REPORT OF THE EXAMINATION, DECEMBER 7, 1820.
The committee appointed to superintend the examination, submit to the Trustees the following report: In the distribution of the honors, respect was had as well to the tickets weekly given by the tutoresses to the pupils for their good conduct, as to the accuracy in their studies. The classes were respectively examined by their instructresses, and then by the committee, in the following order:
1st Class—Consisting of Mary Ann Verble, Charlotte Cowan, Margaret Ann Beckwith, Margaret Allemong, Margaret Gibson, Maria Satter-white,—was examined on spelling and reading in the spelling book. Maria Satterwhite is the best reader; Mary Ann Verble spelt the best; and Charlotte Cowan and Mary Ann Verble received the greatest number of weekly tickets.
2d Class—Consisting of Catharine Chambers, Eliza M. Frohock, Eleanor Chambers, Catharine Huie,—was examined on spelling, and on reading from the Introduction to the English Reader. This class was highly approved. Eliza M. Frohock is the best reader; the Misses Chambers have received the greatest number of weekly tickets, in the course of the session.
3d Class—Consisting of Harriet B. Long, Laura M. Troy, Nancy C. Chambers, Rebecca Wood, Christiana Mull, Mary Ann Hampton,— was examined on spelling from Walker's Dictionary, reading from the English Reader, on Murray's English Grammar, and on writing. This is a very fine class. Laura M. Troy excelled; the next are Rebecca Wood and Harriet B. Long, who are equal; the rest are highly approved. The greatest number of weekly tickets belongs to Laura M. Troy, Harriet B. Long, Nancy C. Chambers and Rebecca Wood.
4th Class, 1st Division—Consisting of Ann Robinson, Margaret E. James, Mary E. James. This division was examined on reading from the Lady's Preceptor, on English Grammar, and parsing. The young ladies also exhibited specimens of writing. Ann Robinson is entitled to the honor in this divison.
2d Division of the 4th Class—Consisting of Mary Ann McCracken, Mary M. Yarbrough, Eugenia A. Bracy, Beatrix Mathieu, Mary Kerr, Margaret E. James, Mary J. James. This division was examined on the first branches above mentioned, and on Geography, correcting false syntax, and on the maps of the world and Europe, except Margaret E. James, and Mary J. James, who appeared with this division on geography only. This division gave very entire satisfaction. Mary Ann McCracken excelled in reading; Mary M. Yarbrough on English Grammar; and Eugenia A. Bracy and Mary Ann McCracken were superior in geography; Beatrix Mathieu was well prepared; and Mary Kerr had been advanced from a lower class to this one, in the course of the session; she stood an excellent examination.
5th Class—Consisting of Antoinette Huie, Catharine Devenport, Susan Hughes, Mary Trent, Letitia Wilson. This class was examined on reading from the History of Greece, parsing of poetry, correcting false syntax, on Cummings' Geography, and the United States; in reading, Mary Trent, Antoinette Huie, and Susan Hughes, are noticed in the order of their names; in geography, the whole class stood a very fine examination; all were prompt and accurate in their answers; Catharine Devenport has the greatest number of the tickets.
6th Class—Consisting of Mary M. Frohock, Ann E. Lindsey, Mary G. Allen, Rebecca L. Fulton, was examined on prosody, rules of punctuation, the geography of Asia and Africa, reading and parsing Cowper's Task, chronology, and rhetoric; Mary M. Frohock also appeared on Ancient Geography. In this class Mary M. Frohock is the best reader; in parsing, Ann £. Lindsey appeared to the most advantage. The class in general merits much praise. Misses Lindsey and Fulton have the greatest number of weekly tickets.
Arithmetic—1st Class: Consisting of Mary Trent, Susan Hughes, Antoinette Huie. This class was examined as far as Division: Mary Trent is the best.
2d Class—Consisting of Catharine Devenport, Eugenia A. Bracy, Beatrix Mathieu; was examined as far as Reduction. These young ladies passed a good examination: Catharine Devenport is the most correct.
Miss Elizabeth T. Harris was examined on the whole of English grammar, parsing, correcting false syntax, rules of punctuation, perspicuity, &c.; on ancient and modern geography, the elements of general history and chronology, rhetoric and belles-lettres, moral philosophy, the elements of criticism, and on arithmetic; and she exhibited several specimens of composition. This was a very interesting examination; and Miss Harris, by her accuracy and readiness, gave very general satisfaction. The committee recommend that Miss Harris receive the honors of the Institution.
