William Brisbane was born into aristocracy near Charleston, S.C. Despite his wealth and position, the Lord eventually saved his soul and used him for His glory. William’s early education was through a Roman Catholic priest. After that he attended Beaufort College and a military school in Middletown, Connecticut. While away from home and the influence of his family, he heard the preaching of the gospel and was converted to Christ. Immediately he felt it was his duty to preach the gospel. Returning to the South, his name and position opened many doors. He personally knew powerful politicians like Jackson, Calhoun, Clay, and Webster. Following the Civil War he traveled back and forth between various state capitols and Washington on behalf of the needy people of his district. As was expected by his class, he inherited a number of slaves. After his salvation he not only freed them, but sought out former slaves of his family which had been sold to others. He then bought and freed them, not just meeting their immediate needs, but even buying land in Ohio to give to them. Eventually, Brisbane moved to Wisconsin where he preached the gospel for twenty-five years before his death on this day in 1878.
Source – “This Day in Baptist History” by W. Thompson and D. Cummins