Reminiscences in the life of Elder T. C. Townsend

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REMINISCENCES

Chapter I. Birth, And Experience Among Colored People

Thomas C. Townsend was born January 22, 1799, in Nottaway county, State of Virginia. His father was married to Amy Booth of said county. His mother was truly pious. His father followed the business of overseeing negroes. The business in which he was engaged in early life forbade much attention to the subject of the salvation of his soul. He also resided in Lunenburg county, having spent ten years in Nottaway county as overseer for Thomas Epps of that county.

During this time the subject of this history was born. My father's employer, and most of the F. F. Vs., belonged to the Episcopal High Church of England. The women frequently visited my mother and family. I well recollected the great style in which they would be driven up to my father's door in their finecarriages. They always brought a female servant to stand around and await their bidding ; they nearly always brought some presents to my mother. They professed a great regard for me, and thought it a great pity that I should not be christened. In that day I never heard it called baptism ; accordingly they prevailed on my mother to take me to what was then called Green's Church, to be christened. But a difficulty arose ; my father and mother did not either of them belong to any church, my mother having been excluded from the Episcopal Methodist Church for marrying my father — who did not belong to any church — which was according to the discipline of that day. The difficulty was, however, removed by a gentleman and lady volunteering to stand as god-father and god-mother, and promising solemnly to educate and bring me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Thus I was duly christened Thomas C. Townsend ; and I have thought it was done to give currency to my name, for I never recollect to have seen my sponsors afterwards. In justice to my mother, let me say she often called on me of an evening to kneel at her knee and repeat the prayer our Lord taught his disciples to pray. I have no recollection of ever refusing, or even being opposed to doing so.

My father followed his business as overseer until he had accumulated money enough to buy him a farm and several negroes. He then settled in Prince Edward county, Virginia. Previous to that time, and while he was yet overseer, he was drafted, in the year 1 8 14, to serve for three months as a soldier, at Norfolk.

One circumstance broke my father of all his severity to the blacks. His employer had a likely young negro, who was guilty of the great crime of wanting to be a free man, and had run away several times. The slave was finally chained to a flax break, the owner swearing he should never be released until he died, while he would give him just enough to eat to keep him alive a short time ; in addition, he was to be given a full task of flax breaking, and to be whipped every day while he lived. My father saw him one day catch a chicken at his flax break, and devour it as would a hawk ; at this sight my father felt such compassion that he would often, when he knew the master would be from home, fill his pockets with food from his own table and stealthily convey it to the poor negro. The boy died in about one year. The master was afterward thrown into a burning log heap, and burned to death. The negro that did it was hung, and thus ended that matter so far 'as this world is concerned. These scenes of barbarity, in the treatment of slaves, which I have been compelled to witness, make my heart bleed ! To this day the thought sickens, the mind recoils, at the idea ; my pen refuses to write them ; and I will only thank God that slavery is abolished !

ELDER T. C. TOWNSEND.

Chapter II. Youthful Adventures

My father had been gone to the army about four or five weeks, when I obtained a newspaper relating the awful catastrophe of the burning of the theatre at Richmond, with all its horrors and sacrifice of human life ! It also related the facts of the British landing at Hampton, just above Norfolk, and of their brutal mistreatment of our women ! I well recollect that, while out in the timber shooting squirrels, the first patriotic sentiment that ever burned in my breast was a desire to avenge the women at Hampton. I hastened home with what squirrels I had killed, and told my mother I was going to the army. She remonstrated against it. She said I was too young. I replied that my mind was fixed, and that they who could kill a squirrel could shoot a man, and that I would start in a few days.

My father was then stationed at Norfolk. I took the best horse we owned, and in a few days started for Norfolk, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles. I was then fifteen years old. The third day I reached my destination safely. I inquired for the 4th Regiment Virginia militia, and learned that they were stationed at the peach orchard.

I rode up to the Colonel's markee, Thomas N. Wooding, Lieut. Colonel in command. This officer pointed out to me the place where Capt. Wm. Fitzgerald's company was, of which my father was a member. I soon found the company, and also the mess to which my father belonged, but was informed that he had been detailed that week to labor on Fort Nelson, a distance of three miles. The Nancymumb river had to be crossed where it empties into the bay.

