REPORT
Of the Examination of the Pupils of the Salisbury Academies.
Female Department.
1st Class—Composed of Eliza Dews, Catharine Chambers, Ellen Chambers, Margaret Krider, Catharine Huie, Betsey Frohock, Sally Baily, Mary Ann Verble, Charlotte Cowan. This class was examined on reading, and on spelling from the book words of two and three syllables. Eliza Dews is considered rather the best; but the whole of the class acquitted themselves in a very handsome manner. It is due to Charlotte Cowan to mention, that she has been at school less time than either of the other members of this class.
2d. Class—Consisting of Laura Troy, Rebecca Wood, Harriot Long, Nancy Chambers, Martha Dews, Mary Polk, Orissy Mull, Mary Hampton. This class was examined on reading in Murray's English Reader, and on spelling from the book. It is considered that Rebecca Wood and Harriot Long are rather the best. We could also mention Mary Polk and Laura Troy; but the whole of this class performed their exercises in a manner quite to the satisfaction of the Trustees.
3rd. Class—Composed of (1st. Division) Elizabeth Martin, Catharine Devanport, Susan Hughes, Letitia Lindsay, Sarah Causey, Letitia Wilson, Eliza Miller, Mary Trent, Mary A. McOonnaughey, Antoinette Huie,—(2nd. Division) E. A. Braicy, Margaret James, Mary A. Mc-Cracken, Eliza Home, Mary James, Beatrice Mathew, Elizabeth Jem-meson. Both divisions of this class were examined together, on reading in the History of England, and on Willet's abridged Geography, except Mary Jemmeson, who appeared on reading only; and the 1st. division was farther examined on the Geography of Asia, Murray's English Grammar, parsing, and correcting false syntax. In reading, Susan Hughes and Mary Trent are considered the most correct, and Beatrice Mathews but little inferior. In Geography Catharine Devanport and Letitia Wilson appeared most acquainted. In Grammar, Eliza Miller is entitled to the first notice. The whole of this class evinced great proficiency in the various branches of their studies, and merit the warmest approval of the Trustees.
4th. Class—Consisting of Ann Lindsay, Mary G. Allen, Rebecca Fulton, Ann E. Lindsay, Ellen Fulton, Carolina Johnston. This class was examined on reading in the History of America, parsing, and correcting false sentences under notes of syntax: On Cumming's Geography of North-America and the United States, with the history of our government: On the use of the Globes, and the Elements of Astronomy, except Caroline Johnston, who was absent on account of indisposition. Ann E. Lindsay and Ellen Fulton are considered the most correct and graceful readers. On all their other studies, their examination was highly pleasing to the Trustees, and so nearly equal to each other, as to make it difficult to draw distinctions—they are all declared equal
A' class, composed of Mary Trent, Eliza Miller, Ellen Fulton, and Susan Hughes, was examined on a Compend of Universal History, and acquitted themselves with great credit, and are highly approved. Mary Trent is considered a little the best.
5th. Class—Consisting of Margaret Moore, Mary Frohock, Eliza Hall, Dovy Johnston. These young ladies were examined on reading in the History of America; rules of punctuation and versification; the Geography of Europe; Questions on Government, Religion, and the most remarkable Empires that have existed.—The Trustees attended to the performance of this class with particular gratification. They were ready and accurate on each branch of their studies, and so nearly equal that the Trustees forbear to make any kind of distinction; if any should be made, Eliza Hall is entitled to it, on reading. 23
6th. Class—Susan Fulton, Susan Giles, Jane Henderson, Eliza Harris, Martha Trent. These young ladies were examined on reading on the History of Greece; on Ancient Geography, Moral Philosophy, and the first volume of Kames' Elements of Criticism, and on the Globes. except Martha Trent, who did appear on the Elements of Criticism. The Trustees take particular pleasure in mentioning the progress and proficiency of these young ladies on all the branches of their studies. The extent and accuracy of their acquirements are highly creditable to themselves, and do great honor to the attention and qualifications of their instructress. They are so nearly equal, as to make it not only difficult, but invidious to point out distinctions.
Arithmetic.—The following young ladies: Ann Lindsay, Eliza Hall, Ann E. Lindsay, Ann McConnaughey, Dovy Johnston, Margaret Moore, Letitia Lindsay, Sarah Causy, Rebecca Fulton, Catharine Devanport, Mary G. Allen, Caroline Johnston, Letitia Wilson, Elizabeth Martin, were examined by a committee of the Trustees on Saturday, the 10th. inst. on Arithmetic; and much to the gratification of the committee, discovered that they had made considerable progress in this useful and indispensable branch of education. No distinction is made, but all approved.
Music.—Susan Hughes, Ann E. Lindsay, Margaret Moore, E. A. Braicy, Eliza Harris, Mary G. Allen, Letitia Wilson, Elizabeth Martin, Jane Henderson. These young ladies performed a number of pieces, some of them very difficult, on the Piano Forte. They displayed considerable proficiency in the rudiments of this elegant and pleasing science. They all executed their pieces in a style that was very creditable to their tastes and skill, and equally flattering to the feelings of the Trustees. Where all did so well, the Board are unwilling to draw shades of distinction, which it would be difficult to do, when it is considered that some of these young ladies have been engaged in this branch for a greater length of time than others.
