The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1959-02-20

state and the cOuntry.)
By MRS. JEAN WHITAKER
At time when mems lives were
darkened and the fate of self gov
eminent hung in the balance of the
OLD world and the new, individuals
OF different religious denominations
began to feel a sense of national
unity. So it was that the idea OF
Ham2den-Svdnev College rs born
N the minds Of thinSirg men N
Prince EdYaTT Cu;naefls1d snd
Charlotte counties several years De-
fore the actual founding of the Col
lege. In 1872 an unsuccessful at
tempt was made by the Presbytery
OF Hanover to found a school of
higher learning its failure was APP
parently. due to the lack Of organi-
cation
In l774 the Rev. Samuel Stanhope
Smith. an alunnus and professor Of
the College of New Jersey now
Princeton. settled in the vicinity of
what IS now the Town of Farfnville
as missionary and teacher. Under
his leadership at the request of the
Presbytery. a new and successful
attempt was made to found a col
lege. Through the tireless efforts of
the Rev. Smith and the generosity
OF friends of several religious de-
nominations in sympathy with the
ideals o. civil and religious libar-
ties, the idea became a reality.
Members of the Presbytery met
with other interested parties in
little white frame building which was
the office of Nathaniel Venable at
Slate Hill in IT'S. From this
meeting came the birth of Hamp-
den-Sydney College. The location of
the College was determined BY the
donation of 100 acres of land By
Peter johnson. an Episcopalian.
Two Englishmen
The name Hampden-S Sydney was
chosen combining the names Of
John Hampden and Algernon sgd
ney whose lives best exemplified
the ideals and aspirations .of the
founders of the College. Hampden
and Sydney were Englishmen who
lived. fought and died for civil and
religious liberties during the 18th
century. Their paths crossed but
they never met
A board Of trustees consisting of
u men, including the names Of at
rick Henry and James Madison.
was appointed by the Presbytery.
A formal announcement, in letter
form. was published in the Virginia
Gazette issues of October and De
cember IT'S by the Rev. Smith an
nouncing the opening of the College
due to the generous contributions of
the Presbytery and Of friends of
Prince Edward. Cumberland and
Charlotte counties The announce
ment also stated that IL gentlemen,
predominately Episcopalians. had
been appointed trustees by the Pres
bytery. The educational pattern was
adopted from that of the College of
New Jersey; however, more empha-
Sis would be placed on the cult
walton of the English language. Al
through found as a Presbyterian
College, it would be conducted on
a nonsectarian basis The tuition
per annum was IA pounds. OF ap-
proximately $40.
Opened 17-6
On January |. l776. at the dawn
OF the American Revolution. Hamp-
den-Sydney opened its doors to ITO
male students
In III, when Williamsburg was
under fear of attack by the British.
John Blair Smith. Younger brother
OF the Rev. Samuel Smith. and pro-
fessor at Hampden Sydney College,
formed a company Of volunteers
from the college consisting Of the
entire student body over the age Of
l6 They marched to Williamsburg
to help in the defense of the capital.
Although they saw no action and
returned to Hampden-S sydney. they
were commended by Governor Pat
rick Henry as the only student or
gained unit 10 volunteer their serv-
ices to the defense of Williamsburg.
Due to financial straits. resulting
from the war and the large number
OF student applications and the lack
Of physical facilities 10 care for
same. the board Of trustees sue
ceeded in having the General AS
sembly of Virginia pass an act en-
abling them to conduct a lottery
in order TO raise the necessary
funds. The lottery was eminently
successful A photostatic copy of
the act Is on display in the college
library
The Rev. Smith resigned in 1873
and later became president Of the
College Of New Jersey
Smith Named resident
John Blair Smith. leader Of the
Williamsburg expedition. wa s.
chosen to succeed his brother as
president 1t was during his adj
ministration that the institution
was regularly chartered as a col
lege by the Virginia House of Dele
gates This charter was unique in
that it was the first American col
lege charter which bore no mention
of the Mother Country
The first degrees bearing the Seal
of the College were issued during
this administration.