In the early 19th century, a remarkable figure emerged in the fight against oppression and systemic racism in the United States. John Berry Meachum, a freed African reverend, educator, abolitionist and entrepreneur, defied the odds and built a legacy of empowerment through education and faith. He established the First African Baptist Church in St. Louis and circumvented Missouri’s harsh anti-literacy laws by creating a floating school on the Mississippi River, where he taught both free and enslaved Africans.
John Berry Meachum was born into slavery on May 3, 1789, in Goochland County, Virginia. His father, Thomas Granger, was an enslaved Baptist minister, while his mother, Patsy, was also enslaved. Meachum’s early years were marked by the harsh realities of slavery, but his determination to gain freedom never waned. At the age of 21, after working as a carpenter and at a saltpeter cave, Meachum saved enough money to purchase his freedom and walked 700 miles to Virginia to buy his father’s freedom as well. This act of liberation set the tone for Meachum’s future endeavors.
After securing his father’s freedom, the two worked together to free Meachum’s mother and siblings. The family settled in Harrison County, Indiana, a free state, where they began to rebuild their lives. However, Meachum returned to Kentucky to marry Mary, an enslaved woman. When Mary and their children were taken to St. Louis, Missouri by their master, Meachum followed, despite having only three dollars to his name.
In St. Louis, Meachum’s entrepreneurial spirit thrived. He worked as a carpenter, and cabinet maker, eventually earning enough to buy his wife and children out of slavery. His success in business allowed him to pursue other ventures that would significantly impact his community.
While in St. Louis, Meachum crossed paths with white Baptist missionaries John Mason Peck and James Welch, who were dedicated to educating both freed and enslaved Africans. In 1821, Meachum began preaching and assisting the missionaries. By 1825, he was ordained by Rev. Peck, and in 1827, he built a separate structure for the First African Baptist Church, making it the first black church west of the Mississippi River.
In a time when it was illegal to teach black people to read and write, Meachum operated a school in the basement of his church. This school, known as the Candle Tallow School, offered religious and secular education to both free and enslaved Africans. Despite the 1825 ordinance that banned the education of free blacks, with violators facing 20 lashes, fines, or imprisonment, Meachum persevered. Undeterred, Meachum charged one dollar per pupil for those who could afford it, continuing his mission to educate his people against all odds.
By the 1840s, the First African Baptist Church had expanded to 500 members, but the school faced mounting pressure from authorities. In 1847, Missouri enacted a law explicitly prohibiting the education of black people and banning independent black religious services without a white law enforcement officer present, along with any educational or religious gatherings. This led to Meachum’s arrest. Undeterred, meachum came up with one of his most creative solutions.
The Floating Freedom School
Determined to continue educating enslaved and freed Africans, Meachum devised a plan to circumvent Missouri’s oppressive laws targeted at them. He purchased a steamboat, equipped it with a library, desks, and chairs, and anchored it in the middle of the Mississippi River—outside the jurisdiction of Missouri state law. This “Floating Freedom School” became a beacon of hope and learning, providing education to those who would otherwise be denied it. The school attracted teachers from the East and served hundreds of black children and adults, including notable figures like James Milton Turner, who later became the first African-American to serve in the U.S. diplomatic corps.
Meachum’s impact extended beyond education. He was a successful businessman, running a barrel-making factory and employing freed and enslaved Africans. He and his wife Mary were also active in the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved Africans escape to freedom in Illinois. Through their efforts, the Meachums purchased the freedom of around 20 enslaved Africans between 1826 and 1836, providing them with vocational training to ensure their self-sufficiency.
Legacy and Final years
John Berry Meachum’s contributions to the fight for African people’s rights were profound. He spoke at the National Negro Convention in Philadelphia in 1846, emphasizing the importance of education and self-respect. His pamphlet, An Address to All of the Colored Citizens of the United States, highlighted the need for practical education as a pathway to self-reliance.
John Berry Meachum passed away suddenly while preaching in his pulpit on February 26, 1854. However, his legacy endured through his wife, Mary, who carried on their work with the Underground Railroad, even facing arrest under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. She was acquitted and remained a symbol of hope until her death on August 8, 1869. Both are memorialized in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
Today, Meachum’s contributions are commemorated through the John Berry Meachum Scholarship at Saint Louis University and the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing, a site recognized by the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
