AN AMERICAN MUSICIAN
Rev. Charles A. Tindley (Jul 1851 - Jul 1933) was an African-American Methodist minister, sometimes referred to as 'The Prince of Preachers.' He composed many gospel songs, among them the earliest version of the anthem "We Shall Overcome."   He created one of the largest Methodist congregations in the US, building it from 130 members in 1902 to more than 12,500 people before he died.
Born in Maryland, Charles moved to Philadelphia after the Civil War to work as a construction laborer. He also volunteered as unpaid sexton for the East Calvary Methodist Episcopal church, and taught himself to read by the evening firelight. Next, he enlisted the rabbi at nearby Congregation Keneseth Israel to teach him Hebrew, and followed with a correspondence course in New Testament Greek from the Boston Theological School. Now ready, he undertook the examination for ordination, and became a deacon in the Delaware Conference in 1887, and elder in 1889. He was assigned to parishes in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. At last, in 1902, he became the pastor of the congregation where he had formerly swept the floors.
Tindley published several collections of gospel hymns, which eventually included 46 of his own compositions. But, though his music is historic and important, the main topic of this biography is his family tree.
Researchers at the Edward H. Nabb Center have given us a look at his family story of slavery and freedom over a century that make his efforts to attain the ministry look pedestrian.
In 1799, the will of Rev. Samuel Tingley of Maryland left his property - including ten enslaved people - to his wife, instructing her to free them upon her own death. One of these was 2-year old Isaac, he later (in 1835) - as a free black man - sold his own 11-year old son Charles (Rev Charles' father) into a ten-year indenture.
Meanwhile, Arnold Miller (born a slave in 1795 but given his freedom in his master Joseph Miller's will in 1813), took to wife the slave Rachel, who was owned (along the children she had by Arnold) by Zadock Purnell. In 1826, Arnold purchased his wife and children (but did not free them) for $275. Among those chidren was Hester, who married the free Charles (senior) in 1850. In 1858, Arnold Miller wrote a deed of manumission which detailed the birthdates and relationships of his eight children and seven grandchildren - including the child Charles - and a schedule of when each was to be freed (usually after attaining thir mid-20s).
The future minister Charles spent his childhood with his father Charles (senior), but was legally owned by his mother's father Arnold MIller. During that period, Charles senior re-married and provided the young Charles with half-siblings (who may have been free, or not). Young Charles was due to be manumitted in 1879 (on his 28th birthday), but was actually emancipated in 1864 or 1865. With such confusing family circumstances, it is difficult to imagine how he developed the force of will he exhibited throughtout his life.
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https://youtu.be/DnUdQLAj1_g?si=Mc3V1tR9sBLpOslQ