Robert Everett
Congregational minister Robert Everett came to this country in 1823 after his ordination and developing a reputation as a preacher and scholar in Wales. It is believed he was influenced by the anti-slave trade movement back in Wales and almost immediately began preaching against slavery upon his arrival. He started his career in Utica NY at what now is the Plymouth Bethesda Church and after two other assignments moved North to the Remsen-Steuben area settling at the Capel Ucha and Capel Penymynydd. His early years were not peaceful since mainstream people felt the abolitionist’s cause was too extreme. He was often threatened and harassed. He was attacked by people throwing eggs and hymnals while preaching, his carriage damaged, horse injured, and even his house burned down with all of his possessions. He, however, remained resolute in his beliefs and lived to see his efforts validated over time.
He was described by Millard Roberts as “in advance of his age…on the question of slavery…in the beginning he stood almost alone.”
He started his monthly newsletter Y Cenhadwr Americanaidd in 1840 that was distributed to all of the Welsh American settlements in the United States until 1875. His goal was to persuade the new immigrants to become citizens and voters so they could support the abolition movement. He was an early supporter of both the Liberty and Republican parties realizing that supporting either the Whigs or Democrats was a wasted vote. The Welsh clustered in their own settlements and retained their own language so he uniquely could reach them. He felt that a united Welsh community could become a difference-maker regarding the abolition of slavery. He received permission from Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe to translate their works into Welsh and was referred to as "our Welsh friend" by Frederick Douglass.
He moved past just writing and preaching and became active in the Underground Railroad with his congregation (Capel Ucha). He evolved from pacifism over time and encouraged the Welsh to join the Union Army. In a large part, Everett's work made the Civil War a moral crusade for the Welsh who were by nature pacifists. In the diaries and letters of the soldiers they revealed the moral importance of their war sacrifices as opposed to just preserving the Union. The Welsh Americans joined almost exclusively the Union army and made many contributions to the war effort. In our home county the 14th, 26th, 97th, 146th and 117th NY volunteers had many Welsh speaking soldiers. In a similar manner there were many regiments from Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that had Welsh speakers. There were virtually no first, or second-generation Welsh affiliated with the Confederate cause and it is believed that over 75% of immigrants from Wales became citizens.
Everett’s oldest son John, went to Kansas and became involved in John Brown’s “Free Soil” efforts. One daughter (Cynthia) later became a teacher in a school for freed slaves. Another daughter (Elizabeth) was educated at and became a teacher and principal at an integrated school in the early 1840’s. His sons were students at the Oneida Institute which was the first integrated college and the whole family was involved with publishing Cenhadwr which from its first issue opposed slavery.
John Bowen M.D. National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Committee
He was described by Millard Roberts as “in advance of his age…on the question of slavery…in the beginning he stood almost alone.”
He started his monthly newsletter Y Cenhadwr Americanaidd in 1840 that was distributed to all of the Welsh American settlements in the United States until 1875. His goal was to persuade the new immigrants to become citizens and voters so they could support the abolition movement. He was an early supporter of both the Liberty and Republican parties realizing that supporting either the Whigs or Democrats was a wasted vote. The Welsh clustered in their own settlements and retained their own language so he uniquely could reach them. He felt that a united Welsh community could become a difference-maker regarding the abolition of slavery. He received permission from Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe to translate their works into Welsh and was referred to as "our Welsh friend" by Frederick Douglass.
He moved past just writing and preaching and became active in the Underground Railroad with his congregation (Capel Ucha). He evolved from pacifism over time and encouraged the Welsh to join the Union Army. In a large part, Everett's work made the Civil War a moral crusade for the Welsh who were by nature pacifists. In the diaries and letters of the soldiers they revealed the moral importance of their war sacrifices as opposed to just preserving the Union. The Welsh Americans joined almost exclusively the Union army and made many contributions to the war effort. In our home county the 14th, 26th, 97th, 146th and 117th NY volunteers had many Welsh speaking soldiers. In a similar manner there were many regiments from Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that had Welsh speakers. There were virtually no first, or second-generation Welsh affiliated with the Confederate cause and it is believed that over 75% of immigrants from Wales became citizens.
Everett’s oldest son John, went to Kansas and became involved in John Brown’s “Free Soil” efforts. One daughter (Cynthia) later became a teacher in a school for freed slaves. Another daughter (Elizabeth) was educated at and became a teacher and principal at an integrated school in the early 1840’s. His sons were students at the Oneida Institute which was the first integrated college and the whole family was involved with publishing Cenhadwr which from its first issue opposed slavery.
John Bowen M.D. National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Committee