"Catherine Ferguson" [1774-1884]

Began New York's first Sunday school in 1793.Not only did she teach catechism and life skills but she also assisted by finding permanent homes for some of the school's economically disadvantaged students.For these benevolent acts, she is known as a trailblazer in the Sunday school movement, public education, child welfare, and social work.She was born Catherine Williams when her mother was en route to her new slave owners for domestic service.Catherine was delivered on a schooner while her mother was traveling from Virginia to New York. Doing domestic work alongside her mother,she developed skills that would prove helpful in her late employment. Catherine mother taught her to recite biblical scriptures. The young girl acquired a keen ability for memorizing religious texts.When she was eight years old, her education came to a halt, and her family ties severed when a new slave owner bought Catherine mother. They never saw each other again. This critical event taught her to sympathize with desolate children and made the care of such children her life's work.As she grew older,Catherine continued her Christian education and was encouraged to attend divine services at Murray Street Church under the leadership of Rev, John M.Mason.Later, he admitted her as a member of the church. While listening to sermons by Rev. Mason, she would memorize more scriptures.Catherine never learned to read or write, so memorizing the text and prayers enable her to participate in church services. At the age of sixteen, Catherine was purchased by a woman who sympathized with abolitionist causes  Her new owner willingly negotiated with her on a purchase price to allow her to buy her freedom.She was to complete one year's work and pay half of her purchase price of $100.With the assistance of Divie Bethune, a local merchant who helped her obtain these funds,Catherine purchased her freedom at the age of eighteen. Soon after she married and began a family.She had two children,both of whom died during infancy. Not long after their burials, her husband passed away.Throughout these events, Catherine also worked, and her abilities were held in high esteen.She earned a living as a caterer and as a professional cake maker for weddings and parties for the social elite.She also cleaned fine fabrics and lace.Catherine income allowed her to support herself and maintain her home on Warren Street in Manhattan.Her home was located near an almshouse,which took in poor families who could not afford tenement apartment or a home. Catherine had compassion for the children and others living in impoverished conditions.In 1793,she began gathering the children to attend school on Sunday in her home. The children would receive instruction on life skills,catechism, and how to interpret the scriptures.Catherine took in and cared for many of the children.She found homes for the others.The Sunday school soon had forty-eight children,black and white. Other heard about the success of the school.Isabella Graham,prominent in New York society, was impressed with Catherine work and commitment to the students.She invited the students to her home to recite the catechism.Dr.Mason,the son of the Rev.John Mason who had accepted Catherine into the Murray Street Church,received word that she was hold school on the Sabbath and visted her.Catherine though she would be rebuked for working on the Sabbath, but his visit rewarded her efforts. Impressed with her instruction and care,Dr. Mason invited her to transfer the school to the basement of his church, and offer she accepted.Murryay Street Sabbath School started with an integrated student body and teaching assistants. This was the first recorded Sunday school in NewYork.She headed the school activities and the child welfare program for the next forty years. Catherie continued to labor for the poor. She invited poor black and white families into her home on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons for prayer services.People recognized her as a positive influence in her neighborhood and in the city. She died of