Pamphlet was inspired by the teachings of blind disabled preacher,
Moses "Daddy Moses" Wilkinson, During the
American Revolutionary War and inspired by the
First Great Awakening, in the 1770s, Pamphlet began secretly preaching a message of equality to a congregation of free and enslaved African Americans on wooded land at
Green Spring Plantation on the outskirts of the city. By 1781, the informal congregation grew to over 200 members. With his owner's permission, Pamphlet was ordained in 1772, becoming one of the first and only ordained black preachers of any denomination in the country. Pamphlet remained in Williamsburg until 1786 when he moved with his owner to
Manchester,
Chesterfield County. He resided there until Vobe's death. 1793 was a significant year in the life of Pamphlet; he returned to Williamsburg with his new owner (and Vobe's son) David Miller, returned to preach to his informal congregation and promote equality, and was freed by his owner through a deed of
manumission in September 1793. In that same year, Pamphlet's informal congregation was formally received by the Dover Baptist Association, establishing them as an official church congregation. By the early 1800s, Pamphlet was a landowner in Williamsburg and owned 14 acres in
James City County. He continued to serve as the minister of his congregation, which amassed an estimated 500 members by the time of his death. == Death ==