Mary Watson to Rev. S. Hunt, Mar. 3, 1866
- Title
- Mary Watson to Rev. S. Hunt, Mar. 3, 1866
- Date
- 03-03-1866
- Creator
-
Mary Watson
- Recipient
- Rev. S. Hunt
- Description
- Mary Watson writes to Rev. S. Hunt of the American Missionary Association to explain the delay in sending her report for the previous month. The condition of the roads delayed her going to the post office, and then the report was mislaid by the mail carrier. Watson reports that her students are progressing well and would compare favorably to students in northern schools. The church in which she is teaching is not ideal for a school, but money is being raised for the construction of a schoolhouse. She thanks Hunt for sending books, and asks for a map of the U.S.
- Related Financial Supporters
- American Missionary Association
- Transcript
-
Darlington Md March 3rd 1866
Rev S. Hunt
Dear Friend
You will doubtless think it negligence that the Report for Jan. has just arrived but I trust the explanation will be satisfactory[.] Owing to the condition of the Roads and the distance I do not go to the Post Office and the letter containing the report was mislaid by the Carrier and the mistake discovered at so late a date I thought best to send with the Feb. report[.] The Scholars have made great progress during the last two months a number of them read intelligently and have some knowledge of Arithmetic and Geography[.] I have a class in Mental and Written Arithmetic for accuracy and promptness would compare well with children of the same age in Northern Schools. We have a night school and a flourishing Sabbath School
The Church is not all that is desirable for school purposes but the Lord is blessing us with friends[.] A Gentleman belonging to the Society of Friends residing here seeing the exertions of the people for their improvement and education has given one hundred dollars towards a School Building and promises to collect one hundred, for them. The school trustees are very worthy, efficient, men and they have already commenced operations: as there are large quantities of stone here which they can obtain at the cost of carting, which can be done by themselves, it is to be of stone, which for safety, and durability, will be superior to wood; and surrounded as they are by not a few, opposers to their advancement. The extension of the Freedmen's Bureau to Maryland will be a blessing realized by all. In no State, in the far south is the arm of protection, justice, and assistance, more needed than in this State.
I thank you for the Books; all of the scholars were willing to buy though it was not convenient for some to pay just at the time.
We need a Map of the United States very much it would add a new interest to the school were it ever so small. If you will please send one also 6 copies of the National Primer, 6 of Primary Arithmetic, 1 dozen Writing Books, and a box of Pens.
Respectfully
Mary E. Watson
