USA > North Carolina > Gates County > Reynoldson > Pride of the past, hope for the future, 1827-1977 : a history of Reynoldson Baptist Church written in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the church > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The Students are, however, recommen- ded to be friendly and social in their inter- course with each other, and polite and respectful in their demeanor to all.
Rules and Regulations for Chowan Reynoldson Seminary, the first name given the school by Chowan Association in 1855.
In May, 1856 the committee appointed by the association to report on Chowan Reynoldson Seminary congratulated its friends on the prosperity attended the institution. However, this committee deprecated the attempt to convert it into a college, recommending that it still continue by
61
Monthly Report. Jeby 1856. +
AIR. Ino R. LangaTina
DEPORTMENT. IN SCHOOL.
Good
OUT OF SCHOOL.
BAD. RECITATIONS. { PASSABLE ..
GOOD.
4.
COMPOSITIONS.
ATTENDANCE. .
ABSENT. 1 days
(TARDY.
REMARKS: We wish he could have Continued longer
& A Delke le: le. Rasolo
Principal. Assistant.
Chowan College, N. C.
Report Card of John Robert Langston, Class of 1855-1856. J.A. Delke, Principal, had visions of the school becoming Chowan College for men.
62
the same name.27 Instead of becoming the college Delke had hoped, it continued as a feeder school for Wake Forest College, and the name was changed to Reynoldson Male Academy.
The report in 1857 praised the ability and qualification of the instructors, but showed alarm regarding the boarding department. "The lamentable condition of the seminary results from want of a comfortable boarding department. The department is not under the control of the Board of Trustees. The pupils are distributed - some among private families in the neighborhood, but the larger portion of them are accommodated at the hotel, known as the "Reynoldson Hotel." Much complaint is made of the method of entertainment at this principle boarding house, and hence has resulted in the present unfavorable condition of the institution. The committee recommends that the boarding department should be under the Board of Trustees and placed in the charge of a proper person qualified and disposed to administer to the necessities and comforts of the pupils. Hotel to be offered for sale Monday next. $2,500 now due."28
The next associational meeting at Great Fork May, 1858, reported that there were only 17 students now at the academy. This report read as follows: "It is here as every where else, the property of the school depends almost entirely on the condition of the boarding department. We are convinced that Reynoldson can be nothing but a disgrace to the association and the Baptist denomination unless that house does change hands, and that all attempts to raise Reynoldson to a respectable standing, will be futile and vain and hence we would respectfully suggest that this body authorize the Trustees either to purchase the present house, even at sacrifice or erect another. May God direct us." J.B. Webb29
Brother F.H. Cobb was the manager of the boarding house, and these reports were offensive to him. At the December conference at Piney Grove this was brought to the attention of its members who resolved "that whereas things offensive to Brother F. H. Cobb were published in the minutes of the last association, the members of Piney Grove Church do therefore protest against the personalities set forth and pray the insuring association to consider the motion and reclaim our Brother Cobb."30
Professor Delke, who had had high hopes for this institution resigned at the end of the 1858 term to go to Murfreesboro to work. He was followed by Mr. Joseph D. Boushall of Camden County who then became the principal. Mr. C.S. Ellis of Wilmington, followed by W.L. Fitcher of Carrsville, came to assist Professor Boushall.31 On May 21, 1859, the Piney Grove Church members in conference voted to give their associational delegate the authority to pledge $25.00 to aid in liquifying the debt against the male seminary.32
63
When the association met at Sandy Run in Bertie County, North Carolina, on May 14-16, 1861, the Piney Grove delegates (Edward Howell, Chairman, J.D. Boushall and W.I. Fitcher) submitted the following report on the institution:
"Report on Reynoldson Institute, 1861"
Your Committee to whom was referred the condition of Reynoldson Institute report that it is gratifying to learn that not-with-standing the distracted state of the Country during the present scholastic year, on account of which some schools of like character have been greatly reduced in number, and others have even suspended operations, it has continued its slow steady increase and was fast regaining the confidence which it once enjoyed. The number of pupils entered during the present year is 56, an increase of more than 50 percent on the number reported at your last session. Since your last meeting, Brother James M. Taylor of Gates County, a graduate of Wake Forest College and an excellent scholar, has formed all association with the former principal, so that the Institute now offers facilities for a practical scientific and classical education, which is not surpassed, if equalled, by any other school of like character in this section of the Country. It will no doubt, afford you considerable pleasure to learn that the principals of the school have become the sole proprietors of the boarding house known as the "Reynoldson Hotel" and are endeavoring to make it what it should have been from the beginning, an auxiliary to the school and not a means of pecuriary advancement.
