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Inspector's Report of Colored Schools in Petersburg Va.
Schools of American Baptist Home Mission Society.
Tabular Statement. April 1866.
[[13 columned table]]
| Location | Teachers | Pupils Day | Pupils Night | Pupils over 14 yrs of age | Studies Arithmetic | Studies Geography | Studies Grammar | Studies Writing | Attendance Average attendance | Attendance Discipline | &c. Furniture. | Remarks &c |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Guildfield | Mr Bates | } | | | | | | | | | | Four Schools in a Room |
| Bapt. Chh. | Mrs Bates | } 441 | | 150 | 50 | 50 | 3 | 40 | 225 | Fair | Furniture | Average 70 Pupils to a Teacher |
| | colored { Mr Tabb | } | | | | | | | | | of Lecture Room | Colored teachers teach Reading and Spelling only. |
| | { Miss Matthews | } | | | | | | | | | Black Board & Tablets | School Children appear [[?]]. |
| 1st African Chh. | Mr Nelson Bates | } | | | | | | | | | | Two Schools in a Room |
| | Mrs Nelson Bates | } 240 | | | 31 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 140 | Fair | | Room large and Airy, but not attractive. |
Miss Barry was in Richmond & her school Closed.
General Remarks
The average daily attendance is that of 70 pupils to a teacher, which is too large a number. These schools commenced in Oct. '65 and show a fair average progress for the time taught. While they are not as far advanced as the older schools of the 1st District, they possess some advantages over them. e.g.
The pupils are of better appearance and more intelligent, this is especially true of the large Guildfield School. The rooms are better than most in the 1st Dist. and are better furnished. But the teachers are not as experienced nor are the recitations as accurate. The field is a very promising one and the encouragements unsurpassed. This Society speaks of closing its schools. They should be urged to continue.
The teachers of this Society state, that they are cordially received by the Citizens of Petersburg, and that some of the most influential residents have showed them kindness and attention. They attribute this to their having been active in the white Churches & Sunday schools of their denomination and their apparent interest in the white children is reciprocated.
There is here, as elsewhere, the same need of permanent school House.
and it is desirable that one Society should occupy the whole field.
Respectfully Submitted
Chas. A. Raymond
Chaplain U.S.A
Inspector Schools State of Va
April 30, 1866
Inspector's Report of Colored Schools in Petersburg Va.
Schools of Pennsylvania Freedmens' Relief Assoc.
Tabular Statement. April 1866.
[[12 columned table]]
| Location | Teachers | Pupils Day | Pupils Night | Pupils over 14 yrs of age | Studies Arithmetic | Studies Geography | Studies Grammar | Studies Writing | Attendance Average attendance | &c. Discipline | Remarks |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Corner of High & Market | Mr Seiler. Supt. Schools of this Soc'y. | 110 | | | In 1st & 2nd Reader | | | | | | The schools well supplied with Blackboards |
| Building formerly Bapt. Church & then Tobacco Factory | Miss Bullock | 44 | | | 44 | 17 | | 24 | 32 | Fair. | maps, & Tablets. |
| | Mrs Seiler | 98 | | | Intermediate School primer & 1st Reader. | | | | | | Benches have backs. |
| | Mr Davis | } | | | | | | | | | |
| | Miss Robinson | } 295 | | | Primary School. | | | | | | These five schools occupy two large rooms, for which rent is paid. They are subject to many annoyances, and good order, and thorough discipline are almost impossible. |
General Remarks.
The appearance of the pupils in these schools is not as good as in the Guildfield School, i.e. they are not as well clothes, and do not live as comfortably at home. They are about a fair average of the large clan of colored children however. The school was commenced in June '65. The recitations heard, were quite creditable, but not the best, nor approaching the best. While the schools seem better supplied with materials than most in the 1st Dist. they are manifestly taught by teachers of less experience and thoroughness. Still, for the time during which they have been teaching, they deserve much commendation for their success. The society is certainly very liberal in its supplies, and successful teaching under the difficulties attending crowded and noisy rooms, and the necessary discouragements of pupils wholly undisciplined in school habits is not invariable.
One half the pupils in attendance, were pure blacks, a larger proportion than usual.
It should also be remarked that the schools had been interrupted by Small Pox, & for a month had been dismissed.
The same desire for appropriate school rooms as elsewhere.
Respectfully submitted,
Chas. A. Raymond
Chapl. U.S.A. & Inspector Schools State of Va.