Painting.—Miss Elizabeth Harris; one colored landscape, part of another, and painted cape. Martha Trent; a colored landscape. Catharine Devanport; one colored landscape, and two shaded with Indian ink.—Eliza Lindsay; two landscapes shaded with Indian ink, a large one drawn, and a painted trimming. Mary G. Allen; a colored landscape, two shaded with Indian ink, a painted trimming and work-bag. Letitia Wilson, a bunch of flowers, two landscapes shaded with Indian ink, a painted trimming. Rebecca Fulton; a colored landscape, and four shaded with Indian ink. Ann Lindsay; two landscapes shaded with Indian ink and one colored one, two painted trimmings. Ann McConnaughey; two landscapes. Sarah Causey; two landscapes shaded with Indian ink, a flower piece, and painted trimming. Letitia Lindsay; four landscapes shaded with Indian ink.
Embroidery and Fancy Work.—Miss Susan Giles: 1 piece of embroidery. Eliza Lindsay: 1 do. Susan Fulton: 1 do. Jane Henderson: a shell work temple, a pair of card racks. Catharine Devanport; a work-box frame, a temple unfinished. Letitia Wilson: a temple unfinished. Caroline Johnston: a pocket-book and work-box. Dovy Johnston: a pocket-book and work-box. Eliza Hall: a pocket-book and work-box. The Trustees are unwilling to draw nice and critical distinctions between the merits of the respective pieces of Painting, Embroidery, and Fancy Work that have been exhibited for examination. There is little necessity for this, since the pieces themselves were arranged in the ornamental department, during several days, for the inspection of parents and guardians, and all others whose taste or curiosity might lead them to the Hall. The task of discrimination becomes still more difficult, when the ages and opportunities of the several young ladies are considered; some of them having been a much longer time than others engaged in these branches of ornamental education. The Trustees take great great pleasure in saying, that all the young ladies of this department have done much credit to themselves, and by their progress have reflected particular honor on the accomplished young lady who directs their studies. The Board of Trustees cannot close this report, without the particular expression of their approbation for the able and assiduous manner in which the Misses Slaters and Miss Mitchel have conducted the concerns of this Institution. Their care to improve the minds, to preserve the morals, and to refine the manners of their pupils, entitle them to the warmest thanks of the Trustees, and merit the grateful reward of the parents and guardians of their tender charges.
Male Department.
1st. Class.—John Murphy, James Huie, Tobias Lemley. This class of small boys was examined in spelling, from Webster's spelling-book, and did very well.
2nd. Class.—Warren Huie, Archibald Henderson, Henry A. Lemley, John Stirewalt. This class was examined on spelling, from Walkers dictionary, and was much approved. To this class belong Robert Huie and Alfred Huie, who were absent from indisposition. Henry Earn-hart, a member of this class, was absent without permission.
3rd. Class.—Archibald Henderson, David Kerr, Warren Huie, Henry Lemley, Leonard Henderson, Gustavus Miller. This class was examined on spelling, from Walker's dictionary, and on reading from Murray's English Reader, except Leonard Henderson, Gustavus Miller, and William Murphy, who did not spell with this class: Warren Huie is thought the best speller, Murphy and Miller the first readers: the rest are much approved.
4th. Class.—William Murphy, Pleasant Huie, Thomas Frohock, Milo A. Giles, Richard Long, Tho. Dews, Lewis G. Slaughter, Leonard Henderson, David Kern, James Beckwith. This class was examined in spelling, from Walker's dictionary, and on reading from the History of Rome, except Murphy, Henderson and Kern, who did not read with this class. These boys acquitted themselves in a manner highly honorable to the class.
5th. Class.—Thomas Frohock, Gustavus Miller, Leonard Henderson. This class was examined on parsing, from the History of Rome. The committee was much pleased with their promptness and accuracy.
6th. Class.—Leonard Henderson, Gustavus Miller, Thomas Dews, Richard Long. This class was examined on Corderii, Erasmus, and Selectte e Veteri, except Henderson and Miller, who appeared on Corderii only. This is a good class, and so nearly equal, the committee forbear to make any distinction.
7th. Class.—James Beckwith, Milo A. Giles, Lewis G. Slaughter. This class was examined on Caesar's Commentaries, Bucolicks, and 1st. JSniad of Virgil. This class, for the time they have been engaged, gave proofs of industry and attention: they receive the warm approbation of the Trustees. They are declared equal. The Trustees take pleasure in acknowledging the care and attention of Mr. Monroe, in advancing his scholars in their various studies. He deserves much credit, and receives the thanks of the Board.
The exercises of the Academies will be resumed on the first Monday in July ensuing: the literary branches under the care of Misses Eliza and Mary Ann Slaters, and the ornamental department under the superintendence of Miss Mitchel. Mr. Monroe will continue in charge of the male department. Thomas L. Cowan,
June 17th, 1820. Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
—Western Carolinian, June 20, 1820.
(Source: North Carolina Schools and Academies, 1790-1840, By Charles L. Coon 1914)
