Abbie Park Ferguson papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0687

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Abbie Park Ferguson Papers consist of correspondence, a devotional book, newsletters, transcripts of letters, biographical information, and a photograph all with particular emphasis on the early history of Huguenot College in Wellington, Cape Colony, South Africa. The papers include information on Huguenot College from its founding until 1918. Of particular interest is Ferguson's correspondence which discusses the growth of Mount Holyoke College in the early twentieth century. A small devotional book written by Ferguson gives her comments on Ephesians. Two newsletters contain articles by Ferguson and also include letters from other missionaries around the world, describing their interactions with and attitudes toward the native peoples. A newsletter clipping contains a photograph of "Founders' Day" at Huguenot College. Transcripts of letters written by and about Ferguson and biographical information by Anna Edwards constitute a large part of this collection. A resolution in honor of Ferguson, issued by Huguenot College; a photograph of her father; and a copy of the entry about Ferguson from "Notable American Women" are also included. The papers also contain correspondence by Anna Bliss '62.

Dates

1861 - 1919

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Note

Abbie Park Ferguson was born in Providence, RI in 1837. She attended public schools in Whately, Masschusetts and learned from her father, Rev. John Ferguson, who was a Congregational minister. Ferguson graduated from Mount Holyoke Seminary in 1856. After teaching public school in Connecticut, in 1869 she went to Paris to teach and travel with two American girls. She and the girls were caught between the French and German armies in Geneva during the Franco-Prussian War and were forced to stay in Switzerland for a few months. In 1871, Ferguson returned to Connecticut and worked in city missions. At the invitation of Rev. Andrew Murray, she and Anna Bliss, class of 1862, sailed to Cape Town, South Africa in the fall of 1873, and in 1874, they founded the Huguenot Seminary in Wellington, Cape Colony, South Africa. Huguenot Seminary was the first institution of higher learning for women in the country, and it was modeled after Mount Holyoke Seminary in many ways; it was "a first class Ladies' Training College" that offered education at a moderate price. Ferguson's brother, Rev. George Ferguson lived with her in Wellington from 1877 to 1896. When not teaching, Ferguson traveled a great deal, visiting Scotland, England, Switzerland, Holland, Egypt, Palestine, the United States and the East coast of Africa. With Ferguson as president, Huguenot Seminary became a college in 1898, and it began awarding bachelor of arts degrees to students. Ferguson received an honorary M.A. and Litt. D. from Mount Holyoke College. After retiring in 1910, she worked with alumnae and formed a Women's Interdenominational Missionary Committee for South African churches. Ferguson died at Huguenot in 1919.

Extent

1 boxes (1856)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Ferguson, Abbie Park, 1837-1919; Teacher and missionary. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary graduate, 1856. Papers consist of correspondence, devotional book, clippings, biographical information, and photographs. Primarily documenting the founding of the Huguenot Seminary, South Africa, its history and her activities there. Also contains a correspondence by Anna Bliss, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary graduate, 1862.