Randal B. Vandavall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Randal B. Vandavall
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Vandavall in 1887
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| Born | March 23, 1832 |
| Died | 1898 |
| Occupation | Educator, minister |
| Religion | Baptist |
Randal B. Vandervall (born March 23, 1832 – died 1898) was an important African-American Baptist minister in Nashville, Tennessee. He started preaching while he was still enslaved. After slavery ended, he helped create Roger Williams University, a school for black preachers.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Randal Bartholomew Vandervall was born into slavery on March 23, 1832. His birthplace was near Neely's Bend in Tennessee. This area was about ten miles north of Nashville along the Cumberland River.
His parents were Sylvonia and Lewis. Sylvonia was owned by Major Hall, and Lewis by a man named Foster. Lewis, a coachman, could only visit his family once a year. Randal was one of eleven children.
When Major Hall died, his daughter Anna took ownership of Sylvonia and her children. Anna would hire them out to work for others. At age seven, Randal was hired out, leaving his family. In his new home, he was allowed to go to school and learned to spell.
After three years, he moved to Nashville and was hired by another man named Garite. Later, Charles Hall, a relative of Anna, tried to take Randal to Kansas. Randal hid and did not go. Instead, a man named Vandervall bought him.
Randal lived with Mr. Vandervall and his son, John. John continued Randal's lessons. Randal paid for these lessons by splitting wood. At 15, Randal became a Baptist. He started preaching at age 16. He also worked on building railroads.
Family Life and Freedom
Randal married Martha Nicholson from Hillbrook. They were allowed to live together. When the man who hired Randal found out he could read and write, he treated Randal badly. Randal ran away and convinced his owner to change his work.
Randal was then hired out to work in Nashville. He paid his owner $200 each year for this freedom. His owner was not happy with this arrangement and planned to sell Randal to the South. Randal wanted to buy his own freedom. They agreed on a price of $1800, and Randal eventually earned the money.
Martha was the daughter of her owner. When her owner died, Martha was sold to her deceased owner's grandson, Nelson Nicholson. Randal hired Martha from Nelson. Just before the American Civil War (1861-1865), Nelson decided to buy Randal. He wanted Randal and Martha to stay together with him, as he planned to leave Nashville.
When the war began, Nelson did not leave. He hired out both Martha and Randal. Before the war ended in 1865, Martha, Randal, and their child, James N., were bought by a Mr. McKenzie.
Building a Community
In January 1862, Vandavall was chosen as the pastor for the African Mission of the Spring Street Baptist Church. However, when the Union Army arrived in February, the church closed.
The church later reopened with a white minister from the North, Daniel W. Phillips. Phillips asked Vandavall to help him start a college. This college would train black preachers. In 1866, this school became the Nashville Normal and Theological Institution. Phillips was the president, and Vandavall was a trustee. It later became known as Roger Williams University.
After the war ended and freedom came in 1865, Vandavall and Martha were legally married by his friend, Rev. Phillips.
Founding Churches and Education
In 1866, Vandavall started the Second Colored Baptist Church. This church later became the First Baptist Church of East Nashville. Services first took place in Vandavall's home. Then they moved to old Union Army barracks, and later to a building called McClure's Hall.
Vandervall was a very successful preacher. He helped start a total of nine churches. He was a lifelong member of the American Baptist Publication Society. For many years, he was president of the Tennessee Sunday School Convention. He also served as president of the Baptist State convention.
He stayed closely connected to Roger Williams University throughout his life. In 1886, the university gave him a Doctorate in Divinity degree.
Vandavall was also a well-known teacher. In 1880, the city opened a school on Wetmore and Spring Streets. It was named the Vandavall school in his honor. In 1895, he was a delegate at the first meeting of the Tennessee Conference of Educational Workers. He also served on the African-American committee for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897.
Later Years
Randal B. Vandavall passed away in 1898.
