and finally at Rob¬
ert Custis', in Drummondtown. There Mr. Case
gave the Elder four dollars for traveling ex¬
penses and then left him with the best of wishes.
It was hoped on making that visit that there
102 PINE TREE MISSION.
would be one more chaace for a Sabbath day's
service in that town.
And perhaps there would have been, but when
the day came, April 8, 1866, it was a rainy,
rainy day, and consequently there could be no
church service without a house. Elder Johnson
therefore contented himself by spending a part
of his time with Robert Custis, and a part with
Mrs. I^ucy Hewell at the house of Dr. Satchell.
CHAPTER X.
The Start for Conference—"Ain't You
a Preacher?"—Adam Wise at Modestown
—Organizing the Modestown Church—
Journey to As aw om an—Ten Miles Jour¬
ney on Foot to Horntown—Arrival at
Chinchtown—A Meeting at Horntown
—An Inhospitable Reception—Arrival
in the Vicinity of Snowhill—End of
The Journey.
On Monday morning, April 9, 1866, the Elder,
with valise in hand, left the house of Robert
Custis and started on foot to make a ten mile
journey to Modestown. He proceeded onward
and went up hill and down hill, over branches
and through extensive forests. There were not
many houses along the way, but as one was
being passed a little white boy out on the road
said. "Ain't you a preacher? "
The reply was: " Yes sir. What made you
ask me that ? ''
He said: " Well, I thought so."
104
PINE TREE MISSION.
The question asked was:- "What made you
think so ? "
He said: " I thought so from your looks."
The Elder then said: "I have some papers in
my pocket. They are for the freedmen, but
there may be something in them to interest you.
Will you have one ? "
He said: "Yes sir; I will "
And so a paper was given to him and one to
another little white boy with him. They
received them joyfully and ran into the house.
The Elder then passed on, and as he was
nearing the end of his journey his attention was
attracted by a young man leaving his plough in
the field and coming towards the fence saying:
" Why that must be Brother Johnson ! "
This was a surprise, and he was answered
" Yes." An inquiry was then made concerning
the recognition, and the young man said his
name was Adam Wise and that he had been
present at some of the meetings. This happy
recognition made it easier for the Elder to
accomplish his object in visiting Modestown.
When he informed Adam Wise that his desire
was to organize at that place it gave him great
PINE TREE MISSION.
105
pleasure. His mule was immediately taken
from the plough and the Elder was conducted to
his house, and then to the house of a Mrs. Iyouisa
Ewell, on the way to which an introduction was
given to a churchman named Nathan Finney.
This was all helpful to the prospective organi¬
zation. But the Elder could not do much along
this line at that time. He had walked ten miles,
and such a walk is no child's play notwithstand¬
ing the fact that inconsiderate people talk of
walking five miles an hour when old geograph¬
ical calculation conceded unto man only three.
The Elder was tired and had to return to the
house of Adam Wise for rest that he might be
prepared to hold meeting at that house that
night. He rested while Brother Wise went
around and stirred up the people.
The meeting was held that night and after
sincere devotion the Modes/own A. M. E. Church
was organized, composed of eight members.
Papers were distributed and the people were dis¬
missed with the benediction.
On Tuesday, April ioth, 1866, friend Wise
made arrangements to convey the Elder over a
part of the distance he had to travel. He took
106
PINE TEEE MISSION.
his gray mule and went to the house of Mr.
Finney and obtained his cart and drove six miles
to a place called Asawoman and there left the
Elder at the house of a Mrs. Ellen Taylor.
After dinner the journey was continued on
foot. It was indeed a lonesome tramp through
a partially thickly wooded country where no hu¬
man voice was heard, nor noise, except that
made by the traveler's feet and the scampering
of squirrels over the dry leaves.
This lonely tramp at one time fittingly brought
to mind Selkirk's poetical apostrophe.
" O, solitude! where are thy charms,
Which sages have seen in thy face?"
In advancing it was not then known whether
rest would be found for the night on a bed in a
house, or on the ground in a thicket. And 'so
the hat was doffed, a glance was made toward
heaven and prayer was offered to Almighty God.
