Thomas Anderson, b. 1785? and J. P. Clark
Interesting Account of Thomas Anderson, a Slave, Taken from His Own Lips. Ed. J. P. Clark
Virginia: s. n., 1854?.
Thomas Anderson dictated Interesting Account of Thomas Anderson, A Slave, the narrative of his religious conversion and ministry, to J. P. Clark in 1854, when he was sixty-nine years old. At the time this work was published, he was a slave, born in Hanover County Virginia. Although Anderson was "very wicked" during his childhood, he converted to Christianity after attending a Baptist religious meeting. He was able to learn enough reading to understand the Bible, and began preaching the Gospel at religious meetings in the area and even into Ohio. He and his wife had twenty- one children; fourteen lived, although three of them were sold.
Anderson's narrative primarily concerns his religious beliefs and his attempts to study the Bible and share his faith with others. He discusses the tensions between the North and the South and uses biblical passages to emphasize the importance of unity. Anderson also discusses the hypocritical nature of many professing Christians, and the impact they had on his ministry.
Monique Prince
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