Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Ashmun, Jehudi, 1794-

Missionary; born in Champlain, N. Y., in April, 1794; was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1816, and prepared for the ministry. He was sent with a reinforcement to the colony of Liberia in 1822, where he acted as legislator, soldier, and engineer in constructing fortifications. He had a force of only thirty-five men and boys, with which he repulsed an attack of 800 natives. His wife died, and he, weakened by fevers, was compelled by broken health, to sail for home. A fortnight after his arrival in Boston, Mass., he died, Aug. 25, 1828. He had made the settlement in Liberia orderly and permanent during the six years he was there.