Catherine Ferguson (educator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Ferguson
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| Born | 1779 |
| Died | July 11, 1854 |
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Catherine Ferguson (1779 – July 11, 1854) was an African-American helper and teacher. She founded the first Sunday school in New York City. Catherine dedicated her life to caring for children who were neglected or in need.
Catherine Ferguson's Early Life
Catherine Ferguson was born into slavery in 1779. This happened while her mother, Katy Williams, was being moved from Virginia to New York City. When Catherine was only eight years old, her mother was sold as a slave. Catherine never saw her again after that. This difficult separation from her mother became a big reason why Catherine wanted to help children later in her life.
Around the age of sixteen or seventeen, a kind friend bought Catherine's freedom for $200. This was a lot of money back then! Catherine worked hard to pay back this amount over six years. Later, she became a baker, making delicious cakes for weddings and parties.
Catherine got married when she was eighteen. Sadly, both of her children passed away when they were very young. Catherine herself died in 1854 from cholera, at about 75 years old.
Catherine Ferguson as a Teacher and Helper
Catherine believed that every child deserved to be educated and safe. Even though she couldn't read or write herself, she took care of poor and neglected children. These children were both black and white, living in her neighborhood.
Every Sunday, she invited these children to her home on Warren Street in New York. There, she taught them about religion. A local minister, Rev. Dr. John Mitchell Mason, encouraged her work. Around 1814, her Sunday School moved to the basement of a church on Murray Street.
Because Catherine couldn't write, her amazing work was not often written about by historians. However, people described her as someone who truly helped the poor when many others did not. Her school later became known as the Murray Street Sabbath School. Catherine taught the children by having them memorize hymns and parts of the Bible.
Besides teaching, Catherine also held prayer meetings. These meetings were for both children and adults, and she led them twice a week for over 40 years! She also took in 48 children. She found these children "from the streets or from unfit parents." She cared for them until she could find good homes for them.
How Catherine Ferguson Was Remembered
Catherine Ferguson became quite well-known during her lifetime because of all her good deeds. When she died, newspapers even wrote about her. For example, The New York Times mentioned her death on July 13, 1854. The Tribune also published a short story about her life.
As a way to honor her work, the Katy Ferguson Home was started in New York in 1920. This home helped mothers who needed support. Catherine was also included in a book about 330 important people by Benson J. Lossing.
