Catherine Ferguson

Catherine "Katy" Ferguson (1779 – July 11, 1854) was an African-American philanthropist and educator who founded the first Sunday school in New York City. Early life Ferguson was born into slavery in 1779, while her mother, Katy Williams, was being transported from Virginia to New York City. After her mother was sold as a slave when Catherine was eight years old, she never had the chance to see her again. Ferguson referred to their master, a Presbyterian elder, only by the initials "R. B.", in order "to conceal his identity" and to prevent embarrassment from his own family. Her separation from her mother became her inspiration for helping children later in her life. At the age of fourteen, Catherine became the first congregant of color at the Scotch Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. John Mitchell Mason, who had just accepted the pastoral charge of the church after the death of his father. Catherine was tremblingly apprehensive for her master's family to know that she was in attendance at his church or that she sought to speak to him, however she summoned resolution enough to go. In the only known interview in her own words, given to American abolitionist Lewis Tappan and published in the August 1854 edition of American Missionary after her death, Catherine stated that she rang his doorbell in fear and when he opened it, she was trembling from head to toe, worried that he would send her away or speak to her harshly. Dr. Mason did no such thing and instead asked her, "Have you come here to talk to me about your soul?" Feeling greatly encouraged, Catherine entered his home and "disclosed to the venerable man the secrets of her heart". At about the age of sixteen or seventeen, Isabella Graham purchased Ferguson her freedom for US$200, an amount that she had to repay over a period of six years. But the original agreement was changed later: instead of repayment of the sum, an arrangement was made between Graham and Ferguson that the latter would work for Graham as a "lady of the city" for eleven months, which became the equivalent of US$100. The remaining half was raised by Divie Bethune, Isabella's son-in-law, a New York merchant who was also a member of the same congregation. Afterwards, Ferguson became a baker of cakes sold for "weddings and parties".