Jabez Pitt Campbell

Bishop Campbell was born in Slaughter Neck Sussex County, Delaware. His mother was Catherine Campbell and his father was Anthony Campbell, a preacher; both were members of the AME church. At an early age, his father left him without paying the mortgage and used Jabez as collateral to pay for the mortgage by selling him as a slave. Jabez managed to escape and fled to Philadelphia where his mother lived. However, he was captured and enslaved for 4 ½ years. By the age of 18 he was free.

Bishop Campbell was licensed to preach by Bishop Morris Brown at Bethel Church in Philadelphia, in 1837. In 1840 he was sent to New England where he was admitted to the New York Conference. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Brown in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1841 and ordained an Elder by Bishop Brown, in 1843. Some of his appointments were: Bucks Co., Bethel in Philadelphia, PA, Providence and New Bedford, New England, Albany, Hudson, Buffalo, Bethel, Flushing, L.I., New York.

He married twice: first to Stella Medley on October 23, 1844, however she died in April 1854 and his second marriage was to a widow Mary Ann Shire, on June 7th, 1855. Mary Ann had been previously married and from that union she had four children; she and Jabez never had children.

Campbell was elected Bishop on May 16, 1864 at Bethel Church, Philadelphia, PA by Bishop William P. Quinn. Wilberforce conferred the degree of D.D. and the U. of Pa conferred the degree of LL.D. upon him.

He died in Philadelphia, PA and services were held at Bethel Church, 6th and Lombard Streets.