Brother Reed’s Affidavit

Harrison Reed takes back his claim that the minister of the Second Baptist Church in Richmond had an affair with his wife. He claims that the alleged witnesses took advantage of his “weakness”, having suffered “continuous harassing, assaulting and abusing… in the public streets.”

The $10,000 Suit Withdrawn--Exonerates Rev. Dr. Lewis--Does Not Believe His Witnesses-- They Took Advantage of His Weakness.

The Attorney’s Opinion of The Case.

Richmond, Va., April 8, 1902.
To Rev. Z. D. Lewis, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church and to the members of the same and to all others whom it may concern:
I desire to state after a careful examination of the allegations made by me against the Rev. Z. D. Lewis in the Law & Equity Court of the city of Richmond in the suit instituted by me for $10,000 damages against the said Z. D. Lewis for the alienation of the love and affection of my wife, Julia Reed. I find that I have made a mistake in making these allegations against you, upon the information of others whom I have since found to be the enemies not only of Brother Lewis, but also to me, for they took advantage of my weakness, which was caused by the president hounding of me by my said wife and the continuous harassing, assaulting and abusing of me by her in the public streets and at my boarding house and place of business, so much so that at times I was hardly myself.-- I am now myself and find that I have made a mistake in any way connecting Rev. Z. D. Lewis with improperly associating with my wife.
I now this day and by these presents withdraw each and every allegation made by me against the said Rev. Z. D. Lewis both in the suit instituted by me against him and the suit instituted by me against my wife. And I desire to state that I do not believe that Brother Lewis has at any time been guilty of any improper conduct toward my said wife unbecoming a gentleman.
Now having withdrawn all of the allegations against Rev. Z. D. Lewis, my pastor, I would now most respectfully ask that you forgive and forget all that I have said and done against you.
I have this day instructed my attorney, Mr. W. H. Beveridge to dismiss the suit now pending in the Law and Equity Court which has brought by me against you for damages.
Very respectfully,
Harrison Reed.
Acknowledgement.
State of Virginia, City of Richmond, to wit:
This day personally appeared before me, the undersigned Notary Public in and for the city of Richmond, Harrison Reed and made oath that the statements contained in the foregoing paper bearing date on the 8th day of April, 1902 are true.
Given under my hand this 9th day of April, 1902.
J.H. Knotts, N. P.
Richmond, Va., April 9, 1902. Mr. Giles B. Jackson, Att’y at Law.
Richmond, Va:,
Dear Sir:--
I am instructed by my client, Harrison Reed to dismiss the suit in the Law & Equity Court of the City of Richmond, of Harrison Reed vs Z. D. Lewis. I wish to say to you that when I promised you on Saturday night before I instituted suit I would wait until I heard from you, that I did wait, but learning that other attorneys had been employed I instituted suit as instructed to dismiss the suit which I cheerfully do and desire to say that the efforts to make peace between the parties is due solely to you. I am convinced from the evidence you have brought me that the Rev. Z. D. Lewis has not been guilty of any immoral conduct with the wife of Harrison Reed.
Respectfully,
Wm. H. Beveridge.

“Brother Reed’s Affidavit,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 27, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/272.