The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-09-12
Death of Rev. john baptist snowden.

Rev. John Baptist Snowden, colored, died
at the residence ofhis son-in law, VIM. Lowry,
this city, on Tuesday morning last, September
8. He was "a years old on the 18th of last
Nav. He was born in Anne Arundel county,
and belonged to Nicholas Harden, and was
given to his son Matthew; his third owner was
Nicholas, a grandson of Nicholas Harden;
fourth owner Thomas Majors, by descent;
fifth owner, Elisha Bennett, of Baltimore
county By working overtime and saving all
the money that came into his hands from the
visitors OF his several masters, he was enabled
to purchase his freedom when he was 20 years
of age, Of which he was very proud, and dwelt
at great length upon the fact that when the
other hands were frolicking at corn huskings,
picking the banjo and other sports, he re-
NAMED at home making baskets, husk mats
and collars, hickory brooms, distilling herbs,
or was engaged in arranging traps or snares
for game. All the gentlemen, he said were
anxious to have "Bap' wait on them, and
that he took extra care to see that everything
was in its proper place, and he was ready at any
moment to render such assistance as was
needed By this means he soon became pop
ular and was allowed more privileges than
many other servants. He was taught to read
by the children of Mr.. Majors, and his play
mates, the sons of gentlemen in the neghbor-
hood, and took great pride in stating that he
received the best of treatment while a slave,
and after he purchased his freedom. When
he was % years old he was a local preacher,
and in 1922 he was licensed to preach by the
M. Z. Church. His first circuit was Jetfer-
son, Frederick county; from there he was sent
to Baltimore, and was stationed at Dallas
street; from there to Linganore circuit, Fred
erick county; then to Baltimore county; then
to Hartford county; then to Middletown,
Frederick county; then to Govanstown, Bal
timore county; then to Hagerstown, Washing
ton county; then to Leesburg, Va; after this
last appointment he was placed upon the su-
peranuated list His grandmother was Militia
Barrikee, an African princess, who was.stolen
while walking in the woods with her maid,
and brought to this country by slave traders.
His grandfather was Thos. Collyer, an Eng
lishman. In 1881 he married Margaret Rooms,
a servant in the family of Mrs. Granadams, OF
Westminster, Nd. As a preacher he was
very successful, and rarely missed an appoint
ment, though on some OF the circuits he tray
eled from place to place on foot, and during
all this time he enjoyed good health. He was
the father of fourteen children, eight OF whom
are now living. One of his sons, Thomas b.,
graduated at Howard University, Washington,
D. c., and also at the Theological Seminary,
Boston. Mass, where the degree d. d. was
conferred upon him. Attic time of his death
he had made his home in Westminster for
about So years, Mr. Snowden had the esteem
and respect of all, both white colored.
His funeral took place from Centenary M.
E. Church on Thursday morning, Rev. James
Thomas, of Baltimore, assisted by Rev. Chas
A. Reid, officiating, and the remains were
inferred in the colored cemetery near this
eitV