Author: Chapman Hunter Chilton
Bio: Chapman Hunter Chilton, first Superintendent of Schools of Appomattox County, served in that position from 1870 until 1897 with the exception of a four-year period from 1881 until 1885, when the Readjuster Party gained control of the State politics, and Rev. J. B. Bristow was appointed in his place.

Establishment of the public school system so soon after the eventful Civil War period resulted in limited finances which made the building of school houses in Appomattox County progress slowly, but arrangements were made to build, rent and occupy a small number of primitive school houses.  In addition to these, existing private academy school buildings (Union Academy, Spout Springs Female Academy, Reedy Springs Academy) were turned over to the county for free use of the public schools.  Early records show school equipment as one broom, one axe, a bucket and dipper (in those days each girl had her day to sweep the school room and each boy his day to get wood).  Later a blackboard was added to the list.  The school term was five months, and a teacher holding a full certificate received $35 a month, an intermediate certificate $25 a month, and a primary certificate $20 a month.  The Superintendent of Schools received $80 monthly.

Tax Levy

Mr. Chilton served on a School Board Committee to persuade the County Supervisors to levy the necessary taxes to operate the public school system.  The Board recommended a tax of  ¾ of one mill on the dollar, or 7½ cents on $100.00 worth of taxable property to be used for school purposes.  At one time it was suggested that a tax of 15 cents on each dog in the County be levied for school use.  Many citizens believed that the public schools were an expensive machinery forced on them by the Underwood Constitution, and the county leaders were faced with the problem of advocating higher taxes to support the schools, a move as unpopular then as today.  Mr. Chilton was heartily in favor of the public school system and his untiring efforts helped greatly in assuring success in this enterprise.

Organizing a County Teachers' Institute was an outstanding example of his efforts to promote an effective school system.  This is described by the Rev. J. B. Bristow in his History of Public Schools of Appomattox County (1885) as follows:  "At the beginning of the school system in our county, our efficient County Superintendent, Captain C. H. Chilton, organized a County Teachers' Institute which met monthly for instruction in pedagogics...Gradually he lessened the number of meetings until an annual Institute was all that was required...Textbooks were regularly studied and recited in these teachers' meetings in connection with recitations on theory and practice teaching.  Young teachers found aid and stimulus to their work, and the more experienced became more deeply impressed with the dignity, importance and responsibility of their avocation."  The School Board was so strongly impressed with the importance of the Institute that records of teacher absence were kept, and attendance enforced.

Advocate of Free Schools

Other County Superintendents have testified to Mr. Chilton's aid in establishing the County school system.  Mr. N. R. Featherston, County Superintendent from 1914 to 1926 writes in his book History of Appomattox (1948) "Chapman H. Chilton was an ardent advocate for free schools in Virginia and when his dream came true in 1870, he was appointed the first Superintendent of Schools in this County, holding that position until 1881, when the Readjuster Party gained control of the State government and the Rev. J. B. Bristow was appointed in his place.  In 1885 the Democratic Party regained control of the state and immediately appointed Mr. Chilton to his old office.  He held the position until 1897.  A man of very strong convictions, he made some enemies as most officers do, but he had the old Virginia courtesy that made him many friends."

Mr. Jerry A. Burke, Superintendent from 1926 until 1962 called Mr. Chilton "a distinguished educator."

Mr. Chilton entered Hampden-Sydney College in 1854 and graduated on June 10, 1858 with both a liberal arts degree and a master's degree.  He taught in local academies in Appomattox County until his appointment as Superintendent, a position he held for twenty-five years.  He was principal of Union Academy, Spout Springs, Virginia in 1865 and his diary of that year contains the following notation: "On the 9th day of April, 1865, Gen. R. E. Lee surrendered the forces of the Confederate Army (so called) to Gen. Grant at Appomattox C. H.  On the same day I surrendered the Academy to various occupants such as rats and mice, squirrels and owls."

Mr. Chilton did not see active service during the Civil War because of a boyhood leg injury, but as a Captain in the Home Guards.  He was a member of the Reedy Springs Masonic Lodge and of the Old Concord Presbyterian Church.

Born in Bedford County on March 25, 1832, Mr. Chilton spent a large part of his youth with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hunter, who resided in Appomattox County.  Mr. Chilton died in 1917.

Many of his descendants have been teachers in Virginia.  Two daughters were Virginia teachers.  Thirteen grandchildren have taught in the public schools, a total of 141 years.  One granddaughter is teaching at the present time, and one granddaughter and one grandson are supervisors in the State school system at this time.

This sketch prepared by his granddaughter, Harriett A. Chilton of Falls Church, Virginia.