Black History in the Church · John Marrant

John Marrant, born June 15, 1755, was one of the first African-American preachers and missionaries in North America. Born free in New York City, he moved as a child with his family to South Carolina and then to Georgia. Marrant attended school until the age of 11, which was unique for black children at the time but afforded him the opportunity to learn to read and write.

Marrant later learned to play the French horn and violin, and he frequently played at local balls and social gatherings. One night, Marrant came upon a worship service by Rev. George Whitefield. Upon hearing of the effects of his sermon on Marrant, Whitefield visited him and declared, “Jesus Christ has got thee at last.” 

Following his conversion to Christianity, Marrant traveled and hunted with a family friend who was a Cherokee hunter. Upon returning to the hunter’s fortified Cherokee town, Marrant was stopped from entry and was sentenced to death. Marrant's prayers to Jesus in both English and Cherokee appeared to convert the executioner, who argued with the sentencing judge and arranged for Marrant to meet the king who ultimately spared his life.

Afterward, Marrant continued to live with the Cherokee for two years during which he visited with other tribes of the area, including Catawa, Housaw, and Creek people. He converted a number of Native Americans and is thought to have been an influence in creating lasting bonds between black and Cherokee people.

When Marrant returned to the Southern colonies, he sought work on plantations as a free carpenter and conducted missionary work preaching the Gospel to many slaves until the start of the American Revolution.

At the outbreak of the American revolution, Marrant was impressed (kidnapped) into the Royal Navy as a musician. After his discharge, he moved to London, England, where Rev. Whitehead introduced him to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. Hastings encouraged Marrant to become a minister and he was ordained in the Countess’s association of Methodist churches in 1785.

Meanwhile, Marrant received a letter from his brother describing the yearning for Christian knowledge amongst the more than 3500 blacks who settled in Nova Scotia following the American Revolution, and Marrant left England to go there as a missionary. 

In Nova Scotia, Marrant lived in Birchtown, the largest new black community, where he founded a Huntingdonian church. Marrant served the black people in the Birchtown area and developed a strong Christian community there. He traveled throughout Nova Scotia speaking to other black communities, to white congregations, and to the Miꞌkmaqs who were a First Nations people.

Marrant’s education and conversion culminated in his book "A Narrative of the Lord’s Wonderful Dealings with John Marrant, a Black,” which appeared in at least 21 different printings in multiple languages between 1785 and 1835.

In 1789, apparently believing his mission had been accomplished in Nova Scotia, Marrant returned to England. He continued his ministry at the main Huntingdonian chapel in Islington and on his death on April 15, 1791, was buried in the adjoining churchyard. Although he did not live a long life, many of his followers became preachers and teachers in the Nova Scotian black community. With the migration of some 1,200 from that community to Sierra Leone in 1792, the Gospel was also spread to thousands of Africans thanks to the work of John Marrant.

Submitted By: Brendan and Tedi Oberkircher