Julia C. Collins facts for kids

Julia C. Collins (born around 1842 – died November 25, 1865) was an amazing African-American schoolteacher. She lived in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Julia wrote many essays and stories.

These were published in a newspaper called The Christian Recorder. This paper was for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1865, her novel, The Curse of Caste, or the Slave Bride, started appearing in the paper. Sadly, Julia died before she could finish her novel. She passed away from a sickness called consumption.

Years later, in 2006, two professors, William L. Andrews and Mitch Kachun, gathered all of Julia's writings. They published her unfinished novel and essays. This helped more people learn about her important work.

Julia Collins: Her Life and Writings

Early Life and Education

We don't know much about Julia Collins' early life. Scholars think she was born free in the northern United States. Her exact birth name and date are a mystery.

One record from 1860 shows a 17-year-old Julia Green living in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She lived with Enoch Gilchrist, who helped people escape slavery on the Underground Railroad. It's possible this was Julia Collins, but we can't be sure.

Julia was clearly a very educated person. In her essays, she mentioned famous writers like William Shakespeare and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. She also knew about classical antiquity, showing she was well-read.

A Teacher in Williamsport

We know for sure that Julia Collins was a teacher. On April 16, 1864, The Christian Recorder announced her new job. She was appointed to teach African-American children in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

At that time, there was no school building for African-American children. Julia had to find a place and materials for her students. The school was probably near the Susquehanna River and the local African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Her Family Life

Julia Collins was married to Stephen Carlisle Collins. Stephen was also born free in Pennsylvania. He served in the American Civil War as a soldier in the 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment.

After the war, Stephen ran a barber shop in Williamsport. He was also a leader in a group for Civil War veterans. Being a barber or a teacher were respected jobs for African Americans back then. This meant the Collins family was well-known in their community.

Julia Collins died on November 25, 1865. She had young children when she passed away. Her daughters were named Sarah and Annie. Sarah was likely Stephen's daughter from an earlier marriage. Annie, born around 1862, was raised by her grandparents. Annie later married and died in 1889.

Julia's Important Writings

Julia Collins wrote a dramatic novel called The Curse of Caste, or The Slave Bride. This story was published piece by piece in The Christian Recorder during 1865. The novel explores big ideas like racial identity and interracial marriage. It also showed the unfairness of slavery and racism in America.

Sadly, Julia died of tuberculosis before she could finish the story. The novel ends right when the plot was getting exciting! In 2006, Oxford University Press published the novel. The editors even wrote two possible endings for it.

Besides her novel, Julia also wrote six essays. These were published in The Christian Recorder between 1864 and 1865. Some of her essays were titled "Mental Improvement" and "School Teaching."

Her essays shared a powerful message. They encouraged African Americans to improve themselves and gain more power in society. Julia Collins used her writing to inspire and educate her community.