PROJECT GOWAN PAMPHLET
RESEARCH NOTES
The Work…
When I first began researching the life of Gowan Pamphlet little did I know that I would fill seven notebooks, photocopy over 5000 pages, scan miles of microfilm and read hundreds of books. The sheer volume of my research notes astounds me to this day and should explain why I have included only an abbreviated version of them.
Aha! Moments…
I have included some of my Aha! moments. These were times when pieces fell into place, something unexplained was finally explained or I discovered a fact so astounding that I wanted to do back flips. Admittedly, in five years of research, there were fewer Aha! moments than I would have liked. However, when those times came, I tried to savor them.
X Marks the Spot…
I’ll never forget how I felt when I stared at Jane Vobe’s obituary and realized I had been right about her moving to Osborne’s. Then there was the feverish rush to the photocopier one Friday afternoon five minutes before library closing when I found the critical link that joined David Miller to Robert Miller. I remember feeling relieved when I found that Gowan Pamphlet had not spent his missing years in the Williamsburg Lunatic hospital. And I’ll forever remember that rainy afternoon with David Low’s account book before me and realizing I had finally discovered why Jane Vobe’s estate was turned over to her employee, David Miller.
Persistence Pays…
While there were dozens of new discoveries, there were also hundreds of hours when nothing was revealed. However, just as I was about to give up, I would find something. It was always enough just to keep me going.
What about Gowan?…
You may come to the conclusion as you read my notes that I spent more time researching other people than I did Gowan Pamphlet and you would be right. My husband would hear me talk about what I had found and then ask, “But what about Gowan Pamphlet? Where does he come in the picture?” And the only answer I had was, “He’s there alright, you just have to be patient.”
Like a Jigsaw Puzzle…
And so the research continued. And as the pieces came together, I began to discover what had been hidden for centuries and before I knew it, his story was there for all to see.
Notes Begin Here…
July 2005
- Found – Anne Vobe died ca. 1760 in James City County with 90 acres of land. Citation: Reconstructed Census, F225.D88 & F225.V8743, page 346.
- Found – John Vobe as an indentured servant arriving in York County by Mr. Robert Shoare. Citation: York County, Virginia Records 1672 to 1676, page 141, Dec. 10, 1675.
October 2005
AHA! Moment
- Found – John Blair’s will that provided an irrefutable link between David Miller and Robert Miller. Citation: Virginia Genealogist, July/Sept 1985, Volume 29, Page 206-207; Rockefeller Library.
November 2005
- Procured Revolutionary war military records of Lt. David Miller from U.S. Govt. Military Archives.
- Found proof Ann Craig and David Miller were married December 1779 in Williamsburg – Citation: Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension Files: E263.V8.W37 – Page 259 – Rockefeller Library.
December 2005
- Found – David Miller advertisements pointing to residences in both Osborne’s and Manchester.
- Found the possibility that Gowan Pamphlet was committed to Williamsburg’s lunatic asylum.
January 2006
- Found – York County Free Negro Register for 1799-1823. Citation: York County Guardian Accounts, 1780-1823, Microfilm MF-1.42, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – David Miller Receipts of Sept. 1786-1790 hiring slaves: Phillis and her two children – Citation: York County Guardian Accounts – Wm. Sheldon Sclater Orphans – 1786 to 1790 – Microfilm MF-1.42, Pages 23,57,73, Rockefeller Library.
- Determined ages of: Benjamin White, Sr. and Benjamin White, Jr. based on York County Free Negro Register. Citation: York County Guardian Accounts, 1780-1823, Microfilm MF-1.42, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Israel Kemp listed in York County Free Negro Register.Citation: York County Guardian Accounts, 1780-1823, Microfilm MF-1.42, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Dr. Robert Miller’s December 18, 1813 obituary (son of David Miller). Naval log of USS Essex, Captain Porter commanding, correspondence with Secretary of Navy. Citation: Virginia Argus Newspaper, Microfilm MF-1309.7, Rockefeller Library.
February 1-12, 2006
- Determined the parishes existing in Chesterfield County and which incorporated the towns of Osborne’s and Manchester.
- Found – Israel Kemp lived in Gloucester County from 1797 until 1807 and York County in 1809. Citation: Gloucester County Personal Property Tax List, Microfilm MF-1796.2, York County Personal Property Tax List, Microfilm M-1.46, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Ann Miller lived in Gloucester County in 1805. Citation: Gloucester County Personal Property Tax List, Microfilm MF-1796.2, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Tavern in Osborne’s advertised in Virginia Gazette & American Advertiser for rent October 1785. Citation: Virginia Genealogist, Volume 34, Page 117, and Virginia Gazette & American Advertiser, Microfilm MF-1307.2, Rockefeller Library.
