The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1896-12-28
FROM SLAVE TO BISHOP.
Ths Remarkable Career Of a Florida

49, NeSAA4 az 4At-OA6 career OF a L404lQa
Negro.
The conference OF the African Methodist
Episcopal church for this district that adj
1ourued recently says Tle Florli4 Citizen.
consisted OF ministers who. as rula.
We're very bright men and stand as "a model
for the nesrO race. The most prominent
figure among them was Bishop Abraham
Grant. who was born ia Columbia county,
this state. in ISIS.
Ills parents were owned by Franklin
itaulers0a. q planter Of middle Florida. who
was al that time iu comfortable cireUm-
stances. Young Grant WAS up TO the age
of fifteen years. employed as q house SER
want. He was hired by Thomas Dicks.
nearby planter. whose son was attending
country school. Young Dicks and young
Grant soon became very much attached 10
each other and the former tau-at tile
latter each night the lessons that had
been learned during the day. The FIRST book
young Grant ever owned was purchased by
his companion, who sold q load Of water
melons for that purpose For TWO years the
two studied together until Grant WAS able
TO read, when. on account OF the outbreak
Of the war. he went TO his master Ha
tfen accompanied his master. Lieutenant
Franklin Eaulvrson, to- tho battle of 0us-
tee. When the enlargement BEGAN ard The
bullets Were flying thick Grant mounted
-
ed until his owner returned fron the fold.
brought enabled our master Is purchase
two good places In Lake City
After iee surrendered returned To Flori
da. and directly to Lake CITY where my
former master was. Here / found. upon my
arrival Alrs itaulerson milking the cows.
What a strange si-ht tn mel Not loug be-
fore that was my task. mr. Henderson had
opened a store and he employed mo as
soon as / arrived as q clerk lie soon he
gan to let drink get the better OF him
and he was obliged 20 retire I then went as
steward TO the Cathey house. About this
time two northern ladies'. missionaries. I
suppose. came TO the place and taught
school. which I could only attend one
hour each day. Mr. Cathey took p special
interest in me and taught me all thar he
could. When I decided to so 10 Jacksonville
he gave me a letter Of recomme uda-Iou to
Judge Baker. who On turn recommended me
TO the loug-forg0tten Suickney house whore
l became steward. The northern lad es who
boarded with as opened night school tn
the dining room. I attended this ana after
wards went to the Cochran institute"
One OF the most touching scenes that has
ever occurred in Tampa was enacted dur
Ing the conference. when NJ. Franklin
Raulcrs0n. the former owner or Bishop
Grant. who lives about hfty miles away,
drove in 70 see the boy that he had reared.
Some weeks age. when Mr.. HENDERSON
heard that the bishop was com ng, he
asked the colored minister in his vicinity
TO Inform him when the bishop would lie
there When he received tho information
ne hitched up his horse. not having money
enough to pay railroad fare, ana drove the
entire distance When ne arrived 1T the
parsonage where tire bishop was staying
he was received with the greatest tender
ness and for two hours the two were
closeted in the study, praying and weeping
together. The many memories which the