Ellen was a civil rights pioneer, and taught freed people in Maryland and Virginia during Reconstruction (approx. 1865-1877), according to Liz Clayton, (Find A Grave ID # 49779855), who is associated with the Robbins House in Concord, MA.

Ellen's parents were: John 'Jack' Garrison ('a fugitive slave'), b. abt. 1767 in NJ.(or VA.) and d. after the 1860 U. S. census &
Susan Robbins, b. about 1795 in Concord, Middlesex, (or Boston) MA. and d. Aug. 16, 1841 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source: Concord, MA. Town Vital Records - Births, Marriages & Deaths, P. 354)

Note: According to Massachusetts Town Marriage Records (Vital Records of Concord),
Jack Garrison & Susan Middleton [Negroes] were married on Nov. 15, 1812 in Concord, Middlesex, MA.

Note: In the Sep. 16, 1850 U. S. census, 9 years after his wife, Susan died, 82 yr. old 'Jack' Garrison, b. in VA., was living in a poorhouse in the town of Concord, Middlesex, MA.

In the 1860 U. S. census, 93 yr. old John Garrison, a farmer, b. in NJ., was living in Concord, MA. with his 43 yr. old son, John Garrison Jr., a farmer, b. in MA. and
40 yr. old daughter-in-law, Asenath Garrison, b. in NH.

John 'Jack' & Susan Garrison's children were:
1. Susan Garrison, b. May 3, 1813. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - 'daughter of Jack & Susan Garrison') and d. Jan. 8, 1898. She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, L.A., CA.
*Susan's married name was Johnson.
2. John Garrison, b. Mar. 31, 1815. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - 'son of Jack & Susan Garrison') and d. Aug. 31, 1872 (Source - Massachusetts Death Records) 'Age 56'; Occupation: farmer; Cause of death: Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) in Concord, Middlesex, MA.; He had suffered from this disease for 2 years. He was listed as 'colored'. Residence at time of death: 424 Dudley. Place of birth: Concord. Parents: John and Susan Garrison. **See below for transcription of John's will.
John Garrison Jr. married first, Sarah __ and they had two children, at least one (maybe both) of whom died as an infant.
On Oct. 4, 1849, in Brookline, Norfolk, MA., John married second, Asenath Robinson, b. 1814 in NH. and d. Jul. 21, 1867 in Concord, MA. (Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0927366)
On Nov. 22, 1869, at the age of 54, John Garrison Jr., a farmer, b. in Concord, MA. and a resident of Concord, MA., married third, 45 yr. old Eliza (Elizabeth) Emery, b. in Geneva, NY. and a resident of Boston, MA. They were married by Rev. C. O. Brady, a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
This was a third marriage for him and a second marriage for her.
John Garrison Jr.'s parents were listed as: John & Susan (Robbins) Garrison and
Eliza's parents were: Willis and Catherine (Remans) Lee.
3. William Garrison, b. Feb. 24, 1817. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - son of Jack & Susan Garrison) and d. Apr. 28, 1847 in Concord, MA. (Source: MA., Town Death Records - burial place - Concord)
4. Infant 'son of Jack & Susan Garrison, aged 5 months', b. Mar. 1819 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. & d. Aug. 15, 1819 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - P. 426 of Concord Births, Marriages & Deaths)
5. Infant 'son of Jack Garrison, a black, aged 3 days', b. Oct. 17, 1821 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. & d. Oct. 20, 1821 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - P. 426 of Concord Births, Marriages & Deaths)
6. Ellen Garrison, b. Apr. 14, 1823 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source: P. 299 of Concord Registers, Book III) and d. Dec. 21, 1892 in Pasadena, L.A., CA. She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, L.A., CA.
7. ' a son of Jack Garrison', (b. Mar. 1827) who died at the age of six months' on Sep. 25, 1827. (Source - Concord, MA. - Church Records, P. 427).
8. Lewis Garrison, b. Feb. 9, 1825 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (P. 299 of Concord Registers, Book III) and d. Sep. 1826 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - Vital records of Concord, parents: John & Susan Garrison)
9. Maria Jackson, b. Apr. 16, 1829 in Concord, daughter of John & Susan Garrison (Source: Births Registered in the Town of Concord, line 491)

On Sep. 16, 1857, according to Marriages Registered in Concord, MA., 34 yr. old Ellen Garrison, a resident of Concord and b. in Concord, MA. & 34 yr. old John W. Jackson, a (free black) farmer, a resident of Concord, MA. and b. in New Castle county, DE., were married by I. T. Raymond of Boston, a clergyman. This was a first marriage for both.
John was the son of Jupiter & Mary Jackson and Ellen's parents were listed as John & Susan Garrison.

