The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-09-22
WEST NOTTINGHAM IMPORTANT
OLD SCHOOL OF CECIL
This Splendid Educational Insti-
tuition At Colora Was Established In
f741, And Has Been In Continuous
Existence Ever SiI.ce

Existence Ever Since
We have been requested to reprint
the following sketch of West Noting
ham Academy, which appeared in the
Midland journal of Friday, Febru-
airy 1, 1924:
Dating back to 1741, West Not
tingham Academy is one of the old
est, as it is one of the best. private
schools of the secondary grade in
the United States.
While the history of the school is
closely interviewer with the history
of Presbyterianism in this section of
the country, and while 1t is under
control of the Synod of Baltimore,
the school itself is strictly non-sec-
tartan in its scope. This point is
strongly insisted on by the faculty
and trustees.
Records show that the school was
founded in 1741 by the Rev. Samuel
Finley, who at that time was pastor
of the Presbyterian Church. 1t was
known as "Dr. Finley's School al
Nottingham, and tradition has II
that Aaron Burr and DR.. Benjamin
Rush were among the scholars of
that period.
Dr.. Finley was man of great per-
sonal force and educational ability.
In 1861, he became president of
Princeton College.
nh Aon do e
formally chartered in 1871 and was
placed upon the firm and solid foun-
dation on which 1t now rests. DR..
James Magraw, at that time, was one
of the strongest sponsors of the
school and was responsible for much
of the early success.
The academy is situated in the cen
ter of a large and beautiful tract OF
land, originally known as TIE Ma
graw Farm This land comprises 800
acres, and between fifteen and twenty
acres immediately surrounding the
manor house are set aside for the use
of the school.
In this manner there is ample
room for recreation fields. In addi-
ton, there are gardens and stables,
and the scholars are thus assured OF
an abundance of fresh vegetables and
milk.
In it's teachings the school, as has
been said, is strictly nOn-sectarian
Bible study, of course, is insisted on,
and there is Scripture reading every
morning, the faculty holding that no
education is complete without I;
knowledge of the Holy Writ.
The health of the students comes
in for equal consideration with then
instruction. Sane, sound, healthy out
door sports, such as baseball, football
and tennis, are encouraged and are
under the supervision of the princi-
pal of the school.
There are two large structures
the Magraw building and Gayley
Hall. Both are equipped with electric
lights. steam heat fine bathing facili-
ties and every other modern conven-
fence The Magraw building contains
| the class rooms, as well as being the
| home of the teachers and students
part of the faculty lives at Gayley
| Hall.
West Nottingham Academy is won
derfully situated for school purposes
| 1t is near Colora, reached by the Bal
| timore Central Division of the Penn
sylvania Railroad, but is remote from
| he distracting influences of large
city And yet it is conveniently locat-
ed. 1t is only sixty miles from Phila-
delphia and fifty miles from Balti-
more, being on the great concrete
| turnpike that connects the two big
cities.
Tuition at the Academy is very
small, even in these days of inflated
prices Scholars are constantly un-
| der religious and home-like super.
vision, and are trained along the
lines that will make them healthy
minded, good citizens in the years
| hat are to come.
A splendid faculty has been pro
yided. The assistant instructors are
Ill college graduates and have been
carefully selected with a view to TIE
| reeds of the students.
The trustees are all leading lay,
| men and clergymen of Maryland and
| the District of Columbia They are
as follows:
| Hon. Stanton ]. Peele, Washing
ton; Judge William S. Pritchett, Will.
mington, Del; Rev. Henry Runner
D. D. Darlington, Md; Mr.. Charles
b. Osborne, Aberdeen; Rev. F. Earl
Huffman, Baltimore, the secretary
Mr.. Robert G. Cameron, Rising Sun;
Mr.. James J. Hanna, Colora; Mr.
| William B. Steel, Port Deposit; Rev
Thomas P Mckee, Colora: Rev. John
A. Nesbitt. Gainesville; Mr.. William
Gibson, Washington; and Mr.. Frank
Sheppard, Wilmington. Del.
All of these, as has been said, are
men of the highest standing in their
| various communities. A special word
however, should be made of Mr.
James j. Hanna, of Colora.
Mr. Hanna, who is one of the most