The financial affairs of the Institute were in a most flattering condition previous to the outbreak of our National hostilities, and badefore to be entirely closed up in a few months, but now nothing is doing in that respect. We believe that the amount of the subscriptions due are nearly sufficient to liquidate the debt on the Institute.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
Edward Howell, Chairman"33
The session of the Union Meeting following this associational meeting resolved "that the churches would meet every Lord's Day at 10 a.m. to pray for the soldiers of the confederacy." Likewise, Piney Grove Church adopted this resolution in October, 1861.34
Under the able management of Messers, James M. Taylor and Joseph D. Boushall, Reynoldson Institute had prospered. However, the demon of war "swept as a besom of destruction over our fair and happy land, devasting our fields, burning our homes, profaning our churches, closing our schools, paralyzing or cutting off our commerce and filling the nation with great lamentation."35 "The dark clouds of war, hovered over the Country, and the Reynoldson boys, laying aside slate and classes, formed the "Grey" and went forth to defend their own."36 This call was heeded by both instructors and students when on March 22, 1862, "Professor J.M. Taylor closed the doors and accompanied his boys to the War Between the States."37
Names of Piney Groves members who marched forth to war that spring day in April are: Professor James M. Taylor, Joseph D. Boushall, D.L. Sumner, John R. Cross, James M. West, Richard H. Parker, George R.
64
february 4. 1864 Manasas Function Dear Mea as I have a few Leasure momento I will isfriend them I writen to you Ha Plar sind me somthing good to Eat for i want something from home Ma Sohn Felton is gazing home & am in a hurry know Excuse all mistakes of $ To Langston
The last letter received from John R. Langston, Civil War soldier.
Confederate soldier John R. Langston, son of Cherry Lee and Thomas Barnes Langston, wrote the letter dated February 5, 1862.
65
Eure, L.L. Eure, Theodore W. Martin, James E. Howell, Bryant Saunders, George W. Russell, and William L. Fitcher.38
On May 3, 1863, at the battle of Chancellorsville, J.D. Boushall, while bravely leading his company, fell in the line of duty.39 Then days later the Chowan Baptist Association met at Mt. Tabor and Mr. W.L. Fitcher offered the following report on the Institution for Edward Howell:
"This Institution situated in a section of the Country which has been under the control of the U.S. Forces during the past twelve months has not been in operation for nearly two years.
The principals, Messers Boushall and Taylor, with most of the students, have long since been absent in their Country's service. There is, therefore, no probablility that the school will again resume its exercise until the close of the present war.
Respectfully submitted Edward Howell"40
Professor James M. Taylor served with the Confederate Army for four years. He joined the 5th Regiment of North Carolina as a private, but during his years of service rose to the rank of major. He was wounded twice at the Battle of Gettysburg, once in the abdomen and once in the groin.
James Taylor was born in Pasquotank County March 14, 1839. His parents James and E. Taylor moved to Sunbury, North Carolina when he was two years old. Sunbury was "unsurpassed for intelligence and refinement by any portion of eastern North Carolina" in 1841.41 James attended Sunbury Academy under the tutelage of Mr. Martin Kellog. In July, 1854, at the age of 15, he entered Wake Forest College. Here he was the head of his class for two years. He left college in June, 1856, not to return until January, 1859. He graduated June of the same year. After graduation he went to Clarksville, Virginia, to teach. While here he joined the church on March 2, 1860. Soon afterwards he left Clarksville to join Brother James Boushall at Reynoldson Institute, which had been one of the most flourishing schools in the east. While teaching at Reynoldson, he affiliated himself with Piney Grove Church and became a useful and efficient member.42
Upon his discharge from the army, he resolved to return to Reynoldson to open a boarding school. During the summer of 1865, he was busy mailing circulars in preparation for the fall session of school. He began the session unaided and with only two scholars. Soon the school was crowded, and Brother T.C. Bailey joined him as co-principal. Less that one year after the school had reopened, he had forty scholars "encompassing the area from the Seaboard to the Roanoke."43 He taught not for the love of money, but for the love of imparting knowledge and desired to become the most successful and efficient teacher in North Carolina. He would rather have been at Reynoldson Institute with a
66
flourishing school than occupying the White House.