Ellen's husband, John W. Jackson, died within a few years (sometime before 1863) and Ellen then moved to Rhode Island.

Baltimore Daily Commercial (Baltimore, MD.), P. 1, Col. 7
Wed., May 16, 1866
CITY NEWS
ANOTHER ARREST UNDER THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL, -Adam Smyser was arrested yesterday, by officer Calloway, of the middle district, charged (as upon the police record) with ejecting Mary J. C. Anderson and Ellen J. (G.) Jackson, both colored, from the parlor of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad depot. It appears that on Thursday of last week, two colored women appeared at the depot and inquired for the ladies’ parlor, which being shown to them, they walked in and deliberately sat down, stating that they wished to wait for the departure of the train. The woman employed for the purpose of keeping the parlor, &c., in order, told the negroes that they must leave the room, which they indignantly refused to do, and persisted in remaining there until the train started. Smyser, seeing that mild means would not effect his purpose, ejected them from the room. This summary away of treating ladies did not seem to agree with the feelings of those concerned, and accordingly the colored women applied to Justice Spicer for redress. At first the Justice refused to issue a warrant upon the oath of the negroes. The applicants for “civil rights” next appealed to the headquarters, in this city, of the Freedmen’s Bureau. In the meantime Justice Spicer consulted with Mr. Maund, the State’s attorney for this city, and finally concluded to issue a warrant, in order that the matter might be tested in one of the city’s courts. The warrant being issued Smyser was yesterday arraigned before Justice Spicer and released on bail for trial.

Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Tue., May 22, 1866
THE CIVIL RIGHTS CASE - The case of Adam Smyser, special officer at the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and baltimore Railroad depot in this city, charged with having ejected from the ladies’ reception room two colored women, Mary J. C. Anderson and Ellen G. Jackson, was expected to come up before the Criminal Court on Saturday, and had the effect of drawing to the court-room quite a number of the friends of the measures recently adopted by Congress. Mr. Smyser elected to have his trial by a jury of his peers, and the case consequently went over. -Baltimore Sun, 21st.

In the Aug. 22, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, 44 yr. old (widow) Ellen Jackson (described as black), b. in MA., was living in Concord, Middlesex, MA. with
54 yr. old (brother) John Garison (Garrison), a farm laborer, (black) b. in MA.
45 yr. old (sister-in-law) Elizabeth Garison (Garrison), (black) b. in NY.
The value of John's real estate was $1,600 and his personal estate was valued at $450.

Ellen married a second time, to Harvey Clark, sometime between 1880 and 1885 (he was listed in the 1880 census with his first wife, Matilda).

The Great Bend Register (Great Bend, KS.), P. 2, Col. 5
The., Oct. 29, 1885
Item from: Land Office at Larned, Kansas, Oct. 19, 1885.
Notice is hereby given that the followed name settler(s) has (have) filed notice of his (her) intention to make final proof in support of his (her) claim, and that said proof will be made before the probate judge of Barton county, Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 28, 1885:
Ellen G. Clark, nee Ellen G. Jackson (Garrison) homestead entry No. 5018 for the s. hf. of ne. qr. sec. 18, tp. 17 s. range 12 west.

Ellen taught in the one 'colored' school in her county. Her last school report in Kansas was dated 1888.

Barton County Democrat (Great Bend, KS.), P. 8, Col. 1
Thu., Aug. 7, 1890
Item from: DELINQUENT TAX LIST For the Taxes for the Year 1889
County Treasurer’s Office, Barton County, Kansas, July 10, 1890.
Notice is hereby given that i will sell, at public auction, at my office, in the court house in the city of Great Bend, Kansas on
Tuesday the Second day of September, 1890,
commencing at nine a.m., and continuing from day to day, until the sale is completed, or so much of each tract of land, or city, or town lots included in the following list as may be necessary to pay the taxes and charges thereon for the year 1889.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
Ellen G. Clark lts. 3 4 & s 1/2 nw. qr., Sec. 4, Am. $14, T. 33.

According to her Jan. 3, 1900 Pasadena California Death Certificate, 62 yr. old Ellen G. Clark, 'colored', who was born in MA., died on Dec. 21, 1892 of consumption in Pasadena, Los Angeles county, CA. She was a housewife and married at the time of her death. Ellen had been a resident of Los Angeles county for about two years at the time of her death.
She was interred in Mountain View cemetery on Dec. 22, 1892.

