Nationality Chinese | Name Afong Moy | |
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Born c. 1819 Canton City | ||
Nancy Davis, Smithsonian Curator and Consultant on "The Chinese Lady" | Milwaukee Rep
Afong Moy was the first female Chinese immigrant to the United States. In 1834, she was brought to New York City from her home of Guangzhou by Nathaniel and Frederick Carne, who exhibited her as "the Chinese Lady". Announcements of the exhibition advertised her clothing, her language, and her four-inch "little feet", a result of foot binding.
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Biography
Afong Moy arrived in New York from Canton, China with a variety of the Carnes' cargo on the Washington on October 17, 1834, listed on the passenger list as "Auphinoy". The New York Daily Advertiser announced her as "Juila Foochee ching-chang king, daughter of Hong wang-tzang tzee king." She was exhibited for some time in New York, with a translator, Atung, and "various Chinese curiosities", after which she toured the country, even meeting President Andrew Jackson.
Although she originally planned to return to China after two years in the United States, she ultimately stayed longer, and was still performing as late as 1850.