Jonathan Clarke, Savannah, to John Rippon, London, 19 January 1788.

January 19, 1788.

“After the death of their master, his son, Dr. William Bryan, generously continued them the use of the barn for worship, until the estate was divided among the family. Our Brother Andrew, by consent of parties, purchased his freedom, bought a lot at Yamacraw, and built a residence near the dwelling house which their master had given Sampson liberty to build on his lot; and which has ever been made use of for worship. But by the division of their master’s estate, the lot [342] whereon Sampson had built a house to live in, and which till this time continues to be used for worship, by Andrew, fell into the hands of an attorney, who married a daughter of the deceased Mr. Bryan, and receives no less than 12£ a year for it. Sampson serves as a clerk, but frequently exhorts in the absence of his brother, who has his appointments in different places of worship.

         “Brother Andrew’s account of his number in full communion is two hundred and twenty-five, and about three hundred and fifty have been received as converted followers, many of whom have not permission” from the owners “to be baptized. – The whole number is judged to be about five hundred and seventy-five, from the town’s being taken to this present July. I have consulted brother Hambleton, who thinks they have need of a few Bibles, the Baptist Confession of Faith, and Catechism; Wilson on Baptism, some of Bunyan’s works, or any other that your wisdom may think useful to an illiterate people. They all join in prayers for you and yours, and beg your intercession at the throne of grace for them, as well as for the small number of whites that dwell here; and among them I hope you will not forget your poor unworthy brother, and believe me, with sincere affection and brotherly love, yours in the bonds of the Gospel,

                                             JONATHAN CLARKE.*

         Concerning the church at Savannah, the late Rev. Mr. Joseph Cook, of the Euhaw, upper Indian land, thus writes: “From the inclosed you will see how they became a church, and what they have suffered, which is extremely affecting; but they now begin to rise from obscurity, and to appear great. I have some acquaintance with their pastor, and have heard him preach; his gifts are small, but he is clear in the grand doctrines of the gospel. – I believe him to be truly pious, and he has been the instrument of doing more good among the poor slaves than all the learned doctors in America.”

         The friends of our adorable Redeemer will, no doubt, rejoice to find that this large body of Christian negroes, under the patronage of some of the most respectable persons in their city, “have opened a subscription for the erecting a place of worship in the city of Savannah, for the society of black people of the Baptist denomination – the property to be vested in [343] the hands of seven or more persons in trust for the church and congregation.”

         Their case** is sent to England, recommended by

                     J. Johnson***, Minister of the Union Church.

                     John Hamilton.

                     Ebenezer Hills.

                     Joseph Watts.

                     D. Moses Vallotton.

                     John Millene.

                     Abraham Leggett.

* The character of Mr. Jonathan Clarke may be known at May Hill’s, merchants, Church-row, Fenchurch-street [London].

** It is committed to the care of the Editor [John Rippon].

*** The Rev. Mr. Johnson is well known in London; he sailed for America in the fall of 1790; and labours in the Orphan House in Savannah, built by Mr. Whitefield, and assigned in trust to the countess of Huntingdon. On May 30, 1775, the Orphan House building caught fire, and was entirely consumed, except the two sings which are still remaining. Editor.

Text: From John Rippon, ed., “Sketch of the Black Baptist Church at Savannah, in Georgia; and of their Minister Andrew Bryan, extracted from several Letters,” Baptist Annual Register, vol. 1, 1790-93, pp. 342-43.