| Roll Number | 9 |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 Dec 1869 |
| State | Maryland |
| County | Kent |
| City/Town/Neighborhood | Hanesville |
| Other Locations Mentioned | – |
| Authors | Miss J. Booth |
| Position | Teacher |
| Recipient | Revd Mr Kimball |
| Other Names Mentioned | – |
| Message Abstract | Gives an account of the condition of her school. States that the trustees neglect to provide sufficient fuel, and that the people are in debt for her board &c &c &c |
| Message Body | We have come to the close of another Calendar year and I wish to give a statement of the condition of school affairs here at Worton Point. The people have a school house, small but convenient enough for the community, with desks, a stove, blackboard and some maps. The attendance has been irregular from various causes, but the chief is, a want of interest in pursuing knowledge. There has been an advancement made in studies I think, but they have been allowed in times past to be disorderly in behavior and careless in studies. In the case of one or two of the pupils I have handed them over to their parents for correction, as they would not mind the least thing said to them. There seems to be a good deal of immoral practices, a light and trifling way among the older ones and their church is disgraced by the evil doings of many of the members. These colored people are naturally quite indolent and sluggish - this very trait paralyzes every effort they may make to elevate themselves and to provide for self improvement.Good and wholesome laws are needed from the United States government for the better regulation of the people. They do not think anything is binding upon them unless some degree of compulsion is attached to it. It is not simply running to the Association as so many of these people do in the Counties and saying we wish a Teacher and will keep up the expenses of a school, that does the work, for in too many cases the teachers find but little begun and as little intended to be done. The largest number of scholars this month has not been greater than 23, because there was no fuel for four weeks, excepting one load of brushwood and the remainder I have dragged out of the bottom near the schoolhouse. I met the trustees a few days before Christmas and told them plainly that affairs must be attended to better than this. They have now brought a little coal to the schoolhouse. Some of the people do what they can and the remainder do nothing for the schools and send their children also. From the first of October until this present date there has been paid over for board only $9.75. |
| Pages | 146 |
| Transcribers Notes | School is called Worton Point |
If you are citing this record, please use the following format:
[Author (if known)], Freedmen's Bureau Correspondence on Schools, 1869-1870, 1869, Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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