Finally after passing through one of those
sections of loneliness a man was perceived
ploughing in a field. He was called and drawn
into a conversation, which brought to light the
fact that he was a sinner. On this being learned
he was advised concerning his soul's salvation and
PINE TREE MISSION.
107
then left in meditation to pursue his avocation.
The Elder by passing further on arrived at a
place the name of which he discovered to be
Chinchtown. As he approached the two or
three houses forming the town, he saw several
persons coming from a funeral and hailed them.
On talking to them they were found also to
be sinners. Then and there Christ was
preached unto them. They were told that they
were free according to human law, but that the
Scripture said: 11 If Christ shall make you free,
you shall be free indeed.'' This instruction was
given to them based upon the declaration in St.
John, VIII Chapter, 36th verse, which says:
" If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed."
They were bidden farewell and the steps were
still directed towards Horntown. Its vicinity,
after a journey of ten miles on foot, was reached
in the evening. There a halt was made at a
house which on inquiry was found to be occupied
by a colored man named Jacob Gardener. On
knocking at the door it was opened and a kind
invitation was given to enter, and the applicant
was received in the name of a disciple. There
108
PINE TREE MISSION.
he settled himself down to pass away the night.
After he had done that, two men, one named
Peter L,ogan and the other Henry Riley called
and began to make inquiry concerning the inva¬
sion of Handy Ivong's territory. They wanted
to know what right Mr. Johnson had to come in¬
to that country. This seemed to be rather a
serious greeting for a stranger in a strange land;
but the situation was accepted. Those men were
kindly spoken to and made to know something of
the scope for church work. By this means they
were put into rather a good frame of mind, and
then were invited to engage in a prayer meeting.
They consented and the Elder began the meet¬
ing which ended with a spiritual blessing. That
meeting concluded the organizing missionary
work of Elder Jas. H. A. Johnson on "The
Eastern.Shore of Virginia."
The next day, Wednesday, April n, 1866, he
left the house of Mr. Gardener and started on
foot to reach Snowhill, Md., sixteen miles away.
He passed through Horntown which was indeed
a town of some dimensions, crossed the border
line of Virginia and proceeded along a road in
the State of Maryland. W^hile doing so rain
PINE TREE MISSION.
109
began to fall, and he looked around for shelter and
discovered a cabin in a lot. Then he climbed over
the fence and went to the door in front and
knocked. A harsh voice came to him from the
inside, saying:
. " Go around to the other door.''
He did so, and as the door was opened he saw a
rough-looking colored man sitting at the fire¬
place.
The Elder said to him:
" Can you give me shelter from the rain? "
He replied:
'' My, fire-place is very small.''
The Elder said:
'' Why, can you not shelter a preacher from the
rain?"
He replied, saying:
" I've got very little time for preachers."
The Elder then asked:
'' Which is the way to Snowhill ? ''
He replied:
' 'You know the way well enough.''
The Elder then left him to his musings and
took chances in the rain. The journey was pur¬
sued until evening when, perceptibly broken
110 PINE TREE MISSION.
down, he arrived at a house within two miles of
Snowhill. He found it to be occupied by a
good old colored man named Peter Kellum, who
with his family gave a warm reception and the
fulness of kind treatment. They expressed a
desire, moreover, that the Elder would remain
and preach for them on Thursday night at the
colored M. E. Church at Snowhill. He remained,
but the sexton did not feel disposed to open the
church for that purpose. So on Friday morning,
early, April 13th, 1866, the stage was taken at
Snowhill for Salisbury, sixteen miles further on;
and then at Salisbury the train was taken for
Wilmington, Del., which was one hundred and
three miles from that starting point. After
traveling all day, moneyless and tired, Wil¬
mington was reached in the evening.
In this condition the Klder became the protege
of Rev. Dr. Daniel P. Seaton, who was then
pastor of the Wilmington A. M. E. Church.
The Doctor prepared the way to enable the
Elder to get to his home in Baltimore, which he
succeeded in doing late on that night. After
that he went to Washington, D. C., and met the
Baltimore Annual Conference, Bishop Daniel A.
PINE TBEE MISSION.
