Later he recognized more of its problems and invested in lands in free states, but held on to his slaves throughout his life and opposed his son's abolitionism.

[3]: 9–10 Following a conversion to the Christian faith at age 14, John Fee Jr. wanted to join the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"[3]: 12–16 Fee returned to Kentucky, preaching against slavery, but found it difficult to find a permanent position, as there was widespread pro-slavery sentiment.

[4] With a land donation from Cassius M. Clay, a wealthy landowner who supported the church and gradual abolition, in 1853 Fee founded the town of Berea, Kentucky in the interior of the state in Madison County.

His autobiography is filled with his accounts the volatility of the decade before the war, when he was often challenged and threatened because of his stand on abolition and equal treatment of black people.

In[clarification needed] Governor Salmon P. Chase of Ohio attended its commencement ceremonies as one of the speakers.

Abolitionists and supporters of education created a broad national network that sustained such progressive efforts.

Word of Fee's seeking help from Beecher made the news in Kentucky, in a distorted fashion, and stirred up pro-slavery sentiment against him.

[6] With social tensions increasing in the years leading up to the American Civil War, and especially after John Brown's Raid, in December 1859 a band of armed pro-slavery men came to Berea while Fee was still away in the East.

Matilda Fee had returned to their house in Berea with two of their children without much incident, although both Union and Confederate troops were in the area.

He soon was going frequently to Camp Nelson, where he became involved with preaching and teaching former slaves, who were being enlisted for military service in the Union Army.

Fee worked with the camp commandant and quartermaster on arrangements for a school, and urged building facilities for the families.

He and his wife used their own funds to help buy land in the area to be allocated as home lots, as well as raising a church and school near there.

In later years, Fee and others went on to establish the Christian Missionary Association of Kentucky, made up of individuals rather than churches.