Virginia Prentiss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virginia Prentiss
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c.1880
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| Born | 1832 |
| Died | 27 November 1922 Oakland, California
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| Burial place | Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland |
| Citizenship | USA |
| Known for | Jack London's nanny |
Virginia Prentiss, often called "Jennie" or "Jenny", was an important African-American woman. She was the nanny for the famous writer Jack London. She also helped lead her community, especially through groups like the Federated Negro Woman's Club.
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Her Early Life
Virginia was born around 1832. She grew up in a time when many people were forced into slavery. She was named Virginia. Sadly, she was separated from her parents when she was very young. She lived with a family named Parker near Nashville, Tennessee. She was a companion to their youngest daughter.
Virginia learned to read and write with the Parker's daughter. As a teenager, she also learned many household skills. During the American Civil War, the Parker family's home was destroyed. Virginia and Mrs. Parker moved to St. Louis. Virginia worked there until things settled down in Tennessee.
When she returned to Nashville, she worked as a housekeeper for a couple named Ruth and Alonzo Prentiss. Later, Alonzo Prentiss and Virginia married. By 1875, they were living in San Francisco. Alonzo worked as a carpenter. They had two children together.
Virginia and Jack London
In early 1876, Virginia Prentiss had a baby who did not survive. Around the same time, her neighbor, Flora Wellman, had a son named John. He later became the famous writer Jack London. Flora was very sick after her son's birth. She hired Virginia to care for baby John as a wet-nurse and nanny.
This arrangement was supposed to last for eight months. But Jack continued to live with Virginia on and off through his teenage years. Virginia was the one who first nicknamed the baby 'Jack'. She said he jumped on her like a jumping-jack.
The two families stayed connected for many years. They were neighbors in Oakland, California. Jack London spent a lot of his childhood with the Prentiss family. He even went to church with them. He called Virginia "Mammy Jenny," a name she did not like.
The London family had money problems. Virginia helped Jack when he was 15 years old. She loaned him $300 to buy his first boat, a felucca. He used this boat to work as an oyster pirate in San Francisco Bay. Virginia also encouraged Jack when he first started writing. She told him to enter writing contests.
Her Community Work
Virginia Prentiss worked as a nanny, nurse, and midwife during her life. She also spent a lot of time volunteering. She was a well-known leader in the African-American community. She was a leader of the Federated Negro Woman's Club.
Jack London's success as a writer did not change their friendship. Later in Virginia's life, Jack was able to support her. First, Virginia worked for Jack. She looked after his two daughters after her own husband and two daughters passed away in 1903. Second, in 1906, Jack bought a house for Virginia in Oakland.
Her Later Life
Virginia lived in the house Jack bought for her until she could no longer care for herself. Jack London passed away before her in 1916. In his will, he made sure Virginia would receive money for the rest of her life. He also paid for her funeral costs.
Virginia Prentiss passed away on November 27, 1922, at the age of 91. She was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. Her grave was not marked.
Her Impact
Virginia Prentiss believed in the strength and goodness of black people throughout her life. She thought they were "more Christian." Jack London had some common ideas about race for his time. However, his understanding of race was more complex than some people realize. His friendship with Virginia had a big impact on his life.
Some of Jack's writings spoke out against unfair treatment. But in other stories, he sometimes showed Virginia as a simple woman. This view did not help to change public misunderstandings about race. He also kept calling her 'Mammy'. This was a common way to address a black woman, but Virginia repeatedly asked him not to use it.
Books About Her
In 1991, a story about Virginia Prentiss and Jack London's relationship was published. It was written by Eugene P. Lasartemay and Mary Rudge. A critic named Tony Williams called it an "impressionistic fictionalised biography." He praised the book for asking important questions about race.
Art About Her
In 2015, Juan Díaz Canales and Rubén Pellejero included Virginia Prentiss as a character. She appeared in Sous le Soleil de Minuit, which is part of the Corto Maltese comic series.
