Thornton Chase was a distinguished officer of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War, and the first western convert to the Baháʼí Faith.
Thornton Chase, c. 1900
Names from the plaque on the African American Civil War Memorial of the 26th Regiment, USCI, James B. Chase on 13th line near left
Names from the plaque on the African American Civil War Memorial of the 104th Regiment, USCI, James B. Chase on 10th line near left
Thornton Chase (seated, second from right) among Baháʼís in Egypt.
Samuel Francis Smith was an American Baptist minister, journalist, and author. He is best known for having written the lyrics to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", which he entitled "America".
Portrait of Samuel Francis Smith by Charles Delevan Mosher, 1890
A sketch of Samuel Francis Smith from a life sketch in The Express
Samuel Francis Smith's foster son Thornton Chase, The first American Baháʼí
Grave of Samuel Francis Smith, in Newton, Massachusetts