A St. Marys Lady to Remember: Matilda Harris

During this women’s history month, have you thought about important women who have shaped your life? What about women who have shaped Camden County? That is where Matilda Harris comes in. This St. Marys educator, who spent her 60-year career ministering to African American students throughout the county, deserves our attention.

A Star is Born

Matilda Ann Tompkins was born in St. Marys in 1857 and was educated locally by private teachers. She later received her teacher’s training in a normal school (today known as a teacher’s training college) in Jacksonville.

She began her teaching career in 1871 as probably the first African American female teacher in Camden County. Here, she served as a circuit teacher, traveling by horse and buggy over winding, unpaved roads to various communities throughout the county.

A Lost List of Firsts

She made a further groundbreaking step when she became the first Jeanes Supervisor in Camden County; these were African American teachers chosen for their leadership qualities and skill in teaching the industrial arts in southern rural schools and communities. In this capacity, she traveled to African American schools around Camden County to boost their education and improve their farming practices.

She not only helped her community through teaching; she also served as the first African American Home Demonstration Agent in the county. These agents, who were trained in home economics and worked on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, brought the latest scientific information to rural homemakers so that they could apply these skills in their daily lives. She improved the lifestyles of many of these women by teaching them basic skills, such as using kerosene lamps instead of the fireplace for illumination, purchasing and preparing foods, and using available resources for beautifying their homes.

To add to her list of firsts, Matilda Harris brought the first Rosenwald School to Camden County, became the first county supervisor, and organized the first Parent Teacher Association in the county. However, her work was not done there. Through the 4H Club, she taught children such values as work skills, positive attitudes, personal hygiene, and meal planning.

In February of 1876, she married George W. Harris in St. Marys, and together they produced nine children. Seven of them became teachers, and today, many of her descendants even four generations later have followed in her footsteps into an education career.

The Legend Lives On

In her 60 years of providing dedicated service to the education system of Camden County, Matilda Harris garnered a devout following, and her leadership became legendary – so much so that she was honored for her efforts. The first instance of her recognition was the naming of an elementary school in Silco, West of Kingsland, in her honor: the Harris Memorial School.

In 1954, State Legislator Charles C. Smith, Sr., sponsored a bill in the Georgia General Assembly designating the Camden County Training School – the African American School formerly next to Theatre by the Trax in St. Marys – as the Matilda Harris Elementary School. This school stood until 1964, when the school system was integrated and those students transferred to St. Marys Elementary. This building no longer exists, as the Gilman Paper Company bought and razed it.

In her day, Matilda Harris was admired for her personal qualities and appreciated for her tremendous efforts to bring education to the African American citizens of Camden County. Fortunately, the current Matilda Harris Elementary School in Kingsland, which was dedicated to her in 1989, allows us to honor her memory, her hard work, and her accomplishments to this day.

Learn more about St. Marys’ history on our Murder, Mayhem, and Martinis Walking Tour or our Fugitives, Fighters, and Fudge Walking Tour!