Stroyer, Rev. Jacob

Rev. Jacob Stroyer (1848-1908)

"Stroyer was born a slave in South Carolina. During the Civil War, he was one of 40 survivors of the 360 slaves used

to fortify Fort Sumter during the bombardment in 1863.

After the war he educated himself and made his way to Massachusetts where he became an African Methodist Episcopal minister and pastor

of the Salem Colored Mission for 25 years. An articulate speaker and talented writer, he chronicled his life as a slave, which was published for the

first time in 1879 as "My Life in the South".

He was much respected in Salem. His funeral was attended by 400 people of all denominations and representing every walk of life.

He is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Anonymous