This morning I finished another church chapter, St. George’s Episcopal, for the ‘Houses of the Holy’ manuscript. Next up is Fredericksburg Presbyterian and United Methodist before moving on to the outer congregations in Spotsylvania County. One of the most interesting aspects of this project (IMO) is the incorporation of the local slave and freed African-American experiences. In addition to the recollections of southern soldiers, civilians, and northern occupiers, this third-perspective has become a crucial part of my study.  To be honest, the race-relations side of history never really interested me, but as I mature as both a historian and a writer, I am finding it to be an important and far too neglected part of the Civil War narrative.

Therefore I am making a concerted effort to include the black citizen’s viewpoints for each church where applicable. I am finding some interesting differences in the way the events of the pre- and post-war era are remembered. Several of the African-Americans that I quote were children at the time of the war, and their views of the conflict, as well as the sudden changes in the social structure of Fredericksburg during Reconstruction, are much more positive and prosperous. Understandably, slave adults who escaped north prior to the battle(s) paint a much more bitter and painful portrayal of the town. Many served in the Union army as teamsters, and even soldiers, while others received an education and returned as ministers.

Although I have included several testimonies throughout the book, I was immediately drawn to two; extraordinary slave narratives that were published in the years following the war. Both outlined the pre- and post-war experiences of African-Americans in the local Episcopal Church. One was titled “Memorys of the Past” and was an autobiographical memoir of John Washington, a former slave describing his life, 1838-1862 in various places in Virginia especially Fredericksburg. Washington, who would later attend Shiloh Baptist (Old Site), recalled his early introduction into Christianity at St. George’s Church due to the insistence of his master. In Chapter 5 of his memoirs he recalled:

“The Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg is situated on the North East corner of Princess Ann and George Street surrounded on the North and East by the Grave Yard, Fronting on Princess Ann Street about Midway the square was a small one story brick in which I used to go to a Sunday School Sunday afternoon and was taught the cathacism and verses of the bible were read to us by heart. I do not think much good resulted from this School for we was not permitted to learn A.B.C. or to Spell. But Mrs. Taliaferro was most zealous in sending me to each such places on Sundays as she would by this Means know where I was by asking Miss Olive Hanson, My Teacher, by the way she was a most kind and gentle lady and I often think of her sweet face and blue ey[e]s, and feel a spark of gratitude for the efforts on her part, for I really know she would have learned me to read and wright if the law had permitted her so to do.”

The other was quoted from Joseph F. Walker, a former slave child who also published his own recollections. Walker recalled the ‘parental upbringing’ he experienced as a boy during the war years. In his memoirs, which were recorded by John J. Lanier, he describes his own path to salvation, as well as the dramatic appointments that were exposed to him as an adult:

“I became Sexton of St. George’s Church in 1878. I still continued to live with Judge Barton. My combined stipend as sexton of the Church and as Judge Barton’s Butler was $17.00 per month… My first religious impression was obtained from Mr. Cushionberry; from his having daily morning prayer. All the servants came to this service. I have kept it up ever since, and consider it one of the most valuable things I have derived from my Episcopalian friends.” (Walker continued to serve at St. George’s for years to come and also became a Senior Deacon at Shiloh Baptist, [New Site]. Over a period of 48 years he served 6 Rector’s through their entire terms of service.)

It is my hope that through the inclusion of these stories, I will be able to present a better-rounded and accurate picture of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of these historic congregations.