The Standard of Raleigh, Aug. 20, 1863
A REMARKABLE NEGRO
The "North Carolina Presbyterian" mentions the death of a very remarkable
Negro, known as "Uncle Moreau" and belonging to GEN. OWEN of Wilmington. He
was, according to his own account, ninety-three years of age. We quote the
following:
"He was born in Western Africa, upon the banks of the Senegal River. His
name originally was 'OMEROH' which has gradually been changed into the French
title he now bears. He belonged to the tribe of the Fulahs, but from which of
the various nations inhabited by this people he came, it is difficult to
ascertain. There is no doubt, however, that he is the most remarkable of his
tribe ever brought to this country, and is now perhaps the only one of the
nation living in the United States.
"One of the same was sent back to Africa as early as 1733 by Oglethorpe;
another was ransomed and sent to Liberia in 1838; besides these not more than
two Fulahs were known in 1855 to be in the limits of the Southern States.
"UNCLE MOREAU was brought to this country in 1807, just before the final
abolition of the slave trade. He was landed at Charleston. Sometime after he
reached this country he fell into the hands of a cruel master, from whom he
escaped. After being arrested as a runaway and confined in jail in
Fayetteville, he was at length purchased by GEN. OWEN, to whom he belonged at
the time of his death.
"When UNCLE MOREAU became the property of GEN. OWEN he was a very devout
Mohammedan, but he was baptised by the REV. DR. SNODGRASS, then pastor of the
Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, and became a member of that Church.
His membership was afterwards transferred to the 1st Church, Wilmington, of
which he died a communicant.
"His piety was of the highest order, being characterized by a child-like
trust in the Saviour that was perhaps never excelled. He spend several months
of last year in Fayetteville, a refugee from his home, and during the time
though exceedingly feeble in bodily health, he was rarely absent from the
house of God during worship. Calling to see him on one occasion, we found him
reading his Arabic Bible, which was his constant companion; and he gave us a
specimen of his composition in Arabic, which though not equal to others we
have seen written earlier in life, does credit to his penmanship in that
ancient language.
"But the devout, humble Christian, reclaimed from the darkness of
heathenism, has passed to the immediate presence of his Saviour. And in the
judgment of those now enjoying 'this blessed privilege, who has undergone less
change at their transition from earth to heaven than Uncle Moreau.'"
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