This Week in Texas Methodist History   December 17

African American Methodist Preacher, “Boston” Named in Newspaper, December 22, 1855

One of the tasks of the historian is to give voice to the voiceless, and in Texas history that often means combing records to find the names of African Americans who were enslaved and denied not only voice, but also the identity that comes with a name.  Thus when we find a enslaved African American identified not only by name but also identified as a Methodist preacher, we wish to recognize that person.

The best known African American enslaved preacher identified by name before 1860 is “Uncle Mark” who lived in Washington County.  We know about him from the memoir of Joseph Sneed who commented favorably on his ability as a preacher.

We also know of another enslaved Methodist preacher of the era, “Boston” because his enslaver placed a newspaper ad in an Austin newspaper on December 22, 1855 offering a $200 reward for his return.  The enslaver, named W. Fitzgerald of Colorado County was unsure whether Boston had run away or been abducted.  The $200 was for return with enough evidence to convict the abductor. 

The advertisement describes Boston as 31 or 32 years of age.   Fitzgerald also says Boston “talks a great deal about his religion.”—

I have searched the census records of Colorado County for 1870 in the hopes I could find a last name for our Brother Boston.   Of course he may have chosen to live somewhere else.  The Colorado County census for 1870 reveals 3 African American men named “Boston.”  I would dearly love to find more information about him.