Berlin in Worcester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Corp. Isaiah Fassett
From Slavery to Honored Veteran
Isaiah Fassett was born into slavery south of here in Sinepuxent in 1844. On November 11, 1863, when he was nineteen, his owner, Sara A. Bruff, released him from bondage to enlist in Co. D, 9th United States Colored Troops. Bruff, who was loyal to the United States, applied for compensation from the U.S. Army on February 16, 1864, and received $300 for Fassett.
Fassett was about five feet five inches tall when he enlisted. His regiment served in Maryland until March 1864, then in South Carolina. In August, it moved to Virginia and was in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, engaging in the battles of New Market Heights, Fort Gilmer, and Darbytown Road. It entered and occupied Richmond on April 3, 1865. Fassett was promoted from private to corporal on May 1, and the regiment then served in Texas until October. Fassett was discharged in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 26, 1866, and returned to Berlin. His house, which stood on this site, burned down by 2004.
In 1870, Fassett appeared in the census records for the first time as a free man, with his wife Sarah Purnell and their son Peter. He served as a commander of the Grand Army of the Republic post in Berlin until it disbanded. In July 1938, he attended the 75th Anniversary ceremonies in Gettysburg. Fassett participated in Memorial Day parades, marching,
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Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1864.
Location. 38° 19.692′ N, 75° 12.428′ W. Marker is in Berlin, Maryland, in Worcester County. Marker is on Branch Street west of Flower Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 229 Branch St, Berlin MD 21811, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. U.S.S. Decatur Anchor (approx. 0.6 miles away); Birthplace of Commodore Stephen Decatur (approx. 0.6 miles away); Commodore Stephen Decatur, USN (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ayres Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Renaissance Plaza (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Old Globe Theater (approx. 0.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Martin's Church (approx. 4˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berlin.
Related marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 149 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
