Difference between revisions of "Maryland Gazette, 11 June 1752"
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Bacon circulated his proposal in 1750, which included the proviso for "such Negro children as shall be sent by order of the Trustees to the said School shall be taught to read and write, and instructed in the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord ''gratis;'' but maintained at the Expence of their respective Owners."<ref>[https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc4800/sc4872/001278/html/m1278-1251.html ''Maryland Gazette''] (Annapolis, MD) September 19, 1750, 1-2. Reprinted in Oswald Tilghman, [https://books.google.com/books?id=V2UlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA477 ''History of Talbot County, Maryland, 1661-1861''] 2: 477-495.</ref> The scheme for Bacon's school was also advertised in Williamsburg in the ''Virginia Gazette'' for July 25, 1751, in a request for contributions. Though it claims to be a school where "poor children of both sexes are to be fed, cloathed, lodged and taught," the scheme does not mention educating free or enslaved Black children.<ref>''Virginia Gazette'' (Hunter), July 25, 1751, 3. See also, "Virginia Gazette Extracts," ''William and Mary Quarterly'' 12, no. 3 (January 1904), 156-157.</ref> It it not thought, however, that any children of the enslaved actually attended Bacon's school in Talbot County, and the school was converted into a poor house in 1758 or later, after Reverend Bacon moved to Frederick County.<ref>Edgar Legare Pennington,"Thomas Bray's Associates and Their Work Among the Negroes," ''Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society'' 48, no. 2 (October 1938), 368. </ref> | Bacon circulated his proposal in 1750, which included the proviso for "such Negro children as shall be sent by order of the Trustees to the said School shall be taught to read and write, and instructed in the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord ''gratis;'' but maintained at the Expence of their respective Owners."<ref>[https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc4800/sc4872/001278/html/m1278-1251.html ''Maryland Gazette''] (Annapolis, MD) September 19, 1750, 1-2. Reprinted in Oswald Tilghman, [https://books.google.com/books?id=V2UlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA477 ''History of Talbot County, Maryland, 1661-1861''] 2: 477-495.</ref> The scheme for Bacon's school was also advertised in Williamsburg in the ''Virginia Gazette'' for July 25, 1751, in a request for contributions. Though it claims to be a school where "poor children of both sexes are to be fed, cloathed, lodged and taught," the scheme does not mention educating free or enslaved Black children.<ref>''Virginia Gazette'' (Hunter), July 25, 1751, 3. See also, "Virginia Gazette Extracts," ''William and Mary Quarterly'' 12, no. 3 (January 1904), 156-157.</ref> It it not thought, however, that any children of the enslaved actually attended Bacon's school in Talbot County, and the school was converted into a poor house in 1758 or later, after Reverend Bacon moved to Frederick County.<ref>Edgar Legare Pennington,"Thomas Bray's Associates and Their Work Among the Negroes," ''Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society'' 48, no. 2 (October 1938), 368. </ref> | ||
− | Thomas Bacon was affiliated with the "Associates of the Late Dr. Bray," a group formed | + | Thomas Bacon was affiliated with the "Associates of the Late Dr. Bray," a group formed after the death of [[wikipedia:Thomas Bray|Thomas Bray]], the priest who helped establish the Church of England in Maryland, and who sought to educate the enslaved in the North American Colonies. In 1761, Bacon founded a school in Frederick, Maryland, for the instruction of free and enslaved Black children.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wicUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA271 Thomas Bacon to the Vestry of All Saints Parish,] ''Maryland Historical Magazine'' 6, no. 3 (September 1911), 271-272.</ref> Bacon's younger brother, Anthony Bacon (c. 1717-1786), was a member of the Associates of Dr. Bray, elected in 1761.<ref>''Religious Philanthropy and Colonial Slavery: The American Correspondence of the Associates of Dr. Bray, 1717-1777'' (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1985), n274.</ref> |
The Bray School in Williamsburg, in operation between 1760 and 1774, was one of several schools for African American children founded in the Colonies in the model of Dr. Bray.<ref>Joanne Kimberlin, [https://www.pilotonline.com/history/vp-nw-bray-school-colonial-williamsburg-20210226-ka6wwqddjvfcdinxzj6dserp34-story.html "Hiding in Plain Sight, William & Mary Building Identified as New World's Oldest Still-Standing School for Black Children,"] ''Virginian-Pilot,'' February 26, 2021.</ref> | The Bray School in Williamsburg, in operation between 1760 and 1774, was one of several schools for African American children founded in the Colonies in the model of Dr. Bray.<ref>Joanne Kimberlin, [https://www.pilotonline.com/history/vp-nw-bray-school-colonial-williamsburg-20210226-ka6wwqddjvfcdinxzj6dserp34-story.html "Hiding in Plain Sight, William & Mary Building Identified as New World's Oldest Still-Standing School for Black Children,"] ''Virginian-Pilot,'' February 26, 2021.</ref> |
Revision as of 15:15, 11 March 2021
![](/wythepedia/images/8/8e/MarylandGazette11June1752P3.jpg)
On June 11, 1752, the Maryland Gazette of Annapolis published an account of contributions received from various donors in Virginia for a Charity Working School for St. Peter's parish in Talbot County, Maryland, proposed by rector Thomas Bacon (1711 – 1768). An Episcopal priest, Bacon was concerned with the religious and practical education of poor children, and the children of enslaved African Americans. As early as 1750, Bacon sought to establish a school for the "maintenance and education of orphans and other poor children, and negroes."[1] The June, 1752 article appears to be an updated list of accounts first printed in the Virginia Gazette on October 11, 1751, which is much the same.[2] George Wythe's donation of "2 Pistoles" appears in the June, 1752 Maryland article, but not in the earlier article from Williamsburg.
