Mary J.C. Anderson was an African American teacher who taught at the Havre de Grace colored school from at least 1865 to 1868. Anderson’s life before she moved to Maryland is not fully known, but she was likely born in Pennsylvania in 1845 and named after her mother, Mary Anderson. By 1860, the younger Anderson and her family, which consisted of 7 siblings, were living in Philadelphia’s Seventh Ward. While it is unclear what year she left Pennsylvania, it is known that by 1864, Anderson was spending time in Harford County, Maryland. There she secured subscriptions to the Philadelphia Christian Recorder among several Harford residents, including William Bond, Stephen Wilson, and Joseph Peaco.
Mary E. Watson (full name Mary Elizabeth Watson) was an African American woman born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1840. She began teaching in her native state soon after graduating from the Rhode Island State Normal School in 1858. At the end of the Civil War, she applied to the American Missionary Association to obtain a teaching position in the South. In a letter to the Association, she stated her reason for wanting to teach in the former slave states.
“My sympathy has always been with the outcast Slave (since the dawn of Emancipation). I feel that God calls me to work for them, to devote my time to those, who have so long been trodden under foot, so long born the heat, and burden of the day; too long been denied”
The AMA first sent Mary to teach at Norfolk, Virginia, in early 1865, before transferring her to Darlington, in Harford County, for the fall term of 1865. There was no dedicated school building at Darlington, so, like her predecessor in this position Edmonia Highgate, she initially taught her students at the Hosanna African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Mary E. Watson proved an able instructor in the classroom and an energetic advocate for her school. Due in part to her efforts, a school building was completed in time for the spring term of 1869.
After completing the spring, 1869 term at Darlington, the increasingly limited resources of the American Missionary Association prevented them from continuing to support Watson there on the same terms as before. Instead, they assigned her to teach at Port Deposit, across the Susquehanna in Cecil County. Unlike Harford County, Cecil County had begun partially supporting its black schools, and their teachers, with local taxes. During the period when Watson’s tenure at Darlington was ending and she was trying to secure another position, the AMA was effusive in their praise for her. “The impression she has made will, as long as life last, remain in her scholars. They love and respect her.” They described her as “a light shining in a dark place.”
Darlington teacher Mary Watson reports that the school needs proper school furniture to the replace the temporary furniture they are making do with. The children are preparing to hold a fair in May. Watson writes that the school has excited some jealousy among local whites, who are surprised by the proficiency of the instruction and the students. Watson believes the school is revealing the deficiencies in the home-schooling of the local whites. A prominent white family has donated books and maps to the school. The students are enthusiastic about their "Lincoln Temperance Society." The Sabbath school is doing well.
Mary Watson writes to Rev. E. P. Smith of the American Missionary Assocation that she expects to move to Jacksonville, Florida, and would like to know if he will give her a position as a teacher there.
Teacher Mary Watson informs Rev. Edward P. Smith of the American Missionary Association that she has occupied the new school building at Darlington since the beginning of the year. Though not yet furnished the school is comfortable and flourishing. She is greatly in need of books, which she requests be sent to Havre de Grace, from whence they can come to Darlington via stage coach.
Teacher Mary Watson writes to Rev. Edward P. Smith of the American Missionary Association regarding the capacity for learning among her students and a recent school fundraising fair.
Mary Watson apologizes to the Rev. E. P. Smith of the American Missionary Association for her delay in sending a recent report on account of inclement weather. She adds that the lumber for the new schoolhouse is on hand and building will commence as soon as the weather improves.
Teacher Mary Watson writes to Rev. Edward P. Smith of the American Missionary Association that her school attendance is low due to the measles, which have effected nearly every family in the vicinity. She expects attendance to rise in the next month.
Mary Watson informs Rev. George Whipple of the American Missionary Association that his letter was delayed and only received today. She has written to Gen. Ballock in reply to inquiries about transportation (presumably Watson's transportation home for the summer).
Mary Watson writes to Rev. George Whipple of the American Missionary Association about her students joyous reaction to the news of the fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee's army, and how it turned to sorrow upon the news of President Lincoln's assassination.
Mary Watson writes to Rev. George Whipple of the American Missionary Association about her satisfaction at the speed at which her students learn. The families of her students show the same desire for education.
Mary Watson writes from Newport, Rhode Island, to Rev. M.E. Strieby of the American Missionary Association to inform him that she has just received his letter of Jan. 20, which evidently referred to an earlier letter of Jan. 14 offering Watson a teaching appointment but which she had not received. Watson reports that she has just gone to the post office and found the missing letter. She tells Strieby that she will come as soon as possible, and that she has also sent him a telegram.
Mary Watson writes from Newport, Rhode Island, to Rev. M.E. Strieby of the American Missionary Association, asking if they might appoint her to teach that winter. She is willing to go anywhere the A.M.A. might send her, including the state of Maryland, now that it has ended slavery.
Mary Watson writes from Newport, Rhode Island, to Rev. M.E. Strieby of the American Missionary Association that she is single, 23 years old, of "delicate organization" but healthy, and accustomed to teaching six hours per day. She expresses her motivation in wanting to teach freedpeople in the South.
(Only partially legible) Mary Watson writes at length to Rev. S. Hunt of the American Missionary Association. She describes the economic situation of the local black population, speaks of the difficulties of winter weather restricting attendance, and of forming and Educational Society to raise money to build a schoolhouse.
Mary Watson remits $5 from the sale of books to students, the books having been sent to her by the A.M.A. She explains that some books were sold at reduced prices to students who could not afford the full amount, and others were given to orphans.
Mary Watson awaits instructions from Rev. S. Hunt of the American Missionary Association regarding her request to temporarily close the school due to extreme heat. She fears her letters are being intercepted, and requests that he telegram his response to Robert Peaco. Watson adds that she has just learned her mother is ill and she would like to go home to Rhode Island to attend to her.
Mary Watson writes to Rev. S. Hunt of the American Missionary Association to explain the delay in sending her report for the previous month. The condition of the roads delayed her going to the post office, and then the report was mislaid by the mail carrier. Watson reports that her students are progressing well and would compare favorably to students in northern schools. The church in which she is teaching is not ideal for a school, but money is being raised for the construction of a schoolhouse. She thanks Hunt for sending books, and asks for a map of the U.S.
Mary Watson writes to Rev. S. Hunt of the American Missionary Association, reporting that although her school has experienced a near total turnover in students during the previous few months, the new students are doing well. The Sunday school is doing well and both students and parents enjoy the monthly concerts that are given.
Mary Watson writes from Port Deposit in Cecil County to W. E. Whiting of the American Missionary Association, asking him to remit to her the remainder of the money in his care.
Mary Watson asks W. E. Whiting of the American Missionary Association to send her $15 as soon as possible. She has already received one months salary plus $5.10 for travelling expenses.
Lists location of school, name of teacher, supporting aid society, number of pupils, number of buildings, and owner of school building. There are seven Harford County schools on the list.