Jeremiah Asher facts for kids
Jeremiah Asher was an important American minister. He helped place African-American chaplains in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also became the first African-American chaplain to die while serving in the U.S. military.
Quick facts for kids
Jeremiah Asher
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| Born | October 13, 1812 |
| Died | July 27, 1865 |
| Occupation | Chaplain |
Early Life and Family
Jeremiah Asher was born on October 13, 1812. His birthplace was North Branford, Connecticut. His parents, Reuel and Jerusha Asher, were free.
Jeremiah's grandfather, Gad, was born in Africa. He was brought to America as a child. Gad later fought bravely in the American Revolution. He earned his freedom and received a pension for his service.
Becoming a Minister
Jeremiah Asher married Abigail Stewart on May 13, 1830. They were married in Hartford, Connecticut. In March 1839, he was allowed to preach. This happened at the First Baptist Church of Hartford.
Reverend Asher began preaching at the Meeting Street Baptist Church. This church was in Providence, Rhode Island. He stayed there for nine years. During this time, he became well-known across the country.
In 1848, he left Providence. He then went to Washington, D.C.. There, he became the first pastor of the Second (Colored) Baptist Church. He only stayed for about three months. After that, he moved to Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, he pastored the Shiloh Baptist Church.
Helping the Union Army
In 1863, Reverend Asher helped start a new church. It was the Shiloh Baptist Church in Yorktown, Virginia. He started it with John Carey, a former slave. He named it after his old church in Philadelphia.
That same year, Reverend Asher wrote to President Abraham Lincoln. He asked that Black ministers be allowed to serve as chaplains. These chaplains would serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. President Lincoln agreed to his request.
At 50 years old, Reverend Asher became a chaplain himself. He joined the 6th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops. All the white officers in the regiment supported him. He was one of only fourteen Black ministers to become a chaplain in the entire Union Army.
His Final Service
On July 27, 1865, Reverend Asher died. He passed away in Wilmington, North Carolina. He caught typhoid fever while helping sick soldiers.
Jeremiah Asher was the first African-American chaplain to die while serving in the U.S. military. He is buried in Philadelphia.