Bacon visited Williamsburg several times in 1751 and 1752 to raise money for the school, giving sermons and selling pamphlet copies to raise money. John Blair in his diary entry for for July 16, 1751, mentions "Mr. Bacon, &c. din'd here, we had fine musick."[3] The article mentions a "Concert of Music in the College Hall, for the Benefit of the School," which possibly took place during Bacon's visit in July.
The article names such prominent Williamsburg residents as Peyton Randolph, the King's Attorney General; William Dawson, President of the College of William & Mary; Richard Graham, Professor of the Mathematics at the College; William Preston, Professor of Moral Philosophy; Thomas Nelson, Secretary for the Colony of Virginia; and John Robinson, Speaker of the House of Burgesses. Also listed as a contributor is an "Hon. John Lewis, Esq.," possibly Wythe's former brother-in-law from Spotsylvania.
Bacon circulated his proposal in 1750, which included the proviso for "such Negro children as shall be sent by order of the Trustees to the said School shall be taught to read and write, and instructed in the Knowledge and Fear of the Lord gratis; but maintained at the Expence of their respective Owners."[4] The scheme for Bacon's school was also advertised in Williamsburg in the Virginia Gazette for July 25, 1751, in a request for contributions. Though it claims to be a school where "poor children of both sexes are to be fed, cloathed, lodged and taught," the scheme does not mention educating free or enslaved Black children.[5] It it not thought, however, that any children of the enslaved actually attended Bacon's school in Talbot County, and the school was converted into a poor house in 1758 or later, after Reverend Bacon moved to Frederick County.[6]
Thomas Bacon was affiliated with the "Associates of the Late Dr. Bray," a group formed after the death of Thomas Bray, the priest who helped establish the Church of England in Maryland, and who sought to educate the enslaved in the North American Colonies. In 1761, Bacon founded a school in Frederick, Maryland, for the instruction of free and enslaved Black children.[7] Bacon's younger brother, Anthony Bacon (c. 1717-1786), was a member of the Associates of Dr. Bray, elected in 1761.[8]
The Bray School in Williamsburg, in operation between 1760 and 1774, was one of several schools for African American children founded in the Colonies in the model of Dr. Bray.[9]
Article text, 11 June 1752
Page 3
THE Trustees and Managers, for the Charity Working School, now setting up in Talbot County, Maryland, having received the following Contributions to the said pious Design, by the Hands of the Rev. Mr. Bacon, from the under named Gentlemen and Ladies in Virginia, do hereby return their sincere Thanks, to the worthy Benefactors for the same; viz.
- For Benefactions received by Mr. Bacon, in July last.
To Peyton Randolph, Esq; his Majesty's Attorney General for 2 Guineas To the Rev. Mr. Richard Graham, Professor of the Mathematics, in William and Mary College, at Williamsburg, for 1 Pistole To the Rev. Mr. William Preston, Professor of Moral Philosophy, in Ditto, for 1 Pistole
- The three last mentioned Benefactions, received by the Hands of the Hon. and Rev. Mr Commissary Dawson.
To the Hon. and Rev. William Dawson, D. D. President of the College, for £ 5 Sterling To the Hon. John Blair, Auditor General of Virginia, for 5 Guineas Ditto, for his annual Subscription of 2 Guineas, of which received for the past Year 2 Guineas To the Rev. Mr. Thomas Dawson, Rector of Williamsburg, for £ 3 12 Sterling To a Gentleman desiring to be unknown, for 4 Pistoles To a Lady desiring to be unknown, for 4 Pistoles, To Miss Priscilla Bassett, for 1 Pistole
- The two last Benefactions, received by the Hands of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Dawson.
