Amelia County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....-, Uncle Jack 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Alice Warner http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003503 April 13, 2008, 8:03 am

Author: Henry Howe

In 1843, there died in this county, at an advanced age, a negro preacher of
considerable local celebrity, who went by the name of Uncle Jack. He was
kidnapped and brought from Africa at seven years of age, and landed at
Osborne's, on James River, from what it is supposed was the last slave-ship
which deposited its cargo in Virginia. Such was his worth of character, that, on
the death of his master, several benevolent individuals by their contributions
purchased his freedom. One, who knew him well, said, "I regard this old African
as a burning light, raised up by Christian principles alone, to a degree of
moral purity seldom equalled and never exceeded in any country." The late Rev.
Dr. Rice also remarked, "The old man's acquaintance with the scriptures is
wonderful. Many of his interpretations of obscure passages of scripture are
singularly just and striking. In many respects, indeed, he is the most
remarkable man I ever knew."

His views of the leading doctrines of Christianity were thorough and
evangelical. His preaching abounded with quotations surprisingly minute, and his
illustrations were vivid and correct. His knowledge of human nature was
profound; and hence his extensive usefulness among the African population, as
well as an extensive circle of whites. His language was pure English, without
the vulgarities of the blacks. In his intercourse with all classes he was
governed by Christian humility, and he abhorred cant and grimace. "He uniformly
opposed, both in public and in private, every thing like noise and disorder in
the house of God. His colored audience were very prone to indulge themselves in
this way. but, whenever they did, he uniformly suspended the exercises until
they became silent. On one of these occasions, he rebuked his hearers
substantially as follows: 'You noisy Christians remind me of the little branches
after a heavy rain. They are soon full -- then noisy -- and as soon empty. I had
a great deal rather see you like the broad, deep river, which is quiet because
it is broad and deep.'"

Of this worthy and strong-minded old man, we take the liberty of annexing a few
anecdotes, drawn from his memoir in the Watchman of the South. In speaking of
the excitement and noise at a protracted meeting, he remarked, "I was reminded
of what I have noticed in the woods: when the wind blows had, the dry leaves
make a great deal more noise than the green ones." When persons scoffed at his
religion, his usual diffidence and reserve would give way to a firm and
dignified defence, and most happily would he "answer a fool according to his
folly." A person addicted to horse-racing and card-playing stopped him one day
on the road, and said--"Old man, you Christians say a great deal about the way
to heaven being very narrow. Now, if this be so, a great many who profess to be
travelling it will nto find it half wide enough." "That's very true," was the
reply, "of all who have merely a name to live, and all like you." "Why refer to
me?" asked the man; if the road is wide enough for any it is for me." "By no
means," replied Uncle Jack; "when you set out you will want to take a card-table
and a race-horse or two. Now there's no room along this way for such things, and
what would you do, even in heaven, without them?" An individual accustomed to
treat religion rather sportively, and who prided himself upon his morality, said
to him, "Old man, I am as good as I need by; I can't help thinking so, because
God blesses me as much as he does you Christians, and I don't know what more I
want than he gives me." To this the old preacher replied, with great
seriousness, "Just so with the hogs. I have often looked at them, rooting among
the leaves in the woods, and finding just as many acorns as they needed; and yet
I never saw one of them look up to the tree from whence the acorns fell." In
speaking of the low state of religion, he said, "there seems to be great
coldness and deadness on the subject of religion everywhere; the fire has almost
gone out, and nothing is left but a few smoking chumps, lying about itn places."

The laws of Virginia prohibit religious as well as other assemblies of slaves,
unless at least two white persons are present. Such, however, was the
universally acknowledged happy influence of Uncle Jack's meetings, that in his
case it was not deemed necessary to enforce the law. On one occasion, some
mischievous persons undertook to arrest and whip him and several of his hearers.
After the arrest one of the number thus accosted Uncle Jack: "Well, old fellow,
you are the ringleader of all these meetings, and we have been anxious to catch
you; now, what have you got to say for yourself?" "Nothing at all, master," was
the reply. "What! nothing to say about being whipped! How is that?" "I have been
wondering for a long time," said he, "how it was that so good a man as the
Apostle Paul should have been whipped three times for preaching the gospel,
while such an unworthy man as I am should have been permitted to preach for 20
years, without ever getting a lick." It is hardly necessary to add, that these
young men immediately released him.

His influence over the members of his church was almost unbounded. As evidence
of the fact, take the following:

A gentleman who resided in the neighborhood, on walking out over his farm,
detected one of his servants, who belonged to Uncle Jack's flock, in some very
improper conduct. The only notice he took of it, was to threaten that he would
inform that spiritual man. When he arose the following morning and came to the
door, he found this servant waiting and anxious to see him. "Why, Tom," said he,
"what is the matter; why don't you go to your work?" "Why, master," replied the
servant, "if you would please whip me yourself, and don't tell Uncle Jack."

We would like to extend this notice, but want of space forbids. Uncle Jack died
at the age of nearly 100 years. He was one of those characters, that, under
propitious circumstances, might have left an undying name. But in the limited
sphere of his influence, his humble and consistent life won for him the
affections of the best people in the community.

Additional Comments:
From the history of Amelia County in Howe's 1845 Historical Collections of Virginia

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/amelia/bios/106gbs.txt

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