On Wednesday, May 16, 1866, at Ballard's Bridge Church the Committee on Reynoldson Institute reported as follows: "Report of Committee on Reynoldson Institute.
Your Committee on Reynoldson Institute beg leave to make the following report. Since the last association, its exercises have been resumed. Brother Taylor, soon after he returned from the war, assumed his former position, and continues to the present. Brother Bailey (T.C.) has since come to his assitance and become co-principal with him. They are using their best exertions to make the school just what every Baptist and friend to education ought to want it to be. As the result of their labors, they now have thirty entered pupils. Its indebtness your committee is unable to ascertain. We recommend our friends to send their sons to the Institute."44
When Professor Taylor reopened Reynoldson Male Academy for the first time, five little girls were admitted to the school. Edith Virginia Langston was one of these girls, and it is her school book which is shown below.45
EABY LESSONS.
5
PICTURE ALPHABET.
A
Ann rocks the ba- by ev-e-ry day.
a
B
Bea-vers in the wa-ter play.
b
C
The Cow is stand- ing in the stall.
c
Deer are feed-ing round the hall.
E
El-la, ti-red, lies fast a-sleep.
Page from School Book used by Edith Virginia Langston when she attended Reynoldson Institute soon after the Civil War. The book was publis hed by the American Baptist Publication Society in 1866.
67
Reverend Bailey remained two years at the institute and resigned to take charge of a church in Edenton.
On Thursday, May 16, 1867, the Chowan Baptist Association met in Ahoskie and the following report of Committee on Reynoldson Institute was submitted:
"Your Committee reports but little change on the condition of this Institution since your last session. Rev. C.T. Bailey of Virginia, Associate Principal, because of the small number of students in attendance last year has gone, and Rev. J.M. Taylor is now alone, teaching between thirty and forty pupils. In view of the tangled condition of its financial affairs, your Committee is unable to report anything satisfactory in regard to this matter. They can only say that the Institute is considerably in debt, and that nothing has been done since your last meeting toward paying it. Nothing is wanting in the efficiency of Brother Taylor as a teacher, his praises as such is in all the association and beyond, but the building which is large enough to accommodate over a hundred students conveniently is wasting and becoming less valuable every year, and nothing is being done to render the place attractive, and in consequence of these last named facts, unless there is some change for the better, the Institute will soon be worthless. Your Committee thinks it time the Association should take some decided steps in regard to this school, and would suggest the propriety of selling it into private hands or of adopting some plan by which its condition may be speedily improved.
Respectfully submitted W.L. Fitcher, Chairman"46
In October, 1867, Professor James M. Taylor departed this life in the Reynoldson Hotel. As his body was being moved for burial near Sunbury, North Carolina, the old school bell tolled the years of this age.
After Professor Taylor's death, Piney Grove Church appointed the following committee to write a memorial to Brother Taylor: Elder T.W. Babb, Joseph Smith, and Julius F. Howell.47 This memorial was to be recorded in the church book. However, it was two years before the memorial was completed. One half of it was read at conference on October 23, 1869 and the remainder May 21, 1870. The obituary was then entered at the end of the volume I of the church minutes.48
On May 13, 1868, the committee of Reynoldson Institute reported to the Chowan Association: "J.M. Taylor is dead, the majority of the Executive Board is dead, and the remainder have ceased to take interest in the institute as an associational school. Its finances are in an embarrassed condition. We deem it necessary to take some final action.
Respectfully submitted R.R. Savage."49
The association resolved that Brother R.R. Felton, Mills Eure, William Manning, John R. Powell and T.W. Babb be appointed a committee to act in concert with the trustees. "This group is to settle with the creditors of Reynoldson Institute, that they be instructed to sell if necessary, the
68
property of the institute and make a final report next session."50
After Professor Taylor's death, the school passed out of the possession and concern of the Chowan Baptist Association to Mr. Willie Riddick. In 1869 Julius F. Howell, the first student to enter the school in 1855, purchased the school from Mr. Riddick for $300.99.