I returned to the Colonel's markee for him to tell me what to do. He had kindly ordered his servant to put my horse in his stable, and to feed and take care of him. The Colonel directed me how to go, and I was about to take leave of him, when he told me that I could not get out of camp, nor go where my father was, without a permit.

He soon wrote one, requesting those who saw it to aid me in getting to my father. I thus passed the sentinels, and reached the river about one half hour before sunset. We crossed the river in a skiff, running close to the U. S. ship "Constellation," said to be the only frigate then belonging to the United States. It was a still, calm evening, and the band of music was in full blast. I became so enraptured with the music that I had a strong desire to enlist as a sailor on board the great ship.

We landed on the other side, and through the agency of the Colonel's permit I had no difficulty in finding my father. I found him, in the dusk of the evening, engaged in a wrestle with another man. I stood off watching, but he happened to see me ; and suddenly his wrestling propensities ended, he let go his antagonist, and laid hold of me ; he asked me how on earth I got there, and what was the cause of my coming. I soon told him all about it. And also told him he might go home, if he wanted to, and I would take his place. If not, I would take the place of some other man and stay with him, or volunteer. I intended to stay. Accordingly, the next day we went to the Adjutant General's office and, with some reluctance, I was received as a substitute for my father, and he started for home.

Chapter III. Adventures In The Army

Instead of going to finish the labor my father had been detailed for, I returned to the company; and as there was nothing for me to do, I went to the beach at low tide to find oysters. I soon found a sergeant and file of men after me. I began to think that it was not so funny after all to be a soldier. I was then taken to the officer of the fatigue party, and as I was not conscious of having done wrong, was freely forgiven, and the next day I finished the time of service for which my father had been detailed, returning then to the company. Next morning at break of day, the drums were all rattling the alarm. The British had landed near the peach orchard where we were then stationed. The regiment was paraded instanter. That was the fir?t time I ever laid hands on my musket. I examined the flint, and found all right, cartridge-box filled with cartridges; and now, my boy we '11 see if you can stand fire, and avenge those women at Hampton, I loaded my gun in quick time ; and as the regiment was ready to march to the field of battle, the cavalry came galloping up, and informed our officers that the British had retreated back to their ships, and were already ploughing the proud waves up to their fleet that lay just above Hampton Roads.

Well, I felt both glad, and sorry too. Well, I thought, I'll get a crack at you yet ; but never did. I never knew why our officers let the enemy pass Craney Island without firing on them, as they had to pass one side or the other of them.

I was detailed for guard and soon learned soldiers' duty, while both camp and picket guard were alternately my lot every week, and two hours' drill every day when not on guard. My old school teacher was in the same regiment, a very good old man, and Methodist preacher likewise. He was subjects to fits, and, in consequence, was put on the police, so-called in the army. He looked after me, and belived that I was imposed on in doing soldiers' duty. He persuaded me to join "the police, as the duty was light. I told him I would volunteer to help sweep the encampment that evening and see how I liked it. I did so, but thought it would be letting down my soldier dignity to be called "camp cully man," when I returned home. So I declined his kind offer.

About this time, there was a regiment of volunteers from North Carolina, who joined our troops ; and we were sent to Fort Barbour to stay in tents until we could build houses, giving up ours at the peach orchard, to the Carolina troops. I shall never forget the first night we passed in tents. In laying out the ground our tent was pitched in what Kentuckians would call a sink-hole. I was on picket guard at the time of removal, and did not get to our camp until late the next day. We had not yet obtained plank for a floor in our tent. As I had not slept the previous night, I rolled myself in my blanket for a night's sleep in the bottom of that sink-hole, the ground ascending all around it. That night, there fell the hardest rain I ever recollect to have witnessed. When I awoke, my body was nearly covered with the deluge, and I was strangling with the water running in my mouth. My limbs were benumbed, and it was with difficulty I could get up, My messmates had all gone, I knew not where. I could not see any fire except at the guard house. I knew there was a sentinel between me and that place. I made my way to him, was hailed and brought to. He called to the guard house for a sergeant and file of men to put me under guard, which was what I wanted, so that I might get to the fire. The officer of the guard looked at me with compassion, and said : " Come to the fire." A few minutes after, standing near the fire, I became sick, and vomited ; but after drying my clothes I felt better, and when it was fully day he bade me depart in peace. Thanks to God for his mercy, and the humanity of the officer.