**Transcription of John Garrison (Ellen's brother)'s will:
Source: Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, Suffolk, Vol. 458-459, 1872
Be it remembered that I, John Garrison, of Concord, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this as my last will and testament.
I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife, Elizabeth Garrison all my estate real and personal to hold to to her, her heirs and assigns forever, in case she survives me, but if she should die before me, then I give, devise and bequeath unto my sisters Susan Johnson and Ellen Jackson all my estate real and personal after the payment of my just debts and charges of administration, to hold to them their heirs and assigns forever.
I hereby appoint my wife Elizabeth Garrison the Executor of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this second day of October A.D. 1871.
John Garrison
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Garrison as my last will and testament in presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed the same as witnesses. Geo. M. Brooks Richard Bassett Geo. Heywood
A true record. Attest P. Rhuiney Register
**Note: John's widow, Elizabeth, died 6 years after John, on Dec. 16, 1878, of consumption in a consumption home.

*Interesting note, source: Wikipedia: The Freedmen’s Aid Society was founded in 1861 during the American Civil War by the American Missionary Association (AMA), a group supported chiefly by the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist churches in the North. It organized a supply of teachers from the North and provided housing for them, to set up and teach in schools in the South for freedmen and their children. The AMA founded a total of more than 500 schools and colleges for freedmen in the South after the war, so that freedmen could be educated as teachers, nurses and other professionals.
The work of the Society accelerated with the end of the war and the beginning of the Reconstruction era. Education for freedmen was seen as a top priority among both blacks and whites. The Society was supported by a variety of religious groups and denominations, and it began work in the South three months after organizing. By the end of the first year, it had recruited 52 instructors. The teachers instructed more than 5,000 students in 59 schools. The schools were open to men, women, and children in the South. By the turn of the century, blacks had raised their rate of literacy by an amazing amount; it was a major success story since the end of the war. By then the Democratic-dominated state legislatures had imposed racial segregation and were underfunding black schools and other facilities.
Leadership and control of the Freedmen's Aid Society has been attributed to both the Congregational and the Methodist Episcopal churches. The Methodist version of the Society's history states that it was founded in 1866. It was "directed by a Board of Managers who were elected by the (Methodist) General Conference." In 1920 it was reorganized and renamed the Board of Education for Negroes, and in 1939 absorbed into the Board of Education of the Methodist Church.

Ellen was a civil rights pioneer, and taught freed people in Maryland and Virginia during Reconstruction (approx. 1865-1877), according to Liz Clayton, (Find A Grave ID # 49779855), who is associated with the Robbins House in Concord, MA.

Ellen's parents were: John 'Jack' Garrison ('a fugitive slave'), b. abt. 1767 in NJ.(or VA.) and d. after the 1860 U. S. census &
Susan Robbins, b. about 1795 in Concord, Middlesex, (or Boston) MA. and d. Aug. 16, 1841 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source: Concord, MA. Town Vital Records - Births, Marriages & Deaths, P. 354)

Note: According to Massachusetts Town Marriage Records (Vital Records of Concord),
Jack Garrison & Susan Middleton [Negroes] were married on Nov. 15, 1812 in Concord, Middlesex, MA.

Note: In the Sep. 16, 1850 U. S. census, 9 years after his wife, Susan died, 82 yr. old 'Jack' Garrison, b. in VA., was living in a poorhouse in the town of Concord, Middlesex, MA.

In the 1860 U. S. census, 93 yr. old John Garrison, a farmer, b. in NJ., was living in Concord, MA. with his 43 yr. old son, John Garrison Jr., a farmer, b. in MA. and
40 yr. old daughter-in-law, Asenath Garrison, b. in NH.

