The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace by Kirstie Myvett

Many years ago, I was researching Black New Yorkers in the 19th century and stumbled upon a line about the Colored Orphan Asylum. I had never heard of the institution before and was stunned to learn that rioters intentionally targeted the orphanage during the Civil War Draft Riots. I had to learn more. 

The Colored Orphan Asylum (COA) was the first of its kind for Black children in New York. Before then, orphaned Black children lived on the streets or in asylum institutions for adults in unsafe environments. Quaker women saw the need for an orphanage for Black children and opened the asylum in 1836. The children quickly outgrew that first noble building, and the founders acquired land to have a larger building constructed. This is the setting of my book, The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace. Florence spends a year at the orphanage living, learning, growing, and nurturing a dream within her. But all that changes with the Civil War draft lottery.

The lottery took place on July 11, 1863, in New York City. Many Irish immigrants were upset at being drafted to fight a war for enslaved Black people. Rich men could pay a surrogate $300 to take their place in the draft, but no such luck for poor men. For months the press had fueled this anger and rage. The newspapers published outlandish stories of every freed slave making the journey north to steal Irish and other immigrant jobs. This was untrue and akin to the fake news that is spread today. This bubbling tension erupted on the second day of the draft, with men, women, and even children taking to the streets to riot. 

They targeted the orphanage, believing that no Black person, including Black children, deserved to live on 5th Avenue. This wasn’t the luxurious 5th Avenue of today, yet the rioters didn’t believe Black orphaned children even deserved the basics of shelter, food, and clothing. Imagine feeling that way toward anyone, but especially children.

This story has been in my head and heart for many, many years, and I am grateful it is finally out in the world. With America’s 250th birthday fast approaching, I hope readers discover this little known piece of history and delve even deeper into our collective and complex American history. 

Kirstie Myvett is the author of several books for children. Kirstie is the co-founder of KidLit in Color, a blog that amplifies BIPOC and indigenous voices in the publishing industry. Kirstie believes that representation matters in all places and spaces, especially in the pages of books. When Kirstie isn't writing, she's spending time with her family in the unique city of New Orleans.

To learn more visit: https://www.kirstiemyvett.com/