Justina Maria do Espírito Santo

Justina Maria was an African woman enslaved to Father João Carlos Monteiro, a speaker of great fame in the Imperial Chapel, councilor, deputy of his city and main figure of the clergy in Campos de Goytacazes. At the age of 54, the priest fell in love with Justina, who was then thirteen years old. José do Patrocínio (1853-?), the well-known abolitionist, was her son with the priest. The father did not recognize him as a son, however. After being freed, Justina earned her living as a greengrocer. She died in 1855.