The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-08-21

FRnDERIcksBuRo CHARITY SCHOOL.
History and Report One Hundred Years Old
Ancient and Interesting Documents

Ancient and Interesting Documents
Through the kindness of Mrs. CYNTHIA
y. Tucker Coleman. OF williamsburg.
VA, We have in our possession Il paper on
the history and mode of conducfin,s the
Charity school of oiFrrdericksburg. toseth-
rr with report of the Treasurer of the
school Tor tie year 1902. with report
oi the Auditing Committee appended
J hese papers are valuable, not only Tor
their age and connection with an institu-
ti"n oi this town. but also for the histo-
~ oi that Institution they give. of " bich
very little is now known. We Weld much
"i our space today for their publication.
as we are sure they will prove interesting
and instructive TO many OF our readers
HISTORY on THE CHARITY SCHOOL Or PRED
EmCEsBrRG.
Towards the end of the year 20 (. sew
eral oi the humane Inhabitants of Fred.
ericksburg. were induced To turn their
attention 30 the education of the Door
iney rccollected several unfortunate par
ents. who were unable to provide for the
instruction OF their children. They knew
that nature had hot denied them genius
though fortune had deprived them of the
means Of cultiyating her blessings. They
pursued those children. in the varions
aud extensive perspective that Law befurs
them They saw them. the miserable.
slaves oi dishonOurable idleness or wild
intoNicatiOn. entering the dark shades of
social lie, and collecting on this side aud
on that the scanty gleanings of humble
cunning or slumberng exertion. The
melancholy prospect OF ignorance and
begSary excited their compassion and
called out their eNertions. The idea of n
tnority school was suggested; it was
disseminated. The plan succeeded: and
with II came the triumph of knowledge
over Ignorance. and the prospect OF "A
certain subsistence over probable ben
gary.
This Institution owes it, acknowledpe.
ments not TO one man. nor even to n few
men; but to many of the influential mem.
bers of Society.
hitherto the institution had prosperei
without he aid without the countenance
iGOVernmcnt In this state il remained
until the middle of 1896. when the inter
es;s ui the Society for the first time seem
ed TO require il not the Purse. at least
some OF those pri, ileges. which Govern
ment only can confer. Archibald Nc.
fhcrson. IA native of scotland. who died
about the year 1874, had manifested his
sinterestcdness and his love for the
poor, by the tcstamentary destina. ION of
vile : death, his estate should be sold on
n credit of years. and then put out to
interest on landed secnrity. which in
terest should be appropriated by the
ieOsSees Oi the town of fredericksburg
To the education OF the poor. The Mayor
aud COmmonality of fredericksburg. tn
whom these lunds had devolved. agreed
20 Joia the trustees of the Charity school
IN petition to the assembly. for the
purpose of transferring these funds to a
JOINT body composed OF six trustees of
the school, and the mayor and Recorder
eN-oilicIo of the town. for the exclusive
use oi this humane establishment. In the
session OF ll96. the act of incorporatiop
was passed, which conferred on them oII
the privileges Of a corporate body:and in
the session OF %, a particular act. which
invested them with the funds of McPher- 7
son estate. In the sessions of 80 and
lHVO, the legislative authority was I
again Nt rted Tor its assistance when a
petition was presented from the trustees
OF the fredericksburg Academy. that all
the property which had been attached To
that Institution, might be vested in the
trustees of the Charity School. An act
was hrst passed, investing them with
the use OF this property, which was sue
ceeded by another act for its sale and the
appropriation Of the interest of the
money. Independently of this negative
Interference, the aid of government has
never been solicited. The society has
otherwise depended upon the contribu.
ton, and upon the zeal of individuals.
How lar its success has cOrresponded
with its origin, and justified it's support
the following account of its general op-
Grafton is intended To exhibit
Any child may be admitted to a parti-
cipatlon OF II benefits. who is RECON-
mended by subscriber, and who is sup
posed worthy OF its benificence. No one
Is admitted, whose parents do not agree
TO place him under the particular direc-
ton OF the trustees while he is at the
school, and to continue him a twelve
month IN it, unless they remove beyond
the limits OF the cooperation. or unless
they pay all his expences since the time
OF his admission. Ii his parents be too
poor 70 maintain him, he is then admit
Ell IN the list OF boarders. His parents
are thus released from the whole expense
OF MS maintenance. and he is himself de-
hVered from those vices and temptations
winch would sometimes assail him under
the paternal roof The boarders have
hitherto been placed in the house OF their
instructor, VINO Is thus presented with
an the opportunities he might desire OF
superIntendiDgt their morals and stimulat-
ing their minds. The number of board
ers shaye never yet been greater than d
Should the parents of the boy be able to
maintain him, or should the number Of
boarders be already completed, he is then
entitled to clothing and instruction on
ly. The number of Protegees has never
Il