Jacob Stroyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacob Stroyer
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Frontispiece of My Life in the South
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| Born | 1849 Eastover, South Carolina |
| Died | February 7, 1908 Salem, Massachusetts |
| Occupation | Preacher |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Notable works | My Life in the South |
Jacob Stroyer (born 1849, died 1908) was an American man who was once enslaved. After gaining his freedom, he became a preacher in Massachusetts. He is famous for writing a book about his life called My Life in the South. This book shares his experiences growing up in the southern United States.
Biography
Early Life
Jacob Stroyer was born in 1849 on a place called Kensington Plantation. This plantation was located in Eastover, South Carolina. When he first wrote his book, he thought he was born in 1846. But later, he corrected his birth year to 1849. He remembered being 13 years old in 1863 and 14 in 1864.
Jacob's father, William, was born in Sierra Leone, a country in Africa. He was captured and brought to America when he was young. Jacob did not know much about his father's family. His mother, Chloe, was born in South Carolina. Her family had been enslaved for many years. When Jacob was young, he worked as a hostler. A hostler is someone who takes care of horses.
A New Path
Even though he was enslaved, Jacob taught himself to read when he was a child. After the American Civil War ended, he was able to go to school. He attended schools in Columbia and Charleston.
In 1870, Jacob Stroyer moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. He studied at Worcester Academy for two years. He then became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal church. He was officially made a deacon in Newport, Rhode Island. A deacon is a type of church leader. Later, he moved to Salem, Massachusetts, to preach.
His Book
Jacob Stroyer first published his autobiography, My Life in the South, in 1879. An autobiography is a book someone writes about their own life. He updated and republished his book three times. The last version came out in 1898. His book tells important stories about what life was like during slavery and after.
Later Life and Legacy
Jacob Stroyer passed away on February 7, 1908. He died in Salem Hospital in Salem, Massachusetts. The cause of his death was heart disease. Information from his own book was used on his death certificate. He is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem. His book continues to be an important historical record.
