A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North America — John Shaqi
A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North AmericaBayley, Solomon
Religion
A narrative of some remarkable incidents, in the life of Solomon Bayley : $b formerly a slave, in the State of Delaware, North America
Bayley, Solomon
African Americans -- Biography; Bayley, Solomon; Enslaved persons -- Delaware -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- United States -- Biography; Enslaved persons' writings, American -- Delaware; Fugitive slaves -- United States -- Biography; Slavery -- Delaware -- History; Slavery -- Virginia -- History
I learned that at one period of his life he had been instructed in the
business of a cooper, and for some time had wrought at that trade;
but feeling some scruples in his mind with regard to following an
occupation which he believed had a tendency, though a remote one, to
promote the sale and consumption of ardent spirits, he conscientiously
forsook that employment, under the persuasion that the frequent
and indiscriminate use of distilled spirituous liquors, had proved
as injurious to the moral and religious growth of society, as it
was admitted to be subversive of health, and the bane of domestic
happiness. He then engaged himself as a labourer in husbandry; and
while deriving his support from this employment, he one day happened to
meet with the Governor of the State of Delaware; and believing it to be
his duty to speak to him on the great responsibility of the station in
which he was placed, and on the importance of a faithful occupation of
the talents committed to his charge, the worthy Governor was so well
pleased with his communication, that he shortly after promoted Solomon
to the oversight of one of his farms, admitting him as a joint sharer
with himself in the profits. This mode of farming, which requires
great confidence on one side, and skill and industry on the other, is
not uncommon in America; the landlord usually finding all the necessary
implements and stocking the farm, and the tenant, the requisite labour
to manage the concern. But I subsequently learned that he did not long
enjoy the above mentioned situation, as the Governor was soon after
removed by death. He then engaged himself in the employment of a person
at Camden, where with his wife he now resides.--Solomon was moreover
described to be estimable as a religious character, remarkably humble,
patient of wrong, poor as to worldly possessions, but rich in faith and
in many other christian virtues: such was the account which was given
me of this extraordinary man.
Feeling a strong inclination to see and converse with one, whom, from
the description of his character, I already esteemed; I requested a
friend who had known him many years, and whom he sometimes visited,
to introduce me to his acquaintance, when he should next come to
Wilmington; this he did, and on a more intimate knowledge obtained in
subsequent interviews, the favourable sentiments I at first conceived
of his integrity and worth, were fully and satisfactorily confirmed,
heightened as they were, by his solid instructive conversation, and I
may add, the just sense he appeared to entertain of divine things.
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