John 'Jack' & Susan Garrison's children were:
1. Susan Garrison, b. May 3, 1813. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - 'daughter of Jack & Susan Garrison') and d. Jan. 8, 1898. She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, L.A., CA.
*Susan's married name was Johnson.
2. John Garrison, b. Mar. 31, 1815. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - 'son of Jack & Susan Garrison') and d. Aug. 31, 1872 (Source - Massachusetts Death Records) 'Age 56'; Occupation: farmer; Cause of death: Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) in Concord, Middlesex, MA.; He had suffered from this disease for 2 years. He was listed as 'colored'. Residence at time of death: 424 Dudley. Place of birth: Concord. Parents: John and Susan Garrison. **See below for transcription of John's will.
John Garrison Jr. married first, Sarah __ and they had two children, at least one (maybe both) of whom died as an infant.
On Oct. 4, 1849, in Brookline, Norfolk, MA., John married second, Asenath Robinson, b. 1814 in NH. and d. Jul. 21, 1867 in Concord, MA. (Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0927366)
On Nov. 22, 1869, at the age of 54, John Garrison Jr., a farmer, b. in Concord, MA. and a resident of Concord, MA., married third, 45 yr. old Eliza (Elizabeth) Emery, b. in Geneva, NY. and a resident of Boston, MA. They were married by Rev. C. O. Brady, a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
This was a third marriage for him and a second marriage for her.
John Garrison Jr.'s parents were listed as: John & Susan (Robbins) Garrison and
Eliza's parents were: Willis and Catherine (Remans) Lee.
3. William Garrison, b. Feb. 24, 1817. (Source: Concord, MA. Births & Deaths, 1635-1850 - son of Jack & Susan Garrison) and d. Apr. 28, 1847 in Concord, MA. (Source: MA., Town Death Records - burial place - Concord)
4. Infant 'son of Jack & Susan Garrison, aged 5 months', b. Mar. 1819 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. & d. Aug. 15, 1819 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - P. 426 of Concord Births, Marriages & Deaths)
5. Infant 'son of Jack Garrison, a black, aged 3 days', b. Oct. 17, 1821 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. & d. Oct. 20, 1821 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - P. 426 of Concord Births, Marriages & Deaths)
6. Ellen Garrison, b. Apr. 14, 1823 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source: P. 299 of Concord Registers, Book III) and d. Dec. 21, 1892 in Pasadena, L.A., CA. She is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, L.A., CA.
7. ' a son of Jack Garrison', (b. Mar. 1827) who died at the age of six months' on Sep. 25, 1827. (Source - Concord, MA. - Church Records, P. 427).
8. Lewis Garrison, b. Feb. 9, 1825 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (P. 299 of Concord Registers, Book III) and d. Sep. 1826 in Concord, Middlesex, MA. (Source - Vital records of Concord, parents: John & Susan Garrison)
9. Maria Jackson, b. Apr. 16, 1829 in Concord, daughter of John & Susan Garrison (Source: Births Registered in the Town of Concord, line 491)

On Sep. 16, 1857, according to Marriages Registered in Concord, MA., 34 yr. old Ellen Garrison, a resident of Concord and b. in Concord, MA. & 34 yr. old John W. Jackson, a (free black) farmer, a resident of Concord, MA. and b. in New Castle county, DE., were married by I. T. Raymond of Boston, a clergyman. This was a first marriage for both.
John was the son of Jupiter & Mary Jackson and Ellen's parents were listed as John & Susan Garrison.

Ellen's husband, John W. Jackson, died within a few years (sometime before 1863) and Ellen then moved to Rhode Island.

Baltimore Daily Commercial (Baltimore, MD.), P. 1, Col. 7
Wed., May 16, 1866
CITY NEWS
ANOTHER ARREST UNDER THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL, -Adam Smyser was arrested yesterday, by officer Calloway, of the middle district, charged (as upon the police record) with ejecting Mary J. C. Anderson and Ellen J. (G.) Jackson, both colored, from the parlor of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad depot. It appears that on Thursday of last week, two colored women appeared at the depot and inquired for the ladies’ parlor, which being shown to them, they walked in and deliberately sat down, stating that they wished to wait for the departure of the train. The woman employed for the purpose of keeping the parlor, &c., in order, told the negroes that they must leave the room, which they indignantly refused to do, and persisted in remaining there until the train started. Smyser, seeing that mild means would not effect his purpose, ejected them from the room. This summary away of treating ladies did not seem to agree with the feelings of those concerned, and accordingly the colored women applied to Justice Spicer for redress. At first the Justice refused to issue a warrant upon the oath of the negroes. The applicants for “civil rights” next appealed to the headquarters, in this city, of the Freedmen’s Bureau. In the meantime Justice Spicer consulted with Mr. Maund, the State’s attorney for this city, and finally concluded to issue a warrant, in order that the matter might be tested in one of the city’s courts. The warrant being issued Smyser was yesterday arraigned before Justice Spicer and released on bail for trial.

Richmond Dispatch (Richmond, VA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Tue., May 22, 1866
THE CIVIL RIGHTS CASE - The case of Adam Smyser, special officer at the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and baltimore Railroad depot in this city, charged with having ejected from the ladies’ reception room two colored women, Mary J. C. Anderson and Ellen G. Jackson, was expected to come up before the Criminal Court on Saturday, and had the effect of drawing to the court-room quite a number of the friends of the measures recently adopted by Congress. Mr. Smyser elected to have his trial by a jury of his peers, and the case consequently went over. -Baltimore Sun, 21st.

