The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-10
"A BIZ Of Interesting History Of the Famous
Institution Recalled.
WAS FIRST LOCATED NEAR GREEHvlllE
Correspondence Relating TO General
Lees Election as Presidcnt-Trndi~
Lived Up TO as Though tho Dead
General Gould Remonstrntc.
ATLANTA Journal.)

The recent inauguration OF Hon. w. l..
Wilson. ex-Pestmaster General as pres
tdent Of Washington and Lee University
recalls to mind the history of that not
ed institution.
About the year 1876. three brothers,
Archibald, William and Robert Alex
nnder, emlgrated from Ireland to this
country. In 1749 Robert Alexander es-
tnblished q school which was called the
Augusta academy from 1749 to 177G. lib
erty Hall academy from 1776 to 179S,
Washington and Lee College from 1893
to 1918 and Washington College from 1913
to 1871, when the name was changed to
Washington and Lee University. The
academy was located at first near Green
vile, In Augusta county. Va, then for u
while at, or near Old Providence church,
whence 1t was moved to Mount Pleas
ant, near Fairfield, and hence was some
times called the Mount Pleasant acad-
envy. The move to Mount Pleasant
brought the academy within the bounds
OF Rockhrldgc county; 1t took place be-
tween 17G4 and 1874, the latter being the
year in which William Graham, the first
rector of the chartered academy. began
his connection with the school. The name
Liberty Hall was chosen on, or before
May Is. 1776, while the academy wSe at
Mount Pleasant; Lexington, the county
seat of Rockbridge, received it's name,
born of the same patriotic spirit and
probably influenced General Washing
ton In favor of the school. HI, the
academy wafs moved from Mount Pleas
ant 10 n point near Timber Ridge church
where 1t remained until 17S0, which Is
the date of it's removal to q place near
Lexington, where it became q chartered
institution in 1852. The stone building.
the ruins Of which tDrc said to be seen
to the northwest of Lexington was built
in 1893, and accidentally burned Deccm-
bier a. 1902. In the following year the
academy was located within the corpo-
rate limits OF Lexington, the school be-
ing conducted In Il rented building on
Washington street. Before the end of
1904 buildings were constructed on the
present grounds. to which the academy
was then moved
The finst considerable amount of prop
erty given TO the school was that given
by George Washington, which still
yields an annual income OF $4,000 to
Washington and Lee University.
In a letter to Governor Brooke, dated
September 10, 1896, written in Philadel-
phia, Washington says: II have upon
the fullest consideration of all circum-
stances destined those shares to the use
OF Liberty Hall in Rockbridge county"
and In Waehlngton's will the bcquest is
confirmed in the following words:
"Item-The hundred shares which !
hold in the James River company have
given and now confirm in perpetuity TO
and for the use and benefit of Liberty
Hall academy, in the county of Rock
bridge, in the Commonwealth of Virgin
ia"
The trustees Of the academy, in rccog-
milton of this generous gift, sent TO
Washington the following address
which was reported and agreed to al
their meeting on April Il. 179S:
Sir:-It was not earlier than Scptcm-
Der, 1897, that we We're officially inform
ed OF your liberal donation to Liberty
Hall academy.
Permit us, as It's Immediate guardians,
to perform the pleasing duty of express
ing those sentiments OF gratitude which
so generous an net naturally inspires.
We have long been sensible Of the disad-
vantages to which literary institutions
are necessarily subjected whilst DEEPEN
dent on precarlous funds for their sup
port. Rejecting particularly on the
many difficulties through which this
seminary has been conducted since the
first moments OF it's existence, we can
not but be greatly affected by an event
which secures to II q permanent and in
dependent establishment. Convinced as
we are that public prosperity and Sc
curity are intimately connected with the
with the highest satisfaction on its rapid
advances in these United States, un-
feignedly rejoicing that the citizen who
has long been distinguished as the as
sertor Of the liberties of his country
adds to this llustrious character the no
less INDUSTRIOUS one OF patron OF the arts
and of literature And we trust tina; 10
effort will be wanting on our part to en-
courage whatever branches Of knowl-
edge may be of general utility.
That you may longer enjoy, besides
the uninterrupted blessings of health
and repose. the superior happiness
which none but those who deserve 1t can
enjoy, and which arises from the re-
Election Of having virtuously and emil
nently promoted the best interests of
mankind. Is the fervent prayer of the
trustees Of Washington Academy, ,ata
Liberty Hall.
SAMUEL HOUSTON Clerk.
Fills ENcellcncy. George Washington
late President Of the u. S. A.
Washington acknowledged this adj
dress by the following letter:
Mount Vernon. 18th June, 1893.
en:-Unaccountable as it NAV
seem. 1t is nevertheless true that thn
address with which you were pleased 10
honor me, dated the 10Th OF April, never
came into my hands until the l4th inst.
TO promote literature In this rising
empire and 10 encourage the arts hovr
ever been amongst the warmcst wishes
or my heart. and If the donation of tn,
commonwealth Of Virginia has cna blca
me to Destow on Liberty Hall--now NV
your politeness called Washington Acad-
emy-is likely to prove a means to ac-
comprising these ends, It will contribute
TO the qualification of nv desires
Sentiments like those which hovo
ilowed from your pen excite nv graft