The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-10
The Endowment of SWeetbrier Institute to Have a
Marked Influence on Southern Culture.
OBJECT AND SCOPE OF THE GIFT
III Will be Potent Factor in DeveIopin8
amherst County, and will Greatly
Help Southern Women

7 mothers harp was Shroudcd with a
shroud, which it wears to this day, and
many portraits Of her daughter adorned
withtender paintings of the beautiful
field flower from which she took her
name, and which grows in rich profusion
in the wide Sweet Briar. fields, are hung
upon the walls of her home.
From the depths of the mothers grief
grew the great plan which now promises
such rich fruition. We know not the work
to which she had set herself, and if she
turned from those things, which. to
many, seem the end OF living, we know
that it was that she might achieve a
higher and a nobler purpose; and that
within the handsome halls and chambers
of her home she had her dreams of the
days to come, when there the daughter,
who had been spared to others. might
be made to them the pride and joy which
she had hoped to find in her. whom the
Angel Death had touched so early. At
last. on October 9th, 1900. in her seven
tieth year. death came to the mother.
too, and found her prepared to go. One.
who was with her to the end says that
her last words were: THE Lords will be
DONE
From this brief glance at the life Of
Mrs. Williams. let US turn to her estate
and to its disposition. Most of it she
gave for the establishment Of Sweet
Briar Institute for the education Of girls
and young women. She was a woman of
broad culture and widely travelled. and
the liberality of her mind is reflected in
the wise provisions for the conduct of the
school which she has made, a splendid
gift to the cause of education, untrammel-
ed by narrowing restrictions. In the
words of the will: ut shall be the general
scope and object Of the school to i'm
part to its students such education in
sound learning and such physical, moral
and religious training as shall, in the
judgment of the directors, best fit them
to be useful members of society
II desire that the school shall be made
self-supporting. so far as practicable; but
it is my hope that the Board of Directors
may be able. from the income placed at
their disposal. to establish free scholar
ships. affording tuition and maintenance
for a limited number Of deserving stu
dents. which scholarships shall be award
ed under such rules and regulations as
the Board may prescribe"
No UNCONVENTIONAL or sectarian 1imi-
tationS are expressed. and the benefits
OF the school are not limited to any Sec
ton of the country.
1t is believed that her estate, both real
and personal. will in value approximate
three-quarters OF a million dollars. To
numerous friends, relatives and connec-
tons she made various requests, the de-
vices. which. when added to the expenS-
cs OF administration, legacy taxes ard
other demands against her estate AL
taken from the whole. will likely leave
a residuum of not less than four hun
dred thousand dollars in land and per-
sonal property, all of which goes to the
school. Certain it is that no school fer
girls or women south of the Potomac has
AN endowment approaching that witn
which Sweet Briar Institute will begin
its great work. and 1t is hoped that TIC
Very richness OF its beginning. with one
prospect of It's great future. will attract
other Sits. which may provide in all an
endowment to rival these OF the wealthy
schools of the North.
For school in the country. It's loca-
ton is ideal. Two and half mics south
or Amherst village, and within less than
one mile of the main line Of the South
ern Railway. 1e2 miles south Of Wash
lnSton. As miles south of Chariot .esville
and the University Of Virginia, and 1--WE
miles north of Lynchburg. in Pieduond
Virginia. 1t has location at once Access
sible, health giving and inspiring.
There IS perhaps in the State no noun
tain scenery more beautiful than that
which lies within the confines OF Am
hcrst county. Tradition says that IN the