Catherine Ferguson (1779-1854) was an African-American educator and philanthropist who founded the first Sunday school in New York City. Although illiterate herself, she believed that every child should be educated. For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome! Here’s the deal: Every weekday, we highlight the stories of iconic women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. We’re talking about women from around the world and throughout history. Each month is themed. This month we’re going back to school, highlighting educators and intellectuals.
This month, we're going back to school with stories of the most influential women educators in history.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica.
Today, we’re talking about a woman who was something of a patron saint for poor and orphaned children. She’s often credited with establishing the first Sunday school in New York City, and in her lifetime she took in nearly 50 children from the streets.
Let’s meet Catherine Ferguson.
Catherine Ferguson was born on a ship. Her mother, an enslaved woman, was on her way from Virginia to New York. It was the 1770s. The United States was brand new, and still reeling from the Revolutionary War.
Catherine and her mother were enslaved by a family who lived in what is now lower Manhattan. The husband, R.B., was an elder in a New York City Presbyterian Church.
When Catherine was still quite young, R.B sold her mother away.
Catherine would later recall, “I remember that before we were torn asunder, she knelt down, laid her hand on my head, and gave me to God.”
Catherine never saw her mother again. The pain she felt -- at losing her mother, at feeling alone in the world -- would later drive her to help other poor, orphaned and neglected children.
Christianity became an anchoring force in Catherine, or Katy’s, life. Though she was never taught to read or write, she became well-versed in the Bible.
As a young teenager, Katy began attending a local Presbyterian church. It was a largely Scottish denomination, and Katy soon made an impression on Isabella Graham. Isabella was a Scottish born philanthropist and the founder of a school for girls.
When Katy was around 16 years old, Isabella Graham bought her freedom for $200. Katy was initially given six years to work off the debt, but Isabella later agreed to 11 months of work for $100. Isabella’s son-in-law raised the other half of the money.
By the age of 18, Katy was free. She soon married, and had two children. Both died in infancy.
To support herself, Katy began making cakes. But soon became increasingly concerned about the children she saw on the street.
The devastation from the Revolutionary War, along with the huge influx of immigrants, created dire levels of poverty throughout New York. That was especially true in lower Manhattan, where Katy had spent much of her life.
In 1793, Katy began gathering children from the streets on Sundays for religious instruction. They met at her home, at 51 Warren Street.
The Reverend from her church soon heard of her classes. He offered her space in a spare room of his new congregation, on Murray Street (that’s actually the street I live on now!). It’s believed that Katy’s was the first Sunday school in New York City.
Over the course of her life, Katy took in 48 children. Some she rescued from the city’s poorhouses, others from their families. She would raise them herself, or help get them placed in better situations. Katy never had much money herself, having spent it all on her children. But she had an endless supply of prayers, and of faith.
For more than 40 years, she held a prayer meeting at her house on Fridays, in addition to the Sunday school. And by a number of accounts, Katy’s neighborhood was notably bettered by her efforts.
In her late 70s, Katy became sick with cholera. Knowing the end of her life was near, she said to a friend standing by her bedside, “What a good thing it is to have a hope in Jesus.” And with that, she said her last words: “All is well.”
All month, we’re going back to school, talking about women who shaped the world of education.
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Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!