Belfast has a long legacy of abolitionism and anti-slavery efforts. From its rejection of the prospect of becoming a slave port, to the long list of prominent abolitionists such as Thomas McCabe and Mary Ann McCracken. The city had a number of abolitionist groups and advocates, which helped raise awareness of the atrocities of slavery being committed in the United States. One of the loudest, yet lesser known of Belfast’s voices against slavery, was the controversial and outspoken Presbyterian minister Reverend Isaac Nelson. Reverend Nelson was outspoken in both oration and written word. He spoke at multiple anti-slavery events in Belfast and published multiple abolitionist papers. He wrote pamphlets in the 1840s as well as the 1860s that focused on not only slavery, but about the American Civil War as well. Nelson was a complex individual, and he left a contested in legacy, as he was not shy of sharing his opinions on home rule, evangelical revivalism, and abolitionism, even if his views set him apart from his contemporaries. This work will focus on his efforts as part of the abolitionist movement in Belfast, however, for a more complete look at his life, there are “further reading” suggestions in the footnotes below.
Isaac Nelson was born in 1809 in Belfast, and though not much is known about his early years, it was believed that his father, Francis Nelson was a United Irishman and a greengrocer on Barrack Street. He had one brother, William, and one sister, Elizabeth, whom he was closest with and later would grant her his estate upon his passing. Though Nelson’s early life was not well documented, in 1861 it was noted by a religious author that knew Nelson as a young boy that he had “a slender and sickly frame, but with the resolution of a spiritual Samson or Hercules”.
Nelson was a highly educated man, having learned at both the Belfast Academic Institution and the Old College in Belfast. He was so good in school he was even a tutor for multiple years, teaching fellow students in his specialty area of the classics (the study of Greek and Roman literature). At home, it was observed by his friends and family that he “often conducted family worship in French, German, Greek, or Hebrew”: a nod to the keen intellect and mastery of the spoken word that would serve Nelson well throughout his life.
Nelson’s intelligence was praised among many that knew him, with some saying “he was a man of strong, keen intellect and extensive scholastic attainments”. He was also known for his eloquent and compelling speeches. His renowned gift of speaking was utilized to its full advantage, as he eventually became ordained as a minister in August of 1838.
After preaching around to a few different churches over the years all over the island, it wasn’t until 1842 that Reverend Nelson found a church he would call home for many years. In March of 1842, Nelson began preaching at the Donegall Street Presbyterian Church, a gorgeous gothic church built in 1791, established on one of Belfast’s most prominent streets. Nelson grew his reputation as an incredible speaker, and quickly became considered one of the most powerful preachers of his time. Perhaps this fed into his confidence of speaking on multiple matters he kept close to the heart, like the abolition of slavery.
Belfast has a long history with anti-slavery movements. Multiple groups throughout the city championed this cause and heavily condemned American slavery and anyone involved in it. Reverend Nelson was one of the most fervent advocates for the abolition of slavery in Belfast, using his compelling voice for an important cause. Nelson lent his voice wherever he could— in the synod (the meeting of Presbyterian churches), the papers, and all over town.
One of the most well known speakers on the abolition of slavery in Belfast was none other than the Fredrick Douglass, the former slave, whom Reverend Nelson got to know well. As Fredrick Douglass travelled around Ireland, Scotland, and England, giving speeches and making people aware of the atrocities being committed in the United States, he made a significant stop in Belfast. In a series of events hosted on Donegall Street by Belfast’s Anti-Slavery Society, (of which Nelson was a prominent member), Douglass spoke to the horrors of slavery.
On the 23rd of December in 1845, Fredrick Douglass gave a speech at the Independent Meeting House on Donegall Street, launched what was described as “a blistering attack” against the Free Church of Scotland for accepting money American Slaveowners. Douglass was criticised by the papers, and some sought to distance themselves from his comments, including the Chairman of the meeting. Nelson had no such concerns, defending Douglass and calling out the newspapers critique as “misrepresented and garbled”. Nelson claimed that all in attendance agreed that no one should take blood money, especially if they are a church.
Nelson’s support of Douglass was resolute. Douglass famously went on to write his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave, which Reverend Isaac Nelson supported, and wrote a letter to publishers recommending this book for a Dublin-printed edition to be spread across the island. Nelson also hosted Douglass to speak at his very own Donegall Street Presbyterian Church. The meeting was advertised in the Vindicator:
“The Fugitive Slave Mr. Fredrick Douglass will give his sixth lecture on American Slavery, in the Presbyterian Church, Donegall Street, on Friday, the 26th instant, at twelve o’clock, noon. Belfast, 24th December 1845”.
