Synopses & Reviews
John Jea (b. 1773) and George White (b. 1764-c.1830) were two of the earliest African American autobiographers, each writing nearly a half-century before Frederick Douglass. Jea and White represent an earlier generation of African Americans who were born into slavery but granted their freedom shortly after American independence. Both chose to fight against slavery from the pulpit, as itinerant Methodist ministers in the North; Methodism’s staunch anti-slavery stance, acceptance of African American congregants, and use of itinerant preachers enhanced black religious practices and services in the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century. Graham Hodges’ substantial introduction to the book places these two narratives into historical context, and highlights several key themes, including slavery in the North, the struggle for black freedom after the Revolution, and the rise of African American Christianity.
Synopsis
John Jea (b. 1773) and George White (1764-c.1830) were two of the earliest African-American autobiographers, writing nearly a half-century before Frederick Douglass published his famous narrative chronicling his experiences as a slave, a freedman, and an ardent abolitionist. Jea and White represent an earlier generation of African-Americans that were born into slavery but granted their freedom shortly after American independence, in the 1780s. Both men chose to fight against slavery from the pulpit, as itinerant Methodist ministers in the North. Methodism's staunch anti-slavery stance, acceptance of African-American congregants, and widespread use of itinerant preachers enhanced black religious practices and services in the late eighteenth century and the nineteenth century. Graham Hodges' substantial introduction to the book places these two narratives into historical context, and highlights several key themes, including slavery in the North, the struggle for black freedom after the Revolution, and the rise of African-American Christianity.
Synopsis
Two of the earliest documented African American autobiographies, by John Jay and George White -- former slaves that became Methodist ministers after the American Revolution.
About the Author
Graham Russell Hodges is Professor of History at Colgate University. His books include Root and Branch: African Americans in New York and New Jersey, 1613-1863.
Table of Contents
Introduction by Graham Russell Hodges * A Brief Account of the Life, Experience, Travels and Gospel Labours of George White, an African (1810) * The Life, History, and Unparalleled Sufferings of John Jea, the African Preacher (c. 1800) * Appendix I: Hymns from A Collection of Hymns Compiled and Selected by John Jea, African Preacher of the Gospel * Appendix 2: Membership by Race in the Methodist Episcopal Church, New York—New Jersey Area, 1788-1828.
Introduction by Graham Russell Hodges * A Brief Account of the Life, Experience, Travels and Gospel Labours of George White, an African (1810) * The Life, History, and Unparalleled Sufferings of John Jea, the African Preacher (c. 1800) * Appendix I: Hymns from A Collection of Hymns Compiled and Selected by John Jea, African Preacher of the Gospel * Appendix 2: Membership by Race in the Methodist Episcopal Church, New York—New Jersey Area, 1788-1828.