Samuel Doak facts for kids

Samuel Doak (1749–1830) was an American Presbyterian minister and a dedicated teacher. He was also an important figure in the early efforts to end slavery in the United States.

Early Life

Samuel Doak was born on August 1, 1749, in Augusta County, Virginia. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Mitchell) Doak, were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. He grew up on a farm in a frontier area.

He began his education with Robert Alexander, who later started the Academy of Liberty Hall. This school is now known as Washington and Lee University. After attending another school in Maryland, Samuel went to the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). He graduated in 1775. In October 1775, Doak married Esther Houston Montgomery from Augusta County.

A Life of Teaching and Faith

Starting His Career

In the spring of 1776, Doak taught at Hampden-Sydney College. There, he also studied theology, which is the study of religious faith. He finished his religious training in 1777 at Liberty Hall. His first job as a minister was in Abingdon, Virginia. He also began traveling to preach in eastern Tennessee.

In 1778, Doak settled in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. He moved to the Holston valley in Tennessee. There, he took on the task of serving the Fork Church, which is now called New Bethel Presbyterian Church.

Founding Churches and Schools

In 1780, Doak moved from Sullivan County to the western part of Washington County, near where Limestone, Tennessee is today. He founded Salem Presbyterian Church, built a home, and started a school.

Around the same time in 1780, Doak regularly preached to settlers at the Big Spring in Greeneville, Tennessee, in what is now Greene County. Later, in 1783, Mt. Bethel Presbyterian Church was formed. This church is now known as First Presbyterian Church.

The school Doak built at his Salem Presbyterian Church in 1780 was officially recognized as St. Martin's Academy in 1783. This academy grew and became Washington College in 1795.

Doak was the president of Washington College from 1795 to 1818. He then passed the role to his oldest son, John Whitfield Doak. After his first wife, Esther, passed away in 1807, he moved in 1818 with his second wife, Margaretta Houston McEwen, to Tusculum Academy. This school later became Tusculum College. He taught there with his son Samuel W. Doak until he died on December 12, 1830. He is buried at Salem Church.

Doak received a special degree called a Doctor of Divinity for his hard work in promoting his faith and education. People often called him "the Presbyterian Bishop."

Fighting Against Slavery

Samuel Doak became convinced that slavery was wrong. Because of this, he freed his own slaves in 1818. For the rest of his life, he spoke out for the immediate end of slavery. He was known as "the apostle of learning and religion in the West," meaning he was a great leader in teaching and faith in the western parts of the country.

His Lasting Impact

Three schools in Greene County are named after Samuel Doak:

• Doak Elementary School, which is close to his old home.
• Chuckey-Doak Middle School.
• Chuckey-Doak High School, located right behind the middle school.

The Doak House Museum is a non-profit museum that was started in 1975. It helps people learn about Samuel Doak and his history.