George Washington Dupee
Encyclopedia
George Washington Dupee (July 24, 1826 – 1897) was a former slave who became a Baptist
leader in Kentucky
, USA.
on 24 July 1826, son of Cuthbert and Rachael Dupee.
His first owner was Elder Joseph Taylor, a Baptist preacher. After Taylor moved to Illinois, Dupee became a hired slave, working in a rope and bagging factory, and in a brickyard.
In 1841 while he was working on the courthouse in Versailles
he came under the influence of Father David Woods, a Baptist preacher, and he was converted in August 1842.
He was ordained as a minister in 1851. In 1853 he organized a church at the Old Big Spring, Woodford county, and in 1855 he organized a church in Paris, Kentucky
. He became pastor of the Pleasant Green church in Lexington
, dividing his time between this church and his church in Georgetown.
His congregation in Lexington
purchased his freedom in 1856, when he was sold at an auction at the Scott Country courthouse.
He became the first black pastor of the Georgetown Baptist Church, renamed the First African Baptist Church after the American Civil War
(1861–1865).
In 1864 he moved to Covington
, and in 1865 became pastor of the Washington Street Colored Baptist Church in Paducah
.
In 1867 he organized a church in Cynthiana
, and worked together with Elisha Winfield Green
of Maysville
.
In September 1867, assisted by Elder S. Underwood and others, he organized the first district Baptist Association in the Washington Baptist Church, and was elected moderator.
He was one of the organizers of the General Association of Colored Baptists of Kentucky in August 1867, and was moderator of this association from August 1871 to August 1881.
In 1873 he launched the Baptist Herald, later called The American Baptist.
He became Grand Senior Warden and Grand Master of the Kentucky Grand Lodge of Masons.
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
leader in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, USA.
Early years
Dupee was born in Gallatin County, KentuckyGallatin County, Kentucky
Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky along the Ohio River, which at its formation was the main transportation route. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,870. Its county seat is Warsaw...
on 24 July 1826, son of Cuthbert and Rachael Dupee.
His first owner was Elder Joseph Taylor, a Baptist preacher. After Taylor moved to Illinois, Dupee became a hired slave, working in a rope and bagging factory, and in a brickyard.
In 1841 while he was working on the courthouse in Versailles
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
he came under the influence of Father David Woods, a Baptist preacher, and he was converted in August 1842.
Preacher
Dupee began attending meetings at the house of a white deacon, and was encouraged to improve his reading and writing and to become a preacher by Sister Phoebe Fields, a black woman. White church members voted to license him as a preacher in 1847.He was ordained as a minister in 1851. In 1853 he organized a church at the Old Big Spring, Woodford county, and in 1855 he organized a church in Paris, Kentucky
Paris, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,183 people, 3,857 households, and 2,487 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,222 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.23% White, 12.71% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.16%...
. He became pastor of the Pleasant Green church in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, dividing his time between this church and his church in Georgetown.
His congregation in Lexington
Lexington
-Places:In the United States:*Lexington, Kentucky, the largest 'Lexington'*Lexington, Massachusetts, the oldest 'Lexington'** Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War*Lexington, Alabama*Lexington, Georgia...
purchased his freedom in 1856, when he was sold at an auction at the Scott Country courthouse.
He became the first black pastor of the Georgetown Baptist Church, renamed the First African Baptist Church after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(1861–1865).
Baptist leader
In 1861 Dupee organized the first meeting of colored ministers and deacons in the south or southwest states in Versailles, Kentucky.In 1864 he moved to Covington
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
, and in 1865 became pastor of the Washington Street Colored Baptist Church in Paducah
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
.
In 1867 he organized a church in Cynthiana
Cynthiana, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,258 people, 2,692 households, and 1,639 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.6 people per square mile . There were 2,909 housing units at an average density of 870.9 per square mile...
, and worked together with Elisha Winfield Green
Elisha Winfield Green
Elisha Winfield Green was a former slave who became a Baptist leader in Kentucky, USA. For five years he was moderator of the Consolidated Baptist Educational Association, and he promoted the establishment of what is now the Simmons College of Kentucky. Green suffered from racial intolerance all...
of Maysville
Maysville
Maysville is the name of several places in the United States of America:* Maysville, Alabama* Maysville, Colorado* Maysville, Georgia* Maysville, Indiana* Maysville, Iowa* Maysville, Kentucky* Maysville, Maine* Maysville, Missouri...
.
In September 1867, assisted by Elder S. Underwood and others, he organized the first district Baptist Association in the Washington Baptist Church, and was elected moderator.
He was one of the organizers of the General Association of Colored Baptists of Kentucky in August 1867, and was moderator of this association from August 1871 to August 1881.
In 1873 he launched the Baptist Herald, later called The American Baptist.
He became Grand Senior Warden and Grand Master of the Kentucky Grand Lodge of Masons.