Mary Ella Mossell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Ella Mossell
Born	May 22, 1853
Died	June 29, 1886  (aged 33)

Mary Ella Forrester Mossell (born May 22, 1853 – died June 29, 1886) was an American African Methodist Episcopal missionary. She traveled to Haiti to help people and spread her faith.

Early Life and Education

Mary Ella Forrester was born on May 22, 1853, in Baltimore, Maryland. Her parents were free black people. Her father, Perry Forrester, was a businessman.

From 1867 to 1871, Mary attended the Baltimore Normal School for Colored Teachers. She was a talented student. She learned many subjects, including German, Greek, and Latin. She also studied singing, piano, and music theory.

Marriage and Early Work

On October 26, 1874, Mary married Charles W. Mossell. He was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Mary followed him as he moved for his church work. They lived in Georgetown, South Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina.

In these places, Mary worked as a public school teacher. She also managed the church's Sunday school.

Missionary Work in Haiti

After the American Civil War, the AME Church focused more on missionary work. The Woman's Parent Mite Missionary Society (WPMMS) helped fund a mission trip to Haiti for the Mossells.

Mary prepared for this big journey. She learned French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. In April 1877, Mary and Charles arrived in Haiti. They traveled there on a ship called the SS Alps.

Making a Difference in Haiti

At first, Rev. Mossell preached at a church called St. Peter's Haytian Union Methodist Episcopal Church. The next year, he started his own church, St. Paul's AME. Mary Mossell was very important to the mission's success.

She did many things to help:

• She taught Sunday school.
• She opened a day school for children.
• She started a Christian Musical Association. This group performed concerts.
• She sang religious songs that were translated into French.
• She held a concert to raise money. This money helped five people from Haiti study to become ministers. One of them later became a bishop named John Hurst.

Mary was very good at music and languages. This helped her connect with important Haitian leaders. She even wrote her own music in French and Creole. Sadly, most of her original songs are now lost.

Challenges and Return Home

The Mossell family faced many difficulties during their mission. They all got sick with yellow fever. Rev. Mossell's sister, Alveretta, sadly died from the illness. Mary also had to care for her daughter, Mary, who got smallpox.

In September 1883, a conflict called the Bazelais Revolution happened in Port-au-Prince. Their home was set on fire. Rev. Mossell was taken away by armed men. Mary, who was pregnant, bravely managed to prevent them from harming her husband. With help, they reached the American consulate.

Mary gave birth early to a daughter, who passed away eleven months later. Her other daughter was missing for four days before being found.

The Mossells returned to Baltimore in May 1885. Mary Mossell's health was not good after her difficult experience. She passed away in Baltimore on June 29, 1886, at the age of 33.