Viewing page 4 of 17

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

318 THE NATIONAL FREEDMAN.

[[first of 2-columned page]]

appropriate inscription, placed over the pulpit, at an expense of about fifty dollars.
  We understand that the Trustees were, and still are, anxious that we should obtain another building, if possible, but we hope by proper care to make them more contented with our occupancy.
  Miss Knapp arrived in season to commence with us on Monday, the 9th. She has taken sole charge of the singing, and the scholars are doing finely. She is well qualified to train them in this respect, as she has a fine voice, both sweet and strong.
  After prayers, her scholars occupy the gallery. They seem to be quiet and orderly, and she is much pleased with her new experience. I think without boasting, we can say that our scholars excel in good behavior. Every one who has visited us has commended this feature. We have had some fear lest all of our larger pupils should be taken from us to form a high school. This would reduce us merely to a primary school, and I hope it may not yet be done, as I am confident they would gain nothing at present by the change and our school would suffer greatly.
  Our largest attendance thus far has been 120, but we hear of many more who are coming in. If no unforeseen obstacles occur, we think that the Johnson school will be as flourishing as could be desired.
  We are told that the prejudice of the citizens against us is still very strong, and that it is doubtful whether they will permit us to remain after military protection is withdrawn.
  Gen. Howard was here yesterday, and said in a speech before the members of the convention that the Freedmen's Bureau would not be continued after civil authority was restored. Mr. Fiske does not think that this will affect our arrangements for the winter.
  We can not hold an evening school at present, on account of the distance, but shall open one if Mr. Leland succeeds in obtaining a house nearer the centre of the town.
  We have a very pleasant family circle. It has always seemed to me desirable to have a gentleman and his wife at the head of our Teachers' homes, though I have never before been so situated. Mrs. Leland makes an excellent matron, doing all in her power for the happiness of us all, while she employs her leisure time in visiting and caring for the wants of the people. There will be much suffering here this winter. Complaints and applications for relief

[[2nd of 2-columned page]]

are constantly being made by those who say they have worked all summer in the field for food and rent, and are now turned off without any provision for the winter. 
  I wish the Norther people could see these things with our eyes. Yours very truly,
Fannie Graves

Newbern.
Newbern, N.C., Nov. 3, 1865

Dear Mr. Hawkins.--Miss Maxwell and myself arrived here last Saturday morning, after a voyage lacking in incident, beyond a night off Hatteras, and getting a ground in the swash of Pamlico. Miss Maxwell could hardly appreciate my excitement at sight of the shabby little town. It did seem good to get among my people again, their greetings were so eager and cordial.

A GENEROUS WELCOME.

  Still I felt a little dispirited that first day, at the small prospect of securing schoolrooms. I concluded that I must be ready on Mr. Pond's return from Roanoke to travel toward some newer field, so spent Saturday making some good-bye calls. Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting my class in the morning Sabbath school, sustained by colored teachers since the schools closed last July. Any little doubt about our welcome there, caused by a careless remark from an outsider, the day before, that the colored people preferred acting independently, was dissipated at once by the greetings we received.

SELF-HELP.

  From the school we hurried to church--our new Northern church you must have heard of--and coming home past the quiet inclosure of Academy Green, with a sudden thrill at the remembrance of the white Hospital tents that dotted it when I last passed by, as when after long time we enter rooms consecrated by death, I was stopped to hear a most generous offer of a schoolroom. A store has been built in the Trent River camp, by the Bureau, this season. One of my colored friends of the last year secured a lease, while it was yet building, of the lower part, at ten dollars per month for an indefinite period. He could now relet it, Capt. James tells me, for twenty or twenty-five dollars. He offers it to me for a schoolroom, and engages to meet the ten dollars rental. He remains himself, it must be added, in a much less commodious and comfortable store building. Of course, before accepting I felt it right to confer