Julius Howell, 93, student of the first class to enter Reynoldson Institute in 1855, bought the school after the Civil War and reopened it in 1870.
You are respectfully invited to alleid a 'Confectionery party at Reynoldsin Ke. Thisda evening , at six Oclock PHIL Compliments of Reynoldson Studence Dec. ; 16, 1872,
This invitation was issued while Julius Howell was principal.
69
The report to the association in 1869 stated that the property of Reynoldson Institute had been sold to Julius F. Howell who considers himself a fixture and asks an opportunity to try his merit as a teacher. Mr. Howell would appreciate your patronage.51 During the summer of 1870 after Mr. Howell had purchased the building, he began to repair the damage done by the war and to make some changes in the first floor of the building. In the fall he and his 19 year old bride, Ida Benton, moved into an apartment in the school and began housekeeping.
The northwest downstairs room was remodeled into living rooms; two were built on the left side and one on the right, with a hall between; also a kitchen was built on the west corner of the porch. During the Howell's stay here a baby boy, Finley, was born to them, but he soon died from diphtheria. His remains were the first placed in Reynoldson Cemetery in 1872. Mr. Howell taught four years. Since his salary was insufficient for his family, he sold the institute to Mr. Thomas Waff and went to Arkansas, where he was highly honored by his fellow citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Brittin Edwards next moved into the school building and took boarders, until they left a few years later for Georgia.
Mr. Tom Waff, a young graduate of Wake Forest College, opened the school in September, 1873. He admitted girls and changed the name to the Reynoldson Institute. Those in the community unable to pay for their education were nevertheless permitted to receive the benefit of Mr. Waff's instructions.52 Under Mrs. Waff's supervision, the institute offered the students the following subjects for 20 week sessions at tuition of $58.00-$65.00: Latin, Greek, mathematics, bookkeeping, philosophy, Green's analysis, history, geography, English grammar, spelling and penmanship.53
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Waff
Mr. Howell sold the school to Mr. and Mrs. Waff w ho opened it in 1873 and ran it for 14 years.
70
Students at Reynoldson Institute during the 1890's. One teacher was Professor John Mills.
7
71
For years Mr. Waff received permission from the church to use the church benches at the closing exercises of the school.
For fourteen years the work progressed, longer than under any other one control. A Wake Forest Professor said: "The students instructed by Mr. Waff at Reynoldson are better prepared for college than those coming from any other school." In 1876 his father, Joseph T. Waff of Edenton, purchased the dormitory property from Mr. Cross, and moved his family here to help carry on the work and educate his younger children.
Men who went from the old school have won a name and fame for Reynoldson Institute that will last when the last board of the building has decayed into the dust of the earth. Among this number are Messers R.L. Varser, one of North Carolina's foremost lawyers, and Cecil Vann, the greatest banker that Virginia can boast of. The manager of the Doctors' Association was once asked, "Who is the most intelligent doctor who attended the association?" He quietly replied, "A small doctor from Gates County, N.C. whom Brother Taylor said was the smartest little boy in school, whose name is Oscar Lee, is the brightest and most learned doctor who attended the Southern Doctors' Association."54 William Benbury Waff another Reynoldson Institute graduate, became a well known
Rev. and Mrs. William Benbury Waff
Mr. Tom Waff sold the Institute to his brother, William Waff in 1887, w ho ran it until 1905.
72
Baptist preacher of North Carolina and won a Latin Medal at Wake Forest College. After graduating from the institute, Charles A. Smith borrowed money to attend college.
He entered life as a professor, but later became Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina for four years and Governor for a few days. When he died on March 31, 1916, he was president of four banks and had been superintendent of his Sunday School for 30 years. Many others of the same kind have gone out, but time and space prevent their mention.
In 1887 Mr. Tom Waff moved his family to Brunswich, Ga. He then sold the institute to his brother, William Benbury Waff, who did all he could for the school until he sold it in 1905 and went to Murfreesboro. The following teachers taught while he was owner of the school. Professor J.C. Mills, a great athelete; M.O. Carpenter, a Baptist minister (who married Miss Claudie Waff and became a professor at Bluefield College, Va.); Willie Royal; J.W. Spence, Misses Huntas Rawls, Mary Gatling, Alice Ferrell, Nannie Richardson and Mattie Sykes. The school was then sold to the county and run two years as a two teacher public school, with Miss Edith Freeman as principal, the first year and Mrs. N. Davis the next. Then it was made a graded school with Miss Lettie May Rice as principal.