Ill
Payne, D. D., IJy. D., presiding, in old Israel
Church, and gave an account of his stewardship
among the towering pines on '' the Eastern
Shore of Virginia."
The Elder was re appointed to that shore, but
afterward was appointed to Ebenezer Church,
in Georgetown, D. C. On making the change
the Bishop asked him who would be a good man
for his successor, and he designated Rev. John
H. Offer, who was appointed in April, 1866, and
subsequently showed himself to be the right
man in the right place.
He went to that splendid field of labor and
earnestly worked and increased the organizations
until that whole country began to flourish with
A. M. E. Churches.
Where there was not one in the early part
of 1865, there are now twelve in 1893 and Rev.
John H. Offer is still upon that shore.
Finis.
INDEX,
Preface, -
Illustration No. i,
Illustration No. 2, -
Introduction, .....
Illustration No. 3,
CHAPTER I.
Description of country, birds and condition of
people—Rev. John M. Brown, ...
Illustration No. 4, -
CHAPTER II.
The appointment of the Missionary—The trip to
the field of labor—The arrival on " The Shore "
—Samuel Bivans—John Jarvis—Meeting the
people and preaching—Laying the foundation
for organization, -
CHAPTER III.
The start with Old Blind Betsey—Privations on
the journey—Looking for Charles Case—The
arrival at his house—A description of him—His
horses—Family—Church Services — Christmas
Day in Drummondtown—Jacob Guy—Attempt
to organize at Drummondtown—Opposition—
Henry Wharton and wife, -
INDEX.
113
CHAPTER IV.
The first Sacramental services—The first Quarterly
Conference—Journeying back to Eastville—
William Wallace and his wife Rosa—His mares
Ellen and Sally—Services again with the East-
ville people—Increase of members—Organiza¬
tion—Abiding at Eastville, - - 36
CHAPTER V.
The first circuit—A rough trip—Marrying and
baptizing—Handy Long's onslaught—Shut out
of Garrison Chapel—Sacramental services held
and church organized in the woods—The first
Pongoteague Quarterly Conference—Brief visit
again to Drummondtown, - - - 45
CHAPTER VI.
Troubles and opposition—Conversation with white
farmers on the road from Drummondtown—A
fiery sister—Efforts to return to Eastville—
Meeting friends—Waiting for a wagon—Abid¬
ing with Mr. Wayfield in the former house of
Charles Case—On to Eastville—Sabbath ser¬
vices—Quarterly Conference—James Jacobs—
Incidents — Walker's Glencoe — Drummond¬
town experience—Dialogue with Handy Long, 53
CHAPTER VII.
Working the way back to Eastville—Closing the
Quarterly Conference — Visiting—Visiting the
sinner, Spencer Wright—Looking to, Capeville
—Organizing the Franktown Church at Mr
114
INDEX.
Wallace's—Traveling back to Case's—Baptizing
the Bivans children—Flying visits—On to Nor¬
folk—Rev. E. W. S. Peck—Events in Norfolk
—Back to " The Shore "—Visit to Mr. Edmund
Press, Sr., - - - - - 66
CHAPTER VIII.
Farewell services as Eastville—Invalid Phoebe
Bickers—Resolutions presented to Dr. Sydney
—Promiscuous events—Aaron Riley and Hon.
Henry Wise—Varied experience—Preaching by
fire in a field—Life of Rev. Joshua Thomas—
Uncle Jim Carpenter—Friendly visits—At Cus-
tis Bailey's—At Drummondtown— Baptizing—
Trip to Baltimore and return, - - - 81
" CHAPTER IX.
Services again at Eastville—Pioneer Laymen—
Baptism of the Roselles—Good Friday services
—Dedication in the Franktown District—Easter
Services—Dedication at Pongoteague—Inciden¬
tal employment—Peter Savage and his pursuits
—Last visit to Drummondtown, - - 95
CHAPTER X.
The start for Conference—"Ain't you a preacher"
—Adam Wise at Modestown—Organizing the
Modestown Church—Journey to Asawoman—
Ten miles journey on foot to Horntown—
Arrival at Chinchtown—A meeting at Horn-
town—An Inhospitable Reception—Arrival in
the Vicinity of Snowhill—End of the Journey. 103