THE NATIONAL FREEDMAN.  319

[[1st of 2-columned page]]

with both Capt. James and Mr. Pond. Both cordially approve, and I am very happy over the prospect of such sunny quarters for the winter. I thought it but right, as Mr. Pond suggested, that the Association should be told of the donation of Joseph Fowle. It is a very large one for his income. I am likewise very glad to furnish you with so pleasing an incident with which to confront those unfriendly to our cause. I believe I am not guilty of any undue anxiety to remain in my old field of labor. I had supposed it certain Mr. Pond would assign me elsewhere, but he approves cordially of my securing to the Association of the benefit accruing from a personal favor rendered to me as an old teacher. I certainly should in any case have deferred to his judgment. Without reflections on the past, I am glad we are going to have such a good working Superintendent.

THE NEW SCHOOLROOM.

  My new schoolroom is more snugly built than the average of buildings here, and I shall need less lavish expenditure of fuel, and the fireplace will, at the same time, save me the need of a stove, and help ventilation. I am going over to-morrow (Saturday) to set things in order, and shall begin on Monday. This week I have been occupied in teaching the Fort Totten school for Mrs. Stearns, of the Boston Society, who is suffering from malarial fever. I have enjoyed it very much. Many of last year's schools being closed for lack of buildings, some of the pupils have walked long distances to attend. I had parents and children in the same classes. The door standing open for the air, I had many quiet, interested lookers on, and yesterday, to my wonderment, among them a Carolinian, who spoke to me in courteous terms, too. Miss Maxwell has so far, at their request, assisted Mr. and Mrs. Howard of the Boston Society in their crowded school in St. Andrew's Chapel. So, coming Saturday, we were both at work on Monday. The people beg Mr. Howard for an evening school. My evening scholars of last winter are eager to start again, for which reason I hope to live in town. They are exerting themselves already at my instigation to secure a place to meet in. I am so happy to be at work again. I should like to show you a letter of acknowledgment to my sister for a portrait of Mr. Lincoln in a pretty frame sent through me. I wrote it by dictation. But then, Mr. Hawkins, through Miss Maxwell says, Mr. Greeley would have

[[2nd of 2-columned page]]

been charmed; mindful of the printed instructions accompanying my commission, I remember that comparisons are invidious, and refrain from entertaining you as I did my sister. We went on arrival, baggage and all, to Capt. James's Office, to ask where we should go, and were sent by Mr. Leavitt to my old Home, Cor. George and New Streets. The house contains three sleeping-rooms, and merely such bedding as brought by teachers, was occupied by five teachers of the Boston Society, and Mr. Fitz, of the Trent River camp, sick. Yet we had a most cordial and kindly reception from all; were actually treated as if our coming was a thing to rejoice over, instead of rendering closer crowding necessary. So far, as to quarters, we have fun and discomfort in about equal quantities. I have a very timely donation of slates for my school from friends at home, and materials from my sewing class. 
  I promise you I will not soon again trespass so long upon your time. Most respectfully,
JULIET B. SMITH.

Roanoke Island.

Roanoke Island, October, 1865. 
  Hobson School, taught by Miss Susan Odell. Pupils, 79; average attendance, 61. Males, 32; females, 47.
  The Hawkins School, taught by E.P. Bennett. Pupils, 68; average attendance, 51. Males, 27; females, 41.
  The Briggs School, taught by Miss Ella roper, Camp Reno. Pupils, 60; average attendance, 44. Males, 32; females, 28. Many scholars are away from the island at work, and gather in slowly. The long vacation seems only to have inspired the pupils with a more ardent desire to learn.
  School on Lincoln Avenue, taught by Miss E.P. Worthington. Pupils, 83; average attendance, 62. Males, 38; females, 45.

October 31, 1865.

REV. W.G. HAWKINS.

  Dear Sir:--I was very much surprised when I opened my school, October 16th, to find so few familiar faces. At least one-half of my old scholars have gone to their old homes. I was sorry to miss their welcome and feel that I should give them no more instruction; but I know it is much better for them to go where they can find work. Their places are filled by others as bright and as anxious to learn. Again I have to commence with the A B and C, but