Skip to content

Biography · Biography & Culture

Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward

1823–1894

United States

Source image for Thomas Marcus Decatur WardLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

Rev. Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward (September 28, 1823 – June 1894) was an American preacher, missionary, bishop, and abolitionist who aided African-Americans escaping slavery. Ward is considered to have been a central leader of African American religious activity in the 19th century and has been referred to as “the original trailblazer of African Methodism” in the United States.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Continue exploring Series 1

Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →

Explore all Series 1 cards →