Catherine Ferguson

Catherine Ferguson (c. 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 about 1779, 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,

As an educator She believed that every child should be educated and safe. Although illiterate, Ferguson took care of poor and neglected black and white children in her neighborhood. Every Sunday, she brought these children to her home on Warren Street, New York, in order to provide them with religious education. From her house, and through the encouragement of a local minister, Rev. Dr. John Mitchell Mason of the Associate Reformed Church, Ferguson's teaching instructions included the memorization of hymns and Scripture. Among Ferguson's visitors to the school were Isabella Graham and Reverend Isaac Ferris.