Alexander Harris (minister) facts for kids

Alexander Harris (1818–1909) was an important African-American leader. He was a deacon and pastor at the First Bryan Baptist Church. He was one of the most powerful religious and community leaders. This was in Savannah, Georgia, during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Harris met with important figures during the U.S. Civil War. On January 12, 1865, he joined Garrison Frazier and 19 other African-American ministers. They met with Union Army Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman. They also met with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. This meeting happened at Sherman's headquarters in Savannah. It is known as the "Savannah Colloquy" or the "Forty acres and a mule" meeting. Because of this meeting, Sherman issued a special order. This order, called "Special Field Orders, No. 15", was issued on January 16, 1865. It was also known as the "Forty acres and a mule" order.

Early Life of Alexander Harris

Alexander Harris was born on July 19, 1818, in Savannah, Georgia. He was a free man his whole life. We don't know much about his early years. When he was young, Harris lived in Augusta, Georgia. He worked there as a blacksmith.

In 1844, Harris married Frances F. Harris. She was born on March 15, 1818, and died on February 10, 1899. Frances was also a free woman. Census records show she worked as a seamstress. People believe her maiden name was Fullers. This is because many of her relatives were Fullers.

Harris and Frances had three children. Their names were Fuleria Frances Harris Montmollin (1849–1870), William Henry Harris (1853–1888), and Nathaniel D. Harris (1856–1879). Alexander Harris lived longer than Frances and all their children.

Harris's Role During the U.S. Civil War

Alexander Harris was involved in the U.S. Civil War. He served as a drummer in the Confederate Army. He was part of the Republican Blues drum and bugle corps. This group was a volunteer infantry company from Georgia. He served from May 1861 to August 1862. He was listed as a "colored man, not mustered, but in service."

During General Sherman's Sherman's March to the Sea, Harris was a deacon. He served at the Third African Church. This church is now known as First Bryan Baptist Church. Savannah's city limits were near West Broad Street. The Confederate defenses were along the Ogeechee Canal. This meant First Bryan Baptist Church was in the middle of the battlefield.

Many citizens left Savannah because they were scared. But the church leaders refused to close the church. Harris understood the church was in a dangerous spot. He led church officers to the Confederate defense line. They asked for the church to be saved from being destroyed. Harris talked with Dr. William Pollard, another church officer. Dr. Pollard met Sherman's army as they came down Bay Road. Dr. Pollard gave one of Sherman's captains a torch. This torch was used to light the front of First Bryan Baptist Church. The captain used the torch to help the army see their way into the city.

General Sherman then asked to see Dr. Pollard. Sherman gave him an important job. Dr. Pollard was to contact all African-Americans in Savannah. He was to ask them to gather in Greene Square. This gathering was on January 1, 1865. It was for the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Meeting with General William Tecumseh Sherman

On January 12, 1865, Alexander Harris took part in a historic meeting. He joined twenty African-American Baptist and Methodist ministers. They met with Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. This famous meeting is called the "Savannah Colloquy." It is also known as the "Forty acres and a mule" meeting.

Harris attended with other pastors from First Bryan Baptist Church. These included Reverends Garrison Frazier and Ulysses Houston. At the time of this meeting, Harris was 47 years old. He had become an ordained minister at Third African Baptist Church, now First Bryan Baptist Church, just a month before. First Bryan Baptist Church had more representatives at this meeting than any other church.

Ministry and Community Leadership

In 1873, Harris helped establish First Bryan Baptist Church. This church had been known as the First, Second, and Third African Churches of Savannah. It was located on West Broad and Waldburg Streets. In 1872, he also founded the Mount Olive Baptist Association. For many years, he served as the pastor of the historic Nicolsonboro Baptist Church.

Harris was also a key figure in education. He worked with James M. Simms, Reverend Emanuel K. Love, and others. They helped bring the Georgia State Industrial College to Savannah in 1891. Today, this college is known as Savannah State University.

Freemasonry in Georgia

Alexander Harris was one of the oldest Freemasons in Georgia. He was among the first people to join Savannah's Eureka Lodge No. 1. This happened on February 4, 1866. Harris held several important roles in the Lodge. He was Junior Deacon in 1866 and Senior Deacon in 1867. He became the Junior Warden in 1868. From 1869 to 1870, he served as Senior Warden. In 1871, he was the Worshipful Master for Eureka No. 1.

From June 1883 to June 1886, Harris served as Grand Master. This was for the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Georgia -Colored. This organization is now called the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason for the Jurisdiction of Georgia.

Death

Alexander Harris passed away in Savannah, Georgia, on October 9, 1909. He was 91 years old. He had been sick for six months before his death.

Rev. George Henry Dwelle led Harris's funeral. Rev. Dwelle was a lifelong friend of Harris. He was also the father of Dr. Georgia Rooks Dwelle (1884–1977). Harris was buried at the historic Laurel Grove Cemetery-South in Savannah, Georgia. The Southern Cross of the Confederate States of America is placed at his gravesite.