In the Aug. 22, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, 44 yr. old (widow) Ellen Jackson (described as black), b. in MA., was living in Concord, Middlesex, MA. with
54 yr. old (brother) John Garison (Garrison), a farm laborer, (black) b. in MA.
45 yr. old (sister-in-law) Elizabeth Garison (Garrison), (black) b. in NY.
The value of John's real estate was $1,600 and his personal estate was valued at $450.

Ellen married a second time, to Harvey Clark, sometime between 1880 and 1885 (he was listed in the 1880 census with his first wife, Matilda).

The Great Bend Register (Great Bend, KS.), P. 2, Col. 5
The., Oct. 29, 1885
Item from: Land Office at Larned, Kansas, Oct. 19, 1885.
Notice is hereby given that the followed name settler(s) has (have) filed notice of his (her) intention to make final proof in support of his (her) claim, and that said proof will be made before the probate judge of Barton county, Kansas, Saturday, Nov. 28, 1885:
Ellen G. Clark, nee Ellen G. Jackson (Garrison) homestead entry No. 5018 for the s. hf. of ne. qr. sec. 18, tp. 17 s. range 12 west.

Ellen taught in the one 'colored' school in her county. Her last school report in Kansas was dated 1888.

Barton County Democrat (Great Bend, KS.), P. 8, Col. 1
Thu., Aug. 7, 1890
Item from: DELINQUENT TAX LIST For the Taxes for the Year 1889
County Treasurer’s Office, Barton County, Kansas, July 10, 1890.
Notice is hereby given that i will sell, at public auction, at my office, in the court house in the city of Great Bend, Kansas on
Tuesday the Second day of September, 1890,
commencing at nine a.m., and continuing from day to day, until the sale is completed, or so much of each tract of land, or city, or town lots included in the following list as may be necessary to pay the taxes and charges thereon for the year 1889.
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
Ellen G. Clark lts. 3 4 & s 1/2 nw. qr., Sec. 4, Am. $14, T. 33.

According to her Jan. 3, 1900 Pasadena California Death Certificate, 62 yr. old Ellen G. Clark, 'colored', who was born in MA., died on Dec. 21, 1892 of consumption in Pasadena, Los Angeles county, CA. She was a housewife and married at the time of her death. Ellen had been a resident of Los Angeles county for about two years at the time of her death.
She was interred in Mountain View cemetery on Dec. 22, 1892.

**Transcription of John Garrison (Ellen's brother)'s will:
Source: Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, Suffolk, Vol. 458-459, 1872
Be it remembered that I, John Garrison, of Concord, in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being of sound mind and memory do make, publish and declare this as my last will and testament.
I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife, Elizabeth Garrison all my estate real and personal to hold to to her, her heirs and assigns forever, in case she survives me, but if she should die before me, then I give, devise and bequeath unto my sisters Susan Johnson and Ellen Jackson all my estate real and personal after the payment of my just debts and charges of administration, to hold to them their heirs and assigns forever.
I hereby appoint my wife Elizabeth Garrison the Executor of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this second day of October A.D. 1871.
John Garrison
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said John Garrison as my last will and testament in presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed the same as witnesses. Geo. M. Brooks Richard Bassett Geo. Heywood
A true record. Attest P. Rhuiney Register
**Note: John's widow, Elizabeth, died 6 years after John, on Dec. 16, 1878, of consumption in a consumption home.

*Interesting note, source: Wikipedia: The Freedmen’s Aid Society was founded in 1861 during the American Civil War by the American Missionary Association (AMA), a group supported chiefly by the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist churches in the North. It organized a supply of teachers from the North and provided housing for them, to set up and teach in schools in the South for freedmen and their children. The AMA founded a total of more than 500 schools and colleges for freedmen in the South after the war, so that freedmen could be educated as teachers, nurses and other professionals.
The work of the Society accelerated with the end of the war and the beginning of the Reconstruction era. Education for freedmen was seen as a top priority among both blacks and whites. The Society was supported by a variety of religious groups and denominations, and it began work in the South three months after organizing. By the end of the first year, it had recruited 52 instructors. The teachers instructed more than 5,000 students in 59 schools. The schools were open to men, women, and children in the South. By the turn of the century, blacks had raised their rate of literacy by an amazing amount; it was a major success story since the end of the war. By then the Democratic-dominated state legislatures had imposed racial segregation and were underfunding black schools and other facilities.
Leadership and control of the Freedmen's Aid Society has been attributed to both the Congregational and the Methodist Episcopal churches. The Methodist version of the Society's history states that it was founded in 1866. It was "directed by a Board of Managers who were elected by the (Methodist) General Conference." In 1920 it was reorganized and renamed the Board of Education for Negroes, and in 1939 absorbed into the Board of Education of the Methodist Church.