Painter, born in
Bloomingdale, N. Y., in 1825; studied in New York with
John R. Smith, and afterwards at the National Academy, of which he became an associate in 1849.
During 1849-61, he applied himself to painting in New York.
When the
Civil War broke out he originated the
United States Christian Commission.
He accompanied
General Burnside on the expedition to
North Carolina for the purpose of ministering to the needs of the colored people.
After the capture of
Newbern, he was placed in charge of the helpless inhabitants.
He there opened evening schools for the colored people and carried on other benevolent enterprises till May, 1862, when his work was stopped by
Edward Stanley, who was appointed by the
President military governor of
North Carolina, and who
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declared that the laws of the
State made it a “criminal offence to teach the blacks to read.”
At the conclusion of the war
Mr. Colyer settled in
Darien, Conn. His
paintings include
Johnson Straits, British Columbia;
Pueblo;
Passing showers;
Home of the Yackamas, Oregon;
Darien shore, Connecticut;
Rainy day on Connecticut shore;
Spring flowers;
French waiter; and
Winter on Connecticut shore.
He died on
Contentment Island, Conn., July 12, 1888.
See
Christian commission, United States.