Vindicator. December 24th 1845
Fittingly, there is now a statue of Fredrick Douglass on Lombard Street, which echoes a famous line that is now forever linked with his time in Belfast:
“I shall remember the kind treatment and reception you have given me; and wherever else I may be a stranger and sojourner, I shall ever feel that here I have a home- that here I shall find protection- that here I shall find sympathy.”
Belfast Newsletter: 9 January 1846
These warm words were given in a speech by Douglass right after a gift of a Bible was presented on behalf of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society. The man to hand him the Bible? None other than the Reverend Isaac Nelson.
Nelson’s criticism of the Free Church of Scotland and their involvement with American slavery also went hand in hand with his outspoken opposition to the a wider trend within the church- Evangelical Revivalism. Nelson had raised concerns that the issue that the period of staunch religious revivalism did not adhere to essential messages such as caring for others and standing with those in need. The Free Churches acceptance of donations from slave-owners only fuelled Nelson’s opposition. He became one of evangelical revivalisms greatest critics, publishing a work in 1859 titled The Year of Delusion in response to staunch revivalist William Gibson’s work titled The Year of Grace, where Nelson directly called out those in the church who sympathized and colluded with those who supported American slavery. He then levelled a scathing critic against “those who called themselves Christians in America and yet supported slavery and all those who sympathized with them were “traitors of the Gospel and the enemies of the human race” for they were tolerating “the most gigantic and revolting of human villainies””.
Nelson was no stranger to push-back and controversy, especially in regards to his opinions. Instead, he seemed to expect criticism to come his way! In his early days of preaching in 1842, he had once warned colleagues to not strive for congregational applause or initial high praises, because as he said in his own words:
“Those who today applaud and flatter you, might by a slight change of circumstances, become your bitterest and most fiendish enemies”.
This was a lesson Nelson came to learn as the leaders in Belfast, the Presbyterian Synod and even his own congregation began to tire of his outspoken nature and scathing criticism on contentious topics closer to home.
After falling out with his ministerial colleagues and congregation, Nelson set his sights on creating political change. Nelson became the Home Rule Member of Parliament (MP) for County Mayo in 1880. Because Nelson vocally supported Home Rule, politicians Charles Stewart Parnell and Joseph Biggar decided to nominate him. While he was MP of Mayo, Nelson was barred from leading services in Church. Nelson sat in his Parliamentary seat until 1885 when his health began to decline.
Reverend Isaac Nelson died in March 1888 after suffering years from heart disease in Sugarfield, Belfast. He was buried in the Shankill cemetery at a small, private funeral. His legacy, though, endured, as his sister Elizabeth had the Nelson Memorial Church built in his honour. Though his own church on Donegall Street was demolished shortly after his death, Nelson Memorial Church, (built by W.J Gilliland) survives to this day. A bust of Nelson was created in his memory. It sat for over a century at the entryway of the church until its closure in 2014. It was then taken to the Spectrum Centre for safe keeping and it is speculated that it now sits in the West Belfast Orange Hall on the Shankill Road.*
Though Nelson had his critics, who deemed him “a clergyman of rather crazy political proclivities”, he has also been described as a “commanding figure” and “champion of liberal causes”, “a powerful advocate of an uncompromising position over slavery” and the “most vocal Ulster abolitionist in the 1840s”. Uncompromising and unshakeable in his views, Reverend Isaac Nelson was a powerful force to be reckoned with. It was his unwavering support of Douglass and his uncompromising views on the abolition of slavery that made him such a potent ally in the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society. However, it was this uncompromising, single-mindedness that ostracised him from his former contemporaries in his later years. In spite of this, his role as an abolitionist in Belfast is worthy of remembrance, even as the last echoes of his legacy in the city fade away.
We recognise that this only scratches the surface of a complex character and a contested history. For more information on Rev. Isaac Nelson, the book “Isaac Nelson: Radical Abolitionist, Evangelical Presbyterian, and Irish Nationalist” by Daniel Ritchie offers a greater insight into aspects of his life beyond his efforts relating to the abolition of slavery.
About the Author:
Brooke Norgaard is a MA student at Queen’s University Belfast in the Public History program. She obtained her undergraduate degree in History at the University of Sioux Falls with a focus in history teaching. Her focus areas are women’s history, the Salem Witch Trials, dark tourism, and carceral history. Norgaard has spent years working at various history museums in the United States and is currently an intern for the North Belfast Heritage Cluster. All research has been conducted to a high academic standard and has been fully referenced. If you would like to know more about a story or piece of research, or if you wish to tell us about your own story, email us at: archiveproject@nbheritagecluster.org
*Note: We are in the works of fully locating the bust of Nelson to be able to share. Photograph will come soon.