The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-13
HAMPTON TAKES
A DAYS HOLIDAY
TO Celebrate the Founding Of the
First School in This Country.
Mr.. G00DE WAS THE ORATOR
The New syns-Eaton Academy Dedicated and
Its Founders and Supporters Eu!o.
ri ed-Iablet Unveiled and the
Stars an Stripes Raised.
Especial dispatch TO The Times. ,

's,pBCldi iiHpdicu 10 lGt Linus;
NEWPORT NEWS, VA, Feb. 12.-The
new Syms-Eaton Academy building; in
Hampton, was dedicated to-day with in
tercstng ceremonies. The institution was.
the first free school IN America, and the
exercises were chiefly commemorative of
this fact. 1t was holiday for Hampton,
and the occasion viii long be remember
ed as one of the most notable in the his
cory of the old town. The chief feature
was the admirable address delivered by
Hon. John Goodc. president of the Con-
sututional Convention.
At . o'clock this morning the Academy
building was thrown open for inspection
of the public, and the work of pupils eX-
hibited and explained In THE afternoon
there WAS an imposing parade, in which
all the school children, ali the military on
the Peninsula and numerous civic and
other organizations participated. AT 2:S0
O'Clock the handsome bronze tablet erect
cd by the Society for The Preservation Of
Virginia Antiquities. was unveiled by
MAJOR Richardson. after which tbs
Stars and Stripes were raised, and the
SSGsr Spanslcd Banner sung by the chill
drcu.
The crowd repaired 10 The armory.
where Mr.. Goodo delivered his address.
MIR. GOODIES ADDRESS.
In the commencement OF his remarks
MIR. Goodc referred TO the uniform cour-
;esy and Kindness extended to him by the
people Of Hampton while lse had the
honor TO represent the Second Virginia
District in Congress.
After dwelling at considerable length
upon the many thrilling incidents con-
locted with the history Of the PENN
suIa. he said:
Here in this ancient town was estab-
lished nearly three hundred Years ago
lv a large-hearted and publlc-spirited
citizen the first free school ever known
i'll North America. From a little book
compiled by that cultured lady. Mrs. L.
NJ Armstrong, who published it fer the
benefit of the Daughters OF tic Anell-
can Revolution and the Association for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
we learn that Benjamin Sy1ns, being
seized in fee simple of a tract of land
containing zoe acres, or Whereabouts, by
his will, dated February L, 1854, devised
the use of the said land, with THE milk
and increase of eight mich cows for the
II aintenance of an honest man TO keep
upon the said ground u Tree school loI
The education and instruction OF the chli-
dren OF the adjoining parishes OF Eliza
beth City and l\iquotan, viz: from May
Mt. doWnwardS TO Inc 1oquoSph li.Si'
and declared his will and desire TO be
maj The justices or the peace Of the said
county with the minister and church
wardens of the said parish of Elizabeth
city should see his said will from time
TO time justly and truly performed; and
further declared his desire TO be mat
when here should be a sufficient IN
crease OF said cattle half of them should
he sold and the money raised by sncil
1,,,ill {,,yv ., sol
and chat he residue of the said increase,
after the schoolmastcr should have sui
ficient stock, should be applied towards
repairing the schoolhouse and maintain
ing poor children. or decayed OF manned
persons. and according TO The directions