Miss Edith Freeman, first principal of Reynoldson Institute when it became a public school.
73
Next the county and state came together and placed a high school here. The old kitchen and the partition making a hall between the northwest room were torn down. The porch was again extended around the house. The building was painted and repaired, and enough patented desks were purchased for all the rooms. The class of 1912 had the old staircase torn out and a more convenient one built. Also, the dormitory property was purchased for the school in 1909.
The purpose of the high school was to supplement the elementary education in preparing the student for college life. It was not a part of the elementary school, but a distinct school of itself with an oversight of the work in the elementary school. It was also the purpose of the high school to help the pupil to find himself, to become acquainted with his matural faculties of body, mind and heart, and to choose intelligently for himself the work for which these faculties fit him, to develop his brain power so he may be able to think for himself and work out his own problems of life.
In the fall of 1909, Mrs. T.W. Costen opened the doors of the Reynoldson High School. At first it was only a two year high school and sent out 21 graduates. In 1914 the third year was added and in 1915, the fourth year. The class of 1916 was the first to go from its doors as a real high school. As yet, the school was too undeveloped not to be changed by the changing of principals. There had been a great effort by the principal to
Part of the history of Reynoldson Institute was written by Lillie Smith and given as her graduation speech in 1916. She was the daughter of Ernest L. and Lillie Waff Smith. Lillie Waff Smith was sister of Thomas E. William Benbury and Claudia Waff Carpenter, former Institute teacher.
74
get the school accredited, but this could not be done until there were nine months of school work, with two teachers for full time. Nonetheless, the pupils who went from this school had the same advantages as those from accredited schools, the credit being given to the principal and not to the school. Reynoldson School was now recognized by the educational men of North Carolina as one of the first of the state, on account of the splendid work that had been done by the principal who had nursed and cradled it since infancy.55
Reynoldon remained a center of public education until 1924 when the school was sold to Mr. Doughtry Gatling for $500.00. At that time, the old building was dismantled, and the materials used to build a house in Gates.
The professors and students who attended this school, which stood on the hill in front of the church for nearly seventy-five years, no doubt helped the church to continue to thrive. One wonders if Reynoldson Church would have become the institution it now is without the Christian leadership the educators at the school extended the church during many long, lean years.
Today Reynoldson Church is no longer as directly involved in education as she was when the school stood on the rise in front of the church, but she continues to support the Baptist colleges through donations and the special offering taken on Mother's Day. Her largest financial support for education goes directly to Chowan College in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
Sunday School
When the Chowan Baptist Association met at Piney Grove on May 14, 15, and 16, 1830, the association recommended that the "churches organize and support Sunday Schools in their respective neighborhoods for the moral and religious education of the rising generation."1 However, Piney Grove evidently did not take any action to being a Sunday School at that time. The first mention of religious education in the church minutes is in 1833 when Piney Grove spent $1.00 for religious education literature in the form of tracts.
Even though the association "strongly urged the importance and practicability of establishing and maintaining Sunday Schools in all church,"2 it was not until February 25, 1842 that Piney Grove membership made a motion to "commence a Sabbath School the second sabbath in March."3 Members were requested to attend as teachers.
75
76
Graduating Class of 1912. Left to right, Grady Gardner, Laura Lee Riddick, Ila Harrell, Clinton Wilkins, Ray Freeman, Jennie Bess Pittman, and Helen Lee.
-
E
-
Gates High School in 1924. School moved to Gates in 1924.
This house was built by Mr. G.D. Gatling out of materials from old Reynoldson Institute.
77
There is no record of how well established this school became, or that this meager beginning of a school once a month became a regular Sunday affair. In June, 1860, Brother William L. Fitcher, was requested to "exercise his gifts as a Christian teacher of the first Sabbath in each month and more often if desired."4 No record of the success of this school was found either. However, with Reynoldson Institute so near, it is likely that they had more pupils and there was opportunity for Brother Fitcher to exercise his gifts more often than first Sunday.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.