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#EbenezerAMEChurch is the second oldest African American congregation in #HagerstownMaryland founded in 1840 by #RevThomasWHenry (1794-1877). Rev. Henry pastored the church for over 40 years and is possibly buried underneath the church.
Henry was born enslaved to Richard Barnes in Leonardtown, Maryland in 1794 and was freed when he turned 28. He was married twice and had 4 children with his first wife.
With his earnings as a free man, he purchased the freedom of his wife and two children. Unfortunately, the other two were sold South before he could purchase their freedom.
He was licensed to preach in the #AMEChurch in 1835 and worked on several church circuits in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
During his time in Hagerstown, Henry used his church as an #UndergroundRailroad station. He sent freedom seekers from his church to the home of #TimothyAnderson in #AntrimTownshipPA. Anderson was the father of #RevDrMatthewAnderson, the first Black student to live at #PrincetonSeminary and pastor of the #BereanPresbyterianChurch in #PhiladelphiaPA
His autobiography, From Slavery to Salvation: The Autobiography of Rev. Thomas W. Henry of the A.M.E. Church, first published in 1872, recorded the struggles and triumphs of his time within the #AMEChurch, including financial difficulty and dissension amongst members.
Colored by #DeOldify
Courtesy of Nanny Jack & Co Archives