Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-12-08
Abra1n Allen.

ed short time ago. paid merited tribute to this
thy colored man, d member of our Church in Wash
ipgon His history is interesting one and it occur
red TO as that it might be of service to notice briefly
few incidents OF his life.
Abram was born, we believe, in Newbern at what
time he went to Washington not advised but at
the time of it's capture by the Yankees be of
the Oldest citizens ln early life he learned to read and
write, made profession Of religion and joined our
Church. His intelligence and Information OF a
superior order for coored man. and ii allowed
In that day. he became preacher of the Gospel Sew
eral years be sustained good reputation icentl-
ate, many white persons frequently going to hear him
preach and be was ordained deacon in the Church of
God by of our Bishops. He continued to exercise
his ministry with usefulness and acceptabiity un-
til after tho wicked aud diabolical in5urrec-
tion in Southampton, Va, when North Carolina
with the other Southern States prohibited slaves and
free negroes from preaching As soon IS the law was
passed, Abram surrendereu his credentials to the
Church, rernarking that he cit it his duty to preach,
and it would be great pri tion to be preve1ted from
doing so but he felt that his State had done rght-the
conduct OF bad men had the law necessary, and
he would submit Without nurmur. He continued to
naEtain his christian integrity, and after while, for
satisfactory to bimsef be withdrew frcm the
Methodist and joined The Protestant Episcopal Church.
where he remained until o57 or So. During revival
in washington, under the abors of Rev. L. P Ricaud
be returned to the Church Of his first choice 10 1852
found him there cla5s-leader, and he remarked
that he back to the Church. for the that
be could not feel at home elsewhere.
We found Abram a faithful, humble man. anxious
for tie prosperity of Zon and as be read the newspa
pers and kept himself well posted in the affairs OF the
nation, found more concerned about the con-
dion of aars than Abram. during the latter part of
1860. He seemed to have presentilnent that the
Southern States would secede and a desoating war
would ensue lie wae however, devoted to his State
and the South, aud when North Carolina seeded he
felt she had done right and ought to the invader
OF our rights
When Washington was taken by the Yankees, Abram
was not IN condition to leave his wife being slave
he would not leave. At once he he'd difficulties both
with the blacks and the Yankees because of bis devo
ton to the Sonth We have been inf lrmed that Ut
gro Child died. and the blacks called on Abram off
clae as parson. He refused, telling them he no
preacher, and that the laws of bis State oroid cOored
men to preach They told be lad been preacher and
as the Yankees now ruled, he had right to preach
He stouy refused, when they threatened MIN with per-
sona violence and went eff and brought several med
ankee soldiers with order from an officer to coz pei
HIM 20 offciate. He told them he was in their
power but protested against their forcing him 70 do
what the law OF bis State forbid They cursed his State
and told him be should go. He replied, My State
cannot do wrong but will go with you under CON-
pulson and protest" He went and read the burial
service, but would not attempt preach. In various
ways they tested bis fidelity to his S;ate until when
the whites ordered to leave take the oath
applied Tor passport to leave with them. The officers
refused telling him be fool, that the Yankees
were his friends. Abram replied, want to 60 with
them. know who my friends are." Thus he was
compelled to remain among them, but nothing could
shake his devotion to his State and the South.
When the Yankees evacuated the place, Abram was
urged to 60. His wife was determined to 90 with them,
but Abram refused and he with five Others only re-
naned thus atestng their gratitude and devotion to
Dur people. We presume that Abram is about 20
years old anxously waiting his change. Yet like the
1evo'ed Ruth in Scripture soy be says to his native
South, g will lot leave thee, thy God shalt be my
God, thy people shall be my people, where thou iest
will lie, and where thou diest, there will die and be
buried IN. c. Advocate.
We have also understood that the Yankees proposed
attaching the coored Methodist Church n Washington
to one of their Northern Conferences and installing
Abram its pastor, bat he refused its acceptance.