James William Carr, the twelfth, and next to the youngest child of Uncle Horace, and Aunt Kitty, attained distinction both as a lecturer and a minister.
A Tennessean by birth, and a Georgian by Providence, he died in the midst of his usefulness at Savannah, Ga., August 25, 1907.
In his youth, he professed religion and joined Mount Zion during his father’s pastorate of the church. His early educational advantages were poor, but he was ambitious, and lost no opportunity for mental improvement.
Rev. William Carr was tall, and bright colored, having his mother’s refined features, and his father’s good physique.
A blend of both parents in looks, and Christian principles.
That he was appreciative, the following letter received by the writer, a short time before his death, will show:
Savannah, Ga., May 13, 1907.
“Mrs. J. F. Miller—Kind Friend: Today my thoughts go back to the scenes of my boyhood, away back in the 70’s, when I worked for your father. How well do I remember the day he hired me, and carried me home behind him, on a big sorrel horse he called Charlie.
“I had never lived with white people, and Mother Kitty did not think I would be satisfied, but I was, and stayed several months, going home every Saturday evening.
“I date my start in life to the study table in your father’s family room at night, around which I was not only permitted the use of books, but was also instructed in them.
“One day I ventured to ask you to set me some copies, in a rude copy book I had pinned together of foolscap paper. You asked if I wanted words, or sentences. I was embarrassed, for I did not know the difference, and you set both.
“I feel profoundly grateful to you, and your family, for the interest manifested in the little yellow boy from near Horse Shoe Bend.
“I have traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, and I have been treated with respect wherever I have gone.
Rev. John William Carr, Savannah, Ga.
“I am at present pastor of the First African Baptist Church of Savannah. It was organized in 1788. The membership is 5,000, and the value of the church property, $100,000.00. This church has had only six pastors during its existence of 119 years; I am its sixth.
“The race riot in Atlanta a few months ago, has in no way changed my opinion of the South, as being the proper home of the negro.
“I am glad you visited my mother, and took down in writing some interesting incidents of her life.
“My parents were unlettered it is true, for their sphere was limited, but our Heavenly Father can be glorified in little things as well as great things.
“It matters not how small the deed of kindness done, it is the motive that dignifies the action.
“Providence permitting, I hope to visit Port Royal next fall, and meet once more in the flesh my friends and kindred there. If I come I will preach a sermon or two at Mount Zion. It is a dear old church to me, and the quiet spot near by, in which sleeps the dust of my father and two brothers, is dearer still.
“May God’s richest blessings rest on your household, is the prayer of,
Your obedient servant,
J. W. Carr.”
In three months after the above letter was written, Rev. William Carr was stricken with fever and died. The news of his death was telegraphed to his only surviving brother, Horace Carr, of District No. 1, Montgomery county, Tenn.
Immediately following this, memorial services were held in several Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky churches in which he had preached before making Savannah his home.