A Narrative of the Life of Rev. Noah Davis, A Colored Man Written by Himself, At The Age of Fifty-Four

Born into slavery on a Virginia farm in 1804, Noah Davis grew up under the watchful eye of devout parents who taught him to read the New Testament beneath a simple bush arbor. His father, a respected miller, allowed his children certain liberties, and the young Noah absorbed both practical skills and a deep religious conviction long before his twelfth birthday. The stability of his early years is contrasted with the upheaval when the mill was sold, prompting the family to move and eventually gain their freedom.

After securing his own emancipation, Davis devoted himself to the ministry, eventually leading the bustling Saratoga Street African Baptist Chapel in Baltimore. For twenty‑five years he has preached the gospel to his community while laboring to buy the freedom of his remaining children, a cause that now drives his written appeal. His narrative offers a vivid portrait of faith, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of liberty.