The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-03-31
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Ii may be pleasing 10 you to record ior
the INFORMATION Of many Of your readers
who will be interested ia them, some facts
respecting the early efforts Of the citizens
of The upper part Of North Carolina Tor
the education of their youth.
The first College or Institution that al
forded a complete College course of insiruc-
tiou, was established at Charlotte, small
village, the county seat Of Meeklenburs
County. and went into operation ab0dt the
year 1853. under the name Of Queens Col.
ieoe. II was founded by the llberalliy and
efforts of the settlements in that fertile
country, between the Yadkin and Catawba
rivers, consisting almost exclusively OF
Scotch Irish Presbyterians, for The purpose
Of training their youth TO usefulness ana
for perpetuating among their descendants
religion, morality, and sound knowledge IN
their secluded heritage in the wilderness
Isaac Alexander, N. d., ofthe numerous
family Of Alexanders, Of which, together
with that Of Harris, il is said that about the
time of the Revolution, they constituted at
least quarter Of the county, was their
frs, President.
The Father Of the FIRST President, Abra.
ham Alexander, Esq, for long time the
presiding Magistrate Of the county, was
Chairman Of the Convention that met IN
Charlotte, and after couple of days de-
liberation, issued the famous Meckienbrrg
Declaration Of Independence, May gem,
l775, and sent it to Congress by MIR. James
Jack, more than year before The nation
al declaration was made.
Alter this declaration Of Independence,
the mime Of the Institution was changed
from Quten's College TO Liberty Hall
When the British forces advanced from
South Carolina, in the war that followed
the declaration of independence, the Col
leae exercises we're suspended, the stu
dents scattered, and tie buidIng occupied
by the invaders as hospital. The MUM
erous graves IN rear Of the College, tesiiii-
ed, after the departure OF the forces, how
great had been their loss, IN country
which from the harrassing Of their torag-
ing parties, and the difficulty Of obtaining
supplies, even by an armed force, they
named the Hornets Nest
Rev. Alexander McWhorter, of New
jersey was the last President. BY The dl-
rection of the synod Of New York and
Philadelphia, IN the year 1904, he had sis-
tied tha, region of country rs Missiona-
~, TO administer the Ordinances aud assist
in organizing Congregations, and adjusting
TIE boundaries OF those already formed,
aud the ordalning Of Elders aud was so
acceptable TO the Congregations that next
wear calls were made out from Hopewcll,
Centre, Thyalra, and Fourth Creek, for
him to become Pastor. These were de.
ciued but he afterwards became President
of the College. Upon the breaking up Of
the institution BY the invasion Of Carolina,
he returned 10 New Jersey, where he pass
cd the remainder Of .oug and useful he,
The instruction given by the President
and two Professors embraced a complete
literary course, and as much Of The Math.
ematics and Natural PHILOSOPHY, as was
customary IN any College in America.
There were never any permanent funds,
aud the College was sustained By The tut.
ton fees and the donation Of individuals.
The youth educated IN that institution
have all slep. with their fathers, and no
list Of their names remains. One Of the
degrees conferred is still in existence, IN
the possession of Mr.. j. ID. Graham, Lin.
coin county.
A few names Of Graduates are prcsery-
cd in the memoirs of the aged; Is Col.
Polk, an Officer in ,he Revolution, and IA.
Their Of Bishop Polk, Of the Episcopal
Church John Graham, NJ. d.. Francis
Cummings, ID. D., vino laborcd in Georgia,
and Thomas Henderson, NJ. D., Of Char. |
lotto. The three last named, for the pur.
pose Of economy, kept bachelors hall in
small building erected for the purpose
while the other Students were accommo.
dated at the Stewards hail.
Thomas Henderson, NJ. D., after the
Revolution, occupied tho college building
for a High School, which he carried on
with great reputation for many years.
OF the few survivors Of the pupils of this
School, the venerable man from whom
these facts were obtained, Jno. Robinson,
ID. d., long pastor Of Poplar Tent, is oao.
The late DR.. Wilson, Of Rocky River, one
Of whose sons is now missionary in Africa,
and Mr.. James Wallace, long Pastor OF
Providence, were among his pupils.
No yestige Of the College buildings now
remains the site is occupied by the dwell.
ling of Mr.. julius Alexander.
While Mr. Hendcrsou's High School
continued, il is not known that efforts were
made for a College; those not satisfied
with the amount of instruction obtained nj
his school, went to Nassau Hall, in New
Jersey.
Alter the time Of Henderson. various
efforts were made to erect College for
that region Of country and at one time a
charter was obtained from the Legislature
But nothing efficient or permanent was
done till within few years. The descen.
dants of those Congregations which erect.
ed Liberty HaH have put up Davidson
4 I'LL II.