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Caroline County. Va. July. 18th, 1869.
Mr Manley:
Dear Sir.
I write a line according to promise, to give you an idea of the situation here.
It is really not as favorable in this immediate vicinity as I had hoped to find. There is only one family (Wm J. Courtney's)consisting of ten children, that can be implicitly relied on, for support of a school.
It is natural, that they should desire a good school near them; but I cannot see the propriety of building a new school house for the use of only 20, or 25 scholars. I don't see where I could get any more than that number in this vicinity, as a regular attendance.
Rev John W. Collins, of King & Queen County Va, who preached in New Kent, while my school was in session, recommended me to Mr Courtney, and all the rest of the members of his church about 4 1/2 miles (so represented by the neighbors) from here; (Mr C's) where he wished me to take a school, and teach in the church, where I could also establish a good Sabbath school. It is an old building, said to be 50 by 25; has seats below, but more in the gallery; and some of the windows need frame, and glass. Mr Courtney carried me down yesterday, and I met with the church, who rose up, and shook hands with, and received me, with the utmost kindness; and took a unanimous vote to call me to the church. Mr Courtney was present at the time, and agreed to everything and voted to send his children and help sustain