I was then detailed with about one hundred men out of our regiment to go up the Nancymumb river to cut timber to build us houses for the winter. Our task-master gave us twenty logs, or poles, apiece for our day's work. We were twenty miles up the river, in a tall, pine forest, in a very hospitable neighborhood, though none of them were wealthy. With ten or twenty acre farms, they raised some corn and plenty of sweet potatoes. We would finish our task in about three hours, as we would not cut a tree unless we could get two logs from it. We then had plenty of time to visit in the neighborhood, and were always kindly received.

The young men of our party were frequently invited by the girls to cotton-picking frolics, where we would eat roasted potatoes and drink cider until late bedtime. The time passed swiftly away. I would have preferred to spend it all this way. In about three weeks we were called back to our camp, the logs being brought down in flat boats. Our houses were soon built. The timbers were green, and the cold winter of 1814-5 having set in, we failed to draw fire wood as had been expected. I have gone with others two miles to the forest to cut, and pack on our shoulders, barely sufficient fuel for cooking purposes. Our mess was lucky enough at this time to hire a negro woman to receive our rations, and bring our breakfasts and dinners to us in good order.

About this time old General Porter was in command of the Division at this place. He was a perfect despot ! It was said that he rode up to a soldier, while at work, and said :

" Soldier, work a little faster."

The soldier did not mend his speed. The General, clapping his spurs to his old black horse, trampled down the soldier, and rode off without ever looking behind him !

One day, while on grand parade, his old black horse fell down with him, and landed him over his head on the ground. There was a burst of laughter along the line. He got up, and ordered his horse to be cobbed, his rations stopped for three days, and to be put in the black-hole — a place of punishment for soldiers.

One circumstance I must not overlook : Our regiment had gone out under the three month's militia law of the State ; but the Legislature afterwards passed a six month's militia law, compelling the troops, who had gone out under three month's law, to stay six months ; which had a retrospective bearing, and was therefore unconstitutional. Thus we all thought to go home at the expiration of three months. The troops did not have winter clothing, and had not drawn any money, and were not likely to ; nor did they during our term of service.

The first company whose term of three months expired, paraded without an officer, and marched up to Col. Wooding' s markee and told him they must have their pay or discharge, or they would go home without it ! This was a noble company, from Shenandoah county. The Colonel brought out his law book, and remonstrated against their act, warning them of the consequences. They told him it was of no use, their purposes were fixed ; and accordingly they stacked their arms in front of the Colonel's markee.

The regiment was immediately paraded to punish the offenders. I never did anything more against my will, but had to obey ! We formed a hollow square around the company and marched them off two miles to the provost guard house, where they were crammed in, a strong guard of regular soldiers being placed around them. They were there kept on half rations for three weeks ; and then they were tried by a court martial, whose sentence was to shave the left side of their heads and faces, and their faces to be blackened with lampblack and oil ; also, to be marched through the city in derision, and then to be taken to Craney Island, for hard labor, the other three months, and to receive black discharges ! Had they been tried by civil law, it would have been different.

One brave fellow, who was on picket guard at the time, when he returned to camp and was told the fate of his company, went directly to the Colonel's markee, staved his bayonet in the ground up to the muzzle of his gun, hung his cartridge box on the breach of his gun, saying he left home to share the fate of his company, and would do it. Accordingly, he was sent to them by a sergeant and file of men.

At this time sickness prevailed to a very alarming extent. Some companies brought home less than half the number they had taken there. Christmas day there were upward of eighty graves dug in Potter's Field, besides those who were buried in church yards, which must have increased the number to at least one hundred ! The epidemic was mainly typhus fever, together with what was called cold plague. They would frequently choke to death with phlegm.

At this time I took the measles, mumps, and typhus fever, all at one time, the measles breaking out in my very eye-balls. I was sent to the hospital. The night I got there one died on each side of me ; I surely thought it was my time next ; but, in the providence of God, the attendant of the room was a cousin of mine, who spared no pains for my comfort ; the corpses were taken out and the room made comfortable. My food was wholesome, and medical attention was blessed to my speedy recovery.

