| Notes |
- Taught in an Indian school in St. Augustine, FL - 1860 Census
Genealogy.com: School News from Carlisle Barracks,
Roman Nose Story, And Sarah Mather out West
One of the teachers of a class of Indian prisoners in Florida was a Miss Mather, who before the war had carried on a young ladies' school in the old town of Saint Augustine. She wrote that if an opportunity offered she would like to see the Indians in their western homes. When the order was received in Washington on the 6th of September, the officer telegraphed her in Florida that he would leave on the 10th of September for Dakota to bring in children and asked her to go along to look after the girls. She arrived in due time, and they proceeded to Dakota with instructions to get thirty-six from Rosebud agency, which was then dominated by Chief Spotted Tail, and thirty-six from Pine Ridge agency, whose principal chief was Red Cloud.
On arrival at Rosebud the officer fund that the agent had already received the order from the Indian office, and at a council had submitted it to the Indians, and they had resolved not to send children.
The chiefs and principal Indians, about forty, were summoned to the agency, and the officer, with the interpreter and Miss Mather, went with them into the council house. He explained the plans and purposes of the proposed school and urged the Indians to withdraw their opposition and send their children.
The interpreter, Miss Mather and I walked over and sat on the agent's porch for more than an hour before the council broke up. When the Indians came outside they stood for quite a while in front of the council house talking and looking our way; finally, Spotted Tail, Two Strike, White Thunder and Milk, the principal chiefs whom I had spoken to personally, came over and sat down without any demonstration. They kept talking to each other in an undertone, and looked me over critically. After a few moments Spotted Tail got up, came and shook hands with me, then with Miss Mather and the interpreter, and said:
It is all right.
Before starting for Dakota I had sent tow of the Florida party, a Kiowa named Etadleuh,, and a Cheyenne named Okahaton, to their respective agencies to makeup parties of students for Carlisle. In a week things were in such running order that I could leave the care of the pupils in the hands of Mrs. Pratt and several helpers I had employed, among them the principal teacher, Miss Semple, the girls' matron, Miss Hyde, and the principal of the Sewing Department Mrs. Worthington... and I went west to Wichita in southern Kansas with Miss Mather, where I had instructed the young men to bring their parties of students.
The second party reached Carlisle in time to open school on the 1st of November, 1879.
Obit:
Miss Sara Ann Mather Died Yesterday - Her Life Work.
Miss Sarah Ann Mather, who for 37 years had been a resident of this city, died at her home on King Street yesterday afternoon at 4:30. Mis Mather was born in Northampton, Mass., in the year 1819, and was a direct descendant of Cotton Mather.
Miss Mather, with her constant companion Miss Perit, who died here nearly a year ago, established the colored home in this city, located on Granada street. She has labored earnestly with the colored race in this section and with the Indians of the west. In fact this has been her lifelong work. The deceased was a faithful and prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and like her companion, Miss Perit, always took a live interest in all charitable and church works.
During her last hours she was constantly cared for by her two nieces, Miss Ida Chapman and Miss Anna Mather, and several dear and devoted friends.
The impressive funeral services were held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the Presbyterian church, Rev. J. M. McGonigle conducted the services.
The interment was made in the Protestant cemetery in New Augustine.
The funeral services over the body of Sarah Ann Mather were begun at her home on King street by Rev John McGonigle. Afterwards the body was taken to the Memorial Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a worthy member, being followed by numerous friends, former pupils and by the colored mission Sunday-school and children of the colored home and many other colored people. At the church, Rev Mr. McGonigle gave a brief sketch of the deceased's life, choosing for his theme "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for their works do follow them." He drew from the story of her life a beautiful lesson of quiet, unassuming work, in the masters service. "Rock of Ages" and "Asleep in Jesus" were sung. Four colored men, Edward Andrew, Frederick Young, M. Boyleston and Ed Myers, carried the coffin, the honorary pall-bearers being C. F. Hamblen, E. N. Goodrich, J. C. Reynolds and A. K. Rainey. The body was interred in the New Augustine cemetery.
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1818 - 1894 (75 years)
