Jacob A. Haith (b. circa
1842 - d. 1921)
MSA SC 3520-7284
USCT Soldier, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
Jacob A. Haith, also known as Jacob Heath (according to a pension file) was born around January 25, 1842 on Kent Island, Queen Anne's County, Maryland. His exact date of birth is unknown as no record was kept, but it was strongly felt by Heath that it was around 1842. According to his wife Annie May Heath, she states that he was never a slave. There is no record of his name in the bounty or slave rolls, but it does appear that he was free born. In an affidavit given by Isaiah P. Brown, he states that Jacob "was a free man" and "lived on old man Exums place." Jacob Heath states that he lived with his mother Hannah on Kent Island and two brothers and one sister. One of his brothers was killed in the Civil War. According to several records in his pension file he appears to have been a farmer before the war. Perry W. Johnson also testifies in an affidavit that Heath lived not far away from Johnson's owner Samuel White of Stevensville.
By 1863, the Civil War presented an opportunity for many African-Americans, both free and enslaved, to join the military service as United States Colored Troops. Jacob Heath was able to enlist and served as a corporal at 22 years old in Company C of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops regiment on December 25, 1863. The regiment was organized by Brig. General Birney, at Benedict, Maryland and was composed largely of men from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 1 The regiment received drilling and training while at Benedict until March of 1864. 2 By May of 1864, the regiment faced its first battle in the Wilderness campaign. 3 During this campaign, Heath lost the end of his middle finger on his right hand and was out of duty for approximately six weeks. The regiment then participated in the Battle of Petersburg around September 1864. 4 It was the Petersburg campaign in which Jacob Heath contracted rheumatism. On June 5, 1865, the regiment was transferred to Brazos, Texas, and then to Brownsville. 5 The regiment remained in Texas as they were fulfilling their three year terms until January 15, 1867 when they were mustered out of the service. 6
After the war, Jacob Heath eventually moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he would begin a new life. According to Perry W. Johnson, Jacob went to Baltimore shortly after gaining his discharge. Several affidavits in his pension record state that he was married four times throughout his life (two died, and one divorce). Annie May Satchell of Virginia became his fourth wife on June 6, 1900 when they were married in Baltimore by Reverend John Collett of the M.E. Church. Jacob and Annie had one child together. Annie mentions in an affidavit that there was a colored family on Kent Island who ran a boarding house where they spent several weeks before returning to Baltimore.
While in Baltimore, Jacob worked as a shoemaker and Annie states that he was well known around the area. Jacob resided at several addresses while in Baltimore, including 1233 Druid Hill Avenue (residence at death), 1349 North Calhoun Street (1906), and 1132 South Warner Street (1891). As he aged, Jacob often suffered from disease of the bowels and general debility. After residing in Baltimore for nearly 42 years, Jacob Heath died at around the age of 79 from acute gastro enteritis on July 24, 1921. His death record states that he was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery on July 26, 1921.
For a visual representation of Jacob A. Haith's journey from slavery to freedom, please click here. Users must have access to Google Earth in order to utilize this file, which includes landmarks(pins) in Haith's life from around 1842 to 1921. You may take the tour and investigate individual sites under the "Places" tab on the left of the screen, or you may navigate using the slider and cursor on the map itself.1. Wilmer, L. Allison , J. H. Jarrett, and Geo. W. F. Vernon. History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-65. Vol. 2 (Baltimore, MD: Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., 1899), 206.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid., 207.
6. Ibid.
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