| William McClue to Rev'd S. S. Jocelyn November 18, 1862 AMA Records Roll 1 South Carolina |
| November 18, 1862 Beaufort S. C. Rev'd S. S. Jocelyn Revd Sir, I left New York on board the steam ship Accession on Friday 17th October I found many good friends which made it very pleasant on board the Steamer, we have two services upon the Sabbath one of our Brothers the name is Mr. Brown he Preached in the saloon on the forenoon, in the afternoon we had a very warm discourse on deck from a Colonel on board, so on Monday we arrived at Hilton Head, at noon of the 20th Oct. I came up here with our Brother Mr. McCrea that is to Beaufort that night on Wednesday I went down with Brother McCrea and his wife to his plantations, when I found that my friend and brother on each of these Plantations had a very good school of children and like- wise adults, all very anxious to be taught, I found that some of them could read there lesson very precise, which thank God in making our Brother Mr. McCrea the Instrument in teaching those in whom the light of Gods goodness has dawned ”I have been engaged pretty much with Mr McCrea on his Plantations Three days in the week, other days teaching in Beaufort. I am teaching them that are young and old their letters and spelling, likewise in learning them to sing--on the Sabbath we have school at nine in the morning it numbers one Hundred and Sixty children and you my dear brother if you but heard and saw the little colored faces it would very much delight you. Indeed, then Brother McCrea Preaches at ten and half o'clock morning, then again three o'clock afternoon---then at 7 o'clock evening we have a very large prayer meeting numbering about four Hundred men and women when very great number of our colored brothers take part in this Prayer Meeting so dear sir you will see that my time is well spent in doing all the Good I can. Revd Sir allow me to inform you that Brother McCrea has been removed from his Plantations to Beaufort to look after the colored people of Beaufort, he looks to all their wants both in regard to their Spiritual and Temporal Wants, he is now engaged going from house to house doing all the good in his power, and allow me to state that his Heart and Soul is in the work he is about---Allow me here to say the Revd Mr. French has placed me on Brothers McCreas Plantations to teach the young and the old when I hope I will receive that help from above that will enable me to go on in the work of him that sent me---Revd Brother it is with much Pleasure in reference to the Meetings here in Beaufort when our Colored Brothers address God in Prayer, I may here state more fervent Prayer with that devotion of becoming simplicity that it would melt down into tears some of our hardened friends in the North---Allow Me to state my Intentions how my time will be occupied I commenced my plantations on Monday 17th Nov, on Monday I go down the River the first Island is Cain the other is Cat Island there is on both Plantations about 160 men women and children I take the first Plantation go on it remain there about 3 Hours teaching and Instructing both the young and the old then get into my boat and am off to Cat Island on Plantation remains sometimes these 4 Hours teaching and Instructing and looking to the wants of both Plantations Tuesdays in Beaufort teaching and learning to sing on Wednesday I go to the Plantations then return about 6 pm Thursday teaching in Beaufort Friday at the Plantations Saturday teaching and in the evening I intend to have a practice for Singing in the Church to prepair (sic) them for the Sabbath on Sabbath Sunday School 9 am Preaching by Mr. McCrea @ 10½ and 3 afternoon prayer meeting @ 7 evening, but I intend to go to the Plantations every second Sabbath, so my Revd Brother I have given you a outline of my work as it is in rotation. I am stopping with Mr. McCrea allow me to state to you my Incidential expense all, five dollars Hoping you are well, as this leaves me in good health thank God for his Goodness I am My Revd Sir Yours very Respectfully Wm McClue P.S. I am to receive no pay from the Government Wm McC |
| The punctuation and capitalization is this letter is William McClues. Rev Jocelyn was an assistant to Rev. Whipple as Corresponding Secretary. |