James Ingram, who performs as the first ordained Baptist slave preacher in North America, visits Elon University’s Numen Lumen Pavilion in character on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. to share how the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution impacted enslaved people of his era.
A popular Colonial Williamsburg character visits Elon University this week to share lessons about the way important historical documents impacted the lives of those whose freedom remained elusive.
Gowan Pamphlet, portrayed by actor James Ingram, was the first ordained black preacher in the United States who also founded the first black Baptist church in Williamsburg. He had been property of Jane Vobe, the owner of the King’s Arms Tavern in Williamsburg, who learned to read the Bible and who took part in some services at Bruton Parish Church.
Gowan followed in the footsteps of non-ordained predecessors and carried out his early ministries away from slave owners out of fear of reprisals.
The event is free and open to the entire Elon community. A slideshow begins at 6:30 p.m.
Ingram is a public history professional and museum educator with more than two decades of experience teaching and presenting history to various audiences. He has been featured in both stage and film producations, including the 2006 Emmy Award-winning film “No Master Over Me.” Ingram is a Virginia native, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a graduate of Lexington Baptist College. He later earned a Master of Theology from DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.
The Tuesday evening program also features Ywone Edwards-Ingram, James’ wife and herself an expert in archaelology and African-American studies who works as a researcher for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
The visit is part of the Ingrams’ visit to Elon University for the Life@Elon program for community members over the age of 55. In addition to their talk with older adults, the Ingrams are also visiting with Elon history classes and with faculty in the Department of History and Geography.