Rev. Adam Wallace reports on the progress of rebuilding Black churches burned by white Marylanders

Rev. Adam Wallace reports on the progress of rebuilding Black churches burned by white Marylanders

Rev. Adam Wallace (late Presiding Elder of Methodist Church, Dist of Eastern Shore of MD) to Brig. Gen. John Kenly, reporting that the Black churches in Somerset Co, MD "are in a fair way of being speedily rebuilt." They had been destroyed by fire late in 1864 (John Reddish was arrested as the alleged arsonist). Numerous letters and endorsements included in the file deal with the arrest of Reddish, the prgress of rebuilding the churches, and the process by which the army collected funds for rebuilding them from rebel sympathizers.

7/5/1865

Somerset County, MD

Commander of the District of Delaware and Eastern Shore of Maryland to the Headquarters of the Middle Department; the Commander to a Delaware Clergyman; and the Clergyman to the Commander


Head Qr’s Dist of Delaware,
And Eastern Shore of Md
Wilmington April 3d 1865
Lt. Col S. B. Lawrence
AA Gen’l Middle Dep’t 8th A.C.
Baltimore Md.
Col. I have the honor to report that whilst at Salisbury I understood that the Rev. A. Wallace was at Philadelphia and addressed a letter to him to which I have rec'd a reply dated Laurel Delaware March 28th 1865 which contains among other matters the following paragraph.
"This whole matter I find it necessary now to turn over to the hands of my successor in the office of P. Elder Rev S. M. Cooper Princess Anne Md who will report to you and observe any instructions from your Head Qrs.
I have not yet heard from the Rev. Mr Cooper but presume I will in a few days. I visited Salisbury last week to attend to some unfinished business and whilst there I made arrangements to hear from the colored preachers and others connected with the congregations of the burned churches, so that they be informed it was the desire of the Authorities that their churches should be speedily rebuilt." Very Respectfully Your Obdt Servt
John R Kenly
Brig, Genl, Comdg



Head Qrs, Dist of Delaware,
and Eastern Shore of Md
Wilmington Del May 3d 1865
Rev. A. Wallace
Laurel Delaware
Dear Sir. In your favor of the 28th of March last you informed me that it would be necessary for you to turn over to your successor in office of P. Elder the business connected with rebuilding the burnt African Churches on the E. Shore of Md and that the Rev S. M. Cooper was your sucsessor. You also informed me that Mr Cooper would report to me which he has not done; and I you to advise me whether your sucsessor is prosecuting the object for which the fund was raised. Very Respectfully Your Obdt Servt
John R Kenly
Brig. Gen. Comdg



412 S. Juniper St.
Philada. July 5th 1865
Brig. Gen Kenly
Dear Sir. I now have the honor & pleasure to report that each of the Colored Churches burned lately in Somerset are in a fair way of being speedily rebuilt. and on the kind of basis I desired to reach.
Boards of colored Trustees have been appointed, lots secured and valid Deeds prepared in each case. Through Mr Hodson of Princess Anne, I am paying over the funds entrusted to me, as the work progresses,
I would be glad to know, whether you desire in any case, to return funds collected from parties below.
A line, at your convenience will oblige very Truly, your obt. Servant
(sgd) Adam Wallace

A True Copy
S. C. Willis jr
1st Lieut and A. A. A. Genl.
1st Sep Bgd 8th A Corps


[Endorsement] Hdqrs 1st Sep. Brig 8th A. Corps
Relay House July 14th 1865.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of Dept. Headqrs.
John R Kenly
Brig Gen’l
Com’dg


[Endorsement] HEAD-QUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT,
EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, July 14th , 1865.
Respectfully returned to Brig. General J. A. Kenly Comd’g. 1st Sep. Brig. 8th A. C. — No portion of the funds collected will be returned. By Command of Major General Wallace.
Geo H. Hooker
Asst. Adjt. General.


Brig, Genl, John R Kenly to Lt. Col S. B. Lawrence, 3 Apr. 1865, vol. 95/177 8AC, p. 12, Letters Sent, ser. 4907, Northern Division of LA, RG 393 Pt. 2 No. 318 [C-8887]; Brig. Gen. John R Kenly to Rev. A. Wallace, 3 May 1865, , vol. 95/177 8AC, p. 42, Letters Sent, ser. 4907, Northern Division of LA, RG 393 Pt. 2 No. 318 [C-8887]; Adam Wallace to Brig. Gen Kenly, 5 July 1865, K-11 1865, Letters Received, ser. 2343, Middle Dept. & 8th Army Corps, RG 393 Pt. 1 [C-4149].