The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-01-09
W # Nottingham Acad ny.

WIS., Nottingham Acad ny.
Editor Cecil Wing -
hpprol,gs of the rrcc,t meeting
of the Alumni Association OF t.at time
honorpd institution, West Nottingham
Academy. in Baltimore. Thought Ir?ri Il
few interesting facts concerning the
founding and carly history of the Aca
denny might interest your readers
Its commencement cards of 1904 will
bid us to it's 1G3rl commencement. The
school started by Rev. Samuel Finley in
13l, was in Il rude log structure near
Rising sun. later it was moved to an-
other log building rear Barnes Cross
Roads.
The exact location of these antiqluted
school houses Garnet HOW be determined.
the Academy wa>' located where it now
stances. in 1912, through the efforts of
Rev. James MAgrlW. who also obtained
n endowment Of $500 per annim from
the LEGISLATURE of Maryland for the
benefit ur the school. Among those who
early in its history presided over it az
principal, we find the NAMES Of Reuben
II. Davis. afterwards principal of Belair
Academy for Il rImhrr M years Will
Tulrey.
In 1870. Rev. James Magraw was
elected plinrir1l and cuntnurd to oc-
rupy that position until his Gc"th in
1880. when his son. Samuel Nag9aw WAS
elected tt succeed him. He conducted
the school until 1870. when he removed
to Hartford County.
Rev. George burrows succeeded Ma
.rnw. and in 1850 he WIS SucrcrtIcd by
Rev. AleXn,H,pr \. II"igr. who after
wards bpram" Il professor 1T Princeton
College. rrof>. COOP. Fartz mnd Duff
irld taught for short prlin'~. when Pro-
ftsrtr Ic"manS took charge and re-
mHiNch for two years. Professor An
drews succeeded YCo,Eun>. hut only re
mniHri for Is months. when he resigned.
Rev. Ambrose II. Sill next assumed
charge of TIE school. and ably conducted
Il for four Fe"rS. when failing health
completed him to rrlir-ui,h his post.
In 1SG2 Professor George X. Rcchtcl,
Of Fott>villr, Pa, was installed rs head
teacher. He taught with marked sue
rc.lN. AMI under his ah; maun cement
West Nottingham Academy probably
reached high water mark us Il leading
educational institution. In 1856. Prof.
Rrchtr resigned his position on account
of failing health ard opened a select
school fnr girls in II building adjacent to
his house. In 1887. Prof. John G. Con-
nor. Il graduate of Lafayette College.
and a nativc of Rnrwick. Pa, was i'll
| stalled a> teacher. with Rev. :. y. Gay
py as supervising principal. This ar
rlHgcm,nt continued fer six years when
| Mr.. Gaylcy resigned, and the entire con-
| troll of the school WIS, intrul,trd To Prof.
| Conner. who proved to he am able and
conscientious instructor. 1t was during
| his incumhcncy that th,. Academy be
cam" cn-cducatiu,ml. ard it still continues
to receive girls within its walls upon
| the same terms 49, boys. We have heard
| it stated by Old residents OF the neigh
| h&rho"A that during the years that
Samuel Magraw taught. quite number
ut young w~ncn in the vicinity studied
| ut home during the week. and ON Satur-
tay came to Mr.. A.Hgruw'> house and
I,r'lru to him. 1t WAS not considered
rNIe3cnt for women 10 knew too much
| in those days.
In 1901. Prof. Common resigned. and
removed to EaSton. Pa. where he is still
Cp"a-cd in the lumber business with his
uncle. who is n woahhy lumber mcI-
chant of that city. The venerable iE!,ti-
tuition is IT present under thu care of
Prof. c. {. Walker, of New York.
Among the students of West Noting
ham who afterwards hccame distinguish
ID. were Governor Martin. of North Car
DINA. IIca. Richard Stockton. Dr. Ben
inmin Rash and his brother, judge Jacob
Rush, beth of PhiadrlphiH DR.. Nc