USA > Virginia > City of Fredericksburg > City of Fredericksburg > The history of the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia > Part 17
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THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The National Cemetery, in which were gathered and interred the Union soldiers who died in camp and were killed in the various battles in and around Fredericksburg, was commenced in 1865, soon after the close of the war. It is located on Willis's Hill, about half a mile south of the town. It is on the range of hills known in the war histories and correspondents as Marye's Heights, which overlooks the beautiful valley of the Rappahannock and affords a fine view of Fredericksburg and the surrounding country. It afforded a splendid location for the Confederate artillery at both battles of Fredericksburg, which did such fearful execution as the Union troops were advancing on General Lee's position.
The remains of the Union soldiers were taken from their tem- porary graves and conveyed to the cemetery by a "burial corps," consisting of a large detail of Frederal soldiers and a few veterans employed by the superintendent. The work was continued for three or four years, and it was thought that all the dead had been cared for, but even now remains of soldiers are sometimes found in different places and turned over to the superintendent for inter- ment. The Fredericksburg cemetery is not the largest in area in the United States, but it has a larger number of interments in it than any other in the country. Up to the present time the inter- ments number 15,294, of these 2,496 are known and their names, regiments and State are registered in a book in the superintendent's office, and 12,798 are unknown. The superintendent of the ceme-
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tery is Major M. M. Jefferys, and under his management it is kept in good condition.
The superintendent has a "lodge" or residence near the cemetery gate, constructed of stone. It is made of the stone taken from the historical stone wall, behind which the Confederates were stationed when they successfully resisted the many gallant charges of General Hancock's men on the 13th of December, 1862. Several years ago the government constructed a Macadamized road from the railroad depot to the cemetery, making it a pleasant drive to that "city of the dead," and it is visited by numbers of persons, both citizens and strangers. In 1901 Gen. Daniel Butterfield erected a beauti- ful monument in the cemetery to the valor of the Fifth Army Corps, which he commanded, at a cost of $11,000.
MAURY CAMP OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The Confederate veterans of Fredericksburg and surrounding country organized themselves into a camp in 1883. It was one of the first camps of the kind organized in the State and had quite a large membership. It was called Maury Camp in honor of General Dabney Herndon Maury, a native of Fredericksburg, who rose to the rank of major-general in the Confederate army, and dis- tinguished himself as a skillful commander as well as for conspic- uous gallantry on many fields of battle during the Civil war.
Maury Camp flourished for several years, having at one time in the neighborhood of one hundred and fifty members. At first it was independent and separate from any other camp, but upon the organization of R. E. Lee Camp, of Richmond, which obtained a charter from the General Assembly of Virginia, thereby giving it authority over other camps, Maury Camp obtained a charter from that organization, and holds its authority under that charter at present.
For some cause in late years the camp has not been prosperous ; on the contrary, it has merely maintained its organization. Many of the members withdrew their membership or allowed their names to be dropped from the rolls, while those who still retain their membership, with a few exceptions, exhibit but little interest in the
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affairs of the camp. Notwithstanding its decline, however, it has done much good in the past in assisting needy Confederate veterans, besides they have relieved the necessities of the widows and orphans of veterans, and have decently buried their old com- rades who have died in destitution. The camp has had for com- manders at different periods Colonel Robert S. Chew, Judge John T. Goolrick, Capt. Daniel M. Lee, Thomas F. Proctor, Geo. Shep- herd and Capt. S. J. Quinn. At present Prof. A. B. Bowering is the commander and the camp seems to be taking on new life.
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The organization of Maury Camp of Confederate Veterans was followed in a few years by the organization of the Sons of Con- federate Veterans. This camp came into existence on the 10th day of May, 1890. It was organized, mainly, if not entirely, through the efforts of Mr. James A. Turner, who was its first com- mander, and, by annual reëlections, without opposition, he was con- tinued until he retired and Mr. Wm. H. Hurkamp was elected and is commander at this time.
This camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans was named in honor of Colonel Robert S. Chew, who was, at the close of the war, Colonel of the Thirtieth Virginia regiment of infantry, a native of Fredericksburg and was honored and beloved by all who knew him. The camp has done a noble work in the way of looking after the comfort and supplying the needs of the destitute Confederate veterans, who are rapidly passing "over the river to rest under the shade of the trees," and providing for them a decent Christian burial when they shall have "answered the last roll call."
As an organization the R. S. Chew Camp has attended nearly all the reunions of Confederate veterans in the State, and has taken as much interest in them as if they had been veterans instead of the sons of veterans. In all of these visitations the camp, by the discipline and military bearing of its members, soon won for itself a position in the front rank of Sons of Confederate Veterans in the South. About thirty of its members volunteered in the United States army in the War with Spain, some of whom are
Howning
"Stevens House," on "Sunken Road"; the Confederate line of battle, 1862 and 1863, in front of fence. Gen. Thos. R. R. Cobb killed where gate swings to right. (See page 91)
City Hall, in which are Mayor's Office, Council Chamber, etc., and where a ball was given in honor of Gen. Lafayette on his visit here in 1824. (See page 144) -
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now in the regular army, holding important commissions. The camp has flourished from its organization, and has now nearly one hundred members on its rolls, who are earnest in their work and faithful to the memories of their fathers.
THE SCHOOLS OF FREDERICKSBURG.
Fredericksburg, from its earliest days, possessed educational advantages, greatly in advance of many larger towns of the colonies. Soon after its establishment by the House of Burgesses, schools of a high order were established here by the best of educa- tors and it is highly probable that the leading men of the State- those who conducted public affairs in colonial times, and who were the first to oppose and resist British tyranny and who inaugurated and conducted the movement for separation and independence --- were educated in those schools. And it can be safely said that from that time to the present Fredericksburg has not been without schools that would be creditable to any town.
In 1796 a lottery scheme-which was a popular method of raising money in those days for such purposes-was chartered by the Legislature of the State for the purpose of raising money to erect a school building on what was known as the "old poor-house grounds," at present the property of Alexander Lang's estate near Gunnery Spring. Whether or not this scheme was successful is not known, but it is a fact that a male academy was established by some French refugees, gentlemen of education and refinement, who, having lost their fortunes, adopted teaching as a means of support. Many distinguished Statesmen and jurists, in after years. were educated at this school, among them was Judge John Taylor Lomax, who, in his old age, when president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Fredericksburg, referred to his connection with this school by contrasting the teaching of the school of French philosophy of that day with the instruction of Christian teachers of a later period, showing the advantages of the latter.
In a letter from Dr. John Brockenburg to Rev. Philip Slaughter, D. D., in 1846, about another matter, he said : "I had been entered as a student at the Fredericksburg Academy, then (1790) in high
13
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repute, under the Rev. Mr. Ryan, an eminent classical scholar and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin." Dr. Brockenburg finished his education in this school, preparatory to entering a . medical college in Edinburg, and speaks highly of it .*
It is also claimed that Washington, Madison, Monroe, and others who made their mark as soldiers, statesmen, and in the various professions, were educated in the schools of Fredericksburg.
The establishment of a female college at "Federal Hill," in the year 1789, and which was kept up by different teachers for half a century or more, was an important event in the history of the town, and, in connection with the male academy, gave to Fredericksburg great distinction as an educational center.
On the 27th of September, 1795, a fund was created by the sale of lands, which were devised for the purpose by Mr. Archibald McPherson, which fund was held in trust by the Mayor and Com- mon Council of the town for the time being, and afterwards, by an act of the Legislature, by six trustees, annually appointed for the benefit of the Charity School of Fredericksburg. These trus- tees organized into a board, the first president being Major Ben- jamin Day, who continued as such to the day of his death. The school was kept in the brick building on the north side of Hanover street, just below the Masonic hall, now used by Miss Willie F. Schooler for her Hanover school. The funds derived by the sale of some of the McPherson property were afterwards supplemented by a legacy from Mr. Thomas Colson in 1805.
