From Enslaved to Pioneer: Betsey Stockton's Remarkable Journey as a Missionary Trailblazer
Betsey Stockton, born around 1798, transformed from an enslaved person to a pioneering missionary who made significant contributions to education and Christian ministry. Initially a domestic slave in the household of Ashbel Green, president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), Stockton received unprecedented educational opportunities.
During a revival at the college in 1815, Stockton began her faith journey, ultimately converting to Christianity in 1816 through seminary student Eliphat Wheeler Gilbert's ministry. After being emancipated, she remained in the Green household as a paid servant while teaching Black children in Princeton.
In 1822, Stockton joined a missionary expedition to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). During the voyage, she maintained a detailed journal documenting both the physical challenges and her spiritual growth. Upon arrival in Maui, she established the first school for commoners in Lahaina, breaking the traditional education barrier that favored only the upper class.
Despite facing challenges, including ABCFM's failure to officially recognize her missionary status and experiencing isolation, Stockton persevered in her educational mission. She combined English language instruction with Christian teachings, creating opportunities for both spiritual and academic growth among the Hawaiian people.
Upon returning to Princeton in 1826, Stockton continued her educational mission by establishing a school for the Black community. She became instrumental in founding the First Presbyterian Church of Color of Princeton (now Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church), where she led a Sunday school program combining religious instruction with literacy education.
Stockton remained dedicated to education and religious service until her death in October 1865. Her legacy exemplifies how faith, education, and service can transform lives and communities, breaking through racial and social barriers of the time. Though not widely recognized during her lifetime, Stockton's pioneering work as one of the first single American women missionaries and educators continues to inspire today.
Her journal entry from November 23, 1822, captures her devotion: "The Lord reigneth, let us all rejoice... I believed that my motives were pure: and a calm and heavenly peace soon took possession of my breast."
This remarkable journey from enslavement to international missionary work demonstrates Stockton's extraordinary determination and faith, establishing her as a significant figure in both missionary and educational history.