February 13, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Found proof Gowan Pamphlet was not committed to lunatic asylum. Citation: Richmond College Historical Papers 1&2, Microfilm MF-1035, Rockefeller Library.
February 15, 2006
- Read “Religious Development of the Negro” by Joseph B. Earnest.
- Found – 1809 reference to Ben White as shoemaker. Citation: Peachy Memorandum Book, 1796-1810, PH-0235, Special Collections, Rockefeller Library.
- Studied Robert Anderson Papers. Citation: Robert Anderson Papers, Microfilm MF-1525.1, Rockefeller Library.
February 16, 2006
- Followed lead to David Low ledger books. Citation: Robert Anderson Papers, Folder 1, Papers of Low & Anderson, 1782-1787, Microfilm MF-1525.1, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Dec. 26, 1785 entry when David Low received a Negro woman in trade from Mrs. Jane Vobe – value: 30 Pounds. Citation: Robert Anderson Papers, Low & Anderson Co. Ledger Book, Microfilm MF-1525.14, Pages 16 & 101, Rockefeller Library.
February 17, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Discovered the truth behind Jane Vobe’s relationship to David Miller. According to David Low, Miller was Vobe’s son. Citation: Robert Anderson Papers, Low & Anderson Co. Ledger Book, Microfilm MF-1525.14, Pages 4, 16, 91 & 101, Rockefeller Library.
February 27, 2006
- Worked at Virginia Baptist Historical Society – Reviewed copies of Dover Baptist Association minutes ranging from 1790 to 1840 and copied names of Williamsburg attendees for all years.
- Copied published quote from Dover minutes about acceptance of Pamphlet’s congregation into the Association – Differed greatly from Robert Semple’s rendition.
March 2006
- Found proof that David Miller was on leave from the Continental army November 1779 and visited Williamsburg. Citation: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Volume 33, 1995, Page 211, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – David Miller’s army service records dating from Sept 28, 1776. Citation: Nars#101, Microfilm MF-1399.13, Rockefeller Library.
March 6, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Found – David Miller granted Ordinary license October 12, 1786 from Chesterfield County. Citation: Chesterfield County Order Book #7, Page 396.
March 2006
- Found attachment of Thomas Vobe’s goods dated December 31, 1748 – No slaves listed. Citation: York County Judgement & Orders, Jan. 16, 1748/49, Microfilm M-1797.90, Rockefeller Library.
- Worked up Chesterfield County chronology of Vobe and Miller beginning Nov. 1785 until March 1791.
- Found reference to “Public Landing at Osborne’s.” Citation: Chesterfield County Order Book #7, Page 404.
- Found – David Miller original member of Society of the Cincinnati. Citation: Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia, E202.1.V394, Page 59, Rockefeller Library.
- Wondered why David Miller attended July 1786 Society meeting in Fredericksburg, but did not attend the Nov. 1786 meeting in Richmond. (His mother, Jane Vobe, died in late November 1786.)
April 2006
- Determined Gowan Pamphlet died between Oct 18, 1807 and Oct 7, 1808 – Last appearance at Dover Meeting – No appearance at Dover in 1808.
May 2006
- Found – John Blair, Robert Miller, James Southall, John Tazewell purchase printing business from Clementina Rind – Nov. 25, 1773. Citation: Virginia Historical Society Misc. Records, Nov. 25, 1773, Microfilm, MF82.15, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Robert Miller’s letter to Commissioners of Customs, Boston, June 6, 1775 stating his intentions to leave Virginia with Lord Dunmore’s permission. Citation: Treasury Papers, SRO 1462, T1/513, Microfilm MF-351, Rockefeller Library.
June 2006
- Studied 1810 & 1820 Federal Census – made list of free Negroes.
- Tried to determine from whom Gowan Pamphlet purchased his Williamsburg city lot.
July 2006
- Measured former church lot on Nassau street to determine size – Was it 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 or full size lot? – Findings: Less than 1/4 lot.
- Studied Sanborn Fire Insurance maps that show Pamphlet’s Nassau Street church without adjoining structures until 1921.
August 2006
- Discovered graveyard adjacent to Nassau Street church – Oral tradition stated graveyard’s existence – proved true in 1934 with digging of utility trench.
- Found – Robert Miller & Ann Miller lived in York County in 1809 with 2 slaves total. Citation: York County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1809, Microfilm, Rockefeller Library.