To Dr. George Gilmer, for 2 Pistoles To a Gentleman desiring to be unknown, for 1 Guinea To Walter King, Esq; for 8 Pistoles To the Hon. Thomas Nelson, Esq; Secretary for 4 Pistoles To the Rev. Mr. John Camm, Rector of York Hampton, for 1 Pistole To Warner Lewis, Esq; for 4 Pistoles To a Gentleman desiring to be unknown, for 1 Guinea To the Hon. John Lewis, Esq; for 4 Pistoles To the Hon. William Nelson, Esq; for 4 Pistoles To the Rev. Mr. William Yates, Rector of Abingdon, in Gloucester County, for 4 Pistoles To the Rev. Mr. John Fox, Rector of Ware, in Gloucester County, for 4 Pistoles To Ralph Wormley, Esq; for 4 Pistoles To Peter Robinson, Esq; for 2 Pistoles To Col. Francis Willis, for his annual Subscription of 3 Pistoles, of which he has paid, for the past Year. 3 Pistoles, To Mrs. Willis, for 4 Pistoles To Mr. Mordecai Booth, for 2 Pistoles who is also a Subscriber of 1 Guinea per Ann.
- For Benefactions received by Mr Bacon, in October and November last.
To the Hon. John Robinson, Esq; Speaker, for 4 Pistoles To George Wythe, Esq; for 2 Pistoles To Richard Lee, Esq; for 1 Guinea To a Clergyman desiring to be unknown for 1 Pistole To James Power, Esq; for 2 Pistoles To Zachariah Lewis, Esq; for 1 Pistole To a Gentleman desiring to be unknown, for 4 Pistoles To the Hon. Philip Grimes, Esq; for 5 Pistoles To Mr. John Holt, for 1 Pistole To Mrs. Lightfoot (Widow), for 2 Pistoles To Richard Ambler, Esq; for 1 Guinea To Francis Willis, junior, Esq; for 5 Pistoles To Mr. John Norton, for 2 Pistoles and a half, To the Gentlemen and Ladies, who attended a Concert of Music in the College Hall, for the Benefit of the School, for 23 Pistoles and a half.
See also
References
- ↑ Thomas Bacon, "A Sermon Preached at the Parish Church of St. Peter's, in Talbot County, Maryland: On Sunday the 14th of October, 1750, for the Benefit of a Charity Working School to Be Set up in the Said Parish, for the Maintenance and Education of Orphans and Other Poor Children, and Negroes" (London: Printed by J. Oliver, 1751).
- ↑ "Virginia Gazette Extracts," William and Mary Quarterly 12, no. 3 (January 1904), 162-163.
- ↑ "Diary of John Blair," William and Mary Quarterly 7, no. 3 (January 1899), 142.
- ↑ Maryland Gazette (Annapolis, MD) September 19, 1750, 1-2. Reprinted in Oswald Tilghman, History of Talbot County, Maryland, 1661-1861 2: 477-495.
- ↑ Virginia Gazette (Hunter), July 25, 1751, 3. See also, "Virginia Gazette Extracts," William and Mary Quarterly 12, no. 3 (January 1904), 156-157.
- ↑ Edgar Legare Pennington,"Thomas Bray's Associates and Their Work Among the Negroes," Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society 48, no. 2 (October 1938), 368.
- ↑ Thomas Bacon to the Vestry of All Saints Parish, Maryland Historical Magazine 6, no. 3 (September 1911), 271-272.
- ↑ Religious Philanthropy and Colonial Slavery: The American Correspondence of the Associates of Dr. Bray, 1717-1777 (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1985), n274.
- ↑ Joanne Kimberlin, "Hiding in Plain Sight, William & Mary Building Identified as New World's Oldest Still-Standing School for Black Children," Virginian-Pilot, February 26, 2021.
External links
- "Benefactions Received in Virginia, by the Rev. Thomas Bacon, for Account of the Charity Working-School in Talbot County," Maryland Gazette (Annapolis), 19 December 1754, 3.
- "Rev. Thomas Bacon—1765—1768," American Quarterly Church Review and Ecclesiastical Register 17, no. 3 (October 1865), 430-451.
- Thomas Bacon, Six Sermons, on the Several Duties of Masters, Mistresses, Slaves, Etc: Preached at the Parish Church of St. Peter, in Talbot County in the Province of Maryland, (London: Printed by J. Oliver, 1751). Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library Digital Collections.
- "Thomas Bacon's Life," Archives of Maryland Online.