In the back part of the room in which this male charity school was kept are to be found three tablets of marble let into the brick wall, in good preservation, with these inscriptions :
"In memory of Mr. Archibald McPherson. He bequeathed his property to the trustees of this town for the education of the poor. By an act of the Legislature the funds were transferred to this in- stitution as best fulfilling the testator's charitable design. Died A. D. 1754 ; age 49."
"In memory of Thomas Colson, Esq., who, by his last will and
* Slaughter's Bristol Parish. Va., 2nd edition.
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testament, contributed largely to the permanent funds of this school. His benevolence claims the gratitude of the poor, and the respect of all. Died A. D. 1805."
"In memory of Major Benjamin Day, one of the founders of this institution and its first president. This office he filled for twenty-six years with zeal and fidelity. As an humble tribute to his philanthropic services this simple monument is erected. Died A. D. 1821; age 69."
On Major Day's tombstone, in the burial ground of Fredericks- burg Masonic Lodge, in reference to this school, is found these words: "The Male Charity School of Fredericksburg is chiefly indebted to him for its origin in 1795, and for its prosperity to his unremitted attention in the principal management of its concerns, over which he presided until the time of his death."
These tablets and tombstones furnish a history of this school that can be had nowhere else, and their transcription here will, it is hoped, enshrine the memories of these charitable men for their munificence to the poor of the town in the hearts of the present generation and indelibly impress upon their minds the solemn, but cft unheeded, words of the Master, "ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good." Mr. George W. Rothrock conducted this male school as teacher for many years, but upon his death, before the Civil war, it was closed and has never been resumed.
A reference to other schools of Fredericksburg, some contem- porary with the Male Charity School and the Federal Hill Female College, and others of a later date, will no doubt be of interest to the numerous descendants of those who were educated in them, and will recall to many of our older citizens pleasant memories of their youthful days, as well as the labor over "tare and tret, which made them mad and sweat."
Among these was the excellent female school taught by Rev. Samuel Wilson, in which many of the most accomplished ladies in Fredericksburg received their early education. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Miss Mary Ralls, who was assisted by Mr. Herard,
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whom she afterwards married .* Mr. Herard was a Frenchman, and although he could not speak English, taught writing and French in the school. Here commenced the education of a large number of girls and boys, who were afterwards well known in the social circle and business pursuits of Fredericksburg and of many other parts of the country, and some of them are to-day honored citizens of the town.
The school kept by Mr. John Goolrick, in the small, brick build- ing on the lower end of Main street, now occupied by Mr. W. Snowden Hitt, was famous in its day, and in that school were educated some of our substantial business men and accomplished women. He was assisted in his school by his son, George, who was an accomplished teacher and cultured gentleman. George Gool- rick succeeded his father in the conduct of the school and continued it for many years.
Mr. Thomas H. Hanson, who came to Fredericksburg from Georgetown, D. C., was principal of the Fredericksburg Male Acad- emy. He was a fine classical scholar and his school enjoyed a wide-spread reputation as a classical school. He taught in the north wing of the City Hall, and for several years on Prince Edward street, above Amelia, in a brick building, where the resi- dences of Misses Hay and Misses Wissner now stand. The build- ing was torn down several years ago, when residences were built. Some few of his pupils are now living. One died a short time ago, at a ripe old age, with the honorary LL. D. attached to his name.
Rev. George W. McPhail conducted a school for some years on the west side of Main street, just above Commerce. The house was a large, frame building, with a store on the ground floor and school- room above. It was destroyed at the shelling of the town in December, 1862. Mr. McPhail's first school-room was located on George street west of the Presbyterian church, but, it being too small to accommodate his pupils, he moved to Main street.
* It is related by the "old folks" that when the ceremony closed the min- ister looked at the groom and said "kiss your bride." The groom, not under- standing English and imagining it was some figure in the dance, innocently took the bride by the hands and merrily waltzed up and down the aisle to the amusement of the audience, but to the great mortification of the bride.
