Esther J. Duvall to Maj. W. L. Van Derlip, Sept. 22, 1870
- Title
- Esther J. Duvall to Maj. W. L. Van Derlip, Sept. 22, 1870
- Date
- 09-22-1870
- Creator
- Esther J. Duvall
- Recipient
- Maj. W.L. Van Derlip
- Description
- Esther J. Duvall, a white resident of Harford County, writes to Education Supt. W. L. Van Derlip in an effort to secure a teaching position at Hendon Hill. Duvall claims that she writes at the request of the school trustees. She reports that current teacher M. E. P. Lyons intends to return to teach in the fall, but that the local people would prefer a new teacher. She maintains that although the people have no complaint against the competency of Lyons, she is too young and an outsider to the community. Duvall states that the local black population is "conservative" in their ideas about youth and inexperience, and that because they are indirectly under "democratic" influence, they object to having a teacher of their own color. Duvall offers herself as a suitable replacement, and asks Van Derlip on what terms teachers are employed. She claims she can have sufficient pupils to begin teaching on November 1, 1870. This letter is filed among the letters received by Freedmen's Bureau national education superintendent Rev. John Alvord, rather than D.C. education superintendent W. L. Van Derlip, to whom it is addressed. It was probably sent to Alvord's office in Washington, rather than Van Derlip's office in the same city. There is no evidence that Alvord's office forwarded the letter to Van Derlip, or responded to it.
- School
- Bel Air aka Hendon Hill
- Source
- Smithsonian, National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Courtesy of the U. S. National Archives and Records Administration, FamilySearch International, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Transcript
-
Address
Bel Air, Harford Co. Md.
The Maples,
Thursday 22 Sept. ’70.
Major_Van Derlip;
Sir,
I have been requested by the trustees of “Hendon Hill” school to write you in regard to procuring a teacher for the school for the coming term. It is understood that Miss Lyons expects to return and, I am requested to say, it is not deemed expedient or advisable she should do so. The trustees wish it to be explicitly understood that they have no charges to bring against the young lady and they have great respect for her abilities, but they think she is too youthful for this particular school, and being also an entire stranger she is not able to command the confidence of the people of this region who are very “conservative” in their ideas about youth and inexperience, and owing, I suppose, indirectly, to “democratic” influence, they are rather opposed to being subject to a teacher of their own color.
Thus much I have said by request of others; I speak now for myself and I consider that I am very fortunate in having some little acquaintance with you as it will not be quite so difficult to “define my position” as it would be to a total stranger. I have for some weeks purposed to apply for this school and was under the impression that Miss Lyons declined to come back. I knew nothing of the intention of the trustees to request the appointment of another teacher till a week ago when Mr. Dogherty desired me to write. I should have complied with his wish sooner but I did not obtain your address till the night before last, too late for yesterday’s mail.
I should like to know at your earliest convenience the terms upon which teachers are employed. I wish it were in my power to give my time and application to this work gratis for I feel a deep interest in all that concerns the welfare of the colored people, especially those of this community. I think there will be little difficulty in obtaining the required number of scholars to begin school on the first of November, which, I think, is the earliest date at which a full attendance can be secured. As I am well known to the people and have in several ways been interested with and for them, I think I should meet with little discouragement in the prosecution of the duties of the school, for which; as I have several times been a teacher in white schools; I presume I may represent myself as being competent. Recent unfortunate events have made it necessary that I shall go into some “outdoor” enterprise and I do hope it may suit you to give me this place, which is so preferable to others because I will not have to leave my home.
Hoping for an answer at your earliest convenience I am
Yours very respectfully,
Esther J. Duvall_
Part of Esther J. Duvall to Maj. W. L. Van Derlip, Sept. 22, 1870