William Gaines (minister and community leader)

William Gaines (1824 – 1865) was a freed slave, minister, and community representative in Savannah, Georgia. He was one of the church leaders who met with the Secretary of War and Major General William Tecumseh Sherman in Savannah in April 1865, 3 months after the end of the American Civil War.[1]

Gaines was born into slavery in Wilkes County, Georgia. He was owned by Robert Toombs, who served in the U.S. Senate, and his brother Gabriel Toombs. Gaines was freed by the Union Army during the American Civil War.[1]

Gaines was a preacher at the Methodist Episcopal (M.E.) Church (Andrew's Chapel).[1] He later moved to the A.M.E. church with split off over the issue of slavery. As of 1865, he had ministered for 16 years and was 41 years old.[1] Fellow A.M.E. church leader and bishop Wesley John Gaines was his brother. He was involved in the foundation of Jackson Chapel, and family members have continued to live in the area.[2]

References
  1. Minutes of an interview between the colored ministers and church officers at Savannah with the Secretary of War and Major General Sherman, Headquarters of Major General Sherman in the City of Savannah, Georgia January 12, 1865 at 8 p.m. available online at the Freedmen & Southern Society Project
  2. "Jackson Chapel to celebrate 150 years in special service with Bishop Jackson - www.news-reporter.com - News-Reporter".
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