Record #276 from Freedmen's Bureau Correspondence on Schools, 1869-1870 - Enduring Connections

Roll Number	9
Date	3 March 1870
State	Maryland
County	[Wicomico]
City/Town/Neighborhood	Forktown
Other Locations Mentioned	Dames Quarter
Authors	Isaiah W. Somers
Position	Teacher
Recipient	Mr. W. L. Vanderlip
Other Names Mentioned	–
Message Abstract	Forwards report of the Dames Quarter school for the month of February
Message Body	Dear Sir enclosed please find report of Dames Quarter School from February 7th to March 7th I believe this to be a true report of the condition of the above named school. I came here on the 9th inst. & left Dames Quarter on the 8th inst, please inform me what is meant by a paying school mentioned in your letter.
Pages	1349
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[Author (if known)], Freedmen's Bureau Correspondence on Schools, 1869-1870, 1870, Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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Date 5 Feb 170

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient Maj Gen'l O O Howard

Message Abstract States that by direction of Col. Corson, he gives you notice of his arrival. Calls attention to …

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Roll Number 9

Date 5 Feb 170

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Dame's Qr.

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position –

Recipient Maj Gen'l O O Howard

Other Names Mentioned Col. Corson

Message Abstract States that by direction of Col. Corson, he gives you notice of his arrival.
Calls attention to the unhappy condition of school house, and wishes something done if possible, immediately. Needs blanks and register.

Message Body Agreeable to instructions from Col Corson of Pen'na Ass'n I have taken my [??]
to inform you of my arrival at this place as school teacher having been appointed to that position by Mr. J Kimball Supt of Education at Washington I came here yesterday and found that there was no building in every [[insert]] way [[/insert]] suited to teach school in the freedman area a building but it needs some repairs and they [[??]] to [??] your able [??] to the matter and to see if some assistance cannot be rendered to give them a suitable building to teach school in there are good school houses in all the districts but this one hoping you will give this matter a close consideration I am dear sir with much respect
your verry humble Servant
Josiah W. Somers
P.S.Please [[insert]] Sir [[/insert]] inform me where I can obtain blank reports + who is State Superintendent

Pages 1319

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Date Feb 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient To Bureau agent at Baltimore Md

Message Abstract Requests to be furnished with books, a list of which is enclosed. Respectfully [[/preprinted]] r…

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Roll Number 9

Date Feb 1870

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Dame's Qr.

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient To Bureau agent at Baltimore Md

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract Requests to be furnished with books, a list of which is enclosed.
Respectfully [[/preprinted]] referred to W. L. Van Der lip School Supt Md and Washington D.C.

Message Body Dear Sir
Please send by bearer if it is your power so to do the following books for the use of the Colored School at Dames Quarter (viz:)
2 Doz. Websters Elementary Spellers
1½ doz. McGuffeys Second Readers
1 doz. " [[ditto for McGuffeys]] 1st Readers
1 doz. Smiths Arithmetics 1st Part
2 doz. Slates Medium Size
1 box of Slate pencils
1 dozen Copy books
& by so doing you will very much oblige
[...]
P.S. If you furnish the above named articles for Freedmens Schools you will please send them here as they are much needed I should also like some blank school reports

Pages 1327

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Date 16 Feb 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient Mr. Jno Kimball

Message Abstract States that he opened school on 4th inst. and has but six pupils; that only few of the people man…

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Roll Number 9

Date 16 Feb 1870

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Dame's Qr.

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient Mr. Jno Kimball

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract States that he opened school on 4th inst. and has but six pupils; that only few of the people manifest any interest in the school, and that he is unwilling to remain, but would like to be sent to another place

Message Body Dear Sir;
There is not sufficient interest taken in the school by the people of Color to make it interesting I came here on the 4th instant have been here two weeks & have but six regular pupils, there are some of the folks are willing to do all in their power to encourage education whilst some others complain of not being able to warm the house, and pay the board, I have had to sit in the house with cold feet several days, the house is not fit to teach school in it being neither plastered nor ceiled and the place is a low flat marshy island, I have been teaching school for five months without pay and consequently am without money or good clothes, and I am not willing to teach school after this month unless better arrangements are made I have had the rheumatism ever since I have been here on account of getting my feet wet the day I came here, I had to walk from Princess Ann a distance of 15 miles often through water over shoe tops I have been teaching in Freedmens schools since the 17th of Sept 1868 and have never been paid for one half of the time my health is broken and I believe I shall have to stop teaching
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school for the present, if the folks took more interest in the school I could afford to labor under disadvantages, but under existing circumstances, I cannot feel free to do so, I never complain without occasion, but if a people every time you ask them to do their duty complain of inability to perform it when it is the reverse, viz. an unwillingness to do it is very discouraging under the existing circumstances I am not willing to stay here the mail runs to or from here only once a week
hoping dear Sir you may answer this immediately I am with much respect

Pages 1331

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Date 25 Feb 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient Maj. Genl. O. O. Howard

Message Abstract States that he arrived and opened school on the 4th inst. : that he is in need of books, and encl…

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Roll Number 9

Date 25 Feb 1870

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Dame's Qr.