I had learned some bad habits — card playing, profane swearing, and drinking whiskey. We drew, with our ordinary rations, a gill of whiskey per day. I could not drink all of my gill in a day at first, but soon got so that I could drink it all before breakfast ; and often go to the sutler's and buy more in the evening. Such is the growth of this serpent as he throws his poisonous coil around his victim ! Thanks to God for what the Temperance cause has done for our world since that time.

I was discharged with our entire company on the seventh of February, 1 815, our time having expired. I was yet in the hospital, but was so recovered as to be able to start for home. I drew one dollar and twenty-five cents to bear my expenses home. I thus started for home, and spent the last of my money in Petersburg. I then had some twenty-five or thirty miles to reach home. Luckily I found a teamster going within a few miles of my father's house, who kindly invited me to ride in his wagon, which I gladly did.

At noon he stopped to feed his horses, near a tavern. I stepped into the tavern, and called for breakfast speedily ; and, after eating, told the landlord that I had no money. He flew into a rage, and asked me why I did not tell him before eating. I told him I was afraid he would not give it to me, and now I had it and I thanked him, and bade him good-bye. My Captain was in an adjoining room, and, hearing the uproar, came out ; and finding who it was, and knowing the small amount of money we had drawn, he gave the landlord a piece of his mind, and paid the bill.

Thanks to my Captain. I shall ever venerate the name of William Fitzgerald. I thus landed safe home by the dusk of the evening. Mothers only can know the feelings of my mother as she recognized her imperiled son, once more restored to the bosom of the family circle.

Chapter IV

THE AUTHOR'S EDUCATION, AND RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH HIS CALL TO THE MINISTRY.

After my arrival at home, my health had been so impaired by the suffering of army life, my father resolved to give me two more years schooling, and also to give me negro boy John, who was about two years younger than myself. (Of this we will speak hereafter). My difficulty was to find a suitable teacher, for the teachers of that day in that country were more thorough in spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, than the teachers of the present day ; but they never taught English grammar in their common schools. Having completed the study of arithmetic, I bought the entire series of Murray's English Grammar, and after diligent search found one teacher that said he could instruct me. Accordingly I commenced under his direction to commit the different parts of speech, and other elements as pointed out by him ; and thought I was doing very well, without making any application of what I had committed to memory, until falling in with a merchant who did understand English grammar. After examining me as to what progress I was making, he told me my teacher was incompetent, and that I was doing no good, and that I never would learn English grammar with that teacher. I quit school in disgust. Oh, that I had lived in this day, where the facilities of education are so abundant. But it was not so in my day. I have toiled, nevertheless, and studied hard to know something of the literary world. Especially has theology absorbed the little strength of mind that it has pleased God to give me. I think I shall not be condemned for not improving that one talent committed to my charge.

In the year 1816, when I was 17 years of age, I was made the subject of the convicting grace of God, under the preaching of Elder William Creth, of Virginia, at which time quite a number of young men of my associates professed to be converted, and some of them went immediately into the ministry. Among them was James G.

Jeffries, of Virginia notoriety. It was my lot to alternately retrogade, and then, as I thought, to deeply repent, and mourn over my poor, sinful nature.

I recollect, on one occasion, to have resolved to try myself for one week to live in a state of sinless perfection ; and, poor blind creature as I was, I thought I had done it, until the last day being sent to a store to purchase some articles that were indispensable in case of sickness. I there found some of my former school-mates engaged in a game of marbles, on the Sabbath day. They knowing that I was an expert at that game, I was immediately chosen to partake in the game ; and did not have decision of character enough to say "No/" "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not." Thus I was found playing marbles on the Lord's day ! My reflections on my way home caused many tears to flow. This was the first time I saw clearly that without the Omnipotent arm of God was thrown around me, I must be eternally lost / Thus I began to have less confidence in myself, and to cry mightily to God if there was any mercy for me, to lead me in the right way. It was thus that I was brought "by a way I knew not, and led in paths that I had not known. Crooked things were made straight, and rough ways made smooth."