- Found agreement dated Jan. 1, 1885 between Robert F. Cole to First Baptist Church trustees for 20 feet of land south side of their church – Price: $100. Citation: Cole Papers – 39.1 C67 Box III Folder I, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
- Found reference in “The Negro in American History” by John Wesley Cromwell – His opinion was that the “first regular church organization was a Baptist Church at Williamsburg, Va., formed in the year 1776, and recognized as such in 1790.” – Unfortunately, Cromwell did not cite his source.
- Found Newspaper account of dedication of new, brick African Baptist Church in Williamsburg on May 15, 1856. Citation: Virginia Gazette 1853 to 1893, Microfilm MF1995.1, Rockefeller Library.
September 2006
- Found reference to Williamsburg courthouse fire April 6, 1911.
- Found – Jesse Cole joined Williamsburg Masonic lodge December 1780 (minimum age requirement: 21 years).
- Found – African Church converted into hospital for sick soldiers – March 1862.
September 29, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Discovered existence of two (2) Jesse Coles – Senior and Junior – Senior died 1813 – Junior died 1845. Citation: Records of the Williamsburg Masonic Lodge, Microfilm MF-1677, Rockefeller Library.
October 1-20, 2006
- Found – Joseph Mead (FN) in 1810 Census supplement in Louisa County.
- Found – David Miller as prisoner on Hadrell’s Island in Charleston, S.C. Citation: Papers Concerning the Army of the Revolution, Vol. 2, 1777-1789, Microfilm MF-1169.5, Rockefeller Library.
October 21, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Found – Israel Kemp’s published obituary. Citation: American Beacon & Norfolk, Portsmouth Newspaper, Microfilm AN47.N67.A42 Reel 14, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
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October 2006
- Began search to determine location of Israel Kemp’s lots in Yorktown.
November 2, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Found – Rolfe Eldridge worked in Williamsburg Chancery clerk’s office in 1770. Citation: Genealogical Records of Buckingham County, Virginia, F232.B96.W55 1996, Page 84, Rockefeller Library.
November 2006
- Found – Benjamin White, Jr. as clerk of Baptist Church of Christ in Williamsburg – August 1829.
- Found – letter to John Dipper from John Andrews in Williamsburg May 8, 1833 – “I saw your old meetinghouse opened on Sunday last…" – This reference points to the church being reopened nine months after Nat Turner’s unsuccessful rebellion of August 21-22, 1832 which caused the closure of African-American churches in Virginia.
- Found – Israel Kemp lived in Warwick County 1811-1814. Citation: Warwick County Personal Property Tax 1782 to 1861, Microfilm MF – 1.50, Rockefeller Library.
December 8, 2006
AHA! Moment
- Found location & lot number 67 of Israel Kemp’s Yorktown meetinghouse. Citation: York County Deed Book, Microfilm Collection, Rockefeller Library.
January 2007
- Began research on Dover Association.
- Read WPA project book entitled: “Negro in Virginia.”
- Found the first reference made to William Moses occurred in “Negro in Virginia.”
- Re-discovered that Gowan Pamphlet attended Dover Meetings unaccompanied 1794 and 1796.
- Found evidence Jane Vobe married after the death of husband Thomas Vobe.
February 9, 2007
- Reexamined Anne Pattison’s Williamsburg tavern account book. Citation: Anne Pattison Account Book 1750 to 1751, Blow Family, Vol. 59, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
- Found – Thomas Vobe a regular customer of Pattison’s. Citation: Anne Pattison Account Book 1750 to 1751, Blow Family, Vol. 59, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
February 22, 2007
- Found – Thomas Vobe rented Mrs. Pattison’s chaise on December 18, 1748. Citation: Anne Pattison Account Book 1750 to 1751, Blow Family, Vol. 59, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
- Vobe’s property seized December 31, 1748. Citation: York County Judgements & Orders, Jan. 16, 1748/49, Microfilm, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Pattison “fetcht” the chaise January 2, 1748/49. Citation: Anne Pattison Account Book, Blow Family, Vol. 59, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
- Found notation: “Thomas Vobe…privately removed out of this county” on January 16, 1748/49. Citation: York County Judgements & Orders, Jan. 16, 1748/49, Microfilm, Rockefeller Library.
February 23, 2007
AHA! Moment
- Determined – Thomas Vobe skipped out, left Jane Vobe to face his creditors!
March 23, 2007
AHA! Moment
- Found – Jane Vobe married widower, Matthew Moody, Sr.
April 16, 2007
AHA! Moment
- Found – Jane Vobe’s obituary – “Lately died at Osborne’s, Virginia, Mrs. Jane Vobe, who, for many years, kept a very genteel Public House at Williamsburg.” Citation: Maryland Journal & Baltimore Advertiser, Dec. 8, 1786, Volume XIII, Issue 98, Page 2, infoweb.newsbank.com.
