FREEMAN'S QUALIFICATIONS AND METHODS.
SALISBURY ACADEMY.
On the 16th of April the exercises of the male department of this Institution commenced, under the care of Rev. Dr. Freeman, who will also superintend the education of the females. During upwards of twenty years Dr. Freeman has resided, principally, over the flourishing academies of Edenton and Newbern of this State; from which institutions he received the most honorable testimonies of his superior talents as a teacher and his uncommon success in the difficult task of uniting gentleness with a due regard to discipline, in the government of his pupils. The best evidences which can be given of the qualifications of Dr. Freeman, may be derived from the facts, that during this whole period, the institutions over which he has presided have flourished beyond any former example. For the satisfaction of those, who may not be acquainted with the character of Dr. Freeman, we would subjoin the following extracts, from a "voluntary tribute of thanks" communicated by the Trustees of Newbern Academy, on his retiring from their service; among whom we notice some of the most distinguished names our state can boast:—"This Seminary, under his direction, has flourished beyond all former experience. In school discipline, in the various qualifications of a teacher, in success in advancing the progress of his pupil and in unwearied diligence and zeal, Dr. Freeman has always been considered by the Trustees as unrivaled, and entitled to their undivided acknowledgments: and the Trustees would avail themselves of the opportunity to tender their testimony in the highest commendation of his social, moral, and religious deportment."
The following branches of education are taught: English—Reading, "Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic, Geography, and use of the Globes, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Rhetoric, Logic, Composition and Declamation.
In Latin—Ruddiman's and Adam's Grammar, Corderise, Historiw Sacrse, Viri Romae, books of Caesar, Ovid Expurgata, Virgil, Cicero's Select Orations, Sallust's wars with Catiline and Jugurtha, Horace throughout, Mair's Introduction, Prosody.
In Greek—Valpy's or Wettenhall's Grammar, Greek Testament, Evangelists and Acts of the Apostles, Greca Minora, Gweca Majora, Xenophon, Homer, Neilson's Exercises and Prosody.
In the Female Department, Dr. Freeman will be assisted by Miss Slater, in the literary and classical branches, while Miss Mitchel will continue to conduct the ornamental. Of the talents and qualifications of these ladies, to improve the minds, and polish the manners of their pupils, the Trustees, from ample experience, can give the most decided approbation.
Under such auspices, the Trustees feel assured this Institution must flourish. To render it a nursery of all the polite and useful branches of education, as well as of correct moral and religious principles and feelings, will be their unremitting aim; and they feel confidence in saying, that no similar institution in the State can now claim superior advantages.
In this department the studies, and books used, will be—Reading, "Writing, Spelling, English Grammar, Pike's, or Walsh's Arithmetic, Geography, and the use of the Globes, Whelpley's and Tyler's Histories, Blair's Rhetoric, Conversations on Natural Philosophy, Moral Philosophy, Astronomy, Andrew's Logic, Chemistry, Euclid, Composition ; and, if required, Algebra, and the Languages.
As it is the natural disposition of youth, when unrestrained, to run into extravagances, the trustees earnestly desire, that parents or guardians bringing scholars to this academy, should place them under the special care of some judicious person, with instructions to attend to their wants, and regulate their purchases of necessary articles out of the stores. The importance of this requisition must be apparent to every person of reflection and experience. The trustees have no other interest in the success of these Institutions, than to furnish to the rising generation opportunities of education. To accomplish this object, they have devoted much of their time and attention, and have gone to very considerable expense in erecting two large and commodious edifices, in procuring maps, and other indispensable articles for the schools. Besides these disbursements, the current expenses of the Institution, for salaries to the teachers, and other purposes, amount to about $3,000 per year.
It is therefore indispensable, that parents and guardians should be punctual in paying the tuition charges; and to avoid the uncertainty and trouble of after collection, it is positively required, that the tuition money in all cases, shall be paid when the certificate of admission is taken out.
By order of the Board, Thos. L. Cowan,
Salisbury, May 1, 1821. Secretary.
Boarding may be had in respectable families for 75 to 80 dollars the year.
—Western Carolinian, May 8, 1821.
(Source: North Carolina Schools and Academies, 1790-1840, By Charles L. Coon 1914)
