The conversion of African-born slaves and their descendants to Protestant Christianity marked one of the most important social and intellectual transformations in American history. Come Shouting to Zion is the first comprehensive exploration of the processes by which this remarkable transition occurred. Using an extraordinary array of archival sources; Sylvia Frey and Betty Wood chart the course of religious conversion from the transference of traditional African religions to the New World through the growth of Protestant Christianity in the American South and British Caribbean up to 1830.Come Shouting to Zion depicts religious transformation as a complex reciprocal movement involving black and white Christians. It highlights the role of African American preachers in the conversion process and demonstrates the extent to which African American women were responsible for developing distinctive ritual patterns of worship and divergent moral values within the black spiritual community. Finally; the book sheds light on the ways in which; by serving as a channel for the assimilation of Western culture into the slave quarters; Protestant Christianity helped transform Africans into African Americans.
#470680 in Books The University of North Carolina Press 1987-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .68 x 6.00l; .98 #File Name: 0807841897264 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Robert Ramsey definitively reveals the origins of the earliest Western Carolina settlers; exposing them to have come predominantBy Ken RussellWhile the first few chapters of Carolina Cradle seem at first to be overly detailed; what soon emerges is the unmistakable conclusion that most of the early settlers of Western Carolina came from two close communities of second generation settlers; the predominantly Scots-Irish frontier regions of the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania and also the Northern part of the Chesapeake Bay; especially the Eastern Shore. Ramsey's documentation is incredibly solid; leaving a wonderful foundation for further research. His methodology will undoubtedly be applied to other regions of Colonial America which will illuminate detail otherwise obscured. Few researchers could have invested so much effort. We are indebted to his tenacity; which brings clear focus and understanding. Following his example will no doubt result in a much clearer picture of our nation's early history and serve to clarify the work of serious genealogists.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An excellent work. Useful not only to those interested in ...By Ted EllisAn excellent work. Useful not only to those interested in N.C. settlement; but also those researching the migration from its origins in eastern Maryland and Pennsylvania and along the 450 mile route to the N.C. frontier through PA; MD. and VA. The documentation of individuals from their beginning to their new homes in N.C. is invaluable.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent resource for Union Co; NC; Chesterfield/Lancaster Co; SC families; Excellent resourceBy JudyBJonesRamsey discusses my family extensively in this book. It is interesting that we still live on the land from 1759. I am indebted to him for providing NC with such excellent research. We as a family find that his material is authentic and well researched. Our researched also matched what he had found. Excellent. A true historian.