July 2007
- Found – September 2, 1793 reference to David Miller as Ensign in Williamsburg militia. Citation: Hustings Court of Williamsburg, Microfilm MF – 1179, Rockefeller Library.
- Started study of SecretKeeper plot correspondence.
August 2007
- Found – Matthew Moody, Sr.’s Obituary – June 8, 1775 – “Died, Mr. Matthew Moody, senior, in a very advanced age. Like the rest of the human race, he had foibles, but a charitable disposition towards his fellow creatures, and many other good qualities which he possessed, far eclipsed them.” Citation: Virginia Gazette Newspaper, Pinkney, Microfilm, Rockefeller Library.
December 2007
- Began study of Davenport and Gillfield Baptist churches.
- Started investigation into Israel DeCoudry’s (free San Dominguan Negro emigre) participation in Davenport’s and Gillfield Baptist churches.
January 2008
- Reexamined Dover Association minutes, Semple’s “Baptist History,” and Virginia General Baptist Association records.
February 2008
- Started investigation into determining from which book Roscoe E. Lewis, the author of “Negro in Virginia” found the name “William Moses.”
- Contacted author’s son in the hopes of getting a clue to the disposition of Roscoe E. Lewis’ papers.
March 2008
- Started investigation of free Negroes surnamed Moses living in Virginia between 1760 and 1790.
- Found reference to a ‘wonderful revival…among the poor Ethiopians” living in Little York [Yorktown] in November 1793 – Is this in response to Gowan Pamphlet’s church’s acceptance into the Dover Association? Citation: Rippon’s Annual Register for 1794, pg. 75, Subheading: “A Short Sketch of Revivals in Religion,” Likely author was Rev. Lewis Richards.
April – July 2008
- Journeyed to UVA Alderson Library to read original drafts of “Negro in Virginia.”
- Found no bibliographical references pointing to the existence of William Moses prior to the book’s 1939 publication.
November – December 2008
- Began research for the location of Raccoon’s Chase.
- Found records concerning College Landing and Jesse Cole’s connection to it.
- Studied records pertaining to unmarked graves at College Landing.
January 2009
- Accessed Prentis family documents at Swem library to learn more about College Landing residents.
February 2009
AHA! Moment
- Found proof Jesse Cole worked for Charles Taliaferro in 1776 – Cole’s first documented appearance in Williamsburg.
May 2009
- Followed leads to Benjamin Farrell and the Gardner brothers alleged to have been ordained at Bluestone Baptist Church.
- Obtained access to Roscoe Lewis’s private papers at Hampton University in hopes of finding documentation concerning William Moses.
- Worked at Va. Baptist Historical Society – Read L.A. Black’s sketch for the 100th Anniversary of First Petersburg Baptist Church.
- Read two newspaper accounts of 1834 tornado that flattened Pamphlet’s Nassau Street church and lightly damaged Jesse Cole Jrs.’s brick carriage house. Citation: American Beacon Newspaper Norfolk, Jan. to Dec. 1834, Microfilm AN47.N67.A42 Reel#21, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
June 2009
- Found – Men surnamed Gardner listed among William Byrd III’s slaves at Westover in Charles City County. Citation: Deed Aug. 12, 1769, Charles City County Records, 1737 to 1774, page 22, Rockefeller Library.
- Found – Owner of Israel Kemp’s meetinghouse lot in 1900 – D. M. Norton (African-American). Citation: Library of Virginia, Microfilm Collection, Reels 947, 975, 1177.
June 20, 2009
AHA! Moment
- Found – very first printed reference in 1876 to the 1776 origin of First Baptist Church, Williamsburg. Citation: Norfolk Union Baptist Association, Aug 17-19, 1876, Microfilm – Reel9/98 – Library of Virginia.
July 2009
- Found – Minutes for Norfolk Union Baptist Association – 1875 – Walter H. Brooks Sabbath School missionary from Richmond. Citation: Microfilm, Norfolk Union Baptist Association, Library of Virginia.
- Found – 1860 definition for constitution of Baptist churches. Citation: Baptist Church Directory, 1860, Page 17, Library of Virginia.
September – November 2009
- Began research into SecretKeeper plot from a perspective outside the United States.
- Began study into Peter Oram.
- Began study of French involvement in American politics.
- Began study into events leading up to the San Domingue slave rebellion of June 1793.
- Studied the French revolution in France
November 5 – December 2009
- Continued in-depth study of French involvement in American politics.
January 2010
- Continued study in College Landing burials.
February 2010
- Gowan Pamphlet named “African American Trailblazer in Virginia History” by Library of Virginia.
Project Gowan Pamphlet 