In the Ornamental Department, the following young ladies exhibited each several large and highly finished colored landscapes, together with a number of small pieces: Elizabeth T. Harris, Ann E. Lindsey, Rebecca L. Fulton, Mary G. Allen, Mary M. Yarbrough, Catharine Devenport, Mary Ann Mc'Cracken, Mary Kerr.—Among this collection, the best was executed by Miss Harris; the next in point of accuracy, richness of coloring, and truth in shading and perspective, belonged to Misses Lindsey, Fulton, and Allen; the others were not greatly inferior, and were much admired. Miss Letitia Wilson presented a large painted screen, and several chimney-pieces, ornaments finished in a style of neatness and elegance highly gratifying to those whose taste enables them to appreciate such productions. Miss Fulton showed a piece of embroidery, and Miss Devenport some fancy work.
Music.—Misses Elizabeth Giles, Eugenia A. Bracy, Margaret Moore, Mary M. Yarbrough, Letitia Wilson, Elizabeth T. Harris, Susan Hughes, Ann E. Lindsey.—These young ladies were examined upon the elements of music, as adapted to the piano forte; and after showing much proficiency in the principles of the science, they performed each several pieces of music, as sacred music, marches, duettes, songs, &c. &c. with much taste and accuracy. Miss Wilson was considered the best performer, and Miss Hughes the next. The others,, for the time they had been engaged in this agreeable pursuit, gave much satisfaction.
In behalf of the Trustees, the committee feel great pleasure in presenting to Miss Eliza Slater, to Miss Mary Ann Slater, and to Miss Cornelia C. Mitchel, the great obligation they are under to them for their exemplary care and attention to the interests of the Academy. Under their tutelage this seminary was first brought into notice, and by their talents and assiduity it continues to prosper.
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Male Department.
1st Class, 1st Division—Consisting of John Murphy, Hugh Horah, James Huie, Tobias Lemley, Willie Bird; was examined on spelling from Webster, in three, four, and five syllables. Murphy and Horah are considered the best spellers.
2d Division of 1st Class—Consisting of William Allemong, William Locke, John Frohock, Thomas Beckwith, John Murphy, Hugh Horah: This division was examined on Webster throughout: Allemong, Locke, and Frohock are the most correct spellers.
2d Class, 1st Division—Consisting of William Murphy, Warren Huie, Gustavus A. Miller, David Kern, Robert Huie, Henry Lemley, William Allemong, William Locke, Henry Krider, Thomas Mull, Thomas Beckwith, Archibald Henderson, John Frohock; was examined on spelling from Walker's Dictionary; Murphy, Huie, Miller and Kern, are distinguished.
2d Division of the 2d Class—Consisting of Archibald Henderson, Henry Krider, Robert Huie, Thomas Mull, William Murphy, Henry Lemley: This class was examined on reading from the English Reader; Huie, Murphy, and Lemley, are the first.
3d Class, 1st Division—Consisting of Thomas Mull, Thomas Frohock, Robert C. Huie; appeared on arithmetic, and was much approved.
2d Division of the 3d Class—Consisting of James L. Beckwith, Pleasant M. Huie, Lewis Slaughter, Richard W. Long, David Fulton, Thomas Frohock, Gustavus A. Miller, Warren Huie, David Kerr, William Murphy; was examined on reading, from the History of Rome; James Beckwith, Pleasant M. Huie, David Fulton, Thomas Frohock, and Richard W. Long, are distinguished; the rest approved.
4th Class, 1st Division—Consisting of Warren Huie, David Kern, Gustavus A. Miller; was examined on Corderi, and approved. Miller was further examined on Erasmus and Selecta e Yeteri, and evidenced much progress and industry.
2d Division of the 4th Class—Consisting of Pleasant M. Huie, Richard Long, David Fulton; was examined on Caesar's Commentaries, and the Bucolicks of Virgil; no distinction is made in this class; if any, Huie merits it.
5th Class—Consisting of Lewis Slaughter, James Beckwith, Pleasant M. Huie, Richard W. Long, David Fulton; was examined on the Ǽneids of Virgil, the Greek Testament, and on correcting false grammar from Mair's Introduction, except Huie, Long, and Fulton, who were examined on Mair's Introduction only. This class merits the entire approbation of the committee, the members are so nearly equal, no distinction is made.
The committee tender to Mr. John C. Monroe, their thanks for his assiduity, and for the accuracy and correctness with which he has discharged the duties of the superintendent of the male department.
Miss Elizabeth T. Harris, (of Cabarrus County, North-Carolina,) having completed, with success and reputation, the course of education prescribed in the Female Department, was presented with a Certificate and Golden Medal, the honors of this Institution. Miss Harris then read a handsome and appropriate valedictory.
The exercises of the Academy will recommence on the first Monday of January next.
By order of the Board. Thomas L. Cowan,
December 7, 1820. Secretary.
—Western Carolinian, December 19, 1820.
(Source: North Carolina Schools and Academies, 1790-1840, By Charles L. Coon 1914)
