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Archiver > BRETHREN > 1997-05 > 0863895086


From: Emmert Bittinger <>
Subject: Re: COB and slavery
Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 14:51:26 -0400
References: <01BC62B0.FE9B7BA0@tc3mx1-56.tc3net.com>


Sonya Galliani wrote:
>
> In the book "History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Cos., PA" there is a John Snoeberger of South Woodberry Twp., Bedford Co. as the owner
of a slave named B
>
> I would like to know if a member of the Church of the Brethren would own a slave? I am researching the Snowberger family. I have had a
request from a desce
>
> Sonya A. Galliani
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Attachment 2 Type: application/ms-tnef
> Encoding: base64

Dear Sonya from Emmert Bittinger
The Brethren did not approve slavery, but some Brethren did have
slaves up to around 1810. Around that time, the Yearly Meeting made
slaveowning a serious enough offense to cause one to be put out of the
church. Special rules allowed former slave owners to keep blacks until
they were of age and had a place to go. For precise dates of these
decisions, look in Annual Conference Minutes for 1790-1815.
So, the answer to your question is: it depends on what date your
inquiry applies to. Some Brethren were slow to get rid of their slaves
for both economic and practical reasons. Some may not have been
challenged. Others were fringe members or former members. In your
Snoberger case, more details would have to be uncovered.
Emmert Bittinger

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