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient Maj. Genl. O. O. Howard

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract States that he arrived and opened school on the 4th inst. : that he is in need of books, and encloses a list with which he requests to be supplied.

Message Body I came here on the 4th inst & took charge of the school at this place I found a house ill-sufficient to teach school in it was so open, no books nor anything else to start a school with I used what books could be found among the people and commenced operations, I am in need of a pair of shoes not having had all my pay for teaching since last August we are badly in need of books here, & if possible [[strikethrough]] can [[/strikethrough]] will you please furnish us with the following articles 4 dozen Websters Elementary Spellers
2 " [[ditto for dozen]] Mcguffies Readers 1st Part
2 " " " [[dittos for dozen Mcguffies Readers]] 2nd " [[ditto for Part]]
4 doz Slates, Medium Size
4 " [[ditto for dozen]] Copy Books.
1½ " [[ditto for dozen]] Arithmetics Emersons 1st Part,
9 " [[ditto for dozen]] Slate Pencils,
Please send the above articles or such of the same kind as are used in Freedmens Schools, & by so doing you will relieve the trouble & anxiety

Pages 1337

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Date 9 March 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient –

Message Abstract States that he left Dames Quarter and has opened the school at Forktown according to instructions…

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Roll Number 9

Date 9 March 1870

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Forktown

Other Locations Mentioned Dames Quarter, Tauksbury

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient –

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract States that he left Dames Quarter and has opened the school at Forktown according to instructions. Requests to be furnished with teachers blanks.

Message Body Dear Sir yours of the second inst. came to hand on Friday, but owing to a snow storm which set in at that time I was unable to comply with the requirements of your letter there being no means of conveyance from Dames Quarter and I could not get up the road without wading through water over shoe-tops, and there being a sloop at Dames's Quarter loading with oysters for Tauksbury I took passage on board of it & came to Harps Point then walked 5 miles to Forkstown. I have taken charge of the school here, dear sir do furnish blank reports if so please send me one so that I may report the Dames Quarter School if it is necessary

Pages 1346

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Date 18 March 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient Mr. W. L. Vanderlip

Message Abstract Applies for books.

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Roll Number 9

Date 18 March 1870

State Maryland

County Wicomico

City/Town/Neighborhood Forktown

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient Mr. W. L. Vanderlip

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract Applies for books.

Message Body Will you please to send me one doz' Landers Third Readers and if you have them will you please send me a copy of Rules & Regulations for the government of schools

Pages 1357

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Date 19 March 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient Maj. W. L. Vanderlip

Message Abstract States that is in need of money: that his salary for February has not been paid &c.

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Roll Number 9

Date 19 March 1870

State Maryland

County Wicomico

City/Town/Neighborhood Forktown

Other Locations Mentioned –

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient Maj. W. L. Vanderlip

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract States that is in need of money: that his salary for February has not been paid &c.

Message Body Dear Sir
Not having received any pay for near five months and having had a great deal of walking to do my shoes are pretty nearly worn out and I am badly in need of a pair just now and if it is in your power to do so will you please sir send me some money so that I can get me some shoes and other things that I need by doing so you will very much oblige

Pages 1361

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Date 17 May 1870

State Maryland

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Recipient –

Message Abstract Requests to have Check for this months salary, sent to 111 Brown St. (Frankford,) Philadelphia, Pa.

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Roll Number 9

Date 17 May 1870

State Maryland

County Somerset

City/Town/Neighborhood Forktown

Other Locations Mentioned Frankford, PA

Authors Isaiah W. Somers

Position Teacher

Recipient –

Other Names Mentioned –

Message Abstract Requests to have Check for this months salary, sent to 111 Brown St. (Frankford,) Philadelphia, Pa.

Message Body Received May 17th 1870 of Major W. L. Vanderlip, Check No 1477 for ($20) twenty dollars [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] in payment of salary for month of April.
$20.00
[[signature]] Isaiah W Somers [[/signature]]
Teacher
Forktown May 18th 1870
Please send check for May to No 111 Brown St Frankford
Philada, City.
Pa

Pages 1396

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