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Messrs. Powell and Morrison, for many years, conducted a school for girls in Citizens' Hall, which stood on Princess Ann street where the Catholic parsonage now stands. It was known as the Fredericksburg Institute, and was one of the best schools of that day. It was moved to Richmond and is now conducted by members of Mr. Powell's family.
Professor Richard Sterling conducted a school for boys in the old Colonnade building on Princess Ann street, opposite the court- house, long before the war. He was succeeded by Mr. J. J. Halsey. The building was partially destroyed by fire during the Civil war, and finally, in 1880, was removed to give place to the Presbyterian Memorial chapel.
For a number of years a school for girls was conducted by Mrs. John P. Little, first at her residence, on Princess Ann street, and then for some time at Federal Hill and at the Union House,. which is now used for the public schools. She was assisted in her- school by an accomplished French teacher by the name of Guillet.
More than half a century ago Misses Ann and Mary Drinnan conducted a flourishing school for girls on Charles street, above Lewis, where the Misses Goodwin now live, and Mrs. Mary Hack- ley conducted a large boarding school over the store now occupied by Mr. Thomas N. Brent. For several years before the war Rev. Wm. F. Broaddus, D. D., taught a school for young ladies in the basement of the Baptist church. These schools were all of a high order and fully sustained the reputation of Fredericksburg as a town possessing the most enlarged educational advantages. Be- sides the schools above referred to, schools for boys were taught by Richard Stern, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Jamison, Stephen A. Boardman, James G. Read, Edward Henry, Mr. Tchudi, Buckner & Henry, Buckner & Temple, Chas. E. Tackett, Thomas Moncure, H. W. Rhinehart, Mrs. Judith Anstice, Mrs. A. L. Magrath, Maria Wood- ruff, Miss Willie Schooler and others.
After the war Judge Richard H. Coleman taught a high school for boys at Kenmore, and Colonel W. Winston Fontaine taught a high school for girls on the south corner of Main and Frederick streets, and Professor Volley M. Johnson conducted a similar
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school at the Union House. When Judge Coleman moved his school to Guiney's in Caroline county, Messrs. Cuthbert Buckner and Charles W. Temple opened a school of the same grade. They were succeeded by Messrs. Cuthbert Buckner and Wm. Caruthers, and they by Messrs. Charles E. Tackett, James W. Ford and Wm. B. Marye, who added a military feature to the school, which made it quite popular. These schools were located on Prince Edward street in a one-story brick house, known as the Academy, where the Misses Hay have recently erected a modern residence.
After Colonel Fontaine moved South a high school for young ladies was opened by Mr. Wm. Caruthers in the Presbyterian Asy- lum, known now as Smithsonia, assisted by his sisters, Mrs. Davis and Miss Caruthers. He was succeeded by Mrs. Wm. A. Campbell and daughter, two excellent teachers, but the school did not appear to prosper and was finally closed. In addition to these schools of high grade there were many excellent primary schools for girls and boys, which succeeded well until the public free schools were opened, which became popular because of their graded system and the thoroughness of their instruction. Since then most of the private schools have been abandoned, yet some few are yet conducted and are doing well.
THE ASSEMBLY'S HOME AND SCHOOL.
The Assembly's Home and School was founded by Rev. A. P. Saunders, D. D., then pastor of the Presbyterian church in Fred- ericksburg, in 1893. It was incorporated by an act of the Vir- ginia Legislature December 16, 1893. It consisted originally of a home designed for the maintenance and education of the orphans of deceased Presbyterian ministers and missionaries, and also of a college. The latter was intended as a place for the education of these orphans and also for the youth of other denominations.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, each year, commended the institution to the confidence of the churches within its bounds, and by their contributions the Home was maintained. The college for some time was supported partly by contributions from the churches, but more largely by the pay students attending :the school from home and abroad.
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In the year 1897 the General Assembly of the church separated the college from the Home and ordered the sale of the college and all the property belonging to it. The city of Fredericksburg recog- nizing the value of such an institution in its midst, had subscribed ten thousand dollars of bonds, the interest on which was to pay for ten annual scholarships in the college, the scholars being selected from the highest grade of the public schools of the town.
