Gowan Pamphlet

Early life Gowan Pamphlet was born into slavery in 1748.

In the 1770s, he was enslaved in the home of a tavern owner, the widow Jane Vobe (1733–1786). Multiple Black persons enslaved by Vobe "learned to read the Bible and took part in formal Church of England services at Bruton Parish Church," possibly including Pamphlet.

Ministry Pamphlet was inspired by the teachings of blind disabled preacher, Moses "Daddy Moses" Wilkinson,

During the American Revolutionary War and inspired by the First Great Awakening, in the 1770s, Pamphlet began secretly preaching a message of equality to a congregation of free and enslaved African Americans on wooded land at Green Spring Plantation on the outskirts of the city.

By 1781, the informal congregation grew to over 200 members. With his owner's permission, Pamphlet was ordained in 1772, becoming one of the first and only ordained black preachers of any denomination in the country.

Pamphlet remained in Williamsburg until 1786 when he moved with his owner to Manchester, Chesterfield County. He resided there until Vobe's death.

1793 was a significant year in the life of Pamphlet; he returned to Williamsburg with his new owner (and Vobe's son) David Miller, returned to preach to his informal congregation and promote equality, and was freed by his owner through a deed of manumission in September 1793. In that same year, Pamphlet's informal congregation was formally received by the Dover Baptist Association, establishing them as an official church congregation.

By the early 1800s, Pamphlet was a landowner in Williamsburg and owned 14 acres in James City County. He continued to serve as the minister of his congregation, which amassed an estimated 500 members by the time of his death.

Death Pamphlet died in 1807 at age 58 or 59 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Colonial Williamsburg tells the stories of 18th-century African Americans including interpreters in the Revolutionary City and Sharing the Spotlight programs portraying Pamphlet.

In 2010, Pamphlet was recognized as an "African American Trailblazers" honoree by the Library of Virginia.

A state historical marker (Marker Number W 110.) was erected in 2020 by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to commemorate Pamphlet's life and legacy. The marker is located at the intersection of North Nassau and Scotland Streets in Williamsburg, close to the original site of the church.