The Cyclopedia of the Colored Baptists of Alabama: Their Leaders and Their Work

by Charles Octavius Boothe

Gachet, Rev. Adam, of Barbour county, Ala., was born in Randolph county, Ga., March 10, 1837. At the age of 16 he was carried to the county and State in which he now lives. His childhood was wholly deprived of parental love and care, and he says he never knew anything of a relative. Depressed by his loneliness, he early felt the need of the friendship of God, which he sought and soon obtained, to the great joy of his heart. With this sweet peace soon came an impression that he was called upon to speak of this wondrous love to his fellow-slaves. In April, 1854, he was baptized into Enon Church. On June 7, 1869, he was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. He is one of the pioneers in the work of the Eufaula Association, having preached the introductory sermon of the first session of that body. From the first till now he has been a member of their executive board, and is now a member of the board of trustees of Selma University. Notwithstanding Bro. Gachet has had no educational advantages, he reads intelligently and writes some. He has labored, and now labors, in some of the most important churches in his section of Alabama. He is still active on all lines of progress. He has a large family, who seem to do him honor. Bro. Gachet is no more.

Goldsby, Alexander, was born February 6, 1819, in Edgefield district, S. C. He came to Alabama in 1830. His father, who was a native African, was born on the ocean while his mother was on her way to America. His mother was born in Maryland. In 1844 he was baptized into the white church at Selma, Ala., by the Rev. Mr. Collins. In 1845 he was ordained to the office of deacon, in which position he served for thirty-eight years. He was a very honorable man, and was not less respected by the white people than he was loved and followed by his own. He was a successful blacksmith, usually hired his time, and hence he was to a very considerable degree his own master. In 1843 he married Miss Nicey Goodwin, and a large family of children is the fruit of the marriage. His massive head and deliberate manner, his strong will and dauntless spirit, his good sense and genuine piety, made him a leader of the people and a pillar in the house of God. A man more capable of friendship at great personal costs, I have never known. Especially from him, aided by Deacons Charles White, Nick Claiborne, Tall Underwood, and E. Ross, our cause in Dallas county has risen up. At or near the close of his seventy-third year, “Father Goldsby” bravely, triumphantly and peacefully passed from the earth to that city which knows no night and needs not the shining of the sun. He was one of the chief leaders of the band which met on Friday night, near Selma, forty or fifty years ago, to pray for freedom. His name is honored in his children.

Green, Rev. Lawson J., son of Lawson and Martha Green, was born near Livingston, Sumter county, Ala., August 4, 1859. Though he was so young, he says his heart still bears the impress of the horrors of slavery. Under his father’s direction, he soon learned how to farm. Notwithstanding the colored people of this county were greatly hindered by the kuklux, Mr. Green utilized every educational facility within his reach to attain to a knowledge of letters. After he had gone as far as he could in the schools in and around Livingston, in 1879 he entered the Selma University, then under the management of Rev. H. Woodsmall, of Indiana. From this institution, he graduated in 1884 under the presidency of Dr. E. M. Brawley. At different times and places he has followed the work of teaching. He taught in his own county, was principal of Tullabody Academy at Greensboro, was a member of the faculty of Selma University, and was also of the faculty of the Baptist Academy at Marion. His principal pastorates have been at Greensboro, Ala., and Selma, of the same State. As Brother Green is full of good health, pluck and mental energy, there is no reason why he should not have a long and useful life as a Christian leader. He has held various honorable positions in the general work, and is now secretary of the Board of Trustees of Selma University.

P. S. He is now in Birmingham, pastor of the Spring Street Church and principal of an independent school on the south side of the city. He will long be a power in the denomination, if watchfulness and temperance attend him.

Gulley, Daniel T., of Selma, son of John L. and Amy Gulley, was born near Snow Hill in Wilcox county, Ala. He was the property of James Gulley, whom he served as “waiting boy” till the close of the war. Doubtless this position was favorable in the direction of refinement and culture. A taste and relish for the study of books would naturally come of such environments. Utilizing some school advantages which came to hand, he soon, as the result of hard work, attained to such a beginning in letters as enabled him to officiate as clerk of the Antioch Church.

At the opening of Selma University on January 1, 1878, he, at 9 o’clock A.M., was the only student on the ground. He completed a course in this institution with the class of 1884. On the fourth Sunday in February, 1873, he was baptized into the Antioch Baptist Church by the Rev. Willis Stalworth. Here he served as clerk of the church and as superintendent of the Sunday School. From the beginning, he has been a substantial friend of ministerial education. He was ordained in the session of the State Convention held in Selma in November, 1883, Revs. M. Tyler, W. H. McAlpine, J. Dosier, E. K. Love, E. M. Brawley, W. R. Pettiford, H. Stevens and the writer, officiating as presbytery. He has held various pastorates and different positions in the general work, and is now Sunday School missionary under the Publication Society.

Hampton, Rev. James, of Leighton, Ala., was born and reared near where he now lives. On July 25, 1858, he began life’s journey a slave, in line with the condition of his race. In 1869—in September—he was baptized into the Mount Pleasant Church by “Father” Henry Bynum, and on June 18, 1882, he was solemnly set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by Revs. B. King, H. Bynum, O. Jackson and T. W. Morris. Brother Hampton is one of the leading men of the Muscle Shoals Association, and justly so, for added to his natural talent are many graces of character which come only of labor, aspiration, study, faith, and exalted purpose.

Without the aid of schools, he has attained to a creditable knowledge of letters. He is a builder, an organizer, a pastor and business man. With him and his family, the tired missionary may find a place for rest and refreshment. He lives upon his own fruitful farm near Leighton, in Lawrence county, and is a light which shines upon all the Christian enterprises around him.

Hawkins, Prof. D. D., of East Lake, Jefferson county, deserves honorable mention for his services for religion and education. The people of East Lake are comparatively prosperous and progressive, and to no man are they more indebted for this condition of things than to Deacon and Professor Hawkins. As church officer and as school teacher he has long and faithfully served his church and his community, and his spirit and labors have been like the leaven which the woman hid in the meal.

The writer has ever found him a quiet, industrious, hospitable brother, with ready heart and open hand in support of every good work. He is an honor to his school—Selma University.