John Jasper (July 4, 1812 – March 30, 1901) was an ex-slave who became a Baptist minister and noted public speaker for Christianity after the American Civil War.[1]
Born into slavery on July 4, 1812, in Fluvanna County, Virginia, to Philip and Tina Jasper one of twenty-four children of Philip. Philip was a well known Baptist preacher while Tina was a slave of a Mr. Peachy. Jasper was hired out to various people and when Mr. Peachy's mistress died, he was given to her son, John Blair Peachy, a lawyer who moved to Louisiana. Jasper's time in Louisiana was short, as his new master soon died, and he returned to Richmond, Virginia.[2] Jasper experienced a personal conversion to Christianity in Capital Square in 1839. Jasper convinced a fellow slave to teach him to read and write, and began studying to become a Baptist minister.[3]
Family
Jasper married three times: first to Elvy Weaden, who left him, secondly, to Candus Jordan in 1844, with whom he had nine children before they divorced, and thirdly to Mary Ann Cole in 1863, who died on August 6, 1874.[2]
Career
For more than two decades, Rev. Jasper traveled throughout Virginia, often preaching at funeral services for fellow slaves. He often preached at Third Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia. He also preached to Confederate Soldiers during the American Civil War (1861–65).[2]
A picture of Jasper published in 1902
After his own emancipation following the American Civil War, Rev. Jasper founded the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond, which by 1887 had attracted 2500 members and served as a religious and social center of Richmond's predominantly black Jackson Ward—providing a Sunday School and other services. Jasper's vivid oratory and dramatic speaking style brought renown and calls for him to preach throughout the Eastern United States. His most famous sermon, The Sun Do Move, expressed his deep faith in God through the imagery of a flat Earth above which the sun circuits.[3] He first preached this sermon in March 1878 on the basis of Biblical revelation. Despite his views being contrary to modern scientific theory, he went on to preach this sermon 273 times throughout the U.S., often to thousands of people at once, as well as in London, Paris, and before the Virginia General Assembly.
Death and legacy
John Jasper left a lasting legacy as one of the most respected figures in Richmond's history, especially among the African-American and Southern Baptist communities. He delivered his last sermon a few days before his death at the age of 88. The Library of Virginia honored him as one of the African-American trailblazers in its "Strong Men and Women" series in 2012.[3] The words of his most famous sermon, The Sun Do Move, have since been modernized into standard english from the original patois. His name is remembered for his unswerving allegiance to The Bible from which he preached.
john, jasper, july, 1812, march, 1901, slave, became, baptist, minister, noted, public, speaker, christianity, after, american, civil, reverendborn, 1812, july, 1812fluvanna, county, virginia, diedmarch, 1901, 1901, aged, occupationbaptist, ministerspouse, elv. John Jasper July 4 1812 March 30 1901 was an ex slave who became a Baptist minister and noted public speaker for Christianity after the American Civil War 1 The ReverendJohn JasperBorn 1812 07 04 July 4 1812Fluvanna County Virginia U S DiedMarch 30 1901 1901 03 30 aged 88 OccupationBaptist ministerSpouse s Elvy WeadenCandus Jordan m 1844 divorced wbr Mary Ann Cole m 1863 died 1874 wbr Children9Signature Contents 1 Early life 2 Family 3 Career 4 Death and legacy 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditBorn into slavery on July 4 1812 in Fluvanna County Virginia to Philip and Tina Jasper one of twenty four children of Philip Philip was a well known Baptist preacher while Tina was a slave of a Mr Peachy Jasper was hired out to various people and when Mr Peachy s mistress died he was given to her son John Blair Peachy a lawyer who moved to Louisiana Jasper s time in Louisiana was short as his new master soon died and he returned to Richmond Virginia 2 Jasper experienced a personal conversion to Christianity in Capital Square in 1839 Jasper convinced a fellow slave to teach him to read and write and began studying to become a Baptist minister 3 Family EditJasper married three times first to Elvy Weaden who left him secondly to Candus Jordan in 1844 with whom he had nine children before they divorced and thirdly to Mary Ann Cole in 1863 who died on August 6 1874 2 Career EditFor more than two decades Rev Jasper traveled throughout Virginia often preaching at funeral services for fellow slaves He often preached at Third Baptist Church in Petersburg Virginia He also preached to Confederate Soldiers during the American Civil War 1861 65 2 A picture of Jasper published in 1902 After his own emancipation following the American Civil War Rev Jasper founded the Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond which by 1887 had attracted 2500 members and served as a religious and social center of Richmond s predominantly black Jackson Ward providing a Sunday School and other services Jasper s vivid oratory and dramatic speaking style brought renown and calls for him to preach throughout the Eastern United States His most famous sermon The Sun Do Move expressed his deep faith in God through the imagery of a flat Earth above which the sun circuits 3 He first preached this sermon in March 1878 on the basis of Biblical revelation Despite his views being contrary to modern scientific theory he went on to preach this sermon 273 times throughout the U S often to thousands of people at once as well as in London Paris and before the Virginia General Assembly Death and legacy EditJohn Jasper left a lasting legacy as one of the most respected figures in Richmond s history especially among the African American and Southern Baptist communities He delivered his last sermon a few days before his death at the age of 88 The Library of Virginia honored him as one of the African American trailblazers in its Strong Men and Women series in 2012 3 The words of his most famous sermon The Sun Do Move have since been modernized into standard english from the original patois His name is remembered for his unswerving allegiance to The Bible from which he preached References Edit John Jasper Unmatched orator 25 July 2013 a b c Simmons William J and Henry McNeal Turner Men of Mark Eminent Progressive and Rising GM Rewell amp Company 1887 pp 1064 1072 a b c John Jasper African American Trailblazers in Virginia History virginia gov External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Jasper This article about a member of the Christian clergy in the United States is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte This African American related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Jasper amp oldid 1107524824, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
