London Ferrill facts for kids

London Ferrill (1789–1854) was an amazing leader. He was born into slavery but became a skilled carpenter. He later became a very important minister.

He led the First African Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. He served there from 1823 to 1854. During his 31 years as a minister, many people joined his church. By 1850, it had 1,820 members. This made it the largest church in Kentucky, for both Black and white people.

Ferrill's wife, who was a free Black woman, bought his freedom. They moved to Kentucky around 1812. In Lexington, Ferrill was highly respected by everyone. About 5,000 people attended his funeral. This was one of the biggest funerals in the city's history. Ferrill led the first Black church west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was also the third oldest Black Baptist church in the United States. It was started in 1790 by another enslaved preacher, Peter Durrett.

Early Life and Freedom

London Ferrill was born in 1789 in Hanover County, Virginia. His mother was enslaved by Richard Ferrill. Richard Ferrill was an English immigrant. After he died, his sister, Ann Winston, inherited his property. She named the young boy London Ferrill. This was after her brother, who was likely London's father. Sometimes, enslaved people of mixed race were given special names. This helped to show they were different from others.

When London Ferrill was about eight or nine, Ann Winston died. He was then sold to Colonel Samuel Overton. Colonel Overton taught Ferrill the skill of carpentry. Learning a trade like this was common for children of white enslavers. It helped them to support themselves later in life.

In 1809, at age 20, Ferrill became a Baptist. He was baptized and felt a strong connection to his faith. People in the community liked his preaching and singing. He soon began to preach more often.

Family Life

London Ferrill married a free Black woman named Rodah Hood. She was also of mixed race. Rodah bought her husband's freedom after Colonel Overton died. After gaining his freedom, Ferrill and Rodah moved to Lexington, Kentucky, around 1812.

In 1833, a serious cholera epidemic hit Lexington. Sadly, Rodah died during this time. Ferrill never remarried. A few years later, he adopted two orphaned children, Eleazer and Elizabeth Jackson.

Leading the Church

When Ferrill was enslaved, he was not allowed to be an official minister. But people still asked him to preach. About 50 people became Christians because of his early preaching. When he moved to Lexington, Peter Durrett was already leading the First African Baptist Church. Durrett was getting old, so people wanted Ferrill to preach too.

In 1817, Ferrill joined the First Baptist Church, which was a white church. In 1822, Ferrill became an ordained minister. The leaders of the First Baptist Church helped the First African Baptist Church become independent. In 1823, Ferrill was officially chosen to be the minister. He took over from Peter Durrett. This church was the oldest Black Baptist church west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was also the third oldest in the United States.

Ferrill was good at working with both Black and white people in Lexington. In 1824, his church joined the Elkhorn Association. This group was mostly made up of white Baptist churches. Ferrill earned a lot of respect. Some people tried to force him out of Kentucky. They used a law that said free Black people from other states had to leave after 90 days. But white leaders helped him. They asked the government to let him stay.

In 1833, a terrible cholera epidemic spread through Lexington. Many people died. Ferrill was one of the few ministers who stayed in the city. He cared for the sick and comforted those who had lost loved ones. His wife, Rodah, also died during this epidemic.

Lexington and the surrounding area grew a lot. Ferrill baptized many new members. By 1850, the First African Baptist Church had 1,820 members. This included both enslaved and free people. It was the largest church in Kentucky. It is said that Ferrill baptized 5,000 people during his time as a minister.

Death and Lasting Impact

London Ferrill died on October 12, 1854, from a heart attack. His funeral procession was huge, with about 5,000 people attending. It was the largest funeral in Lexington after that of the famous statesman Henry Clay. Because of his great reputation, Ferrill was buried in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground. He was the only African American to be buried there.

In 2010, Christ Church Cathedral held a special service with First African Baptist. They honored Ferrill together. A member of Christ Church said that London Ferrill helped bring people together. He connected the Black and white communities of Lexington.

Honors and Legacy

• In 1854, Ferrill was the only person of color buried in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground.
• In 2008, Christ Church Cathedral named its community garden in his honor.
• In 2010, Christ Church Cathedral helped get a monument placed for Ferrill. It is in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground. The state also put up a highway marker there.