Mattie J. Jackson facts for kids

Mattie Jane Jackson (born January 1847 – died February 5, 1910) was an African-American writer. She is famous for her book, The Story of Mattie J. Jackson, written in 1866. This book shared what life was like for African-American families during slavery. It also showed how strong families were, even when they were forced apart. Her book is kept safe at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mattie Jackson's Early Life

Mattie Jane Jackson was born in January 1847. This happened in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were Westley Jackson and Ellen Turner. Even though they were enslaved by different owners, they had three children. These children were Sarah Ann, Mattie Jane, and Esther J. Sadly, Sarah Ann died when she was a child.

Family's Fight for Freedom

After his youngest daughter was born, Westley Jackson escaped slavery. He used the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. Westley went to Chicago, Illinois. He became a minister there.

Six years later, Mattie's mother, Ellen Turner, married George Brown. They had two sons together. One of their sons died as a baby. Around 1855, George Brown also escaped to Canada. He changed his name to John G. Thompson. He became a barber in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Ellen tried many times to join her husband. But she was caught and beaten each time. Her owner got tired of her escape attempts. So, he sold Ellen and her children. They were sold to a captain of a Mississippi River steamboat.

A Journey to Freedom

Later, Ellen met Sam Adams. They planned to get married. But the steamboat captain kidnapped the family. He sent them to Louisville, Kentucky. There, they were sold to different owners.

Mattie was able to escape with help from the Underground Railroad. She went to Indianapolis, Indiana. Several months later, her mother and brother joined her there. After the American Civil War ended, Mattie, her mother, and her brother went back to St. Louis. There, Ellen was finally able to marry Sam Adams.

Education and Her Book

Soon after the war, Mattie's stepfather, John G. Thompson, found the family. He invited Mattie and her 11-year-old half-brother to live with him. John's wife was Dr. Lucy Susan (Prophet) Schuyler Thompson. She was a doctor and worked against slavery.

Mattie arrived in Lawrence in April 1866. She could read a little, but she could not write. She really wanted to continue her education. Her stepmother, Dr. Thompson, wrote down Mattie's life story. Dr. Thompson also helped publish the book. The main reason for the book was to raise money. This money would help Mattie get an education.

In her book's introduction, Mattie wrote about her dream. She said she wanted to learn. She hoped buying her book would help her. She wanted to get an education to help other formerly enslaved people.

Later Life and Family

Mattie Jackson eventually returned to St. Louis. On July 27, 1869, she married William Reed Dyer. He was a veteran from the Union Army. He worked on Mississippi River steamboats.

Mattie and William had nine children. Five of them lived to be adults. After her mother, Ellen Turner Adams, died in May 1893, the Dyers moved. They went to Dardenne Prairie, Missouri. This was about 35 miles from St. Louis. They lived there for the rest of their lives.

Mattie Jackson's Published Work

• Jackson, Mattie J. The Story of Mattie J. Jackson: Her Parentage, Experience of Eighteen Years in Slavery, Incidents During the War, Her Escape from Slavery: A True Story, at Documenting the American South.