In August, 1 817, I heard of a Methodist camp - meeting, about -twenty miles off, in Nottaway county. I resolved to go. It was held near where I had an uncle living, and where I would put up my horse and stay at the meeting until it closed ; and, if not converted, to give it all up, and know that hell was my portion ! Accordingly I went on the ground on Thursday ; and on Thursday night presented myself as a mourner seeking an interest in Jesus Christ, and asking the prayers of God's people. I did so every time the opportunity was given, until Sabbath evening. The friends who were encamped on the ground, kindly invited me to partake of their hospitality ; the preachers took special pains in talking with me. It all seemed to enhance my condemnation. I thought I was only in the way, and was worse than a nuisance ! I thought I would get out of the way and go home, as the meeting was to close the next morning. I wandered off, I don't know how, about one mile from the camp-ground, in a beautiful forest. The setting sun had already tinged the yellow leaves in the forest, and given them their golden hue. Such displays of the glory of God I had never witnessed before. Philosophers have called an indescribable sensation of the mind the emotion of sublimity ; but they have failed to tell us that that emotion ever revealed a Saviour. I fell prostrate upon my knees, and poured out my soul to God. From that day to this, I know not how I got back to the camp-ground. My first recollection was that I was lying prostrate on the outskirts of the camp-ground, with a preacher holding my head in his lap, and talking to me. Whether I was in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell ! God knows. My last thoughts had been that there was no mercy for me ! Unless the justice of God must fail, my doom was fixed ! I thought it would be better for me to go to hell than for the justice of God to fail in any instance whatever. I think I felt resigned for God's will to be done. At that moment my mind was turned to the expiring agonies of Jesus as he hung upon the bleeding Cross.

It was thus, in the language of the poet :

" I saw one hanging on a tree, In agonies and blood ;

He fixed his languid eyes on me, As near his cross I stood !

Sure, never till my latest breath, Shall I forget that look.

It seemed to charge me with his death, Though not a word he spoke !

A second look he gave, which said I freely all forgive.

This blood is for thy ransom paid, I die that thou mayest live."

I had vague notions of the Trinity, and thought that Christ had forgiven my sins. How shall I know that God the Father is reconciled to me ? When God the Father spoke the life giving word to my poor soul. "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

I thus arose to tell,

My Jesus has done all things well.

The next day, as I rode home, the face of all nature seemed to be changed. The trees,

" The birds in sweetest concert with nature joined their lays, All pointing out young christians combined in Jesus' praise."

I felt like I was in another world. I went home and told the glorious news to my mother, and all around, what a dear Saviour I had found ! Redeeming grace and dying love was all my theme.

At all times, when under religious impressions, I thought that God required it at my hand to preach the Gospel. My mind would be drawn out to sermonizing, involuntarily, although it seemed to be a great way off in the future, my course of life forbade it. My qualification forbade it — my whole nature forbade it. I therefore rested the subject with the Providence of God; and tried to forget it, too frequently engaging in merry company — much to the injury of my conscience. But I will try to relate the dealings of God's Providence with me as they come to pass thereafter.

Chapter V

TRAVELS TO KENTUCKY — THREE YEARS OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE — HE MAKES A POLITICAL SPEECH — HIS ACQUAINTANCE AND MAR- RIAGE OF HIS WIFE.

That fall my uncle where I had left my horse during my stay at camp-meeting, had started to move to Kentucky ; and stopping a few days at my father's, he wanted a teamster to drive his best team, and offered to bear my expenses back to Virginia, if I did not like to stay in Kentucky, and give me his best horse. I accepted his offer, and in a few days we started for Kentucky, and after four week's travel across the mountains, the Blue Ridge, the Alleghanies, the Cumberland, and the Clinch mountains, with much toil and some privations on the road, we landed safely at his destination, in Gallatin county, Kentucky. After a few weeks looking around, I took my uncle's best horse, and went to New Castle, Henry county. I stayed all night with an old man whose age forbade his attention to his business. His name was Peter Fore. He was a Baptist, and said to be a very good man. He lived one mile north of New Castle. After learning my history, he made me an offer to attend to his business, which resulted in about three hundred dollars. I accepted his offer, and commenced with him at Christmas. I did not desire to form much acquaintance, but would go to meeting every Sunday. I inquired of a Methodist circuit rider to know if he would baptize me ? He said he could not if I had been baptized in infancy. I told him I had not been baptized, but was only christened. This, however, resulted in my examination of the Baptist Creed, the most of which I loved, especially their democracy in church government.