This arrangement continued until 1898, when the college and property were sold and the ten thousand dollars of bonds were re- turned to the city authorities and cancelled. The property was purchased by Rev. F. P. Ramsay, who conducted the college for two years, the city continuing its patronage of ten scholarships, paying the tuition in money.
In the year 1900 Mr. Ramsay sold the college and property to Rev. John W. Rosebro, who had just become pastor of the Pres- byterian church in Fredericksburg. He is a gentleman of rare ability, and, with his corps of able assistants, is making the college worthy of the confidence and support of the public. A bright and prosperous future is predicted for the institution under the man- agement of this scholarly gentleman.
The Assembly Home is still in operation, supported by the de- nomination, and holds a strong place in the affections of the Pres- byterian church. It is now under the management of Professor Samuel W. Somerville.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public schools were established in Fredericksburg, under what is known as the Underwood Constitution, in 1870. For several years they were not well patronized, principally from the fact that the system was not popular with the people. When the system was first put in operation in town the schools were kept at private houses, because the city had no public school houses and was then unable to build them, and as the appropriations for school purposes were small the sessions were held only for five or six months in the year. The teachers, in a majority of cases, were selected more because of their need of the salary than because of their ability and fitness to teach.
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In the year 1876 the schools were graded, and the funds received from the city and State were largely supplemented from the Pea- body fund, which enabled the school board to adopt a ten months' session. By this arrangement the efficiency of the schools was greatly promoted ; they grew in public favor, the citizens patronized them, and soon they became so large and popular the town was compelled to provide larger buildings for the accommodation of the pupils. To accommodate this large increase of attendance a com- modious two-story brick building was erected on the north corner of Princess Ann and Wolfe streets for the colored schools, suffi- ciently large to accommodate four schools, and the Union House, a three-story brick building on the north corner of Main and Lewis streets, was purchased for the white schools and converted into a building capable of accommodating six schools.
In addition to the schools held at the Union House there are two schools for the first primary grades, one held in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon, under one teacher, and were kept in the south wing of the courthouse until two years ago, when they were moved to the Union House and other grades removed to the court- house. The grammar grade of the colored schools is taught at Samaritan Hall, on Douglas street. These schools have an efficient corps of teachers and the instruction is as thorough as is found in any of the schools of the State.
There are ten grades in the white schools-seven in the primary department and three in the grammar department. There are six grades in the colored schools-five in the primary department and one in the grammar department. The town is divided into two school districts, the Upper and the Lower, George street being the dividing line. There are three trustees from each school dis- trict, the six members constituting the school board of the town.
There have been four superintendents of schools since the inau- guration of the free school system in 1870, who have served in the following order: Mr. John Howison, General Daniel Ruggles, Mr. Edgar M. Crutchfield and Mr. Benjamin P. Willis. All of these gentlemen have passed away except Mr. Willis, who is now serving as superintendent. The school board has had but four presidents
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since its organization, thirty-eight years ago, who served in the fol- lowing order: John James Young, Captain Joseph W. Sener, Wm. H. Cunningham and Andrew B. Bowering. Only one is now living-A. B. Bowering, who is serving at present.
CHAPTER XIV
The Churches of Fredericksburg.
If the morals and correct lives of the people of a town are to be judged by the number of churches within its borders, giving due consideration to the number of inhabitants, the people of Freder- icksburg would be rated with the best. One of the first things that received the attention of the founders of the town, under the char- ter granted by the House of Burgesses in 1727, was the building of a house of worship and its dedication to the service of the Al- mighty, and since that time Fredericksburg has been blessed with regular divine services. And as the inhabitants of the town in- creased in numbers, and the little building became too small to accommodate all who would wish to attend upon the House of the Lord, the authorities were not too much engrossed with money- making and money-getting to enlarge the church and provide for the spiritual comfort and necessities of the increasing population. So the church building was enlarged time and again as the growth of the town demanded it.
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