Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net MARY S. PEAKE, The Colored Teacher at Fortress Monroe. BY REV. LEWIS C. LOCKWOOD, FIRST MISSIONARY TO THE FREEDMEN AT FORTRESS MONROE, 1862. WITH AN APPENDIX. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 28 CORNHILL, BOSTON. [Illustration: Mary S. Peake] CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE Birth and Parentage.--Education.--Religious Convictions.--Prayers in the Tomb.--Union with the Church.--Labors for the Poor.--Marriage. 5 CHAPTER II. Commencement of the Mission at Fortress Monroe.--Flight of the Rebels from Hampton.--Burning of the Town.--The Place reoccupied by Freedmen. 16 CHAPTER III. Opening of Religious Services and Schools.--Mrs. Peake a Teacher.--Singing in the Schools.--Christmas Festival. 30 CHAPTER IV. Failure of Health.--Religious Joy.--Farewell Messages.--Death.--Funeral.--Conclusion. 39 APPENDIX. 53 MARY S. PEAKE. CHAPTER I. Birth and Parentage.--Education.--Religious Convictions.--Prayers in the Tomb.--Union with the Church.--Labors for the Poor.--Marriage. The subject of this narrative was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1823. Her maiden name was Mary Smith Kelsey. Her mother was a free colored woman, very light, and her father a white man--an Englishman of rank and culture. She was a very lovely child in person and manners, and as she grew up, developed traits of character which made her a universal favorite. When she was six years old, her mother sent her to Alexandria, for the purpose of attending school. She remained there in school about ten years, residing with her aunt, Mary Paine. Mrs. Paine occupied a house belonging to Mr. Rollins Fowle, and near his residence. This gentleman and his family were distinguished for their kindness to colored people. He frequently bought slaves who were in danger of being sold into bad hands, gave them their freedom, and set them up in business. John Paine, Mary's uncle, was one whom he freed in this way. Mary was a great pet in Mr. Fowle's family, and was treated almost like a daughter.