c.1854- 1945
In 1872, Clara Pataquam was the first African American pupil to attend the Newark High School. Previously African American students attended the Colored School.
Clara had to sit alone in the last seat because she wasn’t allowed to sit next to a white pupil. However, she said she was treated with “consideration” and one teacher was very kind and made her editor of the class paper. Clara is listed as a graduate in 1875-1876, but according to most sources she did not graduate.
Clara married James Mulford. Her daughter Mae Mulford taught in the Newark schools for 42 years. Her daughter Eva was a nurse.
Clara was born in Newark, her father was a boatman on the Morris Canal. After marriage, her family lived at 41 Chestnut St.
Bibliography
Wright, Marion T. Mr. Baxter’s School
Anderson, John R. Negro education in the public schools of Newark, New Jersey, during the nineteenth century, Rutgers thesis, 1972.
Sixteenth Annual Report of the Board of Education for 1872 (N ew
ark, 1872) p. 52.
Wright, Marion T. The Education of Negroes in New Jersey.
“Services Today for Miss Mulford” Star Ledger Dec 16, 1970
“Mrs. Clara I Mulford, 91” Newark News Sept 29, 1945 pg. 12
“NJ Woman 85 Recalls Abe’s Assassination” Baltimore Afro American Mar 11, 1939
