My Contribution: I was a teacher and advocate of public education. Eventually, I became the principal of the Eleventh Street School.
My Legacy: In my lifetime, I served many students in the hopes of making their lives better. Through education, I hope that the African American children in my segregated school were able to live prosperous lives.
About Me: “Colored Schools.—Eleventh Street.—Mixed primary, Charlotte E. Weaver, principal.” — Harrisburg Telegraph, July 18, 1873.
“Other early African American pioneers in Harrisburg’s school district included… Charlotte Weaver (Chester).” — John Weldon Scott, African Americans of Harrisburg, 2005.
Full Name: Charlotte Elizabeth Chester; Mrs. Charlotte Weaver.
Birth Date: August 14, 1829
Death Date: July 8, 1882 (buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Penbrook, Pennsylvania)
Place of Birth: Pennsylvania
Sex: Female
Race: Black (1880 Federal Census)
Places of Residence: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Ward 4 (1860), 1428 Mar- ion Street (1880), and 305 Chestnut (1878).
Connection to the Old Eighth Ward: Resided near Eighth Ward; knew many involved in Eighth Ward
Family Members: Father: George Chester. Mother: Jane Mars Chester. Husband: William H. Weaver. Children: Jennie Weaver Palmer, Alda Weaver Brisco, Fannie Weaver Auter, Maggie Weaver Sample, Francis (daughter). Siblings: Thomas Morris Chester, David Chester, Harriett Chester, Ellen Chester, Maria Chester, and Eliza Chester Zedrick.
Occupations: Teacher. Principal. Housekeeper. Mother
Church Membership: Unknown—likely Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church
Connections: Connections: Jane Chester (mother), Thomas Morris Chester (brother), David R. Chester (brother), Amelia Chester, Eliza Zedricks (